MRD: Dist. & Conf. Resources

CLICK HERE to view the lasted MRD Weekly Updates & Events email. Also don't forget to check out the GPConnect for the latest conference communications. 

Want the email to come directly to your inbox?  Email Kris at the district office at missouririver@greatplainsumc.org.  

Please use the links to the left to view information for other resources and news within the district and conference.  

CLICK HERE for the latest resource information from United Methodist Communications 

CLICK HERE to view 2018/2019 Important Dates to Remember for conference forms and events. 

Due Date

12/01/2018

Forms can be found on the website at https://www.greatplainsumc.org/staffparishforms

• Forms are due no later than December 1, 2018.  Shortly thereafter the cabinet will begin their process of inventory, discernment and making appointments. 
• You are encouraged to read the Appointment-Making in the Great Plains documents found on the webpage so that you know and understand the process. 
• This webpage contains both the assessment and appointive forms.  Please make sure to use the Appointive Recommendation form.
• Please make sure to use the 2018 form and not one from a previous year that you have downloaded and saved. 
• If either the “Our mission can best be met with a new pastor, but our current pastor may return.” OR “Our mission can best be met with a new pastor.” is checked on the form then the Supplemental form must be completed as well. 

Please call Kris at the district office if you have any questions on or need assistance with the forms. 

Dishes Available

Louisville First UMC

Has dishes they will give to any church that can use them. They have approximately 100 dinner plates, 200 small plates and 50 cups.  Please contact the church at 402-234-2055 or by email at um84302@windstream.net if interested. 

Organ Available

Has a Kurzwell Mark 5 Ensemble Grand Organ for sale;  $175.00.  Please contact Raeanna Kuzma at 402-651-9243 if you are interested.

Choir Robes Available

Omaha Lefler

Has two sets of choir robes and stoles; also children’s robes for FREE.  Please contact Raeanna Kuzma at 402-651-9243 if you are interested.

Cedar Hill UMC

11/18/2018

Annual Fall Auction

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11/16-18/2018

Red Bird Appalacian Craft Fair

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11/18/2018

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

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Shop Small Saturday: A Visit From Mrs. Claus and Cookie Decorating with 4-H

11/24/2018

Shop Small Saturday: A Visit From Mrs. Claus and Cookie Decorating with 4-H

Saturday, November 24

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Shop Small is a nationwide movement to celebrate small businesses every day and to help communities thrive. Support your favorite local nonprofit, fair trade coffee shop-bookstore-church by shopping at Urban Abbey on this important day. Stay to hear a story from Mrs. Claus (10:00 am - 11:00 am) and to decorate Christmas Cookies with 4-H (11:00 am - 1:00 pm).

12/01/2018

Parents' Day Out

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“Families Look Like Love:” Reading Hour for Families

12/01/2018

“Families Look Like Love:” Reading Hour for Families

Saturday, December 1

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join Circle Theater’s Fran Sillau, one of “Santa’s Elves,” as he reads Santa’s Husband, Wombat Divine, and other holiday stories!

“Families Look Like Love” is a family reading hour held in collaboration with Circle Theater, created to provide space for LGBTQIA+ and ally families to learn about and discuss the many ways that families can look and be together.

12/02/2018

Omaha St Paul

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12/11/2018

Omaha First UMC

Continued Race Relations Discussion

Click Here to register for 10/23/18 event

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01/05-06/2019

Registration open for 2019 OneEvent, with special offer for youth leaders

The OneEvent is Jan. 5-6 in Salina. Registration is up and brochures will be sent to churches next week.

Here’s the brochure electronically with all the information! Invite any sixth to 12th-graders and youth workers to this One Event!

New this year: Any church that signs up by Nov. 15 will receive a free youth worker admission ($59 registration fee) for every two youth workers per church, to say thank you to those who work with youth!

