Twin Cities District
Connecting United Methodists in Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Transforming Lives
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Liz Lopez, Superintendent
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October 2009
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Pamela Pettit, Editor
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In This Issue
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Learnings from Liz . . .
LIVE SIMPLY SO OTHERS CAN SIMPLY LIVE!
Mike Slaughter’s use of the phrase, “live simply so others can simply live,” has stuck with me ever since I first heard it at a stewardship event a few weeks ago. Although the theme of his presentation was financial stewardship, I began to wonder if this phrase applied to our congregational life as well. Could we begin to ask the question, “What are we doing in our congregational life that allows all to live simply so others can simply live?” I have found this an intriguing question.
In his presentation Mike Slaughter used words like vision, strategy, planning, servanthood, expectations, measurables, and missional church. He spoke about how stewardship or anything we do as church leaders is modeled through “leadership,” that leaders cannot lead farther than they lead themselves, and that all leadership begins with self-leadership. He stated that leaders need to be demonstrating trust of God’s provision, heart-focused discipline, and a life-style of generosity.
He taught that vision is the ability to paint a picture of God’s promising future addressing the why, what, and how of getting there. Vision requires clarity, urgency, importance, and size (we can change the world!). Vision is about a picture, a plan and a practice! This sounds familiar!
As we have begun to roll out the congregational training events and the congregational ministry plans, Mike Slaughter’s words directly apply to what we are doing. The opportunities we have through these ministry plans are painting a picture of the future for our congregations, spending intentional time on planning our work to get there, and then practicing our plans by working them.
I have had all kinds of responses to this process! I believe that by doing these plans intentionally (visioning, planning, practicing) and trusting God to work with us in a new way, we will find ways to live simply so that those who come to be with us can live!
As you begin your work this month and in the months to come remember that this new ministry plan provides you with the opportunity to live simply so that others can simply live!!
Blessings on the road . . .
liz
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United Methodism's Four Foci for the Quadrennium
- Developing Congregations
- Strengthening Clergy and Lay Leadership (Equipping Leaders, Transforming Existing Congregations, Teaching the Wesleyan Model of Forming Disciples of Jesus Christ)
- Global Health and Connection (Ending Malaria and HIV/AIDS, Global Outreach, Transforming the Lives of Children)
- Eliminating Poverty in Community with the Poor
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Rethink Church Training: Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Messiah UMC. The national UM program for inviting and welcoming. $40/church; $10/person for lunch. Contact United Methodist Communications at (888) 278-4862 for more information. Register online here. Transition from talking about church to being church.
Church Planting 101: Oct. 26-27, Brunswick UMC (6122 42nd Ave. N., Crystal). For churches sensing they might like to start a new worship service, clergy discerning where they best thrive in ministry, and those interested in multi-site ministries or church planting. $50/person. Register online here.
Investing in Congregations: The Minnesota Annual Conference is investing in those congregations that have the potential, capacity, and commitment to reach new people. It will give grants in 2010 to congregations with the will to engage in risk-taking, innovative ministries, reaching new communities and holy experimentation. This grant is not a long-term subsidy for ongoing ministry, but rather seed money for a new venture. You can find the application on the conference home page under "Quick Links." Applications are due to Rev. Cindy Gregorson by October 30.
Coaching for Regional Mission Planning
How do we as church leaders apply interesting lifestyle demographic information to a concrete strategic plan? MissionInsite and Thriving Church Consulting have combined to provide coaching for regional and congregational leaders. Tom Bandy works with leaders in this process through a new resource called Accelerate Your Church: Out of the Box and Beyond, available soon digitally through MissionInsite. A new automated survey designed by Tom Bandy will also be available this fall based on his newest book 95 Questions to Shape the Future of Your Church (Abingdon Press). The coaching package includes an on-site training day and long distance webinars for two years as will as coaching in between. For further information on this opportunity visit the MissionInsite web site.
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Caring and Sharing
Sympathies to
- the family of Rev. Paul Howard, who died Sept. 17.
Prayers for
- One of our missionaries, Rev. Art Keith, and the International Church in Lund, Sweden.
