Friday, December 9, 2011

Flashnet Dec 8, 2011

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December update


NE Statewide Reconciling Friends!  
Another year of GREAT spiritual awakenings!
THE STORY OF STUFF by Annie Leonard below!  
Thanks to everyone for getting out the Email news!
Here are some ways you might want to SIMPLIFY by giving to others and yet giving to your loved ones as alternative giving -  Create a card, or find a card, write or note or email to give a gift and then specify a justice cause with your GIFT!  
And we all have way too much STUFF :
Send your gifts to the inclusive justice cause - this way you give TWO GIFTS : to the inclusive justice cause and to your loved ones! 
THANK you to EVERYONE for offerings for UM Global AIDS fund offerings and World AIDS Day events, services! 
1) Give to Reconciling Ministries Network :  Be an Angel and give today for a more inclusive UMC  www.RMNetwork.org
2) Give to UM Global AIDS Fund in NE : Websites:  send gifts to Pay pal on the conference website : www.umcneb.org/AIDS or send offerings to the Conf Treas in Lincoln at Conference offices, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504 : Specify Global AIDS #578 so that 25 % of all offerings stay in NE for local AIDS projects!
It is not too late to take an offering for UM Global AIDS Fund or do a fundraiser to eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020!  www.2020Aidsfreeworld.org 
www.umcneb.org/AIDS for our new Pay pal for giving!  
See www.umglobalaidsfund for the TOOLKIT for local churches!
3) We have some angels among us -  Mary Ellen Kilmer, in NW Nebraska - and an AID Ambassador in NE has generously offered to knit Rainbow Washcloths to sell in June at Annual Conference for the UM Global AIDS Fund!  
Sorry about the STUFF but at least it is thoughful, useful and homemade!  Activism through creating - Make sure it is safe yarn. 
Send 4 ply cotton yarn in multicolored rainbow colors or find the individual rainbow colors to Mary Ellen and she can knit them that way too!
Send 4 ply cotton rainbow  yarn to : Mary Ellen Kilmer, Box 386, Harrison, NE 69346-0386 OR House address is 258 E. 2nd, Harrison. 
Or you might want to do the same project or have a Rainbow KNIT IN with friends this winter to eliminate HIV AIDS by 2020.
Or create small Rainbow Quilts from recycled fibers, knit or create rainbow scarves for June!
Or just GIVE to UM Global AIDS Fund! Make sure you send all gifts to Lincoln so that 25 % stays in NE for local AID projects in Nebraska!
4) Give to the: Trinity UMC Emergency HIV AIDS Fund that gives emergency help for medical emergencies in Central NE at NAP Kearney!  
Make checks to TUMC and send to Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, Grand Island, NE 68801   Give Gift of Love cards or write Gift emails, notes for the holidays or Valentines day as you give to the fund.
5)  Good tidings of GREAT JOY to ALL of GOD'S CHILDREN as we prepare ye the way for another year of great spiritual awakenings!  
We send love for those having the BLUES and  LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY: You are loved!

Open Hearts Schedule Dec-Apr


Open Hearts folks, Central NE and beyond : 
 
Don't forget about the BASKETS OF LOVE Silent Auction going through noon Dec 11 -  bidding ends at noon - checks to TUMC, in the  memo put HIV AIDS funds -  we even had some baskets donated from Lincoln and omaha friends this year!  Thanks everyone for supporting those battling HIV AIDS with baskets of love and helping to work for eliminating HIV AIDS by 2020~
 
Cat lover's against the Bomb Calendars for sale as a fundraiser : GREAT GIFTS and contact maureen to get yours in December -  a project of NE for PEACE and they let us do this as a justice group fundraiser!  
 
CLAB Calendars are $9 each with $5 going to our group account :  we are sending in $250 this December to help with RMN ministries -  we will be starting over then in February with offerings, fundraisers as it wipes out our account.
 
You can still give to the UM Global AIDS fund : make checks to TUMC and in the  memo put the fund - also TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund -
 
Gifts of Love cards are with the Baskets of love to give a gift to friends and loved ones as you give to this justice cause -- or create your own cards!
 
