Communiqué 344 – July 28, 2010
News
La Gonave project first to get underway in partnership
A project to build a manse, or parsonage, on the island of La Gonave, Haiti, will be the beneficiary of an appeal from the Star Thrower Society in the Kansas East Annual Conference.
The project is one of three specific needs identified by Gesner Paul, president of the Haitian Methodist Church and included in the partnership agreement adopted the 2010 Annual Conference.
“Our conference has had a close and caring relationship for many years with ministries in Haiti,” said Claudia Bakely, chairperson of the Kansas East Conference Global Ministries.
Learn more at http://www.kansaseast.org/news/detail/613.
Bridges Out of Poverty training available
Bridges Out of Poverty is an approach that helps employers, community organizations, social-service agencies and individuals address poverty in a comprehensive way. The Bridges model offers ideas, structures and tools for communities to prevent, alleviate and reduce poverty.
Judy Nickelson, co-chairperson of the Bishop’s Task Force on Ministry with the Poor, is now a certified Bridges Out of Poverty Trainer.
She is available to train any Kansas United Methodist group—congregations, youth groups, UMW and UMM groups, mission teams—“whomever is interested in alleviating or eliminating poverty in Kansas.”
Contact her at judy.nickelson@washburn.edu or 785-670-2286.
Learn more about Bridges Out of Poverty at http://www.ahaprocess.com/Community_Programs.
Also, check out the Bishop's Area Task Force on Ministry with the Poor Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=123161381054598&ref=ts.
‘Navigating a Landscape of Hope in Haiti’
Over the course of its 70-year history in relief and recovery work around the world, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) staff have learned that recovery following a catastrophic event takes time if it is to be effective.
The destruction from the earthquake in Haiti is unprecedented, and efforts in relief and recovery also must be unprecedented in terms of creativity, patience and perseverance.
Rev. Cynthia Harvey, director of UMCOR, takes a comprehensive look at accomplishments, challenges and possibilities in Haiti in the wake of the January earthquake at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives2010/landscapeofhope.
Red Bird Mission School to reopen
After almost shutting its doors, the Red Bird Mission School will once again welcome students in the remote mountains of southeastern Kentucky. In May, the Red Bird Mission Board had voted to suspend classes during the 2010-2011 academic year to build up the school's cash reserves after years of dwindling donations.
But after receiving more than $100,000 in gifts and making substantial budget cuts, the board voted on July 22 to open the United Methodist school to 150 kindergartners through 12th graders this coming school year.
Find out more at http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=8539235&tr=y&auid=6692427.
Classified ads online
Classified ads are posted on the conference Web site, including:
- 2006 Toyota Camry, Kansas East Conference
- Part-time music director, Shawnee Heights
See all the current classifieds in the News & Events section at http://www.kansaseast.org/classifieds.
Featured events
Christian education observance, August
Christian Education Week and Sunday are authorized by General Conference, but its observance is set by each annual conference.
The Kansas East Conference has designated the month of August for celebrating Christian education. Churches may select any time during the month for this observance.
A KEC offering is to be taken to help provide scholarships to local church people who work in Christian education, either as paid staff or as volunteers. These scholarships enable them to attend training events anywhere in the country to help them grow their abilities to serve in their local congregational ministries.
The General Board of Discipleship has Christian education resources including a booklet containing a Christian education litany, material for a workshop, clip art and more at http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5044981&ct=8163637.
More resources as well as guidelines and an application for Christian education leadership grants are available at http://www.kansaseast.org/pages/detail/1120.
Youth day at Worlds and Oceans of Fun, Aug. 2
The Conference Council on Youth Ministries invites youth to attend Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun Day Aug. 2. The cost is $46, which includes one Parkhopper Pass to both amusement parks, a YSF donation, lunch at the Coco Palms Pavilion and insurance.
For the day’s details and registration, download a registration flier at http://www.kansaseast.org/console/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Worlds_and_Oceans_of_Fun_Flyer_XY5M3HNZ.pdf.
Tallgrass Retreat Center, August
The following retreats will be offered during August at the Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center near Matfield Green:
- Quiet Day Away, Aug. 2, $15
- Sacred Self, Aug. 4, $55
- Praying on the Prairie, Aug.11, $40
- Quiet Day Away, Aug. 16, $15
- Getting Unstuck, Aug. 24, $40
- Letters from the Soul, Aug. 27-28, $70
More information is available online at www.tallgrassretreats.com or call the center at 620-753-3465.
Willow Creek Leadership Summit, Aug. 5-6
Church of the Resurrection will be a satellite location for Willow Creek’s 2010 Global Leadership Summit Aug. 5-6. Speakers will include Rev. Adam Hamilton, Jim Collins, Jack Welch, Tony Dungy, T.D. Jakes and Andy Stanley.
To find out more about the event, visit https://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2010/index.asp.
To register, go to https://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2010/reg1.asp?event_id=EV-LSS1008-MAIN-126.
Safe and Sacred Space instructor training, Aug. 7
There will be Safe and Sacred Space training for people who would like to be instructor Aug. 7 at Lawrence First UMC.
Get more information at http://www.kansaseast.org/events/detail/3299.
mpower360 benefit concert, classes, Aug. 8-12
St. Paul’s UMC in Lenexa will present mpower360 Aug. 8-12.
The band 4 Fried Chickens and a Coke will perform a benefit concert Aug. 8, with the proceeds going to purchase solar cookers for Haitian families without homes or resources to cook meals.
The concert is just the beginning of the mpower360 fun. Monday through Thursday nights, August 9-12, fun and informative classes will be offered on subjects like African drumming, conversational Spanish, hip-hop, cheerleading and much more. Each weekday evening begins at 6:30 with dessert and fellowship, followed by a brief devotion and classes, classes, classes.
Find out more at http://www.stpaulslenexa.org/index.cfm?i=5259&mid=12&id=21303&h=1.
Creating a Culture of Generosity, Aug. 14
Join Rev. Dr. Clif Christopher, United Methodist elder and founder of the Horizons Stewardship Company, for a one-day workshop, Creating a Culture of Generosity, Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Countryside UMC in Topeka.
Christopher is the author of “Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship.”
The registration deadline is Aug. 4 to guarantee a meal. Registration is $15 per person with one to four attending from the same church or $5 each with five or more people attending from the same church. Lunch is included in the registration fee.
Get the details and a registration form at http://www.kansaseast.org/events/detail/3363.
Spring break study trip to Holy Land, March 18-26
A life-transforming trip for youth to experience the Holy Land will be March 18-26, 2011. The trip is for high-school sophomores, juniors and seniors and young adults ages 18-24.
Previous trips to Israel were reported to be amazing experiences for many participants. They discovered great faith growth as they walked where Jesus walked.
The base cost of the trip will be $2,688 per person. The deadline for registration application with $300 deposit is Oct. 10.
Get more information at http://kansaseast.org/pages/detail/1018.
Visit the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/calendar.asp for additional events.