Welcome Pastor Dusty and Tracy Sprague by Sandy Murphy, Reporter Wife of His Desire and Calling to Harrison Sun Readily Pastoral Care in Homes for the Become a Pastor

Welcome Pastor Dusty and Tracy Sprague By Sandy Murphy, reporter wife of his desire and calling to Harrison Sun readily Pastoral Care in homes for the become a Pastor. She lending agreed happen. needed, a shoulder, ear The United Methodist it needed to Sprague Churches of Harrison, Crawford Dusty became a Pastor five years and communion. Pastor Whitney pleased ago, is available at any time should and are to and hasn’t looked back. In help solving enjoys golf, drag someone need a welcome their new Pastor and his his free time, he problem just wife, Dusty and Tracy Sprague. racing, and riding motorcycles or want someone to community talk to. The Sprague’s would like Also welcomed to the with his wife. Therapy Dog is their dog, Muncie. Muncie is a Tracy is finishing her degree to enter Muncie into happy, go lucky Shepard. classes. German as a Nurse Practitioner. She They actively The couple most recently were currently an R.N. She would like want to become Columbus, Family Nursing involved in their area towns. The in Nebraska. The to Practice in Sprague’s embracing living Church was the seventh largest with a specialty in Gerontology. are in United Methodist Church in Both expressed how happy Western Nebraska. Sprague grew they Welcome to Harrison Pastor the State. Pastor are to be in a small Dusty Tracy Sprague! up in Kearney. He also lived community setting. They reside and in Holdrege and Hastings. He in Harrison. Plans are to do has traveled the United States extensively; Alaska is the only State he has not been to (yet). Dusty and Tracy both agree they haven’t led a traditional Pastor’s life. But they also feel they have a good understanding of people that way. Church and the Lord were always a part of the Pastor’s life. However, he did not answer “the call” for Ministry for a number of years. He was a salesman on the road, selling large equipment engines. He met and married Tracy six years ago. He told his New Methodist Church Pastor Sprague and wife Tracy Minden United Methodist Church Sends Mission Group To Honduras dren, the schools only hold 8,000. Unemployment and illiteracy Continued from page 1 A is very high there. Right off the coast lies the world's second largest barrier reef, creating a tremendous tourism industry. While tourism has created some jobs, it has mostly benefitted business and land owners. Blanchard said that young people are often sucked into nefarious means of making ends meet such as drug trafficking and prostitution. "The churches are trying to be a line of hope there," Blanchard said. "There are mission groups going week after photo Courtesy week. It provides opportunity SINGING Carlie Bauer of Minden (middle) sings a song an — for these kids to be loved." with help from a mission group that went to Honduras with the United Methodist Church of Minden. The mission team helped run a vacation bible school at Members of the United Methodist Church in Minden joined with Bethesda Church in Flowers volunteers from Nebraska and even as far away as California for a Bay. Each day for two hours in mission trip to Honduras earlier this summer. Pastor Paul Blanchard the morning and two hours in the of the United Methodist Church in Minden organized the trip. afternoon, youth of all ages came Blanchard has been on numerous mission trips to Honduras. Six to the church to learn, sing, and years ago he took a team from Central City to work on a church play together with the mission there and met missionary Joe Summers. Over the years the two workers. Blanchard said they developed a friendship. "Joe has a heart for the poor people of typically saw 20 to 30 children northern Honduras," Blanchard said. a day but numbers could vary Last fall, Summers visited the United Methodist Church in greatly. Minden and gave a presentation about his mission work in Hon- One of the volunteers who duras. Blanchard said Summer's visit sparked the church's own helped with vacation bible vision to send a team to Honduras. school was Bryan Meyer, former The mission team included representatives from six different Minden Public Schools teacher churches, including nine people from the United Methodist Church who is moving to Elkhorn this of Minden. They hauled their own equipment and materials to year. Blanchard said that Meyer Honduras and much of it they left there. The group connected up would play basketball with the with Summers on the island of Roatan, a large bay island across kids that showed up each day. from the city of La Ceiba. "Many of the children there Summers is the official mission coordinator for the Methodist have absentee fathers. Bryan Church of the Caribbean and Americas in Honduras. These Meth- was a great male role model odist churches have had a presence in Honduras for hundreds of for them," Blanchard said. "Our years. He also serves as the ministerial leader for the Bethesda girls on the trip who helped with Methodist Church in Flowers Bay. The church exists in a very poor bible school got to interact with area of Flowers Bay. Most of the children in that area don't go to the children in a very personal school and for those that do it is rare for them to attend past second way. They gave these kids their grade. Families don't have the money to send children to school love and theirtime, which means and children often must work to help support their families. a lot." Blanchard told of one example of a young boy named Kyle. He In addition to teaching vaca- was around 10 years old and sold seashells to tourists as a means tion bible school and working to support his family. with neighborhood children, the While the island of Roatan has around 1 8,000 to 20,000 chil- mission group also worked on a The first one was in Flowers construction project. There are Bay. many homes on the island that "The primary goal of the are in very poor condition and mission trip is to make friends falling down. Many are owned and develop an ongoing rela- by elderly women of the com- tionship with the people there." munity who aren't able to do Blanchard said that while mis- the needed repairs themselves. sion groups can get a lot of work These women also serve as done, the real change happens important pillars of their com- when relationships are built and munity, often taking in orphaned sustained. children. "Many Americans who I The mission group worked have taken on these mission trips on a house owned by a 64 have never seen abject poverty. year old woman named Annie. People there don 't get enough to Blanchard said that Annie had eat and there is no government lived in the home, that once safety net to help them out." belonged to her father and Blanchard said the experi- before that her grandfather, all ence teaches Americans how her life. Her tiny house is also amazingly well off we are. home to three young girls she has "People gauge their wealth by adopted. They all sleep together the 5% who have more and not in one bed. by the 90% who have less." Summers has organized The church is already making fundraising for "Project Hon- plans for a return trip to Hondu- duras" to secure the resources