Dec 11 :  TUMC G Island  --  All Church Conference, 3 PM and tours of remodelling
 
We have a VIRTUAL BASKET for Baskets of Love on Facebook :  UM4GI   for chocolate party for 8 by Mandy -  see about it there!   We have about 22 Baskets in all with the virtual facebook basket!
 
Thanks to all who made baskets and to Judy maupin for helping me with the Open Heart Holidays baking basket!  
 
Come see the Baskets of LOVE during this week as they are set up for all week - and our church is getting close to the end of the big remodelling project -  come see it too and the lights of christmas, children's program sunday at 11 am etc.
 
Remember upcoming dates:   PFLAG hastings coffee time coming :  Dec 10, Saturday at 11 am at Blue moon, HASTINGS NE   Dec 19 : PFLAG Hastings support meeting
 
ART SHOW at Prairie Winds Art Gallery : Ken Bassett and friends, downtown G Island
 
BASKETS OF LOVE Silent Auction Bidding : ending Dec 11 at noon -  make checks to TUMC and in the memo put HIV AIDS funds -  or you can give Alternative Christmas Gifts to TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund and UM Global AIDS fund the same way with the specific fund.
 
January, Feb :  Open Hearts - At  home : Write a ONE PAGE story :
Our Sacred stories: Awakening stories, Coming Out stories, HIV AIDS stories -  bring this spring to share  (think of the stories many african american persons have to tell now after all the discrimination, civil war, racism, segregation)  
 
Jan 4, 7 PM, Missions meeting : Open Hearts reps, UM4GI Task force
 
Jan 10 :  noon at Texas T Bone, S Locust : Friends for the journey, come and meet others for lunch at noon -  Maureen and Judy are hosts -  RSVP to mvetter@charter.net if possible
 
Jan 25 : Bookshare, 7 PM, Room A second floor, TUMC : Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - non fiction true story of the cells that were taken for research without knowing -
To get a book go to the city library, bookstores in the area, online - it is in paperback now!
 
Be watching for info on Jewels of Love :  for HIVAIDS funds -  create new jewelry or bring in your vintage or jewelry you don't want to be recycled for a great cause and reselling at Mission Marketplace for our two HIV AIDS funds   -  Mission marketplace starts January 14 :  brochures at TUMC, Grand Island, church offices!   Bring in your new or used jewelry after January 1 to the church offices.   We hope to have a treasure box for you to leave off donations.
 
HIV AIDS benefit concert in the spring!
 
Feb 1, 7pm, TUMC :  Missions meeting, Open hearts reps and UM4GI task force
 
Feb 12 :  OPEN HEARTS :  Movie at 3 PM, Gollaher Chapel, come at 2:30 pm for fellowship - come at 2:30 if you are new to the group to read Support Group guidelines -  bring a snack to share! Rainbow crate!  RMN Rainbow lapel pins for sale :  $5 each
 
March 23- 25 :  OPEN HEARTS :  Horizons of Faith, Omaha first umc (see website  www.horizonsoffaith.com 
 
April TBA :  OPEN HEARTS : share stories      
 
Take LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY THIS ADVENT,  Christmas and New Year!  LIGHT Candles of hope, give to others,  listen to a friend, reach out in the love of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem  : our role model -  
 
You won't hear much from us now as things are getting super busy - see you again in January with a new year of spiritual awakenings! 

Contribute a square to digital AIDS quilt


More than 30,000 quilt panels have been made, creatively featuring moms, dads, babies, pets, celebrities and some great quotes. Here are a few of my favorite panels. Take a look, and then head over to the (2015)QUILT to make your own panel (or two or three) today:
CREATE YOUR OWN PANEL
Part of the reason why I really love this quilt is because it draws its inspiration from the incredibly moving AIDS Memorial Quilt. The (2015)QUILT helps show in a new, digital way that we're committed to the beginning of end of AIDS by 2015. That's why we want you to add your message: so we can share it during important upcoming moments, like next year's International AIDS Conference and the Global Fund replenishment meeting.
Get creative, make a quilt panel and join the fight. The beginning of the end of AIDS starts with you: http://act.one.org/go/243?akid=2772.5510653.ukt6Oc&t=5
Jeff Davidoff
Chief Marketing Officer, ONE
PS: When you visit www.2015quilt.com, don't forget to like ONE on Facebook. It's really easy - just click the like button at the bottom of the page. Thanks!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

