Registration Open for Christian Educators Fellowship/Preaching from the Center 2008 Conference

Oct. 24-27, 2008 - Albuquerque, NM

NASHVILLE, TN - 12/11/07 - Registration has opened for "Blessed to Be a Blessing: Christian Education for the 7th Generation with Preaching from the Center," a conference of Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF) and Preaching from the Center (PFC).
The conference will take place October 24-27, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Albuqerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.For the first time, these two normally separate national events will be held jointly. Participants will be able to cross-register for workshops from either conference, and many events (e.g. worship, Bible study) will be shared. Entire ministry teams are encouraged to attend together, as the conference is designed for both clergy and laity, professionals and volunteers, preachers and those involved in any kind of educational ministry.

Some of the featured speakers and workshop leaders include:
Marjorie Thompson: Author/Christian spirituality leader (Pre-Conference Retreat and PFC speaker)
Osvaldo Vena: New Testament Professor/Author (Bible Studies)
Marjorie Suchocki: Theologian/Author (Faith & Film Plenary)
Bill McKibben: World-renowned environmentalist/author (Plenary)
Ronald Allen: Preaching Professor/Author (PFTC Pre-Conference Leader and Speaker)
Dean McIntyre: Music Resources Leader (Preaching from the Center leader)
Taylor Burton-Edwards: Worship Resources Leader (Preaching from the Center leader)
Safiyah Fosua: GBOD Staff/Author (Preaching from the Center leader)
Stephanie Hand: Christian Educator/education consultant (Preacher)

Christian Educators Fellowship, a networking group for persons involved in Christian education, age-level ministries, resource centers, and other educational ministries, will celebrate its 40th anniversary during the event. Preaching from the Center is a conference sponsored by the General Board of Discipleship.Full conference details are available at http://www.cef2008.org

Young adults seek ways to put faith into action, leader says

Bill Lizor, director of the board's Young Adult and Single Adult Ministries, presents "Effective Models of Young Adult Ministry."

By Linda Green*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Young adults today want to be involved in mission and service, and they represent "a passionate movement" in the church, a United Methodist executive says.

Young adults are living out their faith every day by being active participants in their own life stories, said Bill Lizor, director of Young Adult and Single Adult Ministries at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.

"This isn't a generation of people wanting to sit in the pews and consume worship," he said. "Today's young adults want to be out in the fields, active in mission and service, taking the faith they were handed down as children and adding their own hands and feet."

Although "faith" as a concept, may look different manifested this way, it is "a passionate movement and reclaiming of Christian tradition that is setting young people on fire to be the today's church."

The Board of Discipleship brought nearly 80 United Methodist young adult leaders from across the United States together in November for a weekend of networking and sharing about their ministries. The Nov. 15-17 gathering was the second Young Adult Leaders Summit.

With the growth in popularity of Young Adult Ministries in The United Methodist Church, numerous annual (regional) conferences are developing ministries to young adults, which the denomination defines as people between 18 and 30. Leadership summits provide a place for annual conference teams to engage in training and dialogue around such topics as theology, practice, ministry models, discipleship and leadership.

'Take action'
The Rev. Vance Ross, a discipleship staff executive, challenged the young leaders to take the initiative and to make a difference today. "Now is the time for young adults to take action."

Several ministries from across the denomination were invited to share about what they are doing for young adult ministry. The ministries included:

• Emerge Detroit, a citywide network of churches and ministries engaged in young adult ministry.



• North Georgia Annual Conference, which is developing a model for young adult leader training, as well as marketing, podcasts and Web sites designed to include young adults in the annual conference process.



• The Bishop's Initiative of the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference, which placed four young adults in an intentional community and service setting for a year. The program is being re-evaluated and seeking further funding so it can continue.



• The Division on Ministries with Young People, which introduced the new Young Adult Network, a Web-based portal for young adults at http://www.gbod.org/youngpeople/youngadult/youngadult.htm.



• The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, which shared what it is doing in the area of developing young adult women.

Developing a model
To get an overview of current research, the group viewed the video, "Generation Next: Speak Up, Be Heard," a research project developed by PBS and Films for the Humanities and Sciences.
According to the PBS Web site, "the aim of the Generation Next initiative is to unravel this generation of young people who are hooked to technology, generally supportive of gay rights and racial differences, partial to postponing adulthood and swamped in debt." The film provided the young adult leaders with information about recent research.

Elaine de Leon said she was glad the video talked about "the economic debt because that's a reality that is 'under-talked' about."

De Leon, of the Greater New Jersey Annual (regional) Conference and seminary student at Wesley Seminary in Washington, said she senses "that people believe that young adults leave the church to pursue careers - because that's so much more important to them - and to climb the corporate ladder. Some of the reality is that you have to have the job to pay off your college loans," she said.

Following a session on "Effective Models of Young Adult Ministry," participants engaged in conversation around developing a theology for young adult ministry and a group process to identify resourcing needs.

Young adult ministry development, as an emphasis of the church, has emerged within the last 10 years. There has not been a lot of research into what a biblical model for young ministry would look like, and the summit conversations are beginning the process of developing a foundation, Lizor said.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn. Jeanette Pinkston, director of media relations for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, contributed to this story.

Upcoming Children's Ministry Dates -- Mark Your Calendar Now

Children's Ministry Network - Thursday, November 8, 2007; 11:30A-1:00P at TN Conference Center

Bring a "brown-bag" lunch and join other children's leaders throughout the conference for an informal time of sharing ideas, asking questions, and networking.

Confirmation Day with Bishop - Saturday, February 2, 2008; 9:00A-12:00 Noon, location TBA

You will be hearing more about this day for confirmation students, pastors, leaders, parents, and mentors to experience the connection, learn about the United Methodist Church, and meet your District Superintendent and Bishop Wills. We have some exciting new plans for the day!

Vacation Bible School Preview and Training - Friday, February 8, 2008; 9:00A-12 Noon at Belle Meade UMC

The Surf's Up ---- Come to the Beach Party! You will jive with beach music, surf through the scriptures, learn about the Beach Be-attitudes, join in with Sandy as we learn "The Swim" , visit the Surf 'n Sand Lab, meet all the VBS editors, and experience all the fun 'n learning at the beach!
Plus, Cokesbury will offer a special 20% discount on all United Methodist Vacation Bible School curriculum resources purchased or ordered that day! No registration required.

Introduction to Faith-Based Preschools - Saturday, February 9, 2008; 8:30A-12:30P at TN Conference Center

This UMAP (United Methodist Association of Preschools) training will introduce directors and teachers to the basic principles of a faith-based preschool. The training does include the required state license video, "First Steps". Training with video is $20 for UMAP members and $30 for non-UMAP members, without video - $10 UMAP member and $15 non-UMAP member. Contact Susan Groseclose, sgroseclose@tnumc.org or Mary T. Newman, mtnewman@tnumc.org to register.

Children's Ministry Forum "08 - Tuesday, February 26-Thursday, February 28, 2008 at First UMC Richardson, TX (Dallas)

Mark your calendar to join other children's ministry leaders across the country - "Now I See! Engaging Children - Preparing Disciples". Detailed information and registration will be available soon at www.gbod.org/children.

Confirmation Retreat - Friday, February 29-Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Cedar Crest Camp and Spiritual Retreat Center

Don Washburn will once again be leading this weekend jam-packed with singing, worship, games and learning! Contact James Ralston, umcamp@bellsouth.net for registration information.

UMAP Seminar with Jim Williams - Saturday, March 8, 2008; 9:00A-3:00P at TN Conference Center

Jim Williams, noted speaker, trainer and leader of Pro-Parenting video series will be leading weekday directors, teachers and parents in a seminar exploring enhancing children, particularly preschoolers, self-esteem. Contact Susan Groseclose, sgroseclose@tnumc.org for more information.

