November 2017
Elkhorn Valley District Monthly Newsletter
Great Plains Annual Conference 406 W. Phillip Ave, Ste. 301 United Methodist Church Norfolk, NE 68701 [email protected] Office Phone: 402-371-1313
Office Hours Monday ~ Friday 8 a.m. - Noon & 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Rev. Eldon Davis, District Superintendent Kathy Hoesing, Administrative Assistant ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Networks: Remember to keep the District Office informed of meeting
dates/times/locations and submit Please double check the charge conference schedule meeting minutes to the District in this newsletter to ensure you know the date, time and Office to retain in the Network file. location of your scheduled conference. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All charge conference paper- work should be completely ALL charge conference packets are due to signed when we leave charge conference & ready to submit the District Office, at least one week prior to the conference.
ONLY Page 2, of the Disas- to your scheduled charge conference. ter plan is needed to be sub- mitted to the District Office. NOTE: ALL clergy compensation forms Your complete Disaster plan should be a work in progress MUST BE in to the District Office by No- and retained at the Church for easy accessibility, if need- vember 29th, regardless whether you have ed. had your charge conference yet or not.
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The ARK after school kids are painting pumpkins. At First United Methodist Church of Ponca. WithSandy, Ken, Jane, Theresa, Jodie & Peggy
Connecting Council Training in Salina, KS October 20 & 21 https://www.flickr.com/photos/greatplainsumc/albums
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History of Hymns: “It Is Well with My Soul” UM Hymnal, No. 377 by C. Michael Hawn When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. With this hymn comes one of the most heartrending stories in the annals of hymnody.
The author, Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888), was a Presbyterian layman from Chicago. He had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman and was also a devout Christian. Among his close friends were several evangelists including the famous Dwight L. Moody, also from Chicago.
Spafford’s fortune evaporated in the wake of the great Chicago Fire of 1871. Having invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michi- gan’s shoreline, he lost everything overnight. In a saga reminiscent of Job, his son died a short time before his financial disaster. But the worst was yet to come.
Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck tells the story: “Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and [his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. In November of that year, due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days.
“On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survi- vors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, ‘Saved alone.’”
Spafford left immediately to join his wife. This hymn is said to have been penned as he approached the area of the ocean thought to be where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk.
Another daughter, Bertha, was born in 1878 as well as a son, Horatio, in 1880, though he later died of scarlet fever. After the birth of daughter Grace in 1881, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem out of a deep interest in the Holy Land. There they established the American Colony, a Christian utopian society engaged in philanthropic activities among Jews, Muslims and Christians.
After decades of benevolent activities, the Colony ceased to be a communal society in the 1950s, though it continued in a second life as the American Colony Hotel, the first home of the talks between Palestine and Israel that eventually led to the 1983 Oslo Peace Accords. On a personal note, this was a hymn often sung on Sunday evenings in my congregation as I was growing up. Its somber and peace- ful music, written by gospel songwriter Philip Bliss (1838-1876) and named after the ship that carried Spafford’s daughters to their death, was spellbinding to a young boy. Yet I had difficulties identifying with the text in many ways.
The hymn came to life for me in the summer of 1981. I had taken a group of youth to Chicago to work in an inner-city church that housed several congregations of immigrant groups. I chose to attend the Vietnamese service, which I was told consisted of refugees from the Vietnam War—the famous Boat People who had fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
I hadn’t been back to the Chicago area since I had graduated from a college in a nearby suburb in 1970. During my time in college, the draft was reinstated, protests of the Vietnam War were numerous and the riots surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Con- vention in the city were infamous. Returning to Chicago 11 years later, the memories of the Vietnam War were fresh on my mind.
As the Vietnamese congregation gathered to worship, they sang the same song every Sunday to begin their worship, “It Is Well with My Soul.” I didn’t need the words in English as I had memorized them as a boy. I was amazed at how closely this text, written over 100 years earlier, coincided with the struggles of these immigrants as they fled a hostile Vietnam in frail ships, miraculously arriving in Australia and other places.
As the Vietnamese congregation, now residing in Spafford’s hometown of Chicago, sang the final stanza, I understood the power of a hymn to transcend time and culture to address human tragedy with assurance. Though the hymn begins with loss, it ends in es- chatological hope for the day when “faith shall be sight.”