World AIDS Day 2011


Make your own red ribbons and support this project -  or send a donation today!
See Andrew's NE HIV AIDS story on our new URL and it was in the Fall NE UM Messenger! Share it and read it for gatherings, Special offerings in Dec and write your own story!  maureen and bill, co chairs of NE UM Global AIDS Fund  www.umcneb.org/AIDS
 
World AIDS Day is coming Dec 1 -  Special Offering Day in local churches Dec 4 or another Sunday -   or come up with a fundraising idea for UM Global AIDS fund :
www.umglobalaidsfund.org   see the Toolkit with lots of resources too for groups!
 


The Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) has been challenged by the Iowa AIDS Project with aRed Ribbon Shootout. The shootout will take place during the Nebraska vs. Iowa football game on November 25th, 2011. NAP employees, volunteers, and friends of NAP are encouraged to help us sell Red Ribbons for $1.00 each. The state that sells the most Red Ribbons wins. The winning AIDS Project will get a traveling trophy delivered by the losing Project. We can sell Red Ribbons from 8 a.m. November 24th (Thanksgiving Day) through the end of the game on Friday the 25th. If you are planning a Husker game day party at your home, or if you have been invited by any of your friends to a game day party, we need your help selling Red Ribbons.  

Each Project will keep all proceeds they raise, but the winning one will get bragging rights and the travelling trophy delivered by the losing Project to their December event, which would be "Night of a thousand Stars" for NAP, and "Basket Project" for Iowa. If you would like to help with the Red Ribbon Shootout, please contact NAP at (308) 338-0527, or respond to this email message, and we will get some Red Ribbons to you!


Thank you,

Andrew Brackett
Nebraska AIDS Project
Education and Event Coordinator
P.O. Box 2378
Kearney, NE. 68848
Ph: (308) 338-0527
Fax: (308) 338-0601

Scholarships for General Conference for Young Adults


Reconciling folks in NE :  See Scholarship Opportunities below for :
 
1)YOUNG ADULTS to GENERAL CONFERNCE Tampa FL two weeks and
 
2) Scholarships available in the NE UMC for : LIGHTEN THE BURDEN IV, HIV AIDS Conference for UM Global AIDS Fund :  One day before General Conference : April 23, 2012, Tampa, FL
 
Deadline for application is :  Dec 15, 2011 for the NE Scholarhips to attend Lighten the Burden IV Conference, April 23, 2012, Tampa, FL     
 
Contact for the Scholarship to attend LIGHTEN THE BURDEN IV :  Andrea Paret: amparet08@yahoo.com  - Chair of Risk Taking Mission and Justice Team in NE : 
 
This Scholarship pays for REGISTRATION and $100 towards travel or lodging - you could raise the rest in your local church, Friends, groups, district etc.   We hope to have a TEAM going from NE!
Contact Maureen Vetter or Bill Black if you think you can attend :  mvetter@charter.net  or biobb@bellsouth.net
 
Have good holidays!  Maureen Vetter and Wendy Smith, Email contacts for NE RMN, blog and facebook
 
Facebook :  search Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network
blog :  www.nebraskarum.blogspot.com    www.RMNetwork.org : Become an RUM today online!
 
Dec 1 : World AIDS Day    Dec 4 :  Special Offering for UM Global AIDS fund in NE
Video : 
 
Advent project for UM Global AIDS Fund :  collecting Rainbow Multi-colored Yarn or single colors of the rainbow yarn, 4 ply cotton to send to a knitter in NW NE - to  make Rainbow washcloths to sell at the HIV AIDS table in June -  more info coming in Dec - or take up knitting Rainbow washclothes or scarves for the HIV AIDS Table in June in Lincoln :  all proceeds going to UM Global AIDS fund! 
 