ras next spring. Blanchard hopes to purchase raw materials, while that several from this year's weekly mission groups take group will go back and continue turns providing the labor nec- building their own friendships essary to make the repairs and and relationships with the people upgrades to the homes. While there. He also hopes others will there, the group from Minden join them. helped put up walls and roofing on a small addition to Annie's home which will become a kitchen. She now has plumbing in the home thanks for the work of an earlier mission team. A unique outreach that the mission team was able to provide while in Honduras was Christian music concerts. Their band was a compilation of talented musicians from different churches and included vocalist Carlie Bauer of Minden. Blanchard said that although the musicians didn't even know each other, let alone ever play together, the group put in some long practice sessions right before they left. We performed concerts in three different churches on Roatan. Let's Rally Around the Little Free Library By J.L. Schmidt — ■l akMMMl*H B^mmm !■■■■■ ImII^m Little Free Library is get- and hiring a handyman to I have concerns. What if ting a lot of ink these days. It build it and install it in their people drop off more books has grown from a Wisconsin neighborhood several years than they take? What if they man's tribute to his mother ago. There are now an esti- take more books than they — who was a teacher — to an mated 25 in Lincoln. But it's drop off? Well maybe that's Internet sensation. People not just an urban thing. not a problem since I have construct cute little house The tiny village of Hadar, a plenty of replacements. What looking structures, usually Madison County community if people judge me by the mounted on a pole and usu- between Pierce and Norfolk, titles of the books? Should I ally not much bigger than a has one that is their only really care? microwave. Then they put library for the community What if it rains or snows books in them and encour- of 291 people. In fact, they and the roof or the doors leak. age people to take a book and have four of them. The idea I want to be a good steward leave a book. has worked so well that other of the books that have been The instructions and the communities, from Crawford entrusted to my care. There rules are all on the web. They in the Nebraska Panhandle is some responsibility. are springing up in the Capi- to Unadilla in Southeast Ne- But I will likely go ahead tol City and one has recently braska, have made plans. and tackle the project. Not drawn attention from the city The original concept caught just because I am retired and which is threatening to fine on quickly after a Wiscon- need something else to do - 1 a church $500 if they dont sin man built a model of a envision a daily responsibility move it from the "parking," one-room schoolhouse as here -and I don't really need that city-owned area between a tribute to his mother, a something else to do. the sidewalk and the street. former teacher who loved to Ill likely do it because I Folks at Southminster read. In the beginning, the see it as a way to build com- United Methodist Church founder's goal was to build munity and that's something just wanted to share their 2,510 Little Free Libraries we all need. I don't know that books, and love of books, and ~ which just happens to be it's the glue of the community found the location to be more the same number of full size in Hadar, but I bet there is convenient to people in the libraries put up by Andrew a fair amount of camarade- neighborhood. Besides, the Carnegie. Today, the idea rie that goes on around the "regular" lawn has an under- has ballooned to include the place. Think of visiting with ground sprinkler system and development of a nonprofit another library patron about they didn't want to risk cut- corporation run by a board more than just the contents ting a supply line or making of directors. According to its of what you or they are read- the library inaccessible if the website, www.littlelibrary. ing. lawn was being watered. But org., an estimated 15,000 Consider the Little Free the city says maintenance locations in 55 countries will Library as the neighborhood crews and snowplows and the be in placed by the end of water cooler, the place to dis- like could pose a threat. The this year. cuss - albeit briefly - what's city says property owners are As I look at the stack of happening in the "hood or in required to keep the public un-shelved books in my li- your life or theirs. Think of it right of way cleared. brary/office (no room on the as a way to get to know your Lincoln was the first Ne- shelves) I have to admit that I neighbor. braska community to have am seriously thinking about a For the benefits of building a Little Free Library. Credit Little Free Library in my front community, sharing likes Paul and Kim Smith with yard - but not in the parking and dislikes and becoming seeing one while on vacation area where we have already more neighborly - we should in Seattle, contacting the lost a couple street trees and all support Little Free Li- originators, ordering a kit several mailboxes. brary.

Methodists Have New Minister forward to it.” Hubbard said.“ It is amaz-ing By Sandy Zabokrtsky Hubbard said that al-though what people are willing Staff Writer she may have start-ed to try if you just ask.” out on her second ca-reer Hubbard is excited as Fay Hubbard has moved a little late in life it has she starts working with to Fairbury to become the been a good start. Her fi rst both Fairbury and Endicott new United Methodist Min-ister churches were in Odell and United Methodist Church-es. of both Fairbury and Ellis so she is familiar with She loves working in Endicott as of July 8. this area of Nebraska. small communities and is Rev. Hubbard was born “I really enjoy the small excited to see what she can and raised in Seymour, communities,” Hubbard share. Texas, and had traveled to said.“ There is such a Alabama to continue her strong sense of family, even education. She fi nally found when you are not related, herself teaching special ed-ucation it is just simply a matter at Wayne State Col-lege of people willing to come in Wayne, Nebraska. together to work for a com-mon “I was teaching special goal. It is really excit-ing education up in Wayne for me.” and was absolutely lov-ing Hubbard’s own family my job,” Hubbard said. consists of her husband, “Who would know that just Glenn, a retired minister a short eight years later I himself. She also has one would be ministering to a daughter, Elizabeth and congregation and loving it husband Brooks and ac-cording just as much if not more.” to Hubbard,“ two She is looking forward to glorious grandsons,” Jack-son working in both Fairbury and David. and Endicott. She is looking forward to “There are different things trying different things in the going on that I have never churches. Hubbard says tried and I think it would be that she feelsfeels energized fun,” Hubbard said.