Missouri River District January 2017
Missouri River District News 2016 Wrap Up
Any churches that didn’t submit a 2016 parsonage report or a 2017 budget please email a copy of both to Kris at missouririv- [email protected] right away. Mission Share payments for 2016 can be made up until January 9, 2017 (see page 2 for more information).
Please make January 2017 sure to like our ALL CHURCHES are required to enter Yearend Statistics (Table 1, Facebook page. 2, 3) into Ezra no later than 5:00 p.m. January 31, 2017. Please Click on the above icon do not wait until the end of January to complete this task. Infor- for a direct link. mation can be found on page 3 or by going to the on the Great Plains website at www.greatplainsumc.org, under Administration > Church Council and Leader Resources > Yearend Reports.
SPRC Training will also be held in January on Saturday the 21st Hungry? Join Lefler from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Springfield UMC, 480 Main St, Spring- or Nehawaka for one field, NE. ALL SPRC Chairs need to attend. Pastors and other or all of their upcom- SPRC committee members are welcome to attend as well. ing dinners! CLICK HERE for a link to signup or more information on page 4.
—————————————————- February 2017 Lefler Dinners 2017 dates to be District Training on Multi-Media in Worship will take place on Sat- announced. urday, February, 18, 2017 at Omaha Living Faith UMC from 9AM- —————————————————- 4PM. This event is open to both clergy and laity. CLICK HERE for Nehawka Dinners 2017 Wednesday a link to signup or see page 5 for more information. dates to be announced. March 2017
Missouri River Mashup will take place on Saturday, March, 11, 2017 at Bellevue St. James at their new facility located at 43rd & Capehart from 9:30AM-2:30PM. This event is open to both clergy and laity. CLICK HERE for a link to signup or see page 5 for more information. A list of daycares and preschools available in our district has been published on our website at www.greatplainsumc.org/ missouririverdistrict. If you do not already have a daycare or pre- school in your church please feel free to direct anyone who inquires in the area to this list. We are better together when we’re sharing infor- mation. Missouri River District Page 2
As printed in the December 7th issue of the GPConnect
Deadline set for payment of 2016 mission shares
All 2016 remittances must be postmarked on or before Jan. 9, 2017. Mission share remittance sent after Jan. 1 must clearly be marked with “December 2016” if they are to be counted with 2016 money.
Money postmarked after Jan. 9 will be considered 2017 money regardless of how the remittance is marked.
Tips for submitting final payment: Verify that the total of your remittance form and the check amount agree.
Make the check payable to the Great Plains Conference and mail it along with the remittance form to P.O. Box 4837, Topeka, KS 66604. Do not include benefit payments in this mailing as they go to a dif- ferent P.O. Box.
If you are unable to meet the mailing deadline, contact the conference office in Topeka at 844-972- 9222 to authorize a one-time automatic debit from your church account. You must turn in the ACH withdrawal form no later than 10 a.m. Jan. 9 to ensure the payment is received at the bank by the deadline.
Mission share letters for 2017 are already posted on the conference website. Remittance forms for 2017 will be loaded there Jan. 9, 2017, after the 2016 remittances close.
Missouri River District - Mission Shares Update from Dan as of December 19: Greetings all: As I like to do this time of year, here is an update on our Mission Share giving for the Missouri River District. As a dis- trict, we are up 4.52% from this time last year (as of 12-16). We are at 78.95%. Flint Hills has the highest payout so far, at 85.97%. Five Rivers is the lowest at 65.40%. Missouri River has 19 churches who have paid 100%, with a number over 83%. Those who have paid 100% include: Blair First, Brock, Brownville, Burchard, DuBois, Falls City Bethel, Gretna, Hooper Faith, Johnson, Julian, Nebraska City First, Nehawka, Nemaha, Omaha Olive Crest, Omaha St. Andrew’s, Omaha Water’s Edge, Pawnee City First, and Table Rock. 16 more churches are over 85%. Thank you for your great effort and commitment to our connec- tional church. I will bring you an update after Christmas and you have until January 9th to submit pay- ments counting toward 2016. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! Dan Flanagan Missouri River District Page 3
Year-End Reports
Statistical reports are due Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 5:00 p.m.
Churches cannot update after the deadline. Any input, updates, changes, correc- tions, etc., after the January 31 deadline need to be made through the district su- perintendent’s office.
The “Book of Discipline” states that one of the administrative responsibilities of the pastor is “to give an account of their pastoral ministries to charge and annual con- ference according to prescribed forms.” Once the statistics are reported to the con- ference, they are compiled and checked for accuracy. The bishop and the cabinet use the statistical reports to assist in the clergy appointment process. The results assist local churches in identifying ministry areas that are extraordinarily successful and in determining the success of ministry and discipleship plans. The information also is used by annual conferences to calculate local church apportioned funds and by the general church to apportion local conferences.