- Russ Scheffler, conference staff, who had surgery on Oct. 5 for cancer and will have weeks of follow up and recovery.
- Rev. Tom Walker, recovering from surgery.
Congratulations to
- Simpson Housing Services, being honored for Excellence in a Large Organization by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Non profits with a Mission and Excellence Award.
Join in our connectedness by praying with our district superintendent for the following churches, their pastors, parish, and leaders:
- Camphor
- Fridley
- Joyce
- Lake Harriet
- Olivet
- Salem
Please update your mailing lists for the new Asbury-Oakland Avenue congregation to 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407 and remove the Oakland Avenue UMC address. We look forward to learning what the new name of this congregation will be.
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Structures of Care for One Another
United Methodist Service of Commissioning Webcast: Oct. 13, 6 p.m. See missionaries, deaconesses, and home missioners be commissioned live at www.ummissionaries.org. Contact Elliott Wright at (212) 870-3921 for more information.
UM Student Day: Nov. 29, offering helps UM students with scholarships and loans. Visit the UMC Giving web site for further details.
iTeach: a monthly e-mail newsletter for local church teachers and leaders with topics such as learning from life experiences, thinking theologically with youth, and tips on lesson planning, that will inspire and encourage. Read the current issue or an archived issue. Sign up to have this publication sent to your e-mail address by responding to the sign-up icon at the bottom of the page of each issue.
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Church Conference Forms are Now Available
2009 church conference forms are available in three different formats at www.minnesotaumc.org. From the Forms and Documents section, select “Church Conference” from the category menu. You can choose from PDF, Word 2003, and Word 2007. The forms have been significantly reduced in number for this year’s church conferences. Please read the instructions in the forms packet for information on completing and submitting your forms. Contact the conference office at (612) 870-0058 or info@minnesotaumc.org if you have any questions about the church conference forms. If you are unable to download or open the church conference forms, please contact your district office for electronic or hard copies.
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Conflict Transformation
Conflict is a part of every organization, but it does not have to define or damage the organization. Conflict can be handled constructively to deepen and strengthen your community. The Minnesota Annual Conference Conflict Transformation Team can help your congregation work through unresolved conflict to bring health and wholeness. The team can help you acquire the skills and structures you need to become a Christian community whose members respect differing opinions and work creatively through conflict.
This is was the team can do:
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Assist local congregations that experience conflict by introducing appropriate conflict transformation processes and by helping the groups work through particular conflicts.
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Coach individual church leaders and pastors in how to deal with conflict and build community.
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Offer training in the Rule of Christ process to improve health congregational communications.
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Lead churches in workshops designed to expand skills and form structures that will help participants work together more effectively.
The team consists of United Methodist lay people and clergy who are consultants from business, human services, legal, and ministerial professions. All have received specialized training the field of conflict transformation. This is a fee based ministry; conference support is often available.
If you are interested contact your District Superintendent or Conflict Transformation Team Coordinator, Rev. Dr. Bob Hoeft, (218) 546-5731.
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Someone said, "If you don't know where you're headed, any road will do." We hope our churches and pastors aren't living life that way! Because we live in a new day and time of social networking, and a culture where only 17 percent of people show up for church on Sunday, it's time to "rethink" church.
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Lay Speaking Trainings
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Equiping laity to use their spiritual gifts
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Basic: Some assigned reading in advance and letter of recommendation required.
Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Advent UMC (3945 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan), $30 includes lunch and workbook. Register by Nov. 5. Contact Bob Newman or Cindy Yanchury for further information.
Advanced: Basic training is a prerequisite.
- Cultivating Christian Community, by Thomas R. Hawkins: Nov. 14 , 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Advent UMC (3945 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan), $30 includes lunch and course workbook (not the same as the textbook). Focus is on what it means to nurture caring connections and relationships that reflect the love of Christ. Purchase text book in advance from Cokesbury, $12. Register by Nov. 5. For further information contact Bob Newman or Cindy Yanchury.