Childcare Ministry Workshop-"Walk with Them and Teach Them" - Saturday, April 5, 2008; 8:00A-4:00P at Hendersonville First UMC

This yearly worskhop offers state approved training for licensed secular and church-related childcare directors and teachers. For the first time this year - CEU credits will be available for directors and teachers with Early Childhood degrees or CDA. Registration booklets available January 2008


Susan Groseclose
Director of Nurture Ministries
TN Conference Connectional Ministries
304 South Perimeter Park, Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
sgroseclose@tnumc.org
615-329-1177 or 1-800-403-5795 (W)
615-417-1753 (cell)

TN UMAP (United Methodist Association of Preschools) Training Institute

Listed below are the upcoming Training Institute courses that are being offered. All the courses have been approved by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services. A minimum of 8 participants is required per class.

CPR and First Aid: Teaches skills, procedures and hands-on practice to administer CPR and basic first aid skills required in response to emergency situations.(Directors and Teachers; max. 7 hours); Instructor: Mike Meeks

Participants may choose either or both sessions. CPR will be offered each day from 8:30A-12:30P and First Aid will be offered each day from 1:00P-4:00P. There is a maximum per class of 20 participants. Costs for a full day: $20 for UMAP members and $30 for non-UMAP members plus bring “brown bag” lunch. If you only need CPR or First Aid the cost is $10 for UMAP members and $15 for non-UMAP members.
.Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Nolensville First UMC, 7316 Nolensville Road, Nolensville
.Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Donelson Heights UMC, 84 Fairway Drive, Nashville

Child Abuse Detection and Reporting: Recognize signs and symptoms of child maltreatment; discuss the types of child abuse and neglect; present statistics on the prevalence of child abuse and neglect; mandated reporting procedures; amber alert; and safe sanctuary guidelines. (Directors and Teachers; 2 hours); Instructor: Lynne Parades; Costs: $10 for UMAP members and $15 for non-UMAP members
.Wednesday, October 17, 2007 from 1:00-3:00P at Nolensville First UMC, 7316 Nolensville Road, Nolensville
.Thursday, October 18, 2007 from 3:00-5:00P at Donelson Heights UMC, 84 Fairway Drive, Nashville

DHS Rules and Regulations: A study of faith-based childcare programs versus for profit childcare programs; daycare licensing standards in Tennessee including the requirements for state licensure and qualifying for the Stars program. (Directors and Teachers; 2 hours); Instructor: Bonny Logan; Costs: $10 for UMAP members and $15 for non-UMAP members
.Wednesday, November 28, 2007 from 1:00-3:00P at Nolensville First UMC, 7316 Nolensville Road, Nolensville
.Thursday, November 29, 2007 from 3:00-5:00P at Donelson Heights UMC, 84 Fairway Drive, Nashville

Introduction to Faith-based Childcare: Orientation from a faith-based perspective to the field of childcare including working as a professional and advocate for children/families; roles and responsibilities of an early childhood education leader; family dynamics and interactions; and overview of ethics, values, right to privacy and laws related to childcare. Includes “First Steps” video. For persons who have already participated in this video, you may choose to take only the last 2 hours of the workshop. (Directors and Teachers; max. 4 hours); Instructor: Bonny Logan, Lynne Parades and Starr Strickland; Full-day costs: $20 for UMAP members and $30 for non-UMAP members. Half-day costs: $10 for UMAP members and $15 for non-UMAP members.
.Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 8:30A-12:30P at TN Conference Center, 304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Nashville

To obtain a registration for contact:

Susan Groseclose
Director of Nurture Ministries
TN Conference Connectional Ministries
304 South Perimeter Park, Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
sgroseclose@tnumc.org
615-329-1177 or 1-800-403-5795 (W)

CHILDREN’S WORKERS RETREAT: “Nuts ‘n Bolts of a Dynamic Children’s Ministry”

Friday, October 12 at 2:30 p.m. - Saturday, October 13 till 3:00 p.m., Cedar Crest Camp

Who’s it for?

Any adult who leads children’s ministry in a local church – full or part-time, volunteer or paid staff, children’s coordinator, children’s committee member, etc…

Consider bringing your entire children’s ministry team. You could stay a while after we are all done and do some specific planning for your local church.

What can I expect?

Our goal is that you will take this much needed time for yourself to be renewed in your own faith journey and be energized for doing ministry with children.

What will we do?

There will be worship and Bible study to nurture your own soul, fellowship with other children’s ministry leaders, playing “Children’s Ministry Jeopardy”, and discussion of specific topics including:

.Effective Children’s Ministry Teams
.Recruitment, training and supporting volunteers
.Relationships with senior pastor, staff, and volunteers
.Handling conflict and change

There will be plenty of time to ask questions about your own children’s ministry concerns!

Who will lead this event?

The leaders will be experienced children’s leaders throughout the annual conference. None of us are experts, but we can share what we know and learn from each other.

What is the schedule?

We will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and end by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. A detailed schedule will be sent to you when you register.

What is the cost?

The full retreat is $55 for Friday overnight, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch. If you can only come one day the cost is $35.

What do I need to bring?

Comfortable clothes and personal items, bedding for a twin-size bed, towels, Bible, notepad, pen, and any children’s ministry brochures, newsletters, etc….that you wish to share.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CHILDREN’S WORKERS RETREAT
“Nuts ‘n Bolts of a Dynamic Children’s Ministry”
Registration Form


Name____________________________________________________


Church Name______________________________________________


Address__________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________



Email Address______________________________________________

Work Phone____________________________

Cell Phone_____________________________

Registration for:

______ $50 full retreat (Friday overnight, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch)

______ $35 one-day



Please make check payable to: TN Conference

Mail to:
TN Conference Connectional Ministries
304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211

Summer camp teaches peace to Oklahoma City children
By John Gordon*

Peace Challenge campers listen to U.S. Park Ranger Rachel Winters talk about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The United Methodist camp teaches fifth- and sixth-graders how to resolve conflicts peacefully. UMNS photos by David Huff.

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS)-It's an unlikely place to start a lesson in peace-the site of the deadliest domestic-terrorism attack on U.S. soil.

"Sixteen buildings in the area were destroyed, and between 300 and 350 buildings in about a 20-block radius were damaged," explains Rachel Winters, National Parks Service tour guide at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

Listening attentively to details about the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building are fifth- and sixth-graders attending a weeklong Peace Challenge Camp. The program, in its third year, is sponsored by Skyline Urban Ministry, a mission of The United Methodist Church's Oklahoma Annual (regional) Conference.

"I just felt very sad and angry," says camper Alexis Carr, 11, of Oklahoma City. The 1995 bombing occurred before Carr was born. "I understand that it really doesn't benefit for anybody to harbor anger," she says.

That's the connection organizers of the Peace Challenge Camp are hoping children will make. The bombing, which grew out of executed bomber Timothy McVeigh's grudge against the federal government, killed 168 people, including 19 children.

"We talk with them about the process (by) which violence escalates," says Conna Wilkinson, director of the camp. "And we'll do some role-playing with them where what starts out to be a minor disagreement can escalate into a violent encounter. I feel that the Murrah building bombing is a good illustration of that on a pretty big scale."

Inside the museum, the campers see pictures and videos of the bombing. They pause to look at toys and shoes that belonged to some of the children killed in the blast.

"It wasn't their fault," says camper Abby Treadway, 10, of Edmond, Okla. "Why would you blow up a building just because you didn't like what they thought?"

After the visit to the memorial, the youngsters spend five days at a camp near Oklahoma City. At least half of the 16 children attending the camp come from inner-city neighborhoods, where street gangs and fights are common problems.

"We've had kids that have come through here and say this is the first time they've ever spent five days without getting in a fight or getting in trouble," Wilkinson says. "This is an atmosphere where they can experience what life would feel like if they're getting everything they need and not having to fight."

During the week, the campers will hear from guest speakers, including a man whose daughter was killed in the bombing. The campers are divided into teams and encouraged to work together and solve problems with words instead of fists.

Art and symbolism
Art is a big part of the Peace Challenge Camp.

"Art is actually a practice of peace," says Jo Anne Alexander, an artist-in-residence at the camp. "If you're creating something, you can't be destroying."

As a symbol, the campers will walk through a portal made of tree branches.

"We've actually built a portal (so) that the children can have a concrete image to walk through," Alexander says. "A portal is a transition from one place to another, or one idea to another."