Access to the data entry website by clicking GCFA Stats Data Entry.
Please see the Great Plains website at www.greatplainsumc.org, under Administra- tion > Church Council and Leader Resources > Yearend Reports or Click Here for more information from GCFA, entry instructions, stats FAQ, stats entry video tutorial.
Stats Table Forms - The links below (also found on the website) can be filled out and printed to make the data entry easier.
Table 1 (PDF) Table 2 (PDF) Table 3 (PDF)
These statistical forms are not optional and must be filled out by every church. Please do not wait until January 31, 2017 to complete these forms and enter them in Ezra. If you have any questions please call Kris at missouririv- [email protected] right away. Missouri River District Page 4
Staff / Pastor - Parish Relations Committee Training
On Saturday, January 21, 2017 there will be a SPRC District Training ses- sion held at Springfield UMC in Springfield, NE from 9:00-11:00AM.
District Superintendent Dan Flanagan would request that the SPRC Chair from each church attend this training session. SPRC committee members and pastors are welcome to attend as well.
The meeting will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. so please arrive a few minutes early to get coffee and a donut before finding your seat.
Please CLICK HERE to RSVP for this event so that we have an idea of how many will be attending.
If you have any questions or need help signing up please contact Kris at the district office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 402-934-5441. Missouri River District Page 5
The Missouri River District will be offering two training opportunities to the clergy and laity of the district. If you are interested in either event, it is not too early to signup.
Multi-Media In Worship
Date: 02/18/2017 (Sat.) Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm Location: Omaha Living Faith, 5310 S 182nd Ave, Omaha, NE
Learn more about using multi-media in worship. Potential topics are tips for buying projectors and screens, sound, pro- jection software, videotaping sermons, resources available, and/or legalities of music and video usage.
There will be no cost for the training and lunch will be provid- ed although a free will offering will be taken to help defer costs.
If you have a laptop computer with PowerPoint software, you’re encouraged to bring it. Several lap- tops will also be available for others attending to experiment with the software.
Please CLICK HERE to register for the event. Please register each attendee individually so that we have an accurate headcount and each person’s name. Any questions please contact the district of- fice.
Missouri River Mashup
Date: 03/11/2017 (Sat.) Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Location: Bellevue St. James UMC 43rd & Capehart Road
Join in this free event that is open to all clergy and laity of our district to come together as one body for a “Mashup” day of fun and learning from district clergy in their area of expertise.
Please CLICK HERE to view a list of classes offered and then register for one morning and one afternoon the session.
Please register each attendee individually so that we have an accurate headcount and each per- son’s name. Any questions please contact the district office. Missouri River District Page 6
Health Health and Healing Ministries at Omaha First UMC And Healing Our Health Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) is for any- Ministries one. Please check out items at the reception desk and sign waiv- er. These items are for Members and the Community. The waiver must be signed when checking out the equipment. Please clean the loaned equipment before returning to the church reception desk. We appreciate any donated equipment, however all items should be clean and in good condition. Thank you for all your sup- port with the H.E.L.P. closet.
If you have items to donate or need to checkout equipment please contact Omaha First UMC at 402-556-6262.
Bellevue St. James Announces New Service Times After The Holidays
Starting January 8th new worship times take effect as follows:
8:00 a.m. Traditional Worship at the East campus 1501 Franklin Street, Bellevue
9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship at the East campus and Children’s Sunday School at both campuses 1501 Franklin Street, Bellevue & 3005 Golden Hills Blvd. Bellevue
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship at the West campus 3005 Golden Hills Blvd. Bellevue
11:30 a.m. Hispanic Worship at the East campus 1501 Franklin Street, Bellevue Missouri River District Page 7
Blankets for Youth Emergency Services (YES)
Around 19 of our United Methodist Women and several members of our congregation at First United Methodist Church-Omaha worked hard to make and purchase blankets for Youth Emergency Services (YES). Allison Brown-Corson, Development Director at YES, let us know the blankets and monthly meals prepared by our Feeding Ministry Team allow YES to continue to serve homeless and at-risk youth, and provide them services to break the cycle of homelessness. Thank you to the faith community of FUMC-Omaha and your belief that our youth de- serve a better tomorrow!
Missouri River District Page 8
5310 South 182nd Avenue - Omaha, NE 68135 - (402) 393-2321
Hello Mission-Minded Methodists! Living Faith mission committee would like to extend an invitation to those who would enjoy serving the Red Bird Work Camp in Beverly, Kentucky. A mission trip has been arranged for June 18-24, 2017. Pastor Sandy Webster and a mission team is leaving for Red Bird on June 17, arriving at the Work Camp on June 18 and leaving on June 24 to return to Omaha. Join the team for a week of serving the Camp or serving the neighbors in the com- munity. Those who choose to join our team will experience a wonderful sense of serving God’s people as well as receiving the joy of meeting new friends in the Red Bird area and those who are doing mission projects during the week. There are limited spaces open, so please contact Living Faith office (402-393-2321). Please review the general infor- mation sheet with this letter on Red Bird Work Camp.