- Dancing with Words, by Ray Buckley: Nov. 21, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Grand Rapids UMC (1701 SE Fifth Ave., Grand Rapids). Focus on storytelling. Book available from Cokesbury. Register by Nov. 10 with Marion Hanson at (218) 837-5054.
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Tuesdays @ 10am Central: Communications Ministry Webinar Series from UMCom: free, register now
- Oct. 6, Find-A-Church.org basics
- Oct. 13, basics of church Web ministry
- Oct. 20, into to sharing media on E-zekiel.tv
- Oct. 27, how to create engaging PowerPoint slides and presentations
United Methodist Men Four-conference Retreat: Oct. 9-10, St. Pauls UMC, Paillion, NE. Hear from Ron Brown and Bishop Ann Sherer. $20 includes lunch on Saturday. Contact Dave Belt at (763) 757-3704 for more information.
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professional personnel serving the United Methodist Church
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Safety Net: MNC-PAUMCS Annual Meeting: Saturday, October 24, the Minnesota Chapter of Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries will gather from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Princeton UMC for an annual meeting and educational workshops. All persons who work (paid or unpaid) in a UM church or church related office are welcome to attend. Topics highlighted this year will include: office safety with Rick Schaber from Church Mutual; web communication with Pinney Colton, an industry leader in creating on line applications; as well as a segment on spiritual growth by Rev. Rhodie Jacobson based on Psalm 91. Brochures have been sent to every church. Please encourage someone from your church office to attend this event. Register by Oct. 12 for a reduced rate. A copy of the brochure is also be available on the web site.
This Changes Everything: group life conference 2009: Oct. 24, Live via satellite at Hastings UMC (615 W. 15th, Hastings), offering practical next steps for fostering spiritual growth in small groups. Sponsored by Willow Creek Association. Register at www.hastingsumc.org or contact John Mitchem at (651) 437-4398 for further information.
Be A Disciple online trainings: see www.beadisciple.com for information and registration
- Disciple Making 101, Sept. 21—Oct. 26
- How to Become a Disciple Online Facilitator, Oct. 5—16
- Bible Storytelling I, Oct. 13—26
- Multi-Media Technology in Worship for the Church Volunteer 101, Oct. 19-—30
- God, Earth, and Us: Faithful Responses to Environmental Challenges, Oct. 26—Nov. 6
- Leading Worship 101 for Lay People, Feb. 1—26, (approved by the GBOD as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries)
Stepping Up To Shalom: Seeking Systemic Change through Community Development: Oct. 28-31, Radisson Hotel, Columbia, SC. Learn about the United Methodist ministry of "communities of shalom" and how churches are uniting with leaders and organizations in their neighborhoods to strengthen troubled communities. For information and registration visit www.communitiesofshalom.org.
JUMYs 2009: Nov. 6-8, Holiday Inn, St. Cloud (Grades 5-8). Register online. For program information contact Erika Knight at (612) 232-1255.
Academy for Spiritual Formation: Nov. 8-13, Christ the King Retreat Center (621 First Ave. S., Buffalo). Spiritual Vitality in Turblent Times: Personal and Spiritual Practices is the theme. Register at https://events.minnesotaumc.org. Contact Deb DeMeester for further information.
Exploration 2009: Nov. 13-15, Dallas, Tex. An event for high school seniors through young adults age 24 considering a call to ordained ministry as a deacon or elder in the United Methodist Church, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Contact Rev. Leah Rosso at (612) 871-5303 for information about scholarships and/or travel. Visit the Exploration site to learn about this event and to register.
Community Programing at United Theological Seminary: (3000 Fifth St. NW, New Brighton)
- Becoming an Intergenerational Church: Ministering to the Next Generation: Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Add 20 years to the people in your pews. Will the congregation be thriving in the next generation? Learn what the challenges are of young adults, the barriers that keep them from participating in our church life, and what vital congregations are doing to minister to a new generation. $55, with an optional $7 lunch.
- Creating Significant Worship Through Design and Collaborative Planning: Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring new interest and vitality to all styles of worship including engaging through senses and imagery. $190 for teams of 3-5 persons or $65/person (lunch included).
