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THE MISSOURI RIVER DISTRICT OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

60 Churches and Friendly Congregations!
We serve the eastern area of Nebraska along the Missouri River from Blair, NE., south to the Nebraska, Kansas border.
COME WORSHIP WITH US!

MISSOURI RIVER DISTRICT OFFICES

2665 FARNAM STREET SUITE 102
OMAHA, NE 68131

HOURS: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Dr. Dan Flanagan
DR. DAN FLANAGAN

MISSOURI RIVER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
2665 FARNAM ST. #102
OMAHA, NE 68131
402-898-9862



UNITED METHODIST MINISTRIES

Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede
Executive Director
402-898-9862 X103 Email: revsteph@bigmuddyumc.org

Lisa Maupin
Director of Volunteers and Communications
402-898-9862 X104 Email: lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org

Jamie Trobough
Coordinator of Volunteers and Communications
402-898-9862 X110 Email: jtrobough@bigmuddyumc.org

Deb Keeney
Director of Blue Flamingo Thrift Shop
402-964-2740 Email: dkeeney@bigmuddyumc.org

Nathan Morgan
Big Garden Director
402-898-9862 X105 Email: nmorgan@bigmuddyumc.org

PRE-CONFERENCE BRIEFINGS MATERIALS

Ready for Review......
Pre-conference briefing materials are available at www.umcneb.org/ac2013. The 2013 pre-conference briefings will be an online experience. There will not be a webcast or any district gatherings. Materials include the Plan of Organization, a video that features highlights from the latest draft of the Plan of Organization for the Great Plains Conference and comments from Great Plains Transition Team members, schedule, lodging information and all of the reports and materials necessary to participate in the annual conference session. Middle School/Youth Annual Conferences and Children's Annual Conference will again be offered.
Print versions of all the materials can be requested by emailing Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@umcneb.org or by calling 402-464-5994, ext. 107. They will be printed and mailed for a fee of $25.
Links to online registration forms are available at www.umcneb.org/ac2013

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GET READY FOR CAMP..................

It's April, which means camping season is just around the corner! We wanted to remind you about some great offers and encourage you to be "cheerleaders" for the camping experience. Whether your church is large with hundreds of children or small with no children, summer camping can be a catalyst for growth in your church. Important details for 2013 summer camps:

1. Registration links and the 2013 camping brochure are available at www.umcneb.org/Camps.

2. Although Camp Norwesca suffered damage from a wildfire last summer, they are still planning on and gearing up for summer camps!

3. In 2013, all returning campers can get half off of their registration fee when a first time camper signs up AND attends camp. A first time camper can only be claimed once.

4. Every pastor and every UMW in every Nebraska United Methodist church can EACH invite one first time camper to attend any UM camp of their choice at half price. This offer is not valid with any other offer. See the attached "Promise of Hope" certificates. Copy certificates and include with registrations or register online and mail certificate to camp of choice. If you don't have any kids in your church or there aren't any kids in your church who are interested, send family and friends or do outreach in your community. This would be a great way to make connections with a family or two to your church. Or, raise funds and work with your closest camp to offer "camperships."

One of the biggest reasons we hear to keep kids home from camp is that camp is so expensive. Between church, district and conference scholarships, we can get every child to camp at an affordable rate! If you have questions about any of the offers mentioned above, contact your local camp:

Comeca: 75670 Road 417, Cozad, NE 69130; 308-784-2808, comeca@umcneb.org, www.campcomeca.com
Fontanelle: 9677 County RD 3, Nickerson, NE 68044; 402-478-4296, fontanelle@umcneb.org, www.campfontanelle.com
Norwesca: 79 Norwesca RD, Chadron, NE 69337; 308-432-3872, norwesca@umcneb.org, www.norwesca.org

Camp is a life-changing experience for many. It also offers opportunity for leadership development and spiritual growth. Pastors and those working in lay ministries often identify camp as the place they first heard their call from God. Thank you for all you do to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Your partnership towards this end is much appreciated and essential to making our ministries as effective as possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's give our children and youth every possible opportunity to grow in their faith as a child of God. That is our mandate and a true measure of success in our ministries.

Your Nebraska UM Camp Directors

Trent Meyer, Valerie Rahrs, John Butler, Kathryn Witte

SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS TO BE ACCEPTED APRIL 1

Beginning April 1, the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation will accept application materials for the seminary scholarships it administers for students planning to pursue careers in the ministry within the Great Plains Annual Conference. These scholarships are:
- The Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship
- The Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship
- The Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship
- The Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship
- The Baldwin F. & Amy L. Kruse Scholarship
- The Charles and Marilyn Humphrey Seminary Scholarship Fund
- The Cowles United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
- The Murdock Ebenezer UMC Professional Church Leader Scholarship
- The Myrtle E. Williams Seminary Scholarship
- The Scahill Family Scholarship
- The Verl & Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship
The deadline for application submissions is June 30, except for the Baldwin F. & Amy L. Kruse Scholarship, which is May 31.
In addition to the scholarships listed above, the Foundation administers The Andrew & Nevabelle Howe Scholarship, with the assistance of the Gateway District Superintendent's Office. Preference is given to students from the Gateway District. Subsequent consideration is given to applicants of the other eleven Foundation scholarships that are submitted by the application process. The Foundation will also award The Cal Leeds Scholarship, The Rev. Albert W. Winseman Scholarship Endowment, The Atherton Memorial Scholarship Fund, and The Ben and Martha Simmons Scholarship Fund. An application process will not be required for submission for these scholarships.
For more information and printable application materials, please visit the Foundation's web site at:
http://www.numf.org/special_programs/scholarships.html. As the scholarships have different application criteria, we ask that you please review each set of requirements and contact us if you have any questions.
Please note that the Foundation has a new scholarship application form this year.
The Foundation always looks forward to being able to distribute these funds for the benefit of our future and existing clergy. Thank you for helping us bring awareness to these financial opportunities for those pursuing futures in the ministry of our Conference. Please let us know whenever we may be of service to you.

TECH SHOP AND HP LAUNCHES A NEW WEBSITE FOR UNITED METHODIST HARDWARE PURCHASES


United Methodists now can buy discounted computer hardware and peripherals, thanks to a new affiliate website launched by Hewlett-Packard Co. and TechShop, a ministry of United Methodist Commuications. The service, available to United Methodist Church members as well as church organizations, features the entire line of HP computers, laptops, tablets, printers and other equipment at prices 8 to 10% below retail.

You can reach the website at www.hp.com/go/umc. The HP website does not require a registration process to qualify to purchase at TechShop prices.

IMAGINE NO MALARIA BBQ TOOLKIT

While it may not feel like it outside, summer is just around the corner, and that means barbeque season! We would like to suggest hosting a barbeque-themed event to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria. The Great Plains Area communications team has put together a "toolkit" to help you with planning such an event -- everything from a sample press release and best practices tip sheet, to a T-shirt order form and instructions on how to make PipeCleaner mosquitoes (a fun activity for kids!).
Also are available are some neon orange Imagine No Malaria fly swatters. These are free, but there are a limited number available; email Trish Johnson at tjohnson@umcneb.org if you would like some for your event.
Everything you need can be found at http://shootfornomalaria.net/resources.
Questions? Contact Trish at tjohnson@umcneb.org.