“ The when starting inin new places Endicott church already and loves meeting new peo-peo-ple hashas started telling meme about ple and sharing ideas. theirtheir horseradish. ItIt will “I"I have also found thatthat itit defidefinitelynitely be aa different ex-ex-perience is important to tell and askask perience but I am looking before we try new things,"things,” Bike & Build riders stop in Red Cloud overnight by HARRIETT ZADE rider from Long Island, N.Y. young man from Ohio noted. ers. Coffee cakes, rolls, fruit, day; we usually try to nde Red Cloud Chief Last, week's biking was "We always hope to be juice and coffee was the fare about 70 miles every day," done in- mild weamer...not allowed to wait out that kind and this was served in the one biker explained. The A group of 31 Bike & typical for mid- July in of storm in a farm building or park shelter house. cyclists all ride Giant™ Build bike riders arrived in Nebraska and Kansas. someone's porch." "After a 15-minute,meet-^ bicycles. Each biker is Red Cloud last Friday When ,the group left Red A fun bunch of youth, the ing to discuss the day and required to collect about afternoon. After showering Cloud, they were anticipat- visiting bikers were all first- share in a prayer and make $4,000 prior to the ride. at the swimming pool, they ing a much warmer day and timers in Red Cloud and some repairs to a few bicy- The monies are used for the were ready for some R & R weekend with the mercury enjoyed taking a walking cles, the group headed west, building projects. and had made prior climbing into the 80s. The tour. Several visited the saying that Saturday would There are four team arrangements to house cyclists rode in rain for three Cather Foundation and be a somewhat shorter day leaders who alternate driv- their bicycles inside the days as they came through received brochures there. of about 50 miles. Their ing the support van and also community center where several eastern states. "We can Saturday morning, sever- stop was in Alma where biking. Nearly all of the they also spent the night in ride in the rain but always stop al members of Zion they would be spending group will be returning to their sleeping bags. A and seek shelter when light- Lutheran Church LWML, overnight in the city's audi- college campuses after their lasagna supper was pre- ning accompanies a storm," a served breakfast to the bik- torium. "This is a shorter Bike & Build experience. pared by a group of United Methodist Women and the bikers enjoyed this at the church and shared in a presentation about their biking journey before adjourning to the community center. There are eight Bike & Build groups. The riders who stopped in Red Cloud had left Providence, R. 1., June 12 to bike 4,000 miles to their destination near Half Moon Bay, California. Their goal is to reach there by mid-August. Most of the riders are college stu- dents and hail from Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and several other states. They pedal across the country to raise awareness about affordable housing. They stop along the route and help build homes in coordi- nation with Habitat for Humanity. The support van that accompanies the bikers belongs to that organization. "Our next stop to spend a couple of days building will ANOTHER'S DAYS RIDE - Members of a Bike & Build group pose for a picture before leaving Red Cloud be in Longmont, Colo.," early last Saturday morning. Their next stop was to be Alma, a ride of about 50 miles. They had left Beloit, explained Mike Dbrsey, a Kansas earlier on Friday and arrived here mid-afternoon that day . Photo-Harriett Zade JUST A LITTLE AIR WILL DO -- A young man of the Bike & Build pumps air into his bike tire in readi- ness for the next ride. Photo-Harriett Zade Assistance available for Seward County residents The United Methodist were affected by storm dam-age. not just Beaver Crossing resi-dents. Church long term recovery After calling the phone disaster response team wants The Beaver Crossing line, a team of case managers Seward County residents to Disaster Response phone line, will work as advocates for the be aware that assistance is ( 402) 641-9698, is available to caller to help them get the available to residents who all Seward County residents, resources they need.need. Church seeks to walk the talk, bring God into the community LORRI SUGHROUE come to do, and the indi- McCook Gazette viduals that come to do the work are just as McCOOK, Neb. - blessed as the individual The congregation at one they work for." local church is commit- Constance Stone ted to walking the talk showed up Saturday when it comes to helping morning with sand- people. wiches from home and Memorial United no lack of enthusiasm. Methodist Church re- "I'm a firm believer in cently finished another being the change you "ReThink Church" proj- want to see," Stone said, ect in McCook, where who brought along her "the hands and feet of daughter, Ruby, to show Christ go out into the the importance of prac- community," explained ticing what you preach. Alisa Parde, associate Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette "It's a great way to let pastor. Ruby, left, and Constance Stone help paint a deck at people know that God About 25 pairs of the "ReThink Church" project Saturday, July 19. really does care about hands and feet, from your needs." five-year-olds to senior Dave Winder, another citizens, converged at a frames, removed an itself," Parde said. church member, brought local home early Satur- awning, painted a deck "We've done a couple of his three grandkids to day morning, July 19, and to top it off, re- them this year and help out. "It's a good life where the owner risked painted the exterior. painted another house a lesson," Winder said, as losing insurance if cer- Other behind-the-scenes couple of years ago. It's he helped the youngest, tain repairs were not church members pro- amazing to watch the Grady, 5, maneuver the done. The congregation vided doughnuts, snacks church as they leave the paint roller a little stepped in and fixed and water. building and reach out to slower. Winder is an old- those items, such as re- "We try to do ReThink others. The impact it hand at this, his grand- placing broken siding Church projects when leaves is always a bit and repairing window the opportunity presents more than the project we See RETHINK Page 2 Courtesy photo Those who helped with the ReThink project included, first row, from left, Grady Grade and Colton Lentz and Terri Gray. Second row, Logan Vrbas.Tanner Unger, Veda Kemper, Beth Crick, Art Skinner and Tom Lentz. Back, Pastor Chris Loft, Jeff Crick, Joy Vrbas, Kirn Parde, Dave Winder and Bruce Wilcox. ReThink: Working to pay it forward — Continued from Page 1 kids also helping out at The owner of the for costs for the project, the community garden home, a senior citizen on with Diamond Vogel of the church has on the a fixed income, was more McCook donating some edge of town. than pleased with the re- items. Parde said church Sheila Hagemann and sults.'