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day Info for Central NE:

Thanks Judy Sandeen for info BELOW on Hastings College World AIDS day : Memorial
Quilt and Speaker from Omaha at Chapel :   Rev Portia Cavitt, Clair Memorial UMC,
Omaha, work in HIV AIDS

Also see Facebook for Kearney NAP for their World AIDs Service Dec 1
World AIDS Day Service :  SEARCH:  Facebook for :  Kearney Nebraska AIDS
project

Nov 30 the Awaken Service at First UMC with UM4GI - the new cooperative
parish in G island will feature Susan Goodman sharing
about World AIDS Day and her work at Central Health Center, G Island :  6:30
PM, West Capital, G Island, NE :  kickoff of the Baskets of Love Silent
Auction too!  Bid for two HIV AIDS funds supported by UM4GI Task force and Cooperative Parish.


Two panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in central
Nebraska
as the Hastings College campus commemorates World AIDS Day on Thursday,
Dec.1, 2011.  One panel will be displayed at Perkins Library (705 E. 7th St.)
during its regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 29-Friday, December 2.  The
second panel will first be displayed at Hazelrigg Student Union (705 E. 9th St.)
from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and Wednesday, Nov. 30 and then at
the Morrison-Reeves Science Center (717 Ash) on Thursday, Dec. 1 and
Friday, December 2.
Information from Dr McCarthy about the WAD chapel speaker.  He tells me
she'll be having lunch with anyone interested that day at noon, so please
save the time to do that.

Our preacher is the Rev. Portia Cavitt. Here's what she says about herself:

Rev. Portia Cavitt is the Senior Pastor of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, Omaha, NE.  She received her M.Div. degree from Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA and was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  She has been the pastor of churches in Missouri, California, Washington, and Kansas before coming to Nebraska in 2004.

Rev. Cavitt has served as a foster mother, a Substitute Teacher for USD 308, a volunteer chaplain, a certified HIV/AIDS instructor with the American Red Cross, and a Nebraska AIDS Project volunteer. Currently, she is a youth mentor and supervises juveniles for community service, a stroke ambassador with the American Heart Association, a member of the HIV/AIDS Community Planning Group, and a strong advocate for children, education, justice, and community involvement as she works with various committees and community organizations within the city.  Recently, she served as the faith community representative for the Nebraska HIV Care and Prevention Consortium
until last year.

Here's more info:  http://cmumc.net/744822
http://leoadambiga.wordpress.com/tag/rev-portia-cavitt/
http://www.umcneb.org/people/detail/41
http://sites.google.com/site/neumcphotographs/home/ministers-by-last-name-2/cavitt-portia

Open Hearts Winter Schedule



Open Hearts Friends and RUM's :
 
DEC DATES :  changed date for Feb Movie :  Feb 12 rather than Feb 19, put on your calendar!
 
Help Get our Basket Ready: Nov 27, 28 :
 
BASKETS OF LOVE Silent Auction :  Holiday Baking Basket by Open Hearts group -  DONATE baking items and get items to Maureen by Nov 27 for the basket from our group!   She will make it Nov 28.  Needed items:  anything baking related! I have the Nativity set cookie cutters - they came in the mail this week!  We have:  Grain Place flour four pounds, a few baking things - let me know if you have things to contribute:    Mvetter@charter.net  Bid or give to HIV AIDS offerings Nov 30, Dec 3/4 at TUMC!
 
Nov 30 Awaken, 6:30 PM First UMC, G Island:  6 PM Nov 30:  Kickoff for BASKETS OF LOVE Silent Auction : moves to Trinity UMC Dec 3/4 and Dec 10/11 - ends at noon Dec 11 :   we hope you will bid!  All proceeds go to the two HIV AIDS funds at TUMC : UM global AIDS fund and TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund (will be divided along with offerings Dec 1 week ;  alternative cards for giving :  GIFT OF LOVE CARDS to give to loved ones this holiday season :  bring offerings Dec 3/4 to worship and Nov 30!
 
Dec 1 : World AIDS Day :  services and events in the area!  send prayers to those battling HIV AIDS in NE and around the globe - working for an AIDS Free world!  www.umglobalaidsfund.org
Pay pal Giving on our new URL : www.umcneb.org/AIDS
 
Dec 3, 11:30 - 1 PM :  Gathering place, Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, G island, NE: 
CHRISTMAS POTLUCK LUNCH:  Social Event for Open Hearts folks and friends!   Bring POTLUCK foods in addition to one lesagne by maureen and jay -  ice water will be provided and hot tea -   BRING YOUR OWN SILVERWARE and TABLEWARE -  THANKS!  
 
