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

CLICK HERE to view the latest MRD Weekly Email

Want the email to come directly to your inbox? 

Email Kris at the district office at missouririver@greatplainsumc.org.  

Don't forget to check out the GPConnect for the latest conference communications.  

CLICK HERE to view Important Dates to Remember  

MRD Office is OPEN for Business

In monitoring the Corona/Covid-19 Virus, the decision has been made that the Missouri River District office will be closed until further notice for day-to-day foot traffic, visits or drop-ins.  If you have anything, you need to drop off at the office the preferred method would be to scan and email to Kris or fax to 402-934-5196. If that’s not possible please call Kris at the office number 402-934-5441 to make other arrangements or it can be dropped in the regular mail to 7318 Harrison St, Ralston, NE 68128.  Please keep in mind our mail service is very slow here and can take up to 10 days to receive so if urgent utilize scan and email. 

If you need to make an in person appointment please call the office number 402-934-5441 and Kris will make arrangements to setup a zoom meeting for you.

Please click on the Online Worship photo for a list of Missouri River District Churches who are offering options for those churches and congregations who do not have these options to still be able to participate in Sunday worship.  

Anti-Racism Events Planned and Resources

CLICK HERE for a list of Events Planned & Anti-Racism Resources available.

Great Plains UMC and

League of Women Voters' 

July 9, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The GP Creation Care Team is joining with the League of Women Voters to host a zoom event focusing on faith, climate and the elections.  It is non-partisan and will give folks an opportunity to link their faith with climate knowledge and also suggested concrete actions. 

Melissa and Maddi, of the Micah Corps interns can join us, we will acknowledge them towards the beginning of the event. 

CLICK HERE to download a flyer.

CLICK HERE to register for the event.

Mental Health Distress Hotline

CLICK HERE for the Mental Health Distress Hotline.  SAMSHA is a trusted and top disaster mental health advocate which the GPUMC recommends and uses their information frequently. Please remember at this point and time of this COVID-19 journey, it’s important that we reach out and check on one another.  Stay safe, wear a mask when you to go out your door and stay connected.   

Please also note that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment released the information that: "Children 2 and under should not wear a face mask due to their small air way, and the mask could interfere with their breathing."

Pearl Pantry Needs Your Help

With school closings due to the Coronavirus pandemic, a community effort is being rallied so that children who depend on the free or reduced breakfast and lunch have food to eat during this time.  

CLICK HERE for an email from Pastor Ralph Gaines of items needed. 

As published on 5/8/2020 by WOWT Channel 6 

Omaha Clair Memorial – North Omaha nonprofits team up to provide healthy food options during COVID-19

Churches and nonprofits in Omaha‘s African American community are working together to make sure no one falls through the cracks when it comes to having access to food during the COVID-19 outbreak.

As published in the 5/6/2020 Douglas County Post-Gazette

Waterloo UMC – Church visits members during Parade of Hope

The United Methodist Church of Waterloo recently held a Parade of Hope, where they visited numerous members of the church who they had not seen since March, due to the coronavirus. About eight people traveled around Waterloo, Yutan and Elkhorn, showing off their signs of hope they made and wishing the best for all their members they visited along the parade route.

As published in the 5/4/2020 UM News

Omaha Hanscom Park

Helping out creatively during the pandemic

The Rev. Chris Jorgensen, pastor of Hanscom Park United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, poses by some of the 200 rolls of toilet paper the church donated to Together Omaha, a homeless service organization. They did hold back a small amount for the church, which has two people working in the office during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Omaha Hanscom Park United Methodist Church.

CLICK HERE for the story from UM News.

As published in the 5/6/2020 GPConnect 

Omaha St. Paul Benson

Piano side Sundays, daily snow domes are a part of ministry for Omaha pastor

The Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede at Omaha St. Paul Benson UMC knew worship wouldn't look the same during our time of sheltering in place.

CLICK HERE for the story and podcast link from the GPConnect.

Omaha Faith Westwood 

Tireless Masketeers Create 10,000 Masks 

for Their Congregation and Community

Since early March, several dozen members of FaithWestwood United Methodist Church in Omaha – plus many recruited family and friends -- have worked together to create and distribute over 10,000 protective masks for at-risk individuals and groups in the Omaha metro community.

CLICK HERE for a press release statement from Faith Westwood on their efforts.

2020 Lefler Dinners

04/25/2020 - Canceled

 06/27/2020

08/22/2020

 10/24/2020

Omaha Lefler 2020 Dinner Dates!

All run from 4:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Click on photo for larger view.

Omaha Clair Memorial ​

Alan Black a member of Omaha Clair Memorial has written and published two books book titled, "Here I Am Lord" and "In The Spirit Intended."

CLICK HERE for an Amazon link to "Here I Am Lord" 

CLICK HERE for an Amazon link to "In The Spirit Intended"

Healthy Congregations 

CLICK HERE for email that was sent out to Pastors, Churches and Health & Wellness Liaisons with more information and contact information regarding the Healthy Congregations program.  

Omaha Olive Crest - ESL Classes

Omaha Olive Crest located at 7180 N 60th St, Omaha, NE is offering ESL classes on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-3:30 and Saturday from 1-2:30. One time fee $10 per person. New students can begin anytime. Come to as many classes as you can to reap quicker results. Any questions please contact Pastor Deb Copple, Cell# 308-672-5106 or my email at dcopple@greatplainsumc.org.  

Coping After a Natural Disaster

CLICK HERE for information received from the Great Plains Conference with information on assistance for those coping with the recent floods, tornados and other natural disasters.  This service is available to anyone.  If there is someone you know who may benefit from this service please feel free to pass this information onto them. 

Connecting Neighbors

When a disaster hits your community, do you really know what to do?

Connecting Neighbors is an UMCOR curriculum on preparing congregations and communities for disasters and to respond to our neighbors in helpful, cooperative and caring ways on behalf of the church and in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

Click Here for more information from Rev. Hollie Tapley.

Click Here for more information and how you can partner with providing birthday parties at the Salvation Army Shelter, the Stephen Center and the Phoenix House.  

Click Here for more information on how you can become a Birthday Party Partner. 

Missouri River District Hispanic Ministries

Click on the photo for larger view. 

Questions? Please contact Pastor Juan Carlos Veloso at 531-389-2184 or by email at jcveloso@greatplainsumc.org.  

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.  

 Monday's

5:30pm - 6:15pm

Springfield UMC

Monday's 5:30pm - 6:15pm

Mindfulness & Movement

Click on photo for larger view

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.

Omaha First UMC - Zumba

Click on the Photo below for a larger view.  

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

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.