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-it-is-well-with-my-soul
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Pastor Judy Carlson, Wausa/Randolph UMC would like to offer some us- able confirmation and Sun- day School materials for an- yone looking for some addi- tional material. Please con- tact her if you could benefit from these resources.
GRACIE SERVING UMCOR As part of her confirmation require- ment to find a mission and complete it, Gracie Dawson of the Wausa United Methodist Church chose UMCOR as her mission. More specifically she chose “hygiene kits” which include things like: washcloth, hand towel, tooth- brush, comb, soap, and other personal hygiene items. The items are put into plastic bags and when disaster strikes, the bags are given out by UMCOR to those who find themselves without housing and the bare necessities. Gracie collected a lot of the items her- self, and the church helped to finish what was needed. Fifty-Four kits were completed. Thank you to all who helped. Thanks goes to the Wausa Quilters who provided the $1 per kit that is required to help with the ship- ping. Thank you to Gracie for seeing a need and acting on it. The kits were delivered this week to Norfolk where they will be picked up by an UMCOR truck.
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First United Methodist Church of Ponca, ARK - acts of random kindness after school group learned a bible verse. "Make me to know your ways o Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation." Psalm 25:4-5
Upcoming Dates to Remember: November 10: Kathy will be out of the office November 23 & 24th: District OfficeCLOSED for Thanksgiving Holi- day. November 29th: All compensation forms are due into the District Office, whether you have had your charge conference or not. December 1st: Appointive Recommendation Forms are due in the Dis- trict Office (1) from the Staff Parish Committee & (1) from the Pastor. December 19 - 28th: Rev. Davis on Vacation. Cindy Karges will be covering for Rev. Davis in his absence. December 25 & 26: District office CLOSED for Christmas Holiday. January 1, 2018: District Office CLOSED for New Years Day Holiday. January 17 - 19: Orders & Fellowship - Kearney, Nebraska
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Camp Fontanelle Christmas Camp 2017
Our corn maze season has two weekends remaining but that does not mean we are finished! In December, Camp Fontanelle will be holding its annual Christmas Camp from Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17th and we need help finding campers and donors.
While the Nebraska UM Foundation has given us a grant to operate the camp, we are in need of sponsors to be Christmas elves for our campers. Each camper will receive clothing and gifts valued at $100.00. These gifts and donations are from supporters of the program. Our Christmas elves may either give a monetary donation and camp people will shop for gifts, or the donors may shop for the gifts from a list given by the camper.
Attached is a link to the online application and Christmas Camp information.
There is no cost to the camper. This camp was created to help those in need of blessings during the Christmas season. Our campers should be between 9 & 12 years old. We have room for 20 females and 20 males.
Christmas Camp is meant for children/youth between the ages of 9-12 who are in need of some Christmas Spirit. Due to family financial struggles or personal situations which may be causing stress (because of family health or life situations), Christmas Camp is meant to provide a solid Christian weekend to bring light to a seemingly dark outlook.
Thank you for sharing this with your congregations. We have never reached our maximum num- ber of campers and I would like to see that happen this year. With your help, that can happen.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Please contact Camp Fontanelle if you have any questions concerning Christmas Camp-402-478-4296 or send an email to: [email protected]. Registrations need to be received by Monday, November 20, 2017.
Jane Van Horn, Camp Coordinator, 402-278-0526 Camp Fontanelle 9677 County Road 3 Fontanelle NE 68044 Trent Cell: (402) 459-0686
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=udkt4edab&oeidk=a07eerm1x28bab3e0f0
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Membership Records
Why keep membership records? Membership records are one of the most-requested records of a local church or church archive. People conducting genealogical research are often searching for membership and baptism records kept at the local church.
Unlike many revival leaders, John Wesley established and sustained communities of Christians that were strong enough to grow through the centuries and develop into The United Methodist Church. He understood salvation as a process that requires community, ongoing support and nurture, and accountability in Christian living. Concern for souls, individually and collectively, motivated the careful record keeping that became characteristic of the faith communities now constituting The United Methodist Church. (Adapted from United Methodist Membership Records Manual, pub- lished by The United Methodist Publishing House.)