Social meeting:  BASKETS OF LOVE SILENT AUCTION to make bids, CLAB Calendars and RMN Rainbow lapel pins for sale as fundraisers ($9 and $5), Christmas offerings, tours of the new remodelling, storytelling challenge!   Bring rainbow yarn or one of the seven colors of the rainbow : 4 ply cotton for HIV AIDS project Knitting washclothes for sale in June!
Come early if you are new to the group to read and sign the support group guidelines! 
 
January: PFLAG coffee get together and meeting  -- Open Hearts Challenge: write 1 page sacred stories this winter!
Feb 12 CHANGE OF DATE (Feb 19 some folks will be on the worktrip to Joplin, MO :  movie and discussion after :  Incompatible with Christian teaching, bring snacks
March : Horizons of faith, Omaha first umc, go to FROGS organic store in Wolbach this spring!
April 15:  Share our SACRED stories we have written      maureen and mena, email contacts

Reflections from Gil Caldwell: Our time under God is now!


Thanks to Rev Gil Caldwell, Rocky Mtn Conference, Retired Elder / Clergy for your REFLECTIONS, your comparisons of history that repeats -- of exclusion today being like segregation of the past  -
and your CALL TO ACTION --   OUR TIME UNDER GOD IS NOW! 
 
See Gil's timely thoughts below --  share it with your friends!
 
THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS RESPONDS TO UM CLERGY WHO ARE WILLING TO PERFORM SAME SEX UNIONS
 


Kermit the frog said, "It's not easy being green". I am sure that there are United Methodist Bishops who today would say, "It's not easy being a United Methodist Bishop". Rather than condemning (or praising) The Council of Bishops statement in response to "...a group of clergy who have declared they would perform holy unions in opposition to the Book of Discipline", I offer this paraphrase of a portion of their statement, remembering the racial struggles of our denomination.
 
Although different, they may be instructive as United Methodism must, and I believe will, respond to the current language and legislation in our Book of Discipline. I am not sure all of us understand the "deep pain" that our Book of Discipline language and legislation is causing same gender loving clergy who are open about their commitment, and those of us who support them. I have substituted (highlighted) words that remember the tragedy of our racial history, with the hope that this will help us understand the similarities between segregation/exclusion of persons today because of their same sex commtments, and of persons because of their race, in the past.
 
"One of the deep disagreements and divisions within the church is over (the practice of racial integration recently highlighted by a group of white and black clergy who have declared they will attend racially segregated white churches in opposition to the racially segregated policies and practices of those churches). This has caused different experiences of deep pain throughout the church. As the bishops of the Church, we commit ourselves to be in prayer for the whole church and for the brokeness our communities experience."
 
The above is a paraphrased quotation of a portion of the letter from The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. It was written, remembering that on Easter Sunday of 1964, Bishop Charles Golden who was black, and Bishop James Mathews who was white, sought to attend the morning service of Galloway Memorial Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. They were turned away because the Church had a Policy Statement that declared their Church was "white only".
 
It is difficult to remember and admit that once our denomination in its language and legislation and in the racial segregation it created and allowed, believed that, "The practice of racial integration was incompatible with Christian teaching."
 
I beleve that our denominational history has prepared us to respond positively to the ministry opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. We once supported and enforced prohibitions against the consumption of alchohol, divorce of clergy, etc.
 
But, in time, we acknowledged that for a denomination to attempt to be in minisry
with its "head in the sand", diminishes and demeans the unique significance of ministry in the Methodist tradition. I had wished that The United Methodist Church
might have taken leadership in providing the ministry of marriages and unions to same sex couples in those places where they are legal. And, affirmed the same gender loving clergy who have been among us presently and historically, in local churches, as District Superintendents and as Bishops.
 
But, our sisters and brothers in other Communions have done this while we convey the impression that if our denomination did this, the foundation of our United Methodist faith would crumble. Our faith foundation is not that fragile! If this were so, we would not have survived the changes that we have made.
 