The deadline for signing up for this work camp is January 15, 2017.
Thank you for considering this mission trip. Sincerely, Red Bird Mission Trip June 18 – 24, 2017- leaving June 17, 2017 Living Faith FEES - $375.00 – 1st payment due March 15, 17 with 2nd pay- Mission Committee ment May 1, 2017. Checks made out to church with one check for group sent to Red Bird Those attending – suggested age – 14 yrs. Parents know ability of their children. Red Bird does not want this to be a youth camp but a working camp. The Camp encourages work but building relation- ships with staff and community is also part of the camp. Red Bird is concerned about safety for all. Housing - cabins with twin bunk beds – male/female separated. AC in all. Need to provide own bedding, personal items, clothing for all kinds of weather. 10-20 persons per cabin-may share with other groups. Travel – provide own way down. Vans/cars work better than buses as roads are narrow. Must be able to transport to work sites with own vehicles.
Health – tetanus shot recommended if not had one for several years. Food – included in fee. Group will be asked to help with clean-up after meals. Gluten-free meal plan – extra $50
Work days – 8:30 – 4:30 pm. May be on campus or in community Total number of workers – the camp can be from 120-140 persons coming from all areas of the country-majority from United Methodist churches. Travel time – Leaving a day early, allows group to attend a local church on the way down. Do plan on staying overnight on way down but can drive straight through on way back. One will need to allow for purchase of food, gas going down and on return. This is just a brief outline of the trip to Red Bird. Please sign up with Mission Committee for a great mission experience! Missouri River District Page 9
Upcoming Church Events —————————————————- Missouri River District SPRC Training-January, Lay Multi-Media in Worship Training- February, and Missouri River Mashup-March - Please see more information on these three events on pages 4 and 5 of this newsletter —————————————————- Omaha Maplewood - Sunday January 15th at 5:00 p.m. Murder Mystery Dinner & Show presented by the Youth Group at Maplewood, see more information on following pages in this newsletter. —————————————————- Omaha First - Sunday January 22nd Rainbow Factory Annual Scholarship Soup Luncheon, see more information on following pages in this newsletter. —————————————————- Omaha First - March 24-26, 2017, Omaha First is hosting Sojourner’s Chief Church Engagement Officer, Lisa Sharon Harper, see more information on following pages in this newsletter. Ongoing Events: —————————————————- Omaha First - Weekly Spiritual Practices: Yoga Foundations, Gentle Aerobics, Tai Chi for Balance, Meditation, Taizé Worship, Centering Prayer, and Singing Bowls Meditation. Join for one or more days and all free of charge, see more information on the following pages in this newsletter. —————————————————- Faith Westwood Tai chi - Mon & Thurs at 1:00PM (finishing at 1:45PM) in the large group room on the upper level. —————————————————- Lefler Dinners - 2017 Dates to be announced —————————————————- Wednesday Nehawka Dinners - 2017 Wednesday dates to be announced
Known New Year’s Day Service Changes
Church New Year’s Day
Bellevue St James 10:00 a.m. West campus Elkhorn Hills 10:00 a.m. Nebraska City First 10:00 a.m. Omaha Faith Westwood 9:00 a.m. Traditional Service
Omaha First 10:50 a.m. NO Faith Studies Omaha Rockbrook 10:00 a.m. - Wesley's Covenant Service Springfield First 10:00 a.m.
Please check with other churches in our district directly for any other changes. Church contact information can be found on the district website at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/missouririverdistrict and using the dropdown for church or clergy. Missouri River District Page 10 Spiritual Practices at First UMC 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE
All are offered free of charge in our Mead Chapel. Please enter doors #9 or #11.
Yoga Foundations – Mondays, 9:30 am, Thursdays, 6:15 pm Gentle Aerobics – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am Tai Chi for Balance –Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 pm Meditation – Wednesdays, noon Taizé Worship – First Saturday monthly, 5:00 pm Centering Prayer – Sundays, 9:35 am Singing Bowls Meditation – Fourth Sunday Spritual monthly, 12:15 pm Practices
Any questions please contact Omaha First UMC at 402-556-6262.