! am so grateful for members are always on husband, Albert, wanted this. They went above the lookout for other to pay it forward. "The and beyond what I ex- projects. church was here for me pected," she said. "It's not about us at when I needed them, so I In addition to provid- all, but what God is want to give back, " she ing the sweat equity, the doing through us," she explained. church also raised funds said. Bike and Build Team Overnights in Ainsworth on Cross-Country Ride to Raise Awareness By Janelle Keller They were up bright and early the time. Having ridden together since Drivers along U.S. Highway 20 next morning to prep for another June 9th, riders are pretty aware of from O’Neill to Chadron shared the day on the road. their own pace. road with a pack of interesting After a delicious breakfast from The group will reach Seattle, WA travelerslast week a pack of bicyclists, the Methodist crew, they convened on August 15th. To keep track of riding across the country. in front of the church to go through their progress until then, check out Twenty-nine young adults, clad the plan for the day. They planned www.bikeandbuild.org. There is a in matching blue jerseys stopped to ride to Cody, NE, staying there route tracker that follows the riders in Ainsworth on- Wednesday, July one night before making it another of this route and the seven others. 16th on their way from 100 miles to Chadron on Friday. It’s In addition, links to the personal Providence,RI to Seattle, WA. The group a grueling, but necessary schedule. blogs of several of the riders are had had a relatively easy day on With a short time frame to complete available to follow as well. Wednesday, riding 66 miles from the rides and scheduled build days O’Neill into Ainsworth. The arrival along the way, the riders must get on Wednesday night marked the to their designated stopping point completion of mile number 2,095 each night. out of the 3,941 the group will ride. An integral part of the crew is a The group is a part of a 15 passenger van, pulling a trailer. nationwideproject known as Bike & In case of injuries or bad weather, Build. The intention is to raise the van can be used to ensure that awareness of the need for the riders reach their destination affordablehousing. In all, there are eight safely. So far, they haven’t had to groups of approximately 30 riders change plans because of weather, each criss-crossing the United but came close during some flash States this summer, all on flooding further east. differentroutes. The riders filtered out to the In addition to biking as much as highway slowly, one here, a 100+ miles a day, the riders handfulthere. They arrived in Cody the participatein build projects as well. same way. Bikers aren’t required to For the group that stopped in keep pacepace with the group andand gener- Ainsworthovernight, the most recent allygenerallyride with just a few others at a project was installing flooring in Habitat for Humanity home in a they're Yankton, SD.“ Those build days And off! are so neat,” exclaimed one of the riders as she applied sunscreen Thursday morning.“ We’re such a big group that we can really bang out a big project in a day we see a lot of progress.” So far, the group has had a total of seven build days. They’ve also used up one of their three total rest days for -the summer. To participate in the ride, riders go through a lengthy application process. After being accepted, each rider was tasked with raising $4,500.00$ 4,500.00 before the beginning of the summer. The funding is then made available through a grant process toto a variety of groups working forfor affordable housing, like Habitat forfor Humanity. The bikers were fed by the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth on Wednesday night before being entertainedtertained by local band“band "Finding".Finding”. Riders with the Bike and Build program pose together outside of the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth that hosted them on Wednesday, July 16th. The bikers are on theirtheir way across thethe country, biking to raise awareness for the need for affordable housing.

that might come up. New Methodist pastor takes long road to town The new pastor at Gothen- especially enjoys working with the elderly and children. Church comes from a long line of “I love working with kids in the ordained but he spent most youth group, camp, vacation of his formative years ignoring bible school,” Plisek said. “I will the call to serve. go to crazy lengths, like with “I ran from the call,” Joel Plisek the dunk tank, to bring them said.“ I did not want to be a pas-tor. Christ.” I begged the Lord to give me The mention of the dunk anything but this.” tank dates back to his last lo-cation, His maternal grandfather and but he’s still a walking dad both minister but he found reminder of the events. He was himself at Wayne State College seated inside the tank during for something else. He started vacation bible school when it degrees in criminal justice and tipped over. He broke his ankle early education. Neither of those and is still using a protective paths, however, led him to hap-piness. boot. While he hopes to avoid Plisek took classes and injury working with youths in worked at Subway. He consid-ered Gothenburg, he is planning some leaving school and taking adventures. a factory job before a retreat The plans include taking a changed his direction. service trip to the Rosebud Although there was no singu-lar Reservation in South Dakota moment at the retreat when and attending a conference in it clicked for him, Plisek discov-ered Orlando, FL, in 2015. he was ready to answer Back home, Plisek will use God’s call. different experiments to try to He completed a third major, capture the youths’ attention sociology, and went on to earn Plisek, recalling the conversa-tion enburg for three weeks, but and parlay the reaction into a his masters of divinity at the with his dad.“ He knew. He that’s been enough time for the message about God. North American Baptist Semi-nary, never pressured me; he never community to leave a strong Assisting children is what led in Sioux Falls, SD. was forthcoming with what he impression. Plisek to study early education. It was a path with many turns believed God was calling me to “Oh, I love it,” Plisek said. “It’s a Helping people and his appre-ciation and changeschanges of direction,direction, but ifif do.” great town. It’s justvery friendly. of“ cop shows” led him there waswas one person who had Gothenburg is Plisek’s fourth They have a lot of stuff going on towards criminal justice. a better idea thanthan anyone else stop in the state since becoming in this community which is really Now as a pastor, he can serve where the journey would end,end, a pastor. Chambers, Louisville exciting.” bothboth children and adults and still it was Plisek’sPlisek's father. and Ansley/ Litchfi eld/ Loup City The new pastor is eager to sneaksneak in an episodeepisode ofof“"Cops."Cops.” “He"He said it'sIt’s about timetime make up the rest. become better acquainted with you finallyfi nally agreed‘ to it,’”it,' " said He’sHe's been a resident of Goth- the community he will serve. He YORK

News-Times/ Maegan Detlefs HarriettaHarrietta ReynoldsReynolds was announcedannounced asas thethe interiminterim CEOCEO of Epworth Village in mid-June. She bringsbrings toto thethe jobjob overover 3232 yearsyears ofof experienceexperience asas aa UnitedUnited MethodistMethodist missionary as well as expertise in social workwork and administration.administration. GOING FORWARD Interim CEO discusses future of Epworth Village By Maegen Detlefs perience and expertise, and though she had job REGIONAL EDITOREDITOR retired from her as a United Method-