This manual provides the membership secretary, church staff, and ministry teams with the infor- mation and instructions they need to maintain membership records and nurture individuals through their faith journey. The record system also helps staff prepare the connectional reports that help us study how our denomination is changing so that we can encourage the ministry of each con- gregation. The manual includes a sample of each record sheet and complete instructions on complet- ing each record.
The manual contains sample pages with all of the membership forms along with guidance for their use.
Order the complete manual from Cokesbury. http://www.greatplainsumc.org/membershiprecords
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October 11, 2017
From the Desk of Bishop Bruce Ough
Brothers and Sisters of The United Methodist Church,
Grace and peace to you in the compassionate name of our Lord Christ Jesus.
I write to you on behalf of our Council of Bishops to invite you to observe Global Migration Sunday on December 3, 2017. This is the first Sunday of the season of Advent, a time when we remember the com- ing birth of the Christ Child who was himself a migrant.
From Asia through Europe and Africa to the Americas, the plight of the over 65 million men, women and children forced to leave their homes and migrate to places unknown calls all Christians to remember what God requires of us.
Wars, natural disasters, persecution, economic hardships, and growing violence around the world are the major root causes of the unprecedented global migration we see today with grave concern. As if these deadly forces were not enough, migrants also face myriad problems as they migrate including haz- ardous travel, cultural barriers and the physical and emotional costs of arriving in strange lands where they are not always welcome and often persecuted.
For most of these migrants, the decision to flee their homeland comes as a last resort effort to live. We are reminded of Joseph and Mary as they sought to save their lives and especially the life of the Christ Child by fleeing to Africa to escape the wrath of King Herod who felt threatened by the birth of Jesus and ordered the massacre of the children (Matthew 2:13-14).
As United Methodists, we believe that the prayers of God’s people can cause the outpouring of God’s mercy and justice. As your bishops, it is our fervent hope that on Global Migration Sunday on December 3, United Methodist congregations in all the places where we serve around the world would join our voices to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering on the journey of forced migration on the face of the earth. In addition, as a people who pray and act upon those prayers, we ask that all our con- gregations also gather an offering to be dedicated to responding to the human suffering inflicted by forced migration. Offerings collected should be sent to the Migration Advance No. 3022144.
We are grateful for our general agencies who have prepared excellent resources for Global Migration Sunday including the Prayer that we would ask we all pray on December 3rd. These resources can be found in English, Arabic, French and Spanish at umcmigration.org.
Jesus said, “When you welcome the sojourner, you welcome me.” (Matthew 25:35). Let us welcome our migrant brothers and sisters with compassionate care, pray for them without ceas- ing, and give generously that they too may have life.
Grace and peace
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When counting your blessings, be sure to give thanks for what God has done for you...and for who He is.
When the Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving in 1621, half their original group had died. Our fore- bears were able to focus on God’s goodness and mercy even in the midst of trials. Perhaps they took a lesson from Paul and Silas who, while in chains in the prison at Philippi, “prayed, and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25). Or perhaps they were simply following the instruction of Philippians 2:5, which says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” It was Christ Who, knowing exactly what lay ahead, gave thanks on the very night in which He was betrayed. As Christians, we’re called beyond simple thanks for the good things God has sent our way. We’re also to give thanks for what He has done for us...and for who He is. Scripture gives us so many examples of why we are to be thankful: We are to be thankful for what God has given us: 1. His “unfailing love” (Psalm 107, numerous verses) 2. His grace “given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4) 3. Victory “through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57) 4. His “righteous laws” (Psalm 119:62) 5. The faith of others to sustain and cheer us (Philemon 1:4) We are to be thankful for what God has done: 6. He has “answered me...[and] become my salvation” (Psalm 118:21). 7. He has redeemed us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 8. He has qualified us“ to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12). We are to be thankful for who God is: 9. “He is good; His love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34). 10. He is “faithful and just” (1 John 1:9). Training our hearts to be thankful does many good things. It gives credit where credit is due. It keeps us from bitterness, arrogance and discouragement. It protects us from letting our lives be defined by what we don’t have. It keeps us humble and re-
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55 Things I Am Thankful For: 27. Hope. Sometimes it's hard to find, but it's always there, waiting to lift me up.