Campers also practice meditation, sing and have their own chant: "Who are we? We are peacemakers. Peaceful people make a peaceful world."

Camper Raymond Sharrieff of Oklahoma City says the activities help kids understand how to forgive and resolve conflicts without violence.

"Say if I get inside a bad situation, I don't have to worry about having conflict physically, instead of just talking stuff out," he says. "A lot of people have conflict when they don't need to."

Solving problems
Patricia Webb, who helped develop the curriculum, says Peace Challenge Camp empowers children to look for grassroots solutions to problems.

"We have to do something different. What we're doing in the world is not working very well," Webb says.

"We want them to understand that world peace is not something that might be created by a diplomat or a group of high-powered people in a room-that they can have their part, right now today, in creating peace."

And Wilkinson hopes the peaceful practices children learn will last beyond their time at the camp.

"Kids could come to the belief that it actually is possible," she says. "And if they experience it for five days, they have to say, 'It is possible.'"

*Gordon is a freelance producer and writer based in Marshall, Texas.

Youth Ministry Best Practices Retreat--Plow, Plant, Tend, Cultivate, Harvest--October 8 - 9, 2007

The Joint Youth Ministries of
Kentucky Conference and
Tennessee Conference of
The United Methodist Church
present

Two Days of Building Into
Your Ministry’s Youth Ministry

Monday, October 8 – 2:00 pm thru Tuesday, October 9 – 2:00 pm

Retreat Setting:
The Cup of Hope Café
Broadway United Methodist
1323 Melrose Street
Bowling Green, KY 42104
http://www.broadwayunited.org/

PLOW
Facilitator: TBD
· What are the reasons and best practices of why we should do “youth ministry”?
· What are the best ideas and programs that attract students to our ministries?

PLANT
Facilitator: David Sparks, Ministry with Young People, Kentucky Conference UMC
· What is the true measurement of growth?
· What does a teenage disciple look like?
· How can we transform our youth group to grow disciples of Jesus Christ?

TEND
Facilitator: Rev Terry Carty, Youthworker Movement
· How do we allow students to identify and practice gifts, talents, and leadership?
· What are the best ways of letting students know they are created for God’s

CULTIVATE
Glory and the building of His Kingdom?
Facilitator: Ken Hundley, Madisonville UMC, Madisonville KY
· How do we excite and equip students to do mission and ministry to “all the world?” (Great Commission)
· What can students do to bring “God’s Kingdom to earth?”
· Can this generation be the one to end poverty and suffering?

HARVEST
Facilitator: Beth Morris, Director of Youth & Camping Ministries, Tennessee Conference UMC
As Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers in John 17, he prayed, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me… and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
· How can we connect our students in such a way that brings Glory to God?
· What are the best practices to be the church of the future and today?
· How do we in the connectional body fulfill our church mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ.” (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004)

Bowling Green is in Central Time

Monday October 8
2:00 p.m. Opening Gathering/Worship
2:30 p.m. Plow
4:00 p.m Get Acquainted Break with snacks
4:30 p.m. Plant
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Worship/Presentation of Youthworker Movement
7:30 p.m. Tend
9:00 p.m. Adjourn

Tuesday, October 9
8:45 a.m. Coffee Gathering
9:00 a.m. Gathering Worship
9:15 a.m. Cultivate
10:45 a.m. Morning Break w/snacks
11:15 a.m. Harvest
12:45 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Now What? Covenant Worship
2:00 p.m. Adjourn

Each Session will be:
· ½ hour of presentation
- Learning from a tried veteran
· ½ hour of peer discussion
- Learning from each other
· ½ hour of wrap up
- Learning how to implement in your local ministry

The cost of these two days is $35/person.
Cost includes everything happening at Broadway UMC… including dinner on Monday and lunch on Tuesday. It does not include housing or Tuesday breakfast.

The learning from each other time (peer discussion) will have the facilitator leading groups of persons around each of the topics.
We will switch chairs around tables very often so that persons will have opportunity to get to know several new people and hear several ideas.
“Is it good to bring more than one person from a ministry?” -- Yes! We believe that there is no single answer to any question and that many voices will lead to many fresh ideas for implementation.


Some Housing Options in Bowling Green
Holiday Inn University Plaza (270) 745-0088 is the Closest Hotel to Broadway UMC
Drury Inn (270) 842-7100
Fairfield Inn (270) 843-6222
Baymont Inn (270) 843-3200
When searching, you will want something off Interstate 65, Exit 22, Scottsville Road

“Why Bowling Green, Kentucky?” -- As the first joint venture of these two conferences we found that Bowling Green in the Kentucky Conference is actually closer to many Tennessee Conference persons than most of the Kentucky folk.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youth Ministry Best Practices Registration

Name:_______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
City:_________________________________________
State:____________ Zip:_________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
E-Mail:_______________________________________
Church/Ministry:________________________________
This address is □ church/ministry or □ home

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return this form with $35 check to
YM Best Practices
Kentucky UMC
7400 Floydsburg Road
Crestwood KY 40014
An E-Mail Confirmation will be sent
Make checks payable to Kentucky Conference Treasurer

For more information
Contact David Sparks (dsparks@kyumc.org) at the Kentucky Conference Offices phone: (502) 425-3884 or (800) 530-7236 online at http://www.kyumc.org/
Contact Beth Morris (bmorris@tnumc.org) at the Tennessee Conference Offices phone: (615) 327-1533 or (800) 403-5795 online at http://www.tnumc.org/

A UMNS Commentary by Joe Kim*: Help young adults bring passion
NOTE: This address was delivered in June to the East Ohio Annual Conference.

The pastor of a church was standing at the entrance after Sunday worship to shake the hands of his congregation. Pulling aside one young man, the pastor said, "Son, you need to join the army of the Lord!"

The young man replied, "Pastor, I'm already in the army of the Lord!"

"Then how come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?" the pastor questioned. The young man leaned in real close and whispered: "I'm in the Secret Service."

When Mrs. Ray contacted me about speaking to annual conference from the young adult's viewpoint, this story came to my mind first. While it is a cute and funny story, I wonder if it actually holds some serious implications. Really, why are there so few young adults filling our pews?

Two years ago, I traveled to Washington D.C., to participate in the United Methodist Board of Church and Society's Ethnic Young Adult Internship Program. I remember feeling a sense of awe as I stepped off the Metro into the humid D.C. morning. On my right, I passed the Library of Congress and then the Supreme Court while the sun reflected off of the magnificent dome of the U.S. Capitol to my left. And then there it was in front of me: the United Methodist Building.
Walking into the air-conditioned rotunda, I literally gasped at the sight: beautiful marble floors and walls, pictures of current projects, a plaque of the Social Creed. And then I looked up and saw the words of Micah 6:8 circling the rotunda: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

On that first day, I was a little scared. The heat and humidity didn't help calm my nerves as I was introduced to Jim Winkler, the board's chief executive.

It was all very intimidating. Prior to that summer, I had no experience with the concepts of social justice or giving voice to the unheard, and I wasn't sure how it all worked. I think Jim and the others sensed that hesitancy and I will never forget what they said to me: "Joe, we need someone with passion. We can teach you the knowledge and the skills; all we ask is for you to work with passion."

Living out our faith
Today, I stand before you with some of the same sentiments as I did two summers ago. Like then, it is hot, sticky, and I am sweating nervously. Like then, I am honored to be in the presence of people who are impacting others and applying their faith to their daily lives. And I thank you for this opportunity.

So this is my story! Luckily for me, my parents instilled in me a strong foundation of faith since I was young. I have carried that with me, even as I am now studying at the University of Michigan. (Go Blue!)

Being taught to serve rather than being served, to remember that love is an action verb, and to keep those words from Micah 6:8 close to my heart, I was able to lead praise and teach Sunday school for the youth group at the Korean United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor. Luckily for me, I was surrounded by mentors who put their faith in me and allowed me to participate in church, not simply be an observant. Luckily for me, someone said to bring the passion.

But this is only my story. Our theme for this year's conference is "This is Our Story." I emphasize our story. What about the other stories that collectively make up our story? Many young adults fill our pews as youth and leave upon entering college. They feel like I did at the Board of Church and Society, asking, "Now what?"