- Ministry in a 2.0 World: Facebook, Twitter, and the Church: Dec. 1, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Address the implications of social media on the church and ministry. Learn how it can assist in doing ministry, reaching out to new members, and meeting the needs of youth, while remaining faithful to our core values and beliefs. $25. Register by Nov. 24.
For information and registration visit the UTS web site. Contact Renee at (651) 255-6138 for questions.
Hospitality: the unopened gift: recognizing and receiving the gifts of all. Jan. 5-7, Comfort Inn, Collinsville, IL. Best practices for/of Urban and Town and Country Ministries. Bishop Gregory Palmer will be preaching and Rev. Vance Ross, Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship, will be the keynote speaker. Register by Dec. 18. Sponsored by the North Central Jurisdiction Town & Country/Urban Network.
Worship Design Studio: ReThink Worship with help from Marcia McFee. Refer to the e-mail sent to each church for the Minnesota UMC discount. Sign up now.
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Upcoming Fellowship Events and Celebrations
Laity Sunday: Oct. 18. This year's theme is Transforming the World through Prayer. "Celebrate the ministry of all lay Christians, as their lives are empowered for ministry by the Holy Spirit." (The Book of Discipline 2008) Resources are available from the General Board of Discipleship at www.gbod.org/laity or by calling (615) 742-5107.
Celebration of Full Communion Between the UMC and ELCA: Nov. 1, 4-6 p.m., Hennepin Avenue UMC, Bishop Dyck to speak. Contact Rev. Pat Toschak for more information.
Community Fall and Holiday Festival: Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Simpson UMC, Minneapolis. Includes silent auction (theater, chocolate, restaurant, MN Vikings, and more), bake sale, country store, lunch, coffee, international gifts from SERRV, and attic treasures.
The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe: Nov. 14 and 15, 7 p.m., Eden Prairie UMC, admission is free, an offering will be taken for a local mission and to help with the cost of the production.
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Prescription discount cards for uninsured: The PS Card, a free prescription discount card available from the UM Association of Health and Welfare Ministries, allows individuals with no prescription drug insurance to enjoy pricing discounts usually available only to people with a prescription drug insurance benefit.
18th Annual Children's Sabbath: Oct. 16-18. The Multifaith National Observance of Children's Sabbaths Manual is available through the Children's Defense Fund at (865) 457-6466 for $8. This year's Children's Sabbaths are designted to strengthen families; call for health care for all children; create paths of promise for every young person; and bring hope and a better tomorrow for all.
Change the World Conference: Oct. 22-23, with special intensives on Oct. 21 and 24, Ginghamsburg UMC, Tipp City, Ohio. A missional movement that is taking the church into the world instead of coaxing the world into the church. For information and registration visit the Ginghamsburg Church web site or call (866) 238-2930.
OC Ministries 20th Anniversary Celebration: Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m., Normandale Hylands UMC (9920 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington). Bishops from across the connection, including several from African nations, will be featured special guests. Entertainment will be provided by the Jumpin' Jehosafats. The event is a free fundraiser for Operation Clinic/Wells project in Liberia. RSVP to Bob Works at (952) 835-7585 by Oct. 15.
Three Cups of Tea—A Mother's perspective: Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m., Centennial UMC, Roseville. Potluck followed by Jerene Mortenson, mother of Greg Mortenson who is the author and protagonist of Three Cups of Tea, telling the story of Greg's quest to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan and transform the lives of young people through education. This event is free and no reservations are required. Sponsored by Every Church A Peace Church.
World AIDS Day: Dec. 1, give to the UMGlobal AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance #982345.
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Information Speaker: "Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from alcoholism." This sharing can be done in many ways, the most obvious being to attend an AA meeting. Many of these meetings take place in United Methodist churches. Over the years AA has put in place a service structure of various committees and central offices to make known what AA is and does. The central offices or intergroups act as clearing houses for information such as where to find meetings and the purchase of literature. Information about AA is available to the clergy and lay staff of United Methodist churches in the Twin Cities District. It can be passed on to members in your congregations. Informational speakers are also available. Please contact Ed M. at (651) 246-7655 for assistance in attaining this information or arranging for a speaker. In addition feel free to contact any of the following websites for more information: www.aast.paul.org, www.aaminneapolis.org, www.area35.org, www.area36.org, or www.aa.org.