Years ago, the late, Reverend Doctor Ernest Smith provided Black Methodists for Church Renewal with our slogan; "OUR TIME UNDER GOD IS NOW"
 
I believe The Council of Bishops believes, and hopefully most of the delegates to the 2012 General Conference believe, a fresh and faith-grounded approach to language and legislation that first sufaced in 1972, must be reviewed and transformed.
 
The little boy who heard his parents talk at the dinner table, day after day, about the awful state of the world, sought to participate by saying, "The world must be in a mell of a hess". The world is, and we squander the gifts God has given The United Methodist Church, as we act as though we believe that same sex couples and complete ministry to and with them, are responsible for the economic, health, violence and war issues that affect all of humankind.
 
We know this is not true, and we must dare say so!
 
           United Methodist Church, "OUR TIME UNDER GOD IS NOW".
 
May we, with God's guidance and help, live in the present, as we shape the future.  
 
Gilbert H. Caldwell
Retired Elder,
Rocky Mountain Conference
November 11, 2011
 

GSA's : creating safe places in churches, schools, towns!


Reconciling Friends in NE and beyond:
 
See the moving youtube by youth at the end of this note : Post it on Facebook and tell friends!
 
Start a Reconciling support group today!  Start a GSA today, find adults who care today! 
 
www.RMNetwork.org  Sign up to be an RUM Today!
 
Facebook in Ne: Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network    or our blog :  www.Nebraskarum.blogspot.com   PFLAG groups in NE : Omaha, Lincoln, Hastings
 
Nov 12, Tomorrow : Take Reconciling on the Road - Come to the LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR event Sat, nov 12, Trinity UMC, 511 N Elm, GI, NE - 10 am to 2:30 pm, No cost, freewill lunch  offering
Contact Betty and Bob Dorr, Zach Anderson: bobcdorr@cox.net  and zachan85@gmail.com
 
Maureen and Wendy, RMN Statewide contacts, PRN contacts, local contacts, recruit
youth contacts locally!   mvetter@charter.net  and wsmith28@gmail.com
 
 
Note: The DVD   -  Bullied or Bullying is available through Southern Poverty Law Center online. It is
either no cost or inexpensive.  Find out about starting a GSA at your school today.
 

General Conference Info from MFSA 11/9/11


 CalltoActionAlternativeGeneral Conference 2012: Things to Know  
 A "Call to Action" Alternative

On November 1st, the National Office of MFSA released the following press release:

United Methodists React to 15 People Overseeing the Agencies of a 12 Million Member Church
Methodist Caucus Proposes Reorganization Alternative

One of the largest mainline denominations in the United States is warming up for a major power struggle at its United Methodist General Conference in the Spring of 2012.

Leaders from the Methodist Federation for Social Action responded to the official "Call to Action" plan because of its radical restructuring of the church. The Call to Action proposal would distil nine of the thirteen church-wide agencies into one, replacing more than 500 volunteer board members with a single board comprised of fifteen people to oversee the agencies of a twelve-million member denomination on five continents.
In response to this extreme proposal, the Methodist Federation for Social Action is holding a telephone press conference to launch an alternative restructure approach. MFSA's plan reduces the number of agencies from thirteen to nine and establishes four program 'Centers' each with a thirty-three member board.  Read more...

We are asking our chapters to please share this information and invitation with your members, Annual Conference delegates to General Conference 2012, and then join in the conversation on our website about these proposals at www.mfsagc12.org.   

   

What You Can Do: Pre-General Conference 

REVIEW LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: Learn about a variety of Legislative Priorities for the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. Enter into prayerful consideration of how you might have a conversation about the importance of these petitions in the life of The United Methodist Church. Write letters, blog, tweet, call/meet/write your delegates, or (if you are a delegate) talk about these issues in delegation meetings. Learn more about these Legislative Priorities here.

SIGN THE "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR" STATEMENT: 
Read the "Love Your Neighbor" Statement and consider signing on! Over 450 faithful United Methodists, both laity and clergy, have added their names. Sign here!