Many in our congregations are waiting for someone to say, "Don't worry about the knowledge but bring the passion. We can and will teach you." I know that these people exist because I've met them and I know you've met them. They are my colleagues who have sat in the same classrooms; they are the people behind the registers working their part-time jobs; they are my friends, my brothers and my sisters; they are your sons and your daughters and their stories become our story.

Trusting us enough to share
Allow me to close by telling you of a tightrope walker named Victor, the most famous tightrope walker to ever live. He traveled far and wide to face any challenge thrown at him and he never, ever fell. Ever. What made Victor unique was that instead of using a long pole for balance, he filled a wheelbarrow with bricks and used that to guide his steps.

One day, he decided that he was going to retire and, to mark this milestone, he planned one last tightrope walk - across Niagara Falls. Well, the day of the walk came and reporters from all over the world gathered to document Victor's last walk. The crowd watched as Victor walked from one side of the Falls to the other, and the applause was enormous! One reporter rushed up to Victor and asked, "Mr. Victor! Mr. Victor! Did you think you could do it? Did you know that you could do it?"

Victor thought about it for a while and said, "Mr. Reporter, let me ask you a question. Did you think that I could do it? Did you know that I could do it?" The reporter was flustered and muttered a quiet yes. Then with more confidence, "Yes, definitely, Mr. Victor. I was sure you could do it."

Victor slowly bent down to his wheelbarrow and removed his bricks one by one. Then he turned to the reporter and said to him, "Mr. Reporter, YOU get in the wheel-barrow. We're going back to the other side."

Friends, mentors, teachers, leaders, laity and clergy: Will you get into the wheelbarrow of your young adults? Will you empower us and guide us? Will you teach us and put your trust in us so that we may share in your ministry?

More simply, will you allow us to participate in worship? Will you teach us the knowledge as long as we bring the passion? We are ready and we are waiting. I hope and I pray that we will continue to write our story together and continue to work for the glory of His Kingdom together!

*Kim is a former ethnic young adult summer intern for the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

Disciples Training to be Held in Memphis, August 2-3, 2007

Cokesbury and Disciple Seminars are pleased to announce Disciple training to be held August 2-3, 2007 at Bartlett United Methodist Church located at 5676 Stage Road, Memphis, TN 38134. This training event will be comprised of 4 offerings. The training for Christian Believer and Disciple: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study will be held on August 2nd followed by training for Jesus in the Gospels and Beyond Disciple I on August 3rd.

Disciple is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. It focuses on the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, and servant while providing the fellowship of a small group for study, prayer, preparation, support, and servanthood.

Disciple: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study gives equal time to the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. Disciple aims at transformation, not just information, and calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God's Word, and to be changed by God's Word. Disciple invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to the Scripture over this 34- week study period together.

Beyond Disciple I, is a one-day offering that will allow participants to become confident leaders in all three of the subsequent studies. Disciple: Into The Word Into The World concentrates on Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts. Disciple: Remember Who You Are focuses on the Prophets and the letters of Paul, and Disciple: Under The Tree Of Life covers the Writings, John, and Revelation.

Jesus In The Gospels invites believers to look at Jesus in each of the four Gospels and ask the question "who is the Jesus that you see?" This study will deepen discipleship through better understanding of the biblical texts and their message during this 30-week study.

The goal of Christian Believer is to make available to people the substance of the Christian faith that the church has confessed as a way of connecting to God and living faithfully. This thirty-week study of the classical doctrines of the Christian faith aims at presenting, explaining, and interpreting Christian doctrine as the basic teaching of the church - to the end that informed believing leads to committed discipleship.

Carla Beach, of Nashville, TN has this to share:
“ I completed that first year feeling like a child who had just gotten off the best ride at the fair; I couldn’t wait to do it all over again! I took another Disciple class and then became a leader- not because I am such a great disciple –but because I cannot bear not to be there.”

For more information or to register visit www.Disciple.Cokesbury.com/training or call 1-800-251-8591.

All Disciple, Jesus In The Gospels and Christian Believer resources purchased at the training events will receive a 10% discount.

Video series teaches ‘God is a great big God’
By Kathy L. Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Children all across the United States are leaving church on Sunday mornings with these words ringing in their ears:

"God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God's great big world, God is a great big God."

They are also talking about Bongo, Mr. Z and Ms. Lucy, "The Station" and "Common Ground Café." Along the way, they are developing lifelong faith and a love for Sunday school.

That was the dream behind "Live B.I.G." when the United Methodist Publishing House produced the first year's Sunday school curriculum in 2006 for children ages 3-13. One year later, there is lots of evidence that the dream is coming true.

In the first seven months of production, sales were up to $2.4 million and 4,575 churches had bought the new curriculum. In a survey to first-time users, respondents said the DVD was helpful and that more children were attending Sunday school.

"We have achieved many of the things we hoped for and we have taken some big risks," said Marj Pon, director of children's resources at the Publishing House.

"A couple of weeks ago, I heard about a small church that started using Live B.I.G. in January for their Wednesday night program. They began with six children and have now grown to 19 children, adding a child per week. Their goal is to help more and more children come to know about God's love for them-and with the help of Live B.I.G, they are succeeding!" Pon said.

High-tech world
In 2004, the Publishing House started planning for ways to capture children's attention in a multimedia world.

The average U.S. family watches eight hours and 11 minutes of television a day, according to a report from Nielsen Media Research. Children are growing up in homes equipped with multiple televisions, computers, video games, iPods, CD and DVD players-many in their own bedrooms.

"Live B.I.G." is an annual resource with 12 DVDs, a teacher's book and student books. The interactive video study is designed to cover the Bible in two years.

Bongo the Bible bird, Mr. Z and Ms. Lucy help preschool children (ages 3-4 and 5-6) through age-appropriate activities including puzzles, crafts and booklets to take home and share with parents.

Elementary-age children (7-8 and 9-10) are led by young teens and Ana in "The Station 2." Kids ages 11-13 participate in "Common Ground," a coffeehouse with host Will and teenagers Kayla, Becca, Ty and Clay. There is also an option for small churches that may only have one Sunday school class for children of different ages. The one-room option uses segments from the elementary age group.

Each month features a "Big Idea," and each Sunday includes "The Big Picture," "On the Road" and the "Big Sound."

"The Big Picture" shares pictures of children in different settings living out the week's Bible scripture. "On the Road" is a video segment shot in different locations showing children and churches in mission, and the "Big Sound" is music. Original songs were created for the preschool and elementary age groups, and contemporary Christian songs are used for preteens.

Risks and successes
One of the major risks of launching "Live B.I.G." was the high cost of production for the fast-paced, interactive video curriculum, according to Pon. The alternatives were doing nothing or continuing smaller offerings, and the Publishing House decided the risks were worth it.

So far, sales are covering production costs but are not generating enough to cover related operating costs, Pon told the last board of directors meeting of the Publishing House.

But Pon also reported positive feedback from across the church.

"I wish you could know just how deeply Live B.I.G. is touching the lives of our children and teachers alike," said Pam Cotton, children's director at Elmwood West United Methodist Church, Abilene, Texas. "It would take a book to tell you the stories, but this is the best thing to happen to our church in many, many years.

"When I see a teacher crying because they are so touched by the Big Picture and the Big Sound, it warms my heart, and that leads the teacher to interact with the children in a way that is real and the love of Jesus just flows," she said. "It is so exciting and THIS IS COMING FROM THE METHODISTS!"

When "Live B.I.G." was created, the hope was that the new curriculum would:
.Develop lifelong faith;
.Prompt children to ask to come to Sunday school;
.Make it easier for teachers and aid in teacher recruitment;
.Offer built-in help and experts each week;
.Provide faith-filled teen role models; and
.Keep children, parents and church leaders involved through the week at iLiveBIG.com.

"This is more than curriculum," said Neil Alexander, publisher and CEO. "This is an evangelism tool that is increasing children's church attendance and making disciples for Jesus Christ."