Youth will leave this event with a desire to study scripture, knowledge about the Bible and then live it out! This year we are focusing on “Proclaiming Christ,” focusing on studying scripture and using our words to share Christ. All youth will be connected with youth across the conference and get to know at least two other opportunities outside of the local church in our connectional United Methodist Church. You won’t want to miss this!

Missouri River District Hispanic Ministries

CLICK HERE for a list of items that are needed by the Clothing Closet to serve the Hispanic Community of South Omaha

CLICK HERE for a list of items that are needed by the First UMC in O'Neill, NE that are being collected at both Omaha Grace & Omaha Faith Westwood.  

Sunday's 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Do you know someone who needs free clothing or books? If so, send them to 8009 Q Street, Ralston NE and Ralston Trinity has a Lost and Found Clothing Center on Sunday's 1-4.  Questions call 402-331-4054. 

The Clothing Center is in need of donations.  Please CLICK HERE for more information regarding the Clothing Center and items that are needed.  

Registration deposits start in July, 2018

01/28/2019 - 02/16/2019

January 28, 2019 - February 1, 2019

Bishop Ruben Saenz is taking the Ordinands from 2017 & 2018 on a Holy Land Tour and has opened up this travel opportunity to the entire Great Plains Conference from January 28, 2019 - February 6, 2019.  There are limited number of seats available for the trip.  CLICK HERE for a link to the brochure with pricing, deposit info. and deadlines and tour information.  Please watch the GPConnect for more latest information as it is released. 

Omaha Olive Crest UMC

Omaha Olive Crest UMC (7180 N 60th, Omaha, NE 68152) invites everyone to their C.A.Y.A. (Come As You Are) Worship Experience which is EVERY Sunday Evening 5:00 p.m. Join US at 4:30 for coffee and a snack!

On the first Saturday of each month, First UMC hosts a community Taizé Prayer service at 5:00 p.m. in Mead Chapel

Taizé prayer services are inspired by the Taizé ecumenical monastic community in France where people – young and old – come to pray, to be silent, to listen, to be simple, to be faithful. They come seeking space in which to be with God. The community was founded by Brother Roger Schutz during the Second World War. 

Perhaps the most distinctive character in the service is the music, simple meditative songs with few words that are repeated again and again.  This allows the words to penetrate deeply as a way of listening to the Divine Presence.  The service also includes short readings, spoken prayers, a period of silence and the use of candles adding to the meditative aspect of the service. 

The service, about 40 minutes in length.  All are welcome.

Camp Fontanelle

Click Here for Camp Fontanelle News / Church Packet

CLICK HERE to go to the MRD Camp Fontanelle webpage including the latest from the Branching Out Campaign.

Omaha First UMC - Zumba

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MEMBERSHIP RECOGNITION PINS

Please contact Christy at the Great West District Office at 308-284-8922 or by email at greatwest@greatplainsumc.org for more information or click here for an order form.  

Omaha Urban Abbey

Wants to let churches know that they have a new policy that they are able to offer 10% off any orders from churches and if churches are ordering 15 or more of the same book they can do 15% off.

Israel Kamudzandu

Pastor at Omaha Living Hope and Assoc. Professor of New Testament Studies at St Paul School of Theology has had commentaries published on the “Working Preacher” website. Pastor Israel finds this website a valuable resource for sermon preparations and Bible Studies.  CLICK HERE  for Pastor Israel’s commentaries.

Omaha Clair Memorial ​

Alan Black a member of Omaha Clair Memorial has published a book titled, "Here I Am Lord" ~ CLICK HERE for an Amazon link to the 2nd edition of the book.  

HEALTH MINISTRY

The United Methodist General Conference Next Global Health Initiative: Abundant Health: Our Promise to Childern.

In our Great Plains Conference, United Methodist congregations – whether large or small -- are uniquely blessed with the availability of the all the resources necessary to develop an effective congregational health ministry.

For more information regarding Congregational Health Ministry, The NE Faith Community Health Network and the Health Ministry at Omaha Faith Faith Westwood UMC click here.