ist missionary, Reynolds anni-versary ORK This week marks the says she couldn't refuse year Epworth of the 125th the calling she felt from Y Village in York has beenbeen providing Epworth Village and its services to youth and families inin Ne-braska.Ne- mission. braska. — retired as the United "I With their mission to "bringbring hope and With their mission to“ and Methodist missionary five healing youth compas-sionate healing to youth and families in a compas- years ago," Reynolds said. caring Epworth sionate andand caring manner,"manner,” Epworth has "About a year after that, I served children and families in all 93 coun-tiescoun- was asked to serve on the ties of thethe state. Epworth Village Founda- In June, Epworth'sEpworth’s board of trustees pus when it was still called Mothers' Jewels Home. This tion Board and I was serv- made the announcement thatthat Harrietta building was referred to as the York Farm Cottage and was ing as vice-president for Reynolds of Beatrice would beginbegin serving part of the old Munson dairy farm which was purchased of Beatrice would in 18S9 for the purpose of serving orphaned children from the last three years." as interim CEO of the historichistoric institution. across the United States. Reynolds brings to the jobjob years of ex- As Reynolds’ involve-ment worth in a different ca-pacity: best service that we can. taken on is the retraining excited about that,” Reyn-olds with Epworth in-creased, as interim CEO. “That is not an over-night of staff at the two group said. so did her under-standing Reynolds has a long and thing,” Reynolds homes in York. The group Reynolds is also hop-ing of the funding successfulsuccessful history of serv-serv-ing added.“ That requires homes will be temporari-ly to bolster Epworth’s needs the institution faced. ing institutions like Ep-Ep-worth some vision, it requires closed in order for Ep-worth volunteer program and get “About a year and half worth as interim director. some reality checks, it re-quires to train, retrain and more people involved on a ago, I realized Epworth “Being a United Meth- some courage, and hire new staff“ so that we volunteer basis. was experiencing some a lot of knowledge and will be equipped to the “We’re going to need difficulty in funding and specialty was administra-tion input, and it’s going re-quire best of our abilities and see more volunteer help here. work, to it wasn’t unusual because and social this is everyone.” we give the very best ser-vice Some agencies depend a other childcare and fami-ly the seventh institution and Gaining community possible lot on volunteers that are agency in-volvement to those who services across the state that I have to come is another goal are really hurting and need trained and work in specif-ic have also experienced a to in the United Method-ist that Reynolds says is nec-essary it,” according to Reynolds. areas of interest. We’re change in funding,” Reyn-olds system and served as “We looking for looking to enlarge vol-unteer organizing for their institution. are our explained.“ What we interim and/ or “It’s not possible for people who really care crew and capabili-ties,” decided in the foundation director,” Reynolds ex-plained. Epworth to do this on our capable people who want Reynolds said. was that we would start a own,” Reynolds said.“ We to be a part of the hope and Above all else, Reyn-olds new program called Ep-worth Due to her recent re-tirement, must have the input and healing here to work di-rectly says she believes in Partners.” she did not have supportsupport of the communi-communi-ty in the cottages with-- the mission of Epworth plans take another Reynolds agreed to be to on ty at large andand the state at the youth” Reynolds said. and the calling she felt to coordinator of the new Ep-worth full institution to serve as large. After that training is become involved with the director; Partners group and however when "Epworth“Epworth isis not this lit-tlelit- complete, which- - Reynolds institution. Epworth approached her, began setting up a network tle island that sitssits out herehere estimates to take about a “What it means to me of trained speakers to go something felt a little dif-ferent. onon the northwest edge of month, the homes will be is exactly the things in of-fering spread York," "Is- reopened. hope healing across the state and my York,” she continued.“continued. Is- and to the word about Epworth to “When it came to lands don ’t do very well. Epworth is continuing hurting people—especial-ly churches and other towns. attention and I was asked They have to look to the its new collaboration with ly children andand families. “We’ve been in about to step in as interim direc-tor outside for help. We really the Child Advocacy Cen-ter It’sIt's exactly what Jesus 100 churches since last here, I prayed about it need the whole communi-ty, which recently opened showed us and taught usus thought, Yes, September telling the sto-ry a lot and I I the whole county, the its satellite location on the to dodo as aa church. This is something on of Epworth, asking for think it’s I can whole state to become in-volved Epworth Campus earlier faith based work — basedbased though huge.’”‘ persons to become active do even it’s with us so that our this year. upon the teaching, and the partners, to pray for Ep-worth, Reynolds said.“ I did feel a team enlarges."enlarges.” “Our"Our missions andand our example, and the presencepresence learn about it, and calling to be here because One of thethe bigbig proj-proj-ects work fitfit together, so I'mI’m of Christ.”Christ." great so support them financially,” I saw how the need ects Reynolds has already — Reynolds said. was.” Reynolds explained Now that Reynolds is that the flow of state funds here, she makes it clear is not always uniform. that there is one direction “State funds go up and Epworth is moving: for-ward. down depending on the political climate and that “I have made a com-mitment puts agencies like Ep-worth for however long at the mercy of the it takes to do some restruc-turing, state,” Reynolds contin-ued.“ turing, do somesome retooling, We’re thinking if we andand to look at andand build could developdevelop private dol-dol-lars thethe programs we havehave go-go-ing lars andand private supporters ing now,”now," Reynolds said.said. then Epworth willwill notnot be “My"My focus is looking atat the whole big picture andand see-see-ing so much atat thethe mercy of Courkvv'uf Anna Mrnur Mus-uin funding. ing that we have each de-de-partment The structure in this picture is Memorial Hall on the Mothers' Jewels campus, Mothers' state and federal funding. Jewels Home was renamed Epworth Village in 1959. “Slowly"Slowly we’rewe're getting partment — each service with the the storystory out there, and — with the right people that is our goalgoal andand what therethere thatthat have thethe exper-exper-tise Epworth needs toto be on a tise to bring aroundaround their more stable foundation.”foundation." part. My job— is toto look at This year, Reynolds the—the whole picture and seesee was asked to serveserve Ep- thatthat allall thethe parts are work-ingwork- ing together to provide the Immigration clinics end because of attendance Lowresultnumbers in end of program By Julie Blum