"We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to Live B.I.G. in its first year," said Pon. "It has far exceeded our wildest expectations. Sunday schools for children in all 50 states are being transformed. Live B.I.G. is achieving the goal we set of assisting churches as they help their children come to know and love God through Jesus Christ."

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

The Cal Turner Jr., Center for Church Leadership is launching the Learning For Discipleship Series. On September 21-22 we will be offering our first event: “Teaching the Mission of Jesus.”

The purpose of the Learning for Discipleship series is three-fold:
1. Offer lay and clergy persons regular, accessible opportunities to strengthen foundational knowledge and skills for ministry leadership
2. Extend to clergy and lay professionals “Sabbath time,” with regular opportunities for shared spiritual reflection and re-tooling in ministry specialties
3. Keep clergy, pastors and lay professionals “up-to-date” with cutting edge issues and practices important to the life of the congregation.

On September 21-22, Dr. Margaret Ann Crain and Dr. Jack Seymour, two nationally known scholars in discipleship formation and spiritual growth, will come on campus to offer lectures, lead discussions and workshops. The theme is: “Teaching the Mission of Jesus.”

Please take a look at the brochure and notice the specific topics treated in the event. www.martinmethodist.edu/ccl/education/learndiscipleship I cannot think of any other ideal that ought to guide the life of our congregations. The vitality of the church depends on understanding and living out the Christ’s mission.

This experience benefits pastors, lay leaders, Christian Educators, Sunday School teachers, and other people interested in discipleship formation.

It only costs $80.00 for two days, dinner and lunch included. There is also an option to register for Saturday only.

I hope you join us for a time of learning, worship, fellowship and Sabbath. If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me at 1.931.363.9864; or e-mail me at dnigrelli@martinmethodist.edu; or visit our website at www.martinmethodist.edu/ccl/education/learndiscipleship

Eleven women receive seminary scholarships

By United Methodist News Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -Eleven U.S. seminary students will travel to other countries to learn about the leadership styles of women and share their own leadership methods in an effort to help develop leaders for global justice.

The experience is provided through the 2007-08 Georgia Harkness Scholarships, which awards $5,000 to women who are over age 35 and preparing for ordination as an elder in The United Methodist Church as a second career.

"We believe the Georgia Harkness scholars will be an inspiration to many women in countries where women's ordination is still a foreign concept," said the Rev. HiRho Park, director of continuing formation for ministry at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Scholars will be invited to visit both Honduras and El Salvador this year to immerse themselves in the experience of women there and to share their own determination to respond to God's call to ordained ministry.

The number of recipients increased from 10 to 11 this year as part of the board's strategic plan for 2007-2012. The recipients are chosen by a committee of United Methodist elders and board staff.

Harkness, the first woman theologian to teach in a Protestant seminary in the United States, dedicated her life to dismantling sexual and racial discrimination in The United Methodist Church and the world. Harkness taught at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., and died in 1974. She was instrumental in the 1956 decision giving women full-clergy membership in The Methodist Church.

"We believe the women who have been selected to receive the scholarship named for her will continue her work," Park said.

The endowment for the Georgia Harkness Scholarship Program is now more than $500,000, and the board plans to increase that to $1 million by 2012 in conjunction with the United Methodist Foundation for Higher Education. Local churches will have opportunities to invite Georgia Harkness scholars to speak about their faith journey as women leaders of the church.

The 2007-2008 scholarship recipients, their schools and annual conferences are:
.Gladys Frances Adams, Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, N.C., Western North Carolina Annual Conference
.Carolyn Jane Christman, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, West Ohio Annual Conference
.Heather Ann Flaherty, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, North Georgia .Annual Conference
.Cynthia "Cindy" Kaye Frisch, Duke Divinity School, Durham, N.C., Western North Carolina Annual Conference
.Peggy Ann Gibson, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tenn., Mississippi Annual Conference
.Regina Lou Gile, Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo., Kansas East Annual Conference
.Suzanne L. Lyons, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri Annual Conference
.Robyn J. Morrison, Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, Calif., Yellowstone Annual Conference
.Beth Wilhelmson Mueller, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, Calif., Minnesota Annual Conference
.Susie Hiss Thomas, Drew University, The Theological School, Madison, N.J., Louisiana Annual Conference
.Norma Magdalene Wiegand, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference.

For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.gbhem.org/Harkness.html or contact the Rev. HiRho Park at (615) 340-7409.

Forum helps students connect, hear calling

By Vicki Brown*

TACOMA, Wash. (UMNS) - For Khou Lee, participating in a Student Forum was an opportunity to see the world - and discover the possibility of furthering her education and seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church.

"In the Hmong culture, women are labeled as low, almost nothing," said the Merced (Calif.) College student, who served on the United Methodist Student Movement Steering Committee this year.

The committee, with staff assistance and financial support from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, organizes Student Forum, the only annual leadership event for United Methodist college students. This year's event was held May 24-27 at the University of Puget Sound.

"It's had a huge impact on my life," said Lee, the daughter of Hmong immigrants from Laos. "I wasn't a churchgoer until I was 18. I really got involved in the church through the Wesley Foundation, and that really strengthened my faith. Then, Student Forum helped affirm that I wanted to respond to the call I feel to ministry."

The Rev. Luther Felder, the executive in the board's Campus Ministry Section, said he has seen many Student Forum participants take leadership roles in the church and the world. He mentioned Kenia Guimaraes, a staff member of the Division on Ministries with Young People at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship; Motoe Yamada, a pastor in the California-Nevada Annual Conference; and Glen Sears, legislative assistant and deputy communications director to U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kansas.

"Student Forum is a leadership training event where the great tapestry of God's creation is viewed and engaged around issues that are significant to The United Methodist Church and the larger society," Felder said. The experience enriches the lives and leadership gifts of those who attend, he added.

Jumping on a bus
The event helped Christine Seymour stay connected to The United Methodist Church, since Minnesota State University has no Wesley Foundation or United Methodist campus ministry. Seymour, who chaired the United Methodist Student Movement Steering Committee, attends an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America campus ministry and learned about Student Forum almost by accident.

"I heard a five-minute presentation at Youth 2003 and jumped on a bus with three total strangers to go to Student Forum," Seymour said. "It's really important that United Methodists realize Student Forum exists and that the church doesn't forget about you in college."

Seymour believes her work on the steering committee has helped her develop consensus-building skills.

"I've had to learn that although we are all United Methodists, it's not a narrowly defined church. How do you play to the middle so you include the most people in what you are doing?" Seymour asked.

On a nuts-and-bolts level, she's learned a great deal about long-term planning and also that "you can have differences of opinions with other people but still love the heck out of them."

Seeking ordination
Several steering committee members said attendance and their work at Student Forum helped them decide to seek ordination.

Jonathan Fell, a University of Iowa graduate, starts seminary at United Methodist-related Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., this fall.

"Forum has given me an experience working with other individuals who are just as caring and committed Christians as I am, but who have very different views," he said. "It's easy for me at home to be in a leadership position because our Wesley Foundation is pretty like-minded. ... And it's easy to be in community with one another. But when you get on a national committee, you have to open yourself up and be in community with folks who have different views.

"I've learned there is a story and a reason why we all believe what we believe and have the convictions we do," Fell said.

Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, a student at American University, Washington, said the Student Forum inspired her to get her campus ministry connected with others in the Washington area.

"We had a retreat with three other campus ministries in D.C., and we are trying to work with other campus ministries on some social justice programming," she said. She plans to attend seminary, but said she is more interested in social justice than local church ministry.

Birkhahn-Rommelfanger worked on putting together the hunger banquet for the forum, including an information packet with facts on hunger and steps everyone can take to fight hunger. "I had never put that kind of information together," she said.

She is taking what she learned back home.

"I can share that with the people in my own church community. In fact, I preached on why it's important to fund campus ministries," she said.

Connecting young people
Will Green, a student at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., said he is working on events in his own conference that are modeled on the forum and that will stress the importance of helping young United Methodists connect to one another.

"Student Forum really speaks to the 18- to 24-year-olds in the church," Green said. "We need something that makes us see who we are, what we are, the reason we are Methodists."

Forum participant Simone Furtado, a graduate of Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss., agrees with Fell that one of the major benefits of the forum is learning how to work with different people.