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Outreach Opportunities
Chile Pepper After-School Program: La Puerta Abierta UMC, 690 Livingston Ave., Saint Paul, seeks volunteers to help with their after-school program. If you can help, contact Tia Vasquez at (651) 357-6946.
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Big miricales happen when churches pay apportionments
“This is about something bigger than any one of them. They just know there is a reason they feel good doing this, and God is that reason. They helped work a miracle.” --Retired teacher Francie Markham, describing volunteers for famine-stricken Zimbabwe
“Whether we're packing school supplies for a village in a distant land or putting money in our church offering plate, we know our gifts help God to work miracles. Some of the biggest miracles in the United Methodist Church happen because committed congregations pay their apportionments 100 percent.” Apportionments are mission dollars from our United Methodist connection that build new churches, pay missionary salaries, provide leadership for youth ministry, and much more. As people of faith our giving is a powerful channel of Christ's love.
Giving to United Methodism's seven apportioned funds translates to supporting program and administrative costs as well as outreach through our church's general agencies, paving the way for African students to pursue higher education, enriching 11 historically Black colleges, nurturing our bishops in their ministry, providing the financial backbone for General Conference, cooperating with people of other faiths, and strengthening seminarians in their spiritual journey. Apportionments are “first mile” giving before other mission projects are supported by the local church.
With the decreased economy and increased unemployment, giving our apportionments is more important than ever. It is neighbor helping neighbor and a response to poverty that none of us could accomplish alone. Thank you for the church dinners, the sacrifices made, and the time involved, so that your congregation has the joy of paying their apportionments in full.
Mission Personnel Action Team
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Volunteer Opportunities
Reverse Trick-or-Treating kit: Give Fair Trade chocolate to adults while Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. Attach a chocolate to a card with information about social and environmental justice issues in the cocoa industry and how buying Fair Trade certified chocolate provides a solution. Order your kit by Oct. 13.
Criminal Justice Project: Nov. 7, 8:45 a.m.-2 p.m. For those interedted in exploring becoming a volunteer mentor to help support ex-offenders returning to the community. Contact Jennifer Edel for more information at (612) 721-8687, ext. 318.
Servant Heart Ministries: Register by Nov. 15 for your 2010 mission trip and receive the 2009 pricing. These ministries include Mission Minnesota, Mobil Missions, Adults In Service, Urban Servants, and more. Contact Ian Deane for further information at (952) 472-3586. A Camp Kingswood program.
Project Homeless Connect: Dec. 7, Minneapolis Convention Center. Plan now to help with this one-stop-shop for people experiencing homelessness. Five training sessions are set up between Nov. 23 and Dec. 4. Visit the web site for further details.
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Liz's Calendar: (off on Fridays)
October:
| 1 |
mini dCOM, 10 a.m.
Budget Process Team, 1 p.m.
Common Table, 4 p.m.
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| 3 |
Congregational Training, Good Samaritan, 9:30 a.m.
UMW, Richfield
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| 4 |
Spirit of Hope, 10 a.m.
Congregational Training, Eden Prairie, 2:30 p.m.
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| 5-7 |
Cabinet
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| 10 |
Congregational Training, Arlington Hills, 9:30 a.m. |
| 11 |
First, 10 a.m. |
| 12 |
BOOM |
| 15 |
TC dCOM, Hennepin Avenue, 1 p.m. |
| 17 |
ReThink Church Training |
| 18 |
Hmong Community CC, 10:30 a.m. |
| 19 |
Congregational Training, Minnehaha, 6:30 p.m. |
| 23-24 |
Challenging Business as Usual: Who is my Neighbor? (GCRR) |
| 25 |
Hamline CC, 10:30 a.m.
Church of the Good Shepherd CC, 12:30 p.m. |
| 29 |
OC Dinner, 6 p.m. |
Daylight Savings Time ends November 1
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Reach New People!
Cultivate Spiritual Vitality!
. . . in our United Methodist Churches
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