Communiqué 341 – July 7, 2010

From Brenda Davids, director of Student Ministries:

It’s been an exciting summer at Camp Chippewa so far. During the first week of camp, two infants that are the children of the former program director, Jenna Merriman and her husband, were baptized. Family and friends joined the camp community for the sprinkling of the waters of baptism performed by Rev. Howard Sudduth.

During June, Jim Schmitz from Parsons Wesley UMC was the Camp Chippewa artist-in-residence. Jim brought four very large logs with him from Parsons, and these logs were transformed into pieces of art for the camp and outdoor chapel. An ornate altar table from catalpa wood logs was designed by Jim and carved by him and some campers. A pulpit carved by Jim’s son was donated to the outdoor chapel. Now greeting worshippers at outdoor chapel is a youth kneeling in prayer with their head bowed carved from an oak log. A chair was also carved and is a wonderful resting spot near the beginning of Briscoe trail on the north end of camp.

From Becky Moore, Camp Chippewa staff:

Camp Chippewa is still taking registrations for summer camp session. Living Waters Camp #1039 and #1040 have openings for campers to enjoy water activities on site and a day trip to Oceans of Fun. Camps #1043 and#1044 give families the opportunity to come together for an overnight of outdoor adventure and worship.

Download a list of other camps with openings.

Contact the camp office for more information at 785-242-6797 or office@campchippewa.org.

News

ABIDE program helps Blue Mound UMC revitalize
Nestled in a small town of only 285 people, Blue Mound United Methodist Church's attendance has increased by 40 percent and has completed renovations to the building.

Find out more about their success at http://www.kansaseast.org/news/detail/609.

Is your e-mail address changing?
To make sure you keep receiving the Communiqué, you can change your e-mail address by using the “Click to manage your subscription” link at the bottom of the e-newsletter. You will be able to change your e-mail address and manage all your e-newsletter subscriptions.

Use of inflatables at churches
Important information regarding the use of inflatables at church events is available at http://kansaseast.org/pages/detail/1207#inflatables.

Conference Board of Church and Society sends letter to Sen. Brownback
At the 2010 Kansas East Annual Conference, there was discussion of United States policy and support of maternal health and international family planning. The conference voted to ask Senator Sam Brownback to support increased funding for maternal health initiatives and international family planning.

Read the letter that was sent by the conference Board of Church and Society to the senator at http://www.kansaseast.org/news/detail/610.

‘Meeting the spiritual needs of a changing community’
“Are there times when it feels as if your church resides on a different planet than it once did? The street signs are the same. The trees have been there for ages. The sun rises in the morning and the moon at night. But, somehow, everything else feels unfamiliar. Our communities can feel like different planets because of shifts in household trends and the racial or ethnic makeup of residents, or the closure of some businesses and the addition of others,” writes Rev. Cynthia Weems in the article, “Meeting the spiritual needs of a changing community.”

Read more at http://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/leaddocs/2010/100623_article.html.

K-State Wesley e-newsletter
The latest Wesley Update e-newsletter includes a plea for items needed by the K-State Wesley campus ministry.

Read the newsletter at http://www.kansaseast.org/console/files/oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E/K-State_Wesley_Update_7_2_10_UP2NXUXC.pdf.

Classified ads online
Classified ads are posted on the conference Web site, including:

Director of Admissions, Financial Aid Coordinator and Registrar at Saint Paul School of Theology

See all the current classifieds in the News & Events section at www.kansaseast.org/classifieds_find.asp.

Featured events

Removing Barriers of Race, Gender and Culture, Aug. 8
The conference Commission on Diversity and Advocacy Sensitivity is sponsoring sensitivity awareness and training for clergy, staff parish relations committee members and other lay leadership Aug. 8 at Ottawa First UMC.

The registration deadline is July 30.

For an informational registration form, go to http://www.kansaseast.org/events/detail/3355.

Leadership Institute, Oct. 7-8
The “super early bird” deadline for the 2010 Leadership Institute at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood is July 10.

“Preparing for a Future with Hope” will be the theme for this year’s event. Keynote speakers and breakout workshops will focus on envisioning, planning and implementing key strategies and innovations to reach the unchurched, encourage individuals to grow deeper in faith, and empower congregations to transform their communities in the name of Christ.

More information and online registration is available at www.cor.org/li2010.

Renewing our Preaching, Renewing Ourselves, Nov. 7-8
The registration deadline for the pastors’ retreat, Renewing our Preaching, Renewing Ourselves, is July 31.

The event will be Nov. 7-8 at the Tall Oaks Retreat Center in Linwood, Kan., and will feature workshops led by Dr. Mike Graves, professor of Preaching and Director of Continuing Education at Saint Paul School of Theology.

The workshops will focus around the next week’s sermon so that pastors will go back home well into the upcoming message rather than already behind.

Get more information and a registration flier at http://www.kansaseast.org/events/detail/3343.

Visit the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/calendar.asp for additional events.