ATTEND A "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR" TRAINING: 
As part of the "Love Your Neighbor" Coalition, we commit to engage in Holy Conferencing by telling our stories and building relationships with United Methodists from every walk of life and theological position.Together, MFSA Chapters and Reconciling Ministries Annual Conference Teams in 54 Annual Conferences will recruit, support, and coach campaign volunteers who will learn to tell their stories and build relationships with General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates. Look here to see if there is a training near you!

DONATE: Support the work of MFSA and the Love Your Neighbor coalition through your financial support. Donate here. Online donations are safe and secure. Please make sure to note your donation is for General Conference 2012.

What You Can Do: At General Conference  

VOLUNTEER!! If you are able to volunteer for two weeks, one week, or even just a few days, please consider completing the Volunteer Survey. There are many, many ways for you to assist at General Conference - from legislation monitoring to hospitality to communications. Your gift of time can make a considerable difference at General Conference. Think of it as a Mission Trip to Tampa!


 

Open Hearts news


Open hearts folks and friends:   Good news :  YOU ARE LOVED --  no strings attached!  
 
Celebrate : We send off our $250 from offerings this year to RMN offices in Chicago early December to keep RMN offices and ministries alive!  General Conference is coming spring 2012 in Tampa, FL
We start raising funds for next year's commitment in December!  We are an official Reconciling community of Reconciling Ministries Network!   www.RMNetwork.org 
 
1 )  Nov 12 -- LOVE YOU NEIGHBOR Event, 10 am to 2:30 pm, Trinity UMC,  511 N Elm, G Island:
story telling, meet reconciling friends, share stories with delegates to General Conference spring 2012, no cost, freewill offering for lunch!   
 
2)  Baskets of LOVE Silent Auction for two HIV AIDS funds, Thanks to all persons creating baskets : if you can give Items for our GROUP Baskets --  they are due Nov 27 to Maureen Vetter, she will make them Nov 28:  Silent auction starts at the Awaken service, World AIDS Day worship Nov 30, 6:30 pm, First umc, Capital Ave, G island, ends Dec 11 at noon at Trinity UMC, G island :  Susan Goodman from Central Health Center will share at the Awaken service
Wed Nov 30 -  If you want to help Mandy or Maureen with the Baskets, let us know!
 
If you have items to share for the Open Hearts HOLIDAY BAKING BASKET you can share: baking items to maureen vetter by Nov 27 :  such as whole wheat flour, oats, chocolate chips, sprinkle, baking cocoa, vanilla, pie pan and other items - i will furnish some cookie cutters - hoping to get nativity cookie cutters if i can find them!   
 
Also there will be an - Angel Basket for UM4GI HIV AIDs task force - if you have items to share :  we have an angel doll with wooden wings made in MN and two pillar candles, angel magnet so far!
 
3) Dec 3, 11:30 to 1 PM Christmas POTLUCK Lunch, Gathering place Trinity UMC - see earlier emails for details -  Bring foods and tableware to share -  BRING Multicolored RAINBOW YARN, cotton four ply or individual colors of the Rainbow yarn in 4 ply cotton as gifts for HIV AIDS (someone is making Rainbow washcloths this winter to sell next summer for UM Global AIDS fund)
 
We will have 2012 CLAB Calendars for salef or $9, give Christmas Offerings, Rainbow RMN lapel pins $5 as a fundraisers -  See you at the christmas POTLUCK lunch!   Baskets of Love, tour of the new remodelling, challenge for stories this winter !  See the Storyteller doll!
 
Thanks everyone for the help on HIV AIDS projects with World AIDS Day coming Dec 1 -  Gifts of LOVE CARDS are available for alternative holiday giving to friends/family and KNOW YOUR STATUS HIV AIDS Testing Site cards with dates, times, location to share with others :
28 persons were tested for HIV AIDS at the Health Fair two weeks ago at Old Walnut.  We are very glad as many people have not been tested - KNOW YOUR STATUS -  Peace  Maureen and Mena

2012 Horizons Of Faith


Reconciling Friends in NE and beyond:
 
Info is just out on "Horizons of Faith" weekend for spring 2012 at Omaha First UMC this year!~
 
Join folks of faith from around the area as Horizons of Faith Presents:
 
Empire Economics, and Christ: 
 
"Does Christianity Still Make a Difference?"  featuring Joerg Rieger, Guest Theologian
 
Save the Dates:  March 23 - 25, 2012
 
Hosted by First UMC, Omaha
7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE

Keystone Pipeline


Reconciling friends in Central NE and beyond :  Taking actions - faith responses!
 
