News

VBS an EVENT in Hennepin

The phone message last January said that they would “do” Vacation Bible School if we would host a concert by their choir and feed them dinner that night. It sounded too good to be true, but I fought off my instinct to ignore the idea and called anyway. God was at work in a powerful way, as from that phone discussion, The United Methodist Church in Hennepin was blessed to have the St. Mark United Methodist Church UMYF Choir, GodSpeed, travel the 690 miles here to serve the Lord and us along with a church in Princeton during the week of June 10 in many compelling ways!
They began by performing an exciting and beautiful outdoor concert with a praise band, fifty voice choir, handbells, liturgical dance and skit that fed and blessed the crowd – and indeed, we fed them supper. The following morning, 20 or so youth and adult leaders descended on our church to teach and guide our children through Avalanche Ranch, the Vacation Bible School curriculum they provided. Needless to say, they bonded with our children (and the adults!) as they formed new relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ at the church and in the community. It was a fantastic time of new friendships, noise, dance, song, learning and teaching that will be talked about here for a long time to come!

Completed Project: River Way Project (Fanti Boat)

Below is a picture of the fanti boat that the gifts of our district made possible for the Nana Kru Distirct in Liberia. What a wonderful accomplishment!

The superintendent of Nana Kru, the clergy and people of the district extend their deepest appreciation for your kindness in supporting this project. In addition, through skillful shopping they were able to purchase two boats and one motor. Thanks be to God!

Assembly organizers seek change in tone

FORT WORTH, Texas — United Methodists want to change the tone of conversation and debate at the church's top legislative assembly in 2008. Organizers of the denomination's General Conference, which meets April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, have endorsed "Guidelines for Holy Conferencing – What God Expects of Us" as a blueprint for such conversation.

Service personnel need prayer

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – Prayer and a ministry of presence are the most important services that churches can provide for servicemen and women and the families they leave behind, says a United Methodist chaplain. Families need a visit from the pastor before the military member leaves followed by monthly visits in behalf of the church. “Deployments aren’t sprints. They are marathons,” said Chaplain Gary Brown, deputy garrison chaplain at the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr in Germany. "Too many times the church does all these wonderful things for a spouse within a short period of time after the soldier deploys. But five months, eight months into deployment, not much is done."

New study explores forgiveness

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap. This is the theme of one installment of “Living the Good Life Together," a developing series produced by the United Methodist Publishing House. The series includes six studies that explore the key features of Christian character. In addition to forgiveness, the video and book series has lessons on attentiveness, intimacy, discernment, hospitality and integrity. Each study is designed to last 12 weeks.

General Conference Host Committee Issues Call to Prayer

FORT WORTH, Texas—United Methodists around the world are asked to pray for God's guidance for the church in the time leading up to and during the denomination’s 2008 legislative assembly. The Central Texas Annual (regional) Conference host committee, which is preparing for the assembly next spring in Fort Worth, has issued "A Call to Prayer for General Conference 2008." Nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world will meet April 23-May 2 to revise The United Methodist Church's Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions, approve a budget for general ministries, speak to issues of the day, and worship and celebrate the church's work. General Conference meets every four years.