11/9/2022
When disasters happen around the world, Great Plains is invited to help, and we respond! It is what our ministry is all about – serving with compassion and care as we are the hands and feet of Christ. It is our calling, not just something we do. The Florida Conference Disaster Response Coordinator extended an invitation to us soon after Hurricane Ian had left much destruction in the State of Florida. A group of eight ERTs (Early Response Team) joined together from all over the conference to make...
10/27/2022
Members of Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield have established a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a statewide coalition working throughout Kansas to encourage people and organizations to promote policies that ensure everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. As a partner organization Grace UMC joins business leaders, doctors and hospitals, social service and safety-net organizations, faith communities, chambers of commerce, advocates for ...
10/26/2022
For the past 15 years, students at Burke High School in Omaha have been steered in successful directions thanks to a project co-founded by Omaha St. Luke UMC. The Teen Center provides “opportunities for students in an after-school environment with intentional exposure to education and relationships,” according to the center director. See more from WOWT.
10/19/2022
McPherson First UMC in Kansas had its 10th Annual SERVE Day on Sunday, Oct. 9, with members of the congregation going into the community to serve in fifteen different projects with over 115 members of the congregation participating in this day of service. The day of service began with a short worship service where Deacon Jeanne Koontz focused on the power of God to use the tiniest of seeds to bring forth the kingdom encouraging participants to spread seeds of love and hope as they serve. The ...
10/5/2022
October is Mental Health Awareness month, and this week in particular is Mental Illness Awareness week. 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year These are individuals in our communities, in our churches, in our children's ministry and youth groups, within our clergy colleagues. If you or someone you know is affected by mental illness, you are not alone. Mental health care is important and available. ...
9/28/2022
After three years of supporting missionary efforts in Cuba, Omaha Water’s Edge UMC has funded a church plant in the country. The Rev. Craig Finnestad, Water’s Edge senior pastor, said that since churches are not permitted to be built in Cuba, the ministry will be working from an existing building that will also include a laundromat. The church is on Isla de la Juventud, a small island south of the main island, which includes Havana. Finnestad has been in contact with Cuban pastor Leandro Perez ...
8/31/2022
Valecia Scribner has gone from social services to being a youth director to, for the past two years, pastor at Wichita Woodland UMC. “She’s been very well accepted,” church member Anita Martz said. “And I think it’s because she does have these beliefs and doesn’t just stand there and say, ‘God loves you, and have a good day.’ She’s got important things to talk about.” As part of its series called “Wichita’s Finest,” which highlights community leaders in the city, KWCH-TV sat down for a lengthy ...
8/24/2022
As a new pastor in western Kansas, Scott City to be exact, I was amazed to see signs around town which said, “Pray for Ukraine.” As I started to settle in, I realized there was a HUGE heart here in Scott City for Ukraine because of a local resident by the name of Anya. Anya met her American husband Joel as they both served as missionaries; I know there is more to their story and, over the coming months, I hope to learn more. They have lived in Scott City for around 11 years now. When the war ...
8/8/2022
Emporia Grace UMC’s La Bonita Garden of Grace is the only community garden in Emporia. It was established seven years ago under the direction of longtime member Lola Collinge. A grant provided initial funding, and church members provided the sweat equity as well as contributions of both materials and money. The brightly painted garden totem that commemorated the garden blessing service still stands amid the bountiful raised beds today. Extra produce is shared to the Little Free Pantry on the ...
8/5/2022
The first time I heard the hymn “Jesus Loves Me” I was in my early 40’s, new to the Methodist tradition. We sang it during the children’s time. As you know, the words go “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” I didn’t know Jesus loved me from the Bible. I grew up Catholic and from the early days of Catechism the Sisters of St. Francis assured me that Jesus loved me. Certainly, the experience of my family reinforced Jesus’ love? No children’s song. No Bible. But how did I KNOW ...
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