The clinics were started here [email protected] by Snyder and Traci Nelsen, legal COLUMBUS An immigra- advocate for Center for Survivors. Snyder tion program has stopped offering At the time, was the direc- clinics because a declining number tor of Center for Survivors and saw of people used the service. people seeking assistance at the agency help —Neighbors who also needed with Justice For Our had been providing immigration clin- immigration issues. She sought Neighbors ics at First United Methodist out Justice For Our to begin offering Church for the past 10 years. The clinics here. year last clinic offered was in April. In its first in 2005,10 clin- “There wasn’t a need anymore,” ics were offered with 89 people served. Since then, 81 clinics were said Jamie Snyder, clinic coordina- people tor. held with 624 receiv- ing majority When the clinics first started, assistance. The of clinics the church Snyder said the service was uti- were at lized more by local and area with about a dozen volunteers helping at each. immigrants. Since then, the num- Justice For Our Neighbors bers have shifted to more clients is a ministry of the United coming from other areas such as Methodist Committee Lincoln and Sioux City, Iowa. on Relief and Great Plains The clinics provided immigra- United Methodist Confer- tion legal assistance to docu- ence. Funding for the clinics mented and undocumented indi- was provided through the viduals. Immigration attorneys church and grants, Snyder came to Columbus from Omaha said. for the monthly clinics. Services Justice For Our Neighbors were offered based on income. is based out of Omaha and Snyder said she believes the clinics are still being offered clinics made a difference and there, as well as in Grand were a needed service in the com- Island and Lexington. munity. The decline in the number The local Centro His- of people using the clinics could be panos Comunitario office attributed to only 10 being offered also provides assistance a year. People may have wanted for immigrants, including assistance quicker, she said. immigration clinics. Children’s singing camp set From Staff Reports “The Rock Slinger and his Greatest Hits”. WAHOO Young people Dokulil said the children in the Saunders County area will be learning more about will have the opportunity to music while they practice hone their musical talent. the songs, as well as some Sheila Dokulil– of Wa-hoo dance moves. First United Method-ist There will also be work Church is organizing a done on sets for the special Kingdom Kids singing camp program and costumes. for children in preschool The camp will be from 6 through fifth grade. p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 through “There is so much talent 8 at Wahoo First United with the kids in Wahoo it Methodist Church. seems,” she stated.“ We need On Friday, the children something for them to ex-press will put on a small perfor-mance press themselves.”themselves." followed by an ice The kids will be practicing cream social. songs in thethe program titled New Minister at United Methodist By Patricia Graves Burrell sociated branch of the Army children on Sundays is on the Newman Grove has a new in Nuclear, Biological, and list of things that the "new minister who will be serving Chemical Warfare. We found minister" must accomplish. United Methodist in Newman some familiar ground to talk If you are "that one", maybe Grove. It appears that he has about in our short interview. you could call the minister. a very busy schedule coming While we were talking we up. Genoa meets on Saturday noticed two things of interest evening at 6:30 P.M. New- in the room we were in. One man Grove meets on Sunday is an accumulation of Prayer at 9:30 a.m., and Looking Shawls made by women of Glass Sunday at 11:00 a.m. the church. We also discov- He also visits the Assisted ered a flyer inviting anyone Living units at Newman who is interested in making Grove and Genoa. Prayer Shawls to call 402- Dan Dempsey is originally -447-2730. that group meets st from Jewell County, Kansas, on the Ist1 and 3d Thursdays same county as Mankato ._ of each month. Anyone who where many of us have been can crochet or knit is invited as we watched "Little House to join this group. on the Prairie". More recent- In addition, we noticed that ly he and his family are from someone is making an actual Reeds Spring at Table Rock quilt and it is spread out on Lake in southern Missouri, a loom in the same room we near Branson.. were in. It turns out that the Dan Dempsey has been quilt was set up by Verdell a minister since 2002 and Nelson's wife, Joan, for a re- before that he was what he cent quilt show. Joan took a called "a part-time farmer" quilting class at Betz's in the for eight years in Jewell past year. Joan's father is a quilter but listen to this! County, Kansas.. When a ' also, family member was ill near Joan's father was 100 years Branson Missouri, he moved old when he began quilting. to Reeds Spring which is near. He is no longer doing that, Table Rock Lake but isn't that miraculous! Before becoming a min- From personal experience I ister he had spent a career in am aware that only a very few the United States Army in children have been attending Ordnance and Maintenance. this church on Sundays. This That branch of the military is primarily because this is an older is familiar to this writer as I congregation. Finding a spent several years in an as- "teacher" to work with the VBS at Doniphan United Methodist Church

The Doniphan United Methodist Church held Vacation Bible School last week with the theme Weird Animals. Children learned songs, heard a lesson and completed a craft each evening. They held a program for parents and grandparents Thursday at the church. COMMENTARY | SEEDS Renewal and revival Epworth variety Never underestimate the heart Kerry dus from for a of of a wise woman leading others reasons. Now they are returning who have that fine, rare attribute of Hoffschneider like a pilgrimage back to the place genuine care for their neighbors’ where they can now again be part plight. I met one of these powerful, of something that really matters. peace-loving women recently at And believe me it is work that real-ly– Epworth Village. I drove there to does matter. Whether we like it meet the new interim CEO Harriet-ta friend Andy has returned to the vil-vil-lage or not, the need for services for Reynolds. I wanted to find out lage to helphelp lead thethe revival.revival. He hurting families is not only present what was going on. I’ve heard was encouraged toto return by Harri-etta’sHarri- but growing and impacting all of plenty of talk around town but I etta's subtle but straight-forward our lives. The board has the right have to tell you talk is very cheap approach. Her leadership has mindset now too rely less on gov-ernment as there’s a revival and real sense prompted the return of many other dollars with strings of renewal going on at the village strong,strong, formerformer employees who are attached and find private donors and it’s a powerful one and –a posi-tive coming back to re-envision and re-buildre- who really want to change commu-nities one. build thethe non-profit that has served for the better.