http://www.positivelypresent.com 28. Handwriting. It's so cool how we're all so different and this is a great place to see that. 1. Life. How cool is that I'm actually here, in this 29. Strength. When you lose it, you know what you world, living? once had. 2. Friends. There is no way I could survive without 30. Patience. I don’t always have enough, but I'm getting them. better at it every day! 3. Family. We have our ups and downs, but they really 31. Photographs. There is nothing quite like a brilliant are my foundation. image to capture a moment. 4. Love. It's completely magical and amazing,. 32. Honesty. It really is the best policy. 5. Words. They are literally my life line. I would not be 33. Surprises. As long as they're good. me without them. 34. Paw prints. I can't help but smile every time I see 6. Choice. I love that every day I can choose to be hap- them. py. Fabulous! 35. Passion. One of the best things: seeing someone 7. Color. I love sharing my personality this way! passionate about what they do or who they love. 8. Art. Creativity to share with others. 36. Dreams. Both the daytime or nighttime variety are 9. Dogs. They are flat out amazing creatures. pretty cool. Health. Thank you Lord! 37. Films. A movie that leaves you feeling moved -- 10. Seasons. Spring, summer, winter, fall -- love them priceless! all! 38. Positivity. Look for the good in everything and you 11. Stars. How beautiful! will find it. 12. Acceptance. I'm so thankful to those who accept me 39. Knowledge. Gaining and possessing knowledge is for who I am. one of the best things. 13. Rainbows. So beautiful. Amazing! 40. Quality Time. When you get to spend really quality 14. Laughter. There is little better in the world than the time with someone, it's so fantastic. laugh-so-hard-you-cry feeling. 41. Animals. How alike and different we are from them! 15. Holidays. There's something incredibly exciting Fascinating! about them. 42. Kindness. Even the smallest act or word can change 16. Sunshine. I don't see too much of it today, but I love, a day around... love, love when the sun's shining. 43. Sleep. There's nothing like a soft pillow and a warm 17. Books. There's never a time when I'm not thankful blanket after a long, hard day. for the words of another. 44. Dancing. I love to do it! 18. Organization. It might seem boring to some, but I'm 45. Food. It's a major part of life, but I often forget to be really glad I'm organized. thankful for it. 19. Generosity. One of those things that's just as great 46. Challenges. They may not be valued at the time, but to give as it is to get. they always make me a better person. 20. Encouragement. So many people have supported 47. Imagination. I don't know where (or who!) I would me in my life and I'm so lucky to have them. be without it... 21. Accountability. I'm so glad I've finally realized that 48. Compliments. Help me feel good everyday. I'm accountable for myself and my life. 49. Growing Up. Every day is a blessing and a gift. 22. Smiles. I love giving them and getting them. 50. Freedom. Thank you God for freedom. 23. Change. It scares me sometimes, but it can be a 51. Plans. I love knowing that fun things are coming up. wonderful thing. Putting plans in place is great! 24. Fun. Smiles and laughter go together. 52. Driving. The car, the road, the music... awesome. 25. Housing. This is something I usually take for granted, 53. Inspiration. There's nothing quite like coming across but I am thankful for home! something that inspires you. 26. Comfort. Comfort food, comfy sweatpants, a com- 54. Peace. Something to strive for and be hopeful. fortable environment. 55. Productivity. It feels so great to be getting things.
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Thanksgiving
While the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the U.S., thanking God for our blessings is a spiritual discipline that should not be limited to a single day. Along with expanding our waistlines, our prep- aration for and celebration of the holiday can be the impetus toward growing an attitude of gratitude that will carry over into the rest of the year. In his commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, John Wesley writes, “Thanksgiving is insepara- ble from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it.” Giving thanks is as essential to our spiritual growth as prayer, which 1 Thessalonians calls us to do continually. These creative ideas will help us get started this Thanksgiving.
Fill a family Thanksgiving box. As part of your Thanksgiving preparation, create a Thanksgiving Box. Each day family members write on slips of paper something for which they are thankful that day and place them in the decorated box. The box will make a nice Thanksgiving table centerpiece, and when opened, a way to remember how blessed we are every day. You could add to it all year too of course.