"It's a place where you learn to renew our relationships with the church, an open place where we as United Methodist students can speak our mind and be in contact with the church as a whole," she said.

Details on leadership opportunities for young people in The United Methodist Church are available at www.umsm.org, www.umsm.org/studentforum and www.ExploreCalling.org.

*Brown is an associate editor and writer in the Office of Interpretation, United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Grants awarded to ministries for older adults

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Grants awarded to 26 United Methodist older adult ministries will assist senior adults across the globe.

The projects range from a transportation ministry for "latch key seniors" in Houston to a mentoring program in Central Congo, Africa, in which older adults teach newlyweds about HIV/AIDS.

The grants total $38,000 and were awarded through the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries, Board of Discipleship. The awards partially fulfill the Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries approved by General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body.

The committee selected the projects from 59 applications.

"Every proposal was read and thoroughly evaluated. The discernment process was difficult, yet spirit-led," said the Rev. Richard H. Gentzler Jr., director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries.

Program recipients this year are:
.Older adults in Kindu, Lodja, and Wembo-Nyama, Congo, teach young adults about human sexuality and the risk of HIV/AIDS, $1,000;
.Refuge for Latch Key Seniors, Trinity United Methodist Church, Houston, $1,000, providing essential transportation for older adults to medical appointments, grocery stores, etc., as well as field trips for study;
.Parish Nurse, First United Methodist Church, Apopka, Fla., $1,250, training a volunteer to provide multiple health services and education at the church;
.OWLS - Older Wiser Livelier Souls, Baldwinsville (N.Y.) First United Methodist Church, $1,255, providing monthly meetings and meals for senior adults and a monthly worship service at a local retirement facility;
.Christian Music Therapy, Wesley Village, Macomb, Ill., $2,500, providing musical instruments to stimulate and engage older adults;
.Sew n' Sews Outreach, First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, Kan., $1,143, providing useful sewn items for older adults, primarily for those using wheelchairs or walkers;
.Transforming: A Regenerative Community, United Methodist Elder Care, East Providence, R.I., $700, training and certifying staff as Eden Alternative Associates. Eden Alternative is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for elders;
.Clair Community Bible Study, Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, Irvington, Ky., $1,220, providing an outreach Bible study to spread God's word by increasing community knowledge of the Bible and its spiritual rewards;
.Older Adult Ministries in Small and/or Rural Churches, Sunshine District Rocky Mountain Conference, United Methodist Church, $1,500, brainstorming for ideas to promote older adult ministries in small, rural churches;
.Feeding of the Elderly and Homebound, Liberia Annual Conference United Methodist Church, Monrovia, Liberia, $2,500, providing food assistance to elderly left destitute by civil war and delivering hot meals and unprepared food items to homebound;
.Happy Hearts, Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Orlando, Fla., $2,000, providing an educational and social monthly gathering of older adults;
.Senior Fun Days, Mill Creek United Methodist Church, Montoursville, Penn., $984, helping purchase audiovisual equipment for social and educational ministries;
.Living Waters, Crawford United Methodist Church, Mobile, Ala., $2,500, for bi-weekly program of lunch, information, crafts, games, Bible study and health screening for isolated older adults;
.Reach Out Senior Adult Ministry Project, Grayson (Ga.) United Methodist Church, $800, developing phone tree project to reach out to older adults;
.Seniors Day Out, Calvary United Methodist Church, Brownsburg, Ind., $1,250, a weekly program for fellowship, exercise and information;
.Clothes and Blankets to Older Adults, African South Congo Conference, $1,000, providing blankets and clothes to older adults;
.Food and Utensils for Older Adults, African East Congo Conference, $1,000, providing food rich in proteins and vitamins as well as eating utensils for older adults;
.Finding Fitness, Maumee (Ohio) United Methodist Church, $1,500, providing modified exercise to adults over 55 by teaching Tai Chi and Yoga to improve balance and flexibility;
.The Seniority Project, Marcy-Newberry Association, Chicago, $1,500, providing seed money to purchase supplies for arts and crafts projects and to publish a newsletter;
.Each One Reach One, Triad Native American United Methodist Church, Greensboro, N.C., $2,000, outreach program to older adults in the community who are not connected with the church and not receiving healthcare services. The volunteer-led program includes Bible study, meal and transportation services;
.Angels on Call, Golden Gate District, California-Nevada Conference, $1,250, training and providing resources to welcome visitors and assist those in need;
.Coming Fully Alive-A Joint Venture, Grace United Methodist Church & Senior New Ways, Yuba City, Calif., $1,000, offering an eight-class series on topics for older adults and helping launch an older adult program in two locations;
.Churchland Connection, Centenary United Methodist Church, Portsmouth, Va., $2,000, providing food preparation, transportation and referrals to service providers for homebound seniors;
.Get Connected-Stay Connected, Phoebe's Place of Maple Park United Methodist Church, Chicago, $1,000, connecting seniors from drop-in center with students from Higgins Community Academy;
.Barnitz/Mt. Zion United Methodist Church's Older Adult Ministries, Barnitz/Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Carlisle, Penn., $1,650, meeting the needs of seniors without partners in a monthly educational, social event;
.Older Adult Ministry, First United Methodist Church, Voorheesville, N.Y., $2,500, helping older adult church members cope with decreased income and mobility and increased healthcare costs, with a focus on maintaining independence.

Uniting Youth to be launched at Youth 2007

By Linda Green*

United Methodist teens dance to the music of Kirk Franklin during Youth '03 on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Youth 2007 will bring up to 10,000 United Methodist youth to Greensboro, N.C. UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-United Methodist youth will use an old board game to try to set a new world record and, in the process, help launch a ministry to invite other teens into the church as they seek to explore their faith.

When up to 10,000 teens gather for Youth 2007 (http://www.youth2007.org/) on July 11-15 in Greensboro, N.C., they can try to play "Operation" in less than one minute and two seconds and earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest game of Operation ever played.

It's all part of Operation Vote, which will help launch a new denominational ministry called Igniting Youth, aimed at welcoming teen seekers into the life of the church.

Part of the initiative is a new interactive Web site filled with a library of advertising material for youth and youth groups to use for local community outreach and evangelism, including a handbook to help churches enhance their teen welcoming ministries.

Through Operation Vote, youths ages 14 to 17 can help select the Web site's name by voting from a ballot of five names submitted by teens from across the United Methodist connection.

Among today's Internet-savvy teens, an effective and interactive Web site is an important part of the new ministry, and all the resources will be teen-focused and teen-produced, according to Susan Crawford, director of Igniting Youth at United Methodist Communications.

"It is based on very real teen things such as ways to tell another about the youth group, ways to talk to the youth leader and ways to talk about the strange times in life when faith becomes important-like when you are upside down on that rollercoaster," Crawford said.

Every four years, The United Methodist Church hosts the largest gathering of youth from across the denomination and, together, they experience God through five days of ministerial, cultural and spiritual opportunities. Youth 2007 is the perfect place to roll out the new ministry because Igniting Youth is for, with and about youth, according to Crawford.
Can you operate on "Cavity Sam"?

Operation, the classic battery-powered board game created by Milton Bradley and in production since 1965, tests a player's hand-eye coordination as he or she uses wired tweezers to remove 13 plastic "ailments" from a patient named "Cavity Sam." If the tweezers touch the metal edge of the opening during the attempt, a buzzer sounds and the patient's nose lights up red.

It's not as easy as it looks.
To play Operation, youth at the 2007 assembly must participate in an interactive laptop computer experience about Igniting Youth, and then qualify for an attempt to break the board game's record.

Igniting Youth is the teen sibling of denomination's 7-year-old adult program called Igniting Ministry (http://www.ignitingministry.org/), an advertising and welcoming ministry that targets adults aged 25-54 through traditional media such television, posters, door hangers and billboards.

Both ministries are designed to raise awareness of The United Methodist Church and target "seekers," or those who have not been to a church worship service in six months and those not closely affiliated with a church. The two welcoming campaigns also highlight the church's tagline of "Open Minds. Open Hearts. Open Doors."