Tai Chi Classes
Offered at Omaha Faith Westwood 4814 Oaks Lane Omaha, NE 68137 402-895-3394
Mondays and Thursdays at 1:00 (finishing at 1:45 PM). Class will be in the new Children's Ministry large group room on the upper level. Missouri River District Page 11
Scholarship Soup Luncheon at Omaha First UMC
January is fast approaching, and we at Rainbow Fac- tory Preschool are looking forward to all the adven- tures a new year will bring. We would like to invite you to our Annual Scholarship Soup Luncheon. It will be at FUMC (7020 Cass Street, Omaha Ne, 68132) in the Commons on Sunday January 22nd immediately following the second worship service. There will be deli- cious soup donated by our Rainbow Factory Board Members and Families! Our stu- dents will help prepare the cornbread and brownies served. All money donated will be placed in our 2017 scholarship fund. We look forward to seeing you, and appreci- ate all your kindness. –Jamie Pressnall, Director of Rainbow Factory Preschool
Missouri River District Page 12
Pearl Pantry
What are some ways you can help keep the Pearl Pantry shelves stocked?
Include a few items in your weekly grocery shopping (peanut butter, mac & cheese, canned vegetables, canned fruit, spaghetti sauce, cereal, hot dogs, hamburger, chicken, etc. Grab a Walmart Gift Card and Ms. Barb will price match every store in town to get the best prices.
Donations can be dropped off anytime between 9:30-4:30 Monday-Friday to Ms. Barb at the Pearl Pantry. If you need to make other drop off arrangements please call Ms. Barb at 402-614-7452.
You can also mail gift cards directly to Miss Barb at the address below or you can mail them to the district office and we’ll make sure they get delivered.
Pearl Pantry Attn: Barb Greshem 2919 State Street Omaha, NE 68112
Camp Fontanelle 9677 County Road 3 Fontanelle NE 68044 Trent: [email protected] www.campfontanelle.com Camp: (402) 478-4296 Derek: [email protected] www.facebook.com/CampFontanelle Camp/Jane: [email protected] Trent Cell: (402) 459-0686 Derek Cell: (402) 203-0782 Jane Cell: (402) 278-0526 Missouri River District Page 13
Now is the time to register your group for a summer Volunteers in Mission (VIM) experience with United Methodist Ministries/The Big Garden in Oma- ha. Last summer, we welcomed groups from all across Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, but we want to make sure our Missouri River District Churches have the opportunity to reserve their dates! We are an accredit- ed VIM site, placing teams with trusted community partner agencies and providing intensive mission + justice education, with an emphasis on food security. We tailor each group’s experience to its specific needs, arranging lodging and worship in local United Methodist churches if needed. Contact Kay at [email protected] now to arrange your group’s mission experience. If you would like to bring your group anytime between May- August, please contact us before April 1st. All summer schedules will be set by May 1st. Space is filling up fast — don’t miss out! Learn more about our mission experiences here.
Epworth brings healing and hope back into the lives of teens and families struggling with a variety of problems that threaten their well-being. From substance abuse and addiction, behavioral problems and involvement in the juvenile justice system, Epworth offers uniquely developed support services to the ones they serve, whether in homes of origin, school, residential or foster care settings.
Gift cards and donations are always welcomed, and especially this time of year, toward Epworth’s many programs. For more information, or to schedule a speaker about Epworth, please contact:
Harrietta Reynolds Epworth Partners Coordinator Ph: 308-940-0147 or Email: [email protected] 55 Churches and Friendly Congregations!
We serve the eastern area of Nebraska along 7318 Harrison Street the Missouri River from Blair, NE., south to the Nebraska, Kansas border. Ralston, NE 68128
Phone: 402-934-5441 Great churches. Fax: 402-934-5196 Great leaders. Dan Flanagan: [email protected] Great disciples. Kris Eschliman: Transformed world. [email protected]
Website: www.greatplainsumc.org/ missouririverdistrict
Office Hours: www.greatplainsumc.org/missouririverdistrict Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Please make sure to check your individual churches’ links on the main district page to make sure email addresses, web- site link, Facebook link, worship times, etc. are all correct. This is important information for visitors who might be looking for a place to worship or district and conference staff if they are needing to visit or send communications.
United Pearl Pantry Hispanic Ministries Omaha Methodist Living Hope UMC Community Center New Location Ministries / The Big Please send all Garden checks and other
United Methodist mail to Pearl Pantry The Hispanic Ministries Community Center has moved Ministries or Living Hope UMC from their previous location to Omaha Dietz Memorial 5602 Read Street UMC. Omaha, NE 68152 at: The physical address for general mail is Website: Hispanic Ministries/Pastor Mariam Peralta de Garcia biggarden.org 2919 State St. 1423 S, 10th St PO Box 3684 Office: Omaha, NE 68112 Omaha, NE 68103 402-898-9862 Questions please email Pastor Mariam at [email protected] Pearl Pantry: All billing or donations should be sent to the 402-614-7452 Missouri River District 7318 Harrison St. Ralston, NE 68128 Questions please email Kris at [email protected]