Serve someone. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, many agencies serving those in need expand their work. Food banks, churches, and other service organizations supply meals to the hungry on Thanksgiving. Centenary United Meth- odist Church in Los Angeles holds a sleepover for their youth called the “turkey lock-in.” On the night before Thanks- giving the youth prepare, and the next day, deliver meals to people in the community who will be alone on Thanksgiving. Ask your pastor for suggestions of places near you to serve or donate.
Take time for quiet reflection. As the big day approaches, things get busier. Set aside some time each day to say thank you to God for all he has provided. “A Morning Prayer of Thanksgiving” by The Rev. Dr. LaGretta Bjorn is a great start.
Invite someone new to dinner. Athens First United Methodist Church invites international students from the University of Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with their members. The students enjoy spending time away from campus and in fam- ily homes. Explore ways to invite those who may be alone or far from family to celebrate with you on the holiday.
Share blessings together. When gathered around the table, many families will ask guests to share something for which they are thankful. In Thanksgiving Celebrations for the Home, Mary Jane Pierce Norton suggests creating a list together, such as foods each person enjoys. Then together offer “thanks for the Earth and all with which we are blessed in the world God created.”
Send cards to those we miss. Remember those who are not able to be with you this year by making or purchasing cards for them. “On Thanksgiving Day,” Norton writes, “invite all who are gathered in your home to sign and/or write a note on the cards to those who are missing.” Mail them the next day to share the gratitude.
Include children. Involve the children celebrating with you by sharing the Child’s Thanksgiving Prayer. Use this prayer at the kids’ table as a grace or an after meal blessing, having one of the older children lead. Then encourage the kids to write their own Thanksgiving prayers, with which they could lead the adults in prayer later in the day.
Voice your gratitude. If your family is musical, consider a Thanksgiving sing-a-long, as you might do with Christmas car- ols. Dean McIntyre offers Hymns for Thanksgiving Day from our United Methodist Hymnal and Songbooks that would be a great way to celebrate. He also offers a quiz of hymns with lines about thanksgiving in Musical Thanksgiving. Make a game out of who can guess the most. http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/easy-ways-to-share-gratitude-this-thanksgiving
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Heart Disease: Time for a Drastic Diet Change?
When you find out you have heart disease, you’ll probably have to change your diet. But how far should you go? Will a moderate shift do, like cutting back on high- fat foods? Do you need to take bigger steps, like going vegan? To figure it out, ask yourself some key questions about your health and eating style. 1. What Does Your Doctor Say? Ask the doctor what your diet goals should be. Do you need to bring down your cholesterol levels and blood pressure? Do you have diabetes? Should you lose some extra pounds? Does heart disease run in your family? These are a few of the things your doctor will consider when he gives you advice. He may also refer you to a reg- istered dietitian, who works with people who have heart disease. 2. What Are You Eating Now? How much you need to change your diet depends on the kind of food you eat now. Is your diet healthy? Could it be a lot better? "If, for example, you have a cup of coffee, a fat-laden croissant, or a breakfast sandwich in the morning, followed by a fast-food burger lunch [and] a drive-thru dinner to end your commute, then you need to clear the table en- tirely and start new," says cardiologist John Kennedy, MD. But if you usually eat foods that are good for you along with a few that aren't, you might just need to fine-tune your diet, rather than overhaul it. 3. How Motivated Are You? Change takes work. If you need to make big revisions, you have to be motivated to keep it up. Former President Bill Clinton famously traded barbecue, burgers, fries, and doughnuts for a vegan diet with very little oil to help manage his heart disease. It took him 2 decades -- and two heart procedures -- to make the commitment. He met with Dean Ornish, MD, to talk it over first. Ornish has written several books on diets for people with heart disease. If you want to go for that but it seems daunting, you could make changes bit-by-bit rather than overnight. For instance, instead of chips, try a handful of nuts. Replace soda with bottled water, Kennedy says. Three Changes to Make for Sure 1. Stop eating artificial trans fats now. Even if a product says "0 trans fat" on the label, it may have up to half a gram per serving, which adds up. Check the ingredients list. "Partially hydrogenated" ingredients are trans fats. 2. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Experiment with meat-free meals that include beans or to- fu as a protein source. You don't need to be a vegetarian or vegan to do that. 3. Limit salty, fatty, and sugary foods. Just about everyone gets too much of those things. Cut back wherever you can. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/heart-disease-diet-change#
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