I am speaking out on the Keystone Pipeline in NE as it is an environmental justice issue for all of us -  for me, justice concerns are all intertwined -  read the GI paper today to learn more and go online to BOLD NE Facebook and webite.  It is totally grassroots with no big oil money placing huge ads in papers like today!
 
As Persons of faith we need to speak up and talk to our neighbors, talk to family members, talk to our friends, dentist and teachers, pastors, day care friends, card playing friends -  write senators, go to support the NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION starting in Lincoln on the Transcanada XL PIPELINE in NE and taking actions that will change the future of NE with our Drinking water, our livelihood, jobs and housing, life for children in the future, men and women, health for all!
 
Did you know we have no state regulations for pipelines?  That could be why they have chosen NE for this SECOND pipeline in NE (we already have one did you know) and the new one is proposed to cut (and i do mean cut) through the sandhills, ranchland and could endanger the aquifer with accidents -  there have been MANY pipeline accidents even if they say they never will happen -  
 
It is time we think about our precious water supply, ranchers in the sandhills, the sandhills themselves which are a treasure -  and how this will change life forever in NE for a pipeline of crude oil coming from precious lands in Canada that are being ripped up (the size of England i have been told and destroying habitat in Canada - all for money)  - 
 
Also this crude oil from tar sands will be very hard to refine and possibly not even refinable in the USA so it will be shipped to other countries to be refined possibly and how desperate are we?
 
Think about what could happen to our drinking water with ONE Accident -   how do you get Oil out of water?    Has anyone thought about this?  We have Oil companies who want a citizenry that does not know the facts or care -  they would prefer apathy -  the oil companies are based on the greed concept -  they are based on $$ - not people and health and our earth that is a gift.
 
Think about it --  we could be endangering the whole aquifer  -  speak up and take action -  now is the time!  
 
The SPECIAL SESSION on the XL Pipeline IS NOW - and there will be special sessions like one Friday afternoon in Lincoln for citizens to get involved Friday afternoon in the Warner room -   write your senator today - or take action below -  now is the time!  L
 
Let's promote care about each other, jobs, the planet and equality for all persons -  faith responses are so important to changing things in our world to be a more nurturing place, safer places. 
 
See some of you Friday at HIV AIDS meeting Lincoln nov 4, see some of you Saturday at 10:30 am at Occupy GI, some of you Nov 12 at LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, join us at Awaken, First umc, 6:30 PM, Nov 30 to kick off Baskets of love Silent Auction and center on World AIDS Day Dec 1 -
 
See some of you Dec 3 at the Christmas Potluck lunch on Sat in the Gathering place at TUMC, offerings for two HIV AIDS funds in Dec at TUMC:  UM Global AIDS fund and TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund with Waiting lists starting oct 15 in NE.
 
Let me know if you can do a BASKET OF LOVE or contribute to the one for OPEN HEARTS Holiday Baking Basket - i need baking items and goods -  also one for HIV AIDS called Angels are all around us -  you can give items to it too !   contact maureen today!
 
Come join us Saturday for Occupy GI at 10:30 am at Pioneers park -  justice issues are all interconnected in my view -   Occupy Lincoln is every saturday!  Go and give support!
 
Jesus was an action oriented person who also spent 40 days in the Wilderness wrestling with his spiritual side -   who talked to the woman at the well, he chased the money lenders out of the temple, he cured the lame and the lepers, he lived simply, he built relationships and loved questions and stories, parables -  he suggested we care for the earth and people -  he reached out to others who were marginalized and encouraged new thinking and change!  Jesus was a radical human being filled with justice and compassion for all.  We are here to care for each other.
 
Remember we are asked to simply:  Love your neighbor - and the lutherans too!  
peace maureen and mena, contacts for open hearts reconciling community
 
PS see Bold NE on Facebook, website and in the news!  Become a supporter! THANKS TO THE BOLD NE FOLKS and Jane Kleeb's leadership in Hastings --  from the GRASSROOTS of citizens who care!