Church leaders say welcoming is a form of kindness, hospitality and acceptance shown to both guests and church members alike. "In a nation that's becoming more unchurched all the time, we need to ensure that teen seekers encounter in us a Christ that they want to know better," according to literature introducing Igniting Youth.

'Soul searching'
Specifically, Igniting Youth is an evangelism tool to reach 14- to 18-year-olds. Research indicates that teens, like adults, are "soul searching" and using diverse means to connect with one another and to acquire knowledge.

"Teens need to feel they have valued voice with adults," said Crawford. "They need to feel that the questions and issues they have are valid and warrant the same thoughtful consideration and answers any adult posing the question would receive. They need to feel that there is a community where they can share their ideas and not be judged on their ideas."

One of the most critical issues facing The United Methodist Church is communicating with youth and young adults, according to the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive at United Methodist Communications.

The Igniting Ministry Youth Initiative "has partnered with youth and young adults to learn about their concerns, joys and hopes in order to encourage connection between youth and young adults and the church," Hollon said. "The hope is that in this partnership we will find ways to encourage meaningful interaction that will lead all of us to growth and deeper faith."

Although housed at United Methodist Communications, Igniting Youth's partners include the Division on Ministries with Young People; De'vozine, the church's teen magazine; ileadyouth.com at the United Methodist Publishing House; the Living Prayer Center at the Upper Room; and the youth worker movement.

Igniting Youth is just one more way the church can connect with teens, according to Jay Clark, director of Youth 2007 and a staff member of the Division of Ministry with Young People at the Board of Discipleship.

"Igniting Youth was not designed to take the place of relationships," he said, "but to provide a portal for youth to connect to the bigger picture and to help answer questions along the way."

As part of the effort, the denomination's annual Open House Month in September - when United Methodist churches host special events to welcome and invite people in the community to church - is this year being called Teen Open House Month, aimed at welcoming teens into the life of the church.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

Marjorie Thompson to Lead Companions in Christ Event

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 16, 2007 /GBOD/ --The Rev. Marjorie Thompson will lead a 3-day leader training event for the Companions in Christ series, Thursday through Saturday, May 10-12 at Upper Room Ministries, 1908 Grand Ave, Nashville. The event begins with registration at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 10 and will end by 12:00 p.m. Saturday, May 12.

Thompson is a Presbyterian minister, author and spiritual director of the Companions in Christ initiative in Nashville.

Those who attend the leader-training event will receive Companions in Christ resources essential for initiating Companions groups in their church.
The registration fee is $250. To register visit www.companionsinchrist.org. For information, call the Companions in Christ Training Office at 615-340-7525.

This training provides an in-depth experience in Companions in Christ resources and develops in participants the distinctive leadership skills called upon when leading formational groups.

The Companions in Christ series from Upper Room Ministries brings a transforming small-group experience to congregations.

Most in-depth Christian studies offer knowledge about scripture, prayer, or other areas of faith.
The Companions in Christ series invites participants into a deeper experience of the Christian life.

As the journey unfolds participants discover classic and contemporary spiritual practices that form rather than inform the participants and encourage them in inner and outward expressions of their faith.

Authors of the Companions series include Stephen D. Bryant, editor/publisher of Upper Room Ministries; Gerrit Scott Dawson, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Lenoir, N.C.; Adele J. Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Office of Lay Ministry in the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Miami, Fla.; E. Glenn Hinson, author and retired professor of spirituality at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va.; Rueben P. Job, a retired United Methodist bishop and former editor/publisher of The Upper Room; Marjorie J. Thompson, author and Spiritual Director of the Companions in Christ initiative in Nashville, Tenn.; and Wendy M. Wright, professor of theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

It is estimated that 10,000+ small groups from a variety of denominations and locales have experienced Companions in Christ since its release. The transforming impact this resource has in congregations caused one clergy to say, “this resource may be the future of the church”.

Companions in Christ®
Leader Training Schedule
May 10-12, 2007

Thursday, May 10
3:00 Registration
3:30 Welcome, Orientation, & Worship
4:00 Introductions
4:30 Break
4:45 Companions Vision and Understanding Spiritual Formation
5:30 Dinner
6:15 Keys to Formational Process
6:30 Holy Listening Exercise
7:15 Assignments for Friday
7:30 Evening Prayer
7:45 Adjourn

Friday, May 11
8:30 Prepare to Experience a Companions Meeting
8:45 Experience Companions in Christ (abbreviated week)
10:30 Break
10:45 Reflect on Experience in Relation to Leadership Skills
11:15 Prepare to lead a “Deeper Exploration” (triad assignments)
12:00 Lunch (after meal options: UR Museum, Bookstore, or further preparation)
1:25 Gather in Triad Rooms
1:30 First Person Leads
2:15 Break
2:30 Second Person Leads
3:15 Break
3:45 Third Person Leads
4:30 Break
4:45 Reflect on Leadership Learning
5:15 Prayer and Blessing
5:30 Dinner at Monell’s and Free Evening

Saturday, May 11
9:00 Morning Prayer
9:20 Developing Spiritual Formation Opportunities in Congregation
10:00 Break
10:15 Building Intentional Formational Ministries
10:30 Upper Room Support
11:00 Question/Answer and Evaluation
11:30 Dismissal and Benediction

Upper Room Ministries is an ecumenical organization that produces resources for encouraging deeper spiritual formation, including The Upper Room daily devotional guide, distributed to over two million people in 44 languages, five other magazines, a line of books, and programs for youth and adults.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.

Tampa church offers a 'break' for kids, caregivers

By Nancy Johnson*

Ashley Valenti and her buddy, Casey Decker, play with stuffed animals at Nathaniel's Hope Buddy Break at St. James United Methodist Church in Tampa, Fla. UMNS photos by Patti Garrett.


TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS) - On one Saturday each month, the doors of St. James United Methodist Church open to children - some in wheelchairs, others in their parents' arms. For three hours, they run, jump, dance and play while their parents take a much-needed break.

The Tampa church is part of Nathaniel's Hope Buddy Break, an Orlando-based ministry offering support to caregivers of children with special needs. Each child is paired with a volunteer buddy for one-on-one time and attention.

"Here at Buddy Break, we don't treat the children any different than any other child," says Sally DePalma, coordinator of the Tampa ministry. "We love on them. We have fun with them. We accept them for who they are and where they're at."

Buddy Break is designed for children ages 2 to 16 who have special needs, including those with physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disabilities. It is named for Nathaniel Kuck, who died at age 4 from an undiagnosed medical condition and whose mother, Marie, started Buddy Break as a way to honor her son's short life.

During the three hours that their children are cared for at Buddy Break, caregivers get some time for themselves. Sometimes it's for a manicure or pedicure; other times, it's a few hours of solitude walking on the beach.

"I couldn't believe there was anything like this. Now we keep coming back," says Janet McDonald, a mother to 7-year-old triplets.

"Last time, I went to lunch for the first time in two years. I sat there in a restaurant and actually ate. It was fun."

Two of McDonald's children, Nicole and Dougie, are autistic. Caring for them has been a major undertaking that became even more stressful in October 2005 when her husband collapsed and died from a pulmonary embolism.

"Every day, I get up in the morning and the first thing I remember is that my husband is not here and I get this lump in my throat," McDonald says. "Then I realize these children need me. I'm the only thing they have."

DePalma, who has an autistic daughter, understands all too well. "Your day becomes consumed sometimes with just playing defense with a very active child," says DePalma. "You're exhausted, don't have time to answer the phone. You're running to the door to prevent your child from running out the door."

Often, families of children with special needs experience isolation, depression, loneliness and fatigue.

"Our families live far away," says McDonald. "They don't take much interest in my children. My children scare them. They consider us so needy and, without my husband, we are."

Buddy Break offers a safe haven for such families while volunteers entertain the children with music, games and play time with pets. The kids can enjoy being kids in an environment that embraces them. Outside of St. James, it's often a different story.

"Most of the time, you're apologizing for your kid's behavior," says McDonald. "I'm sorry she has autism. I'm sorry she's touching you. I'm sorry she's making noise."