– In the entryway of the main thousands of hurting childrenchildren andand I admire Harrietta, a woman building where I once worked hung families. who could have sailed off into a quilt, most likely stitched togeth-er Yes indeed, York has a jeweljewel in retirement, but who came back by the caring hands of some of Epworth Village. So rich in histo-ry,histo- with open arms and an open heart the thousands of United Methodist ry, richer yet inin resilience. That'sThat’s to a mission that is not dying but is Women who have supported what makes or breaks a place. in dire need right now as they walk Epworth throughout its history Epworth is making it though, II am through this revival. This commu-nity from Mothers’ Jewels Home to certain of that. There’sThere's a reason for has been blessed by the pres-ence today. In the center of the quilt is all things - there’sthere's a time forfor regret ence of this mission for more thanthan a a broken heart being sewn togeth-er and there’sthere's a time to move on.on. century while they have blessed er with love - a bursting heart What there is not time for is look-look-ing countless lives. Now, in thisthis time through all the brokenness.brokenness.“"Awe,"Awe,” ing backback and there is no roomroom for of need, while they meet the needs II thought toto myself.myself.“"It'sIt’s happen-happen-ing. people who– do not have the of others,others, II am compelledcompelled to ask my ing. II can feel it. Love is here, real Christ-centered mission 100 per-per-cent neighbors to help out with hands,hands, love.”love." – cent in mind. As Harrietta said in heart, minds and alsoalso dollars. “If God wanted this place to a recent York News-Times arti-arti-cle,“ Epworth needs you today. Give shut down, it would have shut down cle, "WeWe are looking for people Harrietta a call at ((402)402) 366-5556. a long time ago,” Andy Marquart who really care - capable people Never underestimate the power of said, as he sat down next to Harriet-ta, who want to be a part of the hope the heart of a woman and how your about the agency with such a and healing here . . .”." heart will also be renewedrenewed inin the act resilient history rooted way back Some of thosethose . capable,.capable, caring of giving toto an amazingamazing place that in York County –soil in 1889.1889. My people were partpart –of the mass exo- has given so much. New Methodist pastor tries to on liquor license By Jason Schock corner to one another at the filling the requirements for passage The newly appointed pastor of inter-sectionof 17th and Harlan Streets. of Ordination into the Methodist the First United Methodist Church, According to Rev. Hogue, 139 feet tradition. Rev. John Hogue, took exception to a separates the two buildings. His ministry is a wide range of Falls City Journal story printed July “They obey gifts: engage groups 29 (“ Dickey’s gets OK from didn’t the state One is to small Commis-sion”)that he said indicated the stat-ute,”Hogue said, of the to spread and develop into their Meth-odistChurch expressed its collective Commis-sion. own uniqueness in spreading the approval of the efforts of Dickey’s Rev. Hogue succeeded former Gospel of Jesus; Develop unique Bar-becuePit to acquire a liquor license. Pastor Rev. Lyle Schoen on July 1. style of worship and delivering The Journal reported the Rev. Schoen, according to Dickey’s in- restau-rant’ssuccessful bid to sell beer after owner and operator Rachel Witt, HogueHoaue saidsaid he believes in a both appearing before the Falls City who spoke before the City Council strong youth outreach and mission Council in early June and the Liquor on June 2, said in May he did not projects that develops one’s faith in Control Commission in Lincoln July intend to contest Dickey’s attempt a very real and personable way. He 24.“ Dickey’s reportedly has the ap-proval to acquire a liquor license. believes in developing relationships from First United Methodist Rev. Hogue said Mrs. Witt with people and developing a Church,” the story read. Rev. Schoen’s personal min- Rev. Hogue said that he, in fact, mis-tookopin-ion Falls City Community. He plans to at-tendedthe show cause hearing in as that of the institution. Even develop strong Lin-colnand personally opposed Dickey’s so, no church representatives or ties into the bid. The church, however, officially is Falls City citizens, for that matter Minis-terialAssociation and community. neutral on the subject. appeared before the Council last He and his wife Veronica have “We have people for it and people spring to voice opposition to three boys: Daniel, who is attend-ingDoane College against it. I tried to appeal to ( the Dick-ey’sey' s attempt to sellsell beer with meals, ing Doane College inin Crete; Isaac, a sophomore-to-be Falls City Com-missioners’)conscious about the fact bothboth on its premises andand elsewhere a sophomore-to-be atat Falls City there’s state statute and they didn’t as a catering business. - High;Hish; andand Nethanel, whowho will bebe aa a as a business. that,”that," Hogue grader honor Hogue said.said. Dickey’sDickey's has not announced 6th at FC Middle School. Nebraska Statute 53-177, made law not They plan participating Nebraska Statute made law -when beer sales in its establishment on in in 1935, reads: "If a proposed location when beer sales in its establishment in reads:“ If a location will begin. lo- for the salesale at retail of any alcoholic li- will Rev. John invites anyone who is li-quorquor is within one hundred fifty feet of About the New Pastor seeking presence is within one hundred feet of Hogue the of God to any church, aa license may be issued if Rev. is also Pastor and at-tendTrinity UMC at 9 a. m. in Rulo the commission gives notice to thethe af- teacher Trinity UMC in Rulo. He or in Falls City at 10:30 a. m. af-fectedfected church andand holds aa hearing..."hearing...” has been in the ministry for 20 Through The following annotation was add- years serving “Our mission is The following annotation was in the UCC and Je-susChrist, we use our hearts, our add-eded in 1956:“1956: "DistanceDistance between churchchurch Dis- minds, and hands the and place where intoxicating liquorliquor into the United Methodist to our ‘ to meet comes needs of God's people. We is sold is measured in a straight line fulfill the much needed pastorates needs of God’s people. We will between the nearest walls of the prayerfullyprayerfully attend to ourour congre- in the Methodist faith tradition. congre-gation,our community and our two buildings.” “Polity is the main difference gation, our community and our The United Methodist Church world,”world," hehe said. Dickey’s caddy between the Methodist and UCC and BBQ Pit stand traditions,”traditions," hehe said.“said. "II will be ful-ful- Friend church rebuilt, reconsecrated A fire traced to struggled. He cramped and fell, but kept pushing. gutted a candle “It would have been easy for the sanctua r y in him to quit, and no one would have thought any less of him,” December 2012. Ritter said. “But he kept pushing you kept pushing By CHRIS HEADY on. Just like on.” Lincoln Journal Star In December 2012, the church FRIEND An orange glow sustained almost $2 million in damage single from the Sunday morning sun il- when a candle put out, caught luminated the inside of the new wasn’t and it the $1.8 million United Methodist church on fire. congregation Church here on— Sunday as the Rev. The could have Bill Ritter told a story. easily called it quits, managed the It was about his friend Gary loss and found another church, Phillips and a bike ride. And how Ritter said. But they didn’t. And he and his childhood friend, who Sunday, the church was reconsecrated, marking the end of was born without a hip, rode 18 ERIC GREGORY/ Journal Star file photo 16 months of work. miles from Pleasanton to Kear- In February, although the exterior of the United Methodist Church in ney, and the entire way, Phillips See CHURCH, Page B2 Friend was solid, the interior was still being repaired and renovated. •••

