National United Methodist Rural Advocates

December 2016 In This Issue:

CERTIFIED LAY MINISTRY
UMRF to UMRA
BISHOP CARCANO AND
NETWORX
MORE NETWORX
NETWORX CHAMPION
PRAYERS
IGNITE! UPDATE
SHARE YOUR STORIES
MEMBERSHIP

WE ARE ...
THE UNITED
METHODIST
RURAL
ADVOCATES
You would not ignore a community
more than seven times larger than
New York City. Yet the rural
population in the United States,
with over 60 million people, is often

CERTIFIED LAY
MINISTRY
A STORY FROM WEST OHIO

"Has God ever called you to ministry and you have

no idea what that ministry is supposed to be? That
is where I was a year ago."

overlooked because they are not

all living in the same area.
Whether your church is urban or
rural church, large or small, the
UMRA invites you to join our
association of clergy and laity in
reaching out to meet the needs of
people from rural communities,
their churches and their pastors.
We provide advocacy at General
Conference and Annual
Conferences to affect rule changes
that enable churches to better
minister in their communities,
provide educational opportunities
for the leaders of rural churches to
better serve their church bodies,
and support church leaders in
personal growth and ministry.

OFFICERS
President - Roger Grace rogergrace@yahoo.com
Vice Pres - Peggy Paige
peggy4249@yahoo.com
Secretary - Deb Ketcham
revdsk@frontier.com
Spiritual Dir - Peggy Jeffries
peggyx15@yahoo.com
Comm Dir - Alan Bolte
pastor@umcgrmn.org
Advocacy Dir - Judy Hill
judyh@plainstel.com
Membership - Carl Ellis
ckellis70@gmail.com
Treasurer - Mollie Stewart
gulfsideum@att.net

Cynthia Defibaugh knew God was calling her to

"step up" but just how and where was a great mystery.
Cynthia discerned through prayer that God was
nudging her to enroll in the West Ohio Conference
Certified Lay Ministry Academy (CLMA). She
applied to enter the 2015-16 CLMA, and by her
second class, with the guidance of the spiritual
directors and a simple piece of paper with a grid, God
revealed more clearly His will and her calling. "God
has called me to become a fire chaplain and serve our
firefighters and those they help," Cynthia shared.
Cynthia had previously been an emergency
medical technician on a volunteer squad, married a
volunteer firefighter, and became an American Red
Cross disaster volunteer to assist local families