The goal of Buddy Break is to minister to the entire family. It connects families with others who know and understand their struggles and sometimes offers outings and free services for the families, including the siblings of special needs kids.

The ministry is an authentic way to show God's love to families who struggle on an hourly basis. For McDonald, it means a few hours of relaxation while her children get some much-needed attention from others.

"When I saw Nicole and (her buddy) was chasing after her and he was smiling and she was smiling, it felt good because he actually wants to be with her," she says. "She could feel it."

Johnson is a freelance writer and producer in Tampa, Fla.

Companions In Christ® Training Event with Marjorie Thompson Promotes Spiritual Growth for Adults

Marjorie Thompson, Spiritual DIrector for Companions in Christ

A 3-day leader training event for the Companions in Christ series is set for Thursday through Saturday, May 10-12 at Upper Room Ministries, 1908 Grand Ave, Nashville from 3:00 p.m. Thursday to 12:00 p.m. Saturday. Marjorie Thompson, Spiritual Director for Companions in Christ and author of Soulfeast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, will lead. This training provides an in-depth experience in Companions in Christ resources and develops in participants the distinctive leadership skills called upon when leading formational groups. For information, call the Companions in Christ Training Office at 615-340-7525.

The Companions in Christ series from Upper Room Ministries brings a transforming small-group experience to congregations. Most in-depth Christian studies offer knowledge about scripture, prayer, or other areas of faith. The Companions in Christ series invites participants into a deeper experience of the Christian life. As the journey unfolds participants discover classic and contemporary spiritual practices that form rather than inform the participants and encourage them in inner and outward expressions of their faith.

Authors of the Companions series include Stephen D. Bryant, editor/publisher of Upper Room Ministries; Gerrit Scott Dawson, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Lenoir, N.C.; Adele J. Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Office of Lay Ministry in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, Fla.; E. Glenn Hinson, author and retired professor of spirituality at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va.; Rueben P. Job, a retired United Methodist bishop and former editor/publisher of The Upper Room; Marjorie J. Thompson, author and Spiritual Director of the Companions in Christ initiative in Nashville, Tenn.; and Wendy M. Wright, professor of theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. The Author of The Way of the Child is Wynn McGregor, certified Christian educator in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

It is estimated that 10,000+ small groups from a variety of denominations and locales have experienced Companions in Christ since its release. The transforming impact this resource has in congregations caused one clergy to say, “this resource may be the future of the church”.

Those who attend the leader-training event will receive Companions in Christ resources essential for initiating Companions groups in their church.

Upper Room Ministries is an ecumenical organization that produces resources for encouraging deeper spiritual formation, including The Upper Room daily devotional guide, distributed to over two million people in 44 languages, five other magazines, a line of books, and programs for youth and adults.

To Register for the event Click on the following address:
http://www.upperroom.org/companions/eventsthree.asp

Education foundation quadruples grant awards

A UMNS Report By Linda Green*

United Methodist annual conference foundations have joined the partnership among local churches, higher education institutions and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation to quadruple the amount of scholarship money a United Methodist student may use for school.

The "Quadruple Your Dollars for Scholars" is a new component of the 10-year old "United Methodist Dollars for Scholars" program of the denominational foundation. Participating conference foundations will provide an additional $1,000 to recipients sponsored by a church in their respective conferences for a total scholarship award of up to $4,000.

In Dollars for Scholars, the foundation matches local congregations that raise $1,000 for a member enrolled or planning to enroll in a United Methodist-related college, university or seminary. Some higher education institutions provided another match beginning in 2006.

The matching scholarship program originally awarded 100 scholarships, but the number of first-come, first-served scholarships awarded increased yearly as funds became available.

The quadruple component is the result of "conference foundations (that) have stepped up and said we see value in the matching program and want to affirm students as well," said Cheryl Davis, the foundation's executive vice president. "The United Methodist Dollars for Scholars is about saying to students that you are part of The United Methodist Church and that we value your talents and leadership abilities."

Making a difference
Davis said Dollars for Scholars "is making a difference in the church and forging closer relationships between our students, churches and United Methodist higher education institutions. That is what the foundation exists to do, and we have been blessed by the results of this program."

The program was tripled in 2006 with participation from higher education institutions. During the foundation's recent meeting March 1-3 in Dallas, 16 more academic institutions became partners. In all, 84 of the denomination's 123 colleges, universities and seminaries are participating in the program's "triple" dollars segment for 2007.

The genesis of the quadruple matching Dollars for Scholars component is the North Georgia United Methodist Foundation, which has been quadrupling local church awards for the three years. The Oklahoma and California United Methodist Foundations also quadruple local church matching awards.

The vision of the Nashville, Tenn.-based United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is to make it economically possible for any qualified Untied Methodist student to be educated at a United Methodist institution of higher learning.

Including the matches by conference foundations, the foundation will award more than $1 million in scholarships to 344 United Methodist Dollars for Scholars awards for the 2007-08 academic year. Twenty-five of those are designated for Hispanic, Asian and Native American students.

To be considered, applications must have a March 15 postmark and arrive through standard mail.

Kresge Award
The foundation gave the 2007 "Stanley S. Kresge Award" to Stanley M. Howe for his contributions to Iowa Wesleyan College.

Howe is a member of Wesleyan United Methodist Church in Muscatine, Iowa, and was appointed to school's board of trustees in 1975. In 2004, he established the Howe Foundation Challenge Grant, matching dollar-for-dollar up to $15 million in gifts for the college.

"Simply stated, Iowa Wesleyan College would not be where it is today without the support of Dr. Stan Howe," said William N. Johnston, president of Iowa Wesleyan College, which nominated Howe for the award.

The Kresge Award was established in 1987 to honor members of The United Methodist Church who embody two important characteristics of the life of the late Stanley S. Kresge: dedicated membership in The United Methodist Church and unselfish support of United Methodist-related education.

"Dr. Howe exemplifies the motto of 'leadership that changes lives.' His commitment to church, community, and education cannot be overstated," said Johnston. "… His personal involvement and exemplary generosity have positively impacted thousands of church members and students, with effects that will be felt for many generations to come."

For more information on the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program, including application criteria, visit the foundation's Website at www.umhef.org or e-mail umhef@gbhem.org or (800) 811-8110.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

McKendree Village Invites Parents, Grandparents, Children & Grandchildren to Our Community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m.

Hermitage, TN –Parents and Grandparents are invited to bring their children and grandchildren to the 4th annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at McKendree Village on Saturday, March 31, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature an egg hunt organized by age groups (1-3 yrs; 4-6 yrs; 7-9 yrs; 10-12 yrs), prizes, games and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt will be held in the Woodlands Park at McKendree Village, 4347 Lebanon Road. Signs will point the way to the event and to parking.

“We always look forward to hosting this community event, which is fun for both children and adults”, said McKendree Village spokeswoman Diane Miles. “Based on the success of last year’s event, we plan to hide more than 3,000 eggs for the children to hunt. We remind everyone to bring their baskets to collect their eggs.”

McKendree Village residents, volunteers and staff help with the preparations for the egg hunt. This year, Kohl’s Department Stores, who sponsors events related to children, has made a generous donation that will help pay for candy, plastic eggs and prizes. Several of Kohl’s employees will help McKendree staff and volunteers to stuff the Easter eggs with assorted candy. In addition, the Donelson-Hermitage Exchange Club will sponsor and donate the Grand Prizes in each age category. Their prizes will have a literacy theme.

In addition to the Egg Hunt, there will be very special appearance by Janet Ivey of the Emmy Awarding Winning Children’s show Janet’s Planet. Janet has won multiple Emmy awards in the Children’s Educational Programming category for her program, “Janet’s Planet.” These dynamic and fast-paced spots focus on scientific and historical facts and events. We are pleased to welcome Janet as our Mistress of Ceremonies for our inter-generational McKendree event.

Established in 1963, McKendree Village provides a continuum of retirement living options and health care services to approximately 700 senior adults in a secure, Christian environment. Its services include independent living, assisted living, nursing home care and Alzheimer’s care. McKendree Village has a covenant relationship with The United Methodist Church and is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.