It was astounding, the support we got.’ ‘ Dave McClatchey, who was a member of the reconstruction committee Church— The committee selected L. J. Roth Restoration, a Continued from B1 company based in Iowa, to The bulk of the money rebuild the church. Work used for the reconstruc- started in March 2013. They kept the look the tion came fromfrom insurance, insurance, same. saidsaid Dave McClatchey, who “It’s 80-year-old was a member of the recon- an was a recon- building made of concrete, struction committee. The struction committee. The so we didn’t have a lot of church also gathered almost church also almost other options,” Roth said. $$155,000155,000 in donations fromfrom They added a kitchen and members and 30 businesses revamped the technology in and around Friend. withwith aa new speaker system "It“It was astounding, andand new TVs. the supportsupport we got,"got,” Mc- “We’re"We're very pleased andand Clatchey said. relievedrelieved with the outcome,”outcome," Foxhoven.“ Knowing what we thought we would use it for, we put in a range and a double oven soso people would want to have family reunions here, and anytime they had aa get-together, they'dthey’d have full facilities.”facilities." Foxhoven is the person who people callcall to make reservations to use the facility, and he also keeps an eye on the place.place.“"II guess youyou could call me the jani-jani-tor,” tor," he laughed. The Martell Fellowship Hall isis The old bank in Martell is now used for a fellowship hall for not justjust for use by residentsresidents in all sorts of community events and gatherings. Martell. Foxhoven said they'vethey’ve April D. Refior/ VOICE NEWS had people from the communities of Denton, Cortland andand Sprague, and fromfrom allall over, use the facility. From bank to bank to hall, The Fellowship Hall has hosted hassle-free, Foxhoven anything fromfrom bridal and babybaby said he likes to inquire showersshowers to family reunionsreunions and Martell building offers it all Pampered Chef parties. The By April D. Refior Denton Community Historical So-cietySo- building facility community ciety has also hosted a couple The that once was the able for use. meetings at the fellowship hall. Security change at the hall. Martell Bank and then the The occurred about There'sThere’s even a musical group who First Bank is now the home of the two years ago.“ After the rain even a Martell Fellowship Hall. According storm, the ceiling gone, all of comes and uses the building the was third Thursday of every month. to Don Foxhoven, of ru-ral the insulation in the attic “They have big crowd, and the gone,” "They have a big and the Martell, there are a few was said place is full,”full," said Foxhoven. reasons the old bank Foxhoven.“ In the other place is said Foxhoven. building room, ceiling “They’ll have as many as 12 instru-ments, was turned into the was many people a social hall. gone as well. When we so there are all, they took it over, it was part of who come listen as well as all the “First of were took it it was of musicians. going to have it reroofed the dealdeal thatthat we would “We also have an annual pork and they had the have to rehab the facility feed,” Foxhoven continued.“ This shingles all off,” said to make itit usable.”usable." year it will be October 5. We roast a Foxhoven.“ A big rain According to hog and have side dishes to go storm came along and in-undated Foxhoven, thethe rehabilita-tionrehabilita- along with it. We like to invite the the building with tion processprocess didn'tdidn’t take communities to come see what the water. That’s one of the very long.long.“"WeWe had it place looks like and all it has to of-fer.” reasons II think itit was Don Foxhoven done in a couple of transformed. One of the months,”months," he said.“said. "AllAll of Another plus for the facility is other reasons is there wasn’t much the volunteers from the church the room on the south which is used activity here, so I think thethe bank participated in the labor to get it by the rural fire department.“ They found it toto be a security problem. accomplished.” have aa bunch of equipment in therethere Having justjust one personperson in the bank The UMC volunteers put up that theythey use to exercise,”exercise," lends itself toto having a robbery, I’mI'm the new ceiling, insulated the at-tic, Foxhoven said.“said. "It'sIt’s somewhat of a assuming."assuming.” hooked up the wiring because serviceservice to the community for themthem With multiple locations in Lin-colnLin- all of the lights were down, and to be able to havehave a placeplace to stay in coln for their clients, thethe bank in put in and painted the new ceiling shape.”shape." Martell closed. The bank then do-do-nated in the south room. The Martell United Methodist nated the building to the Martell “When the bank had it [ the Church’sChurch's pastor also has an office United Methodist Church. The building], they had a small kitch-enette, in the facility. church then tooktook on the responsi-responsi-bility all it had was a refrigera-tor, Those who areare planning toto have bility to rehabilitate the building a microwave and a sink,” said an event in thethe future should call of into a beautiful,beautiful, clean and comfort- Foxhoven right away.“"I've got stuff a continued on pagepage 4 Foxhoven away. I’ve stuff booked right now into December,”December," Foxhoven laughed.laughed.“"ButBut we can usually fit people in the schedule. We haven’thaven't hadhad a problem doing how many people will be attending care of the facility,” he said. “I’ve stop and think about it, there ’s not the event and how many tables and never had to ask anybody to clean; much in Martell,” said Foxhoven. chairs will be needed so he can set they just automatically take care of “It’s difficult for people to find a them up prior to events. As far as it.” facility like this that’s close and has cleaning up goes, “We have not had Anyone interested in making a everything they want to do, and any problems with people taking reservation can contact Don this is the perfect place.” Foxhoven at (402) 875-2862. “If you

continued from page 1 Martell Fellowship hall is ready to party What was once a bank, the old building in Martell now hosts events ranging from bridal and baby showers to group meeting. The venue has plenty of space, and is decently priced. April D. Refior/ VOICE NEWS

The Martell Fellowship Hall has a full kitchen for parties to use. exercise and store their weights. t The pastor at the Martell United Methodist Church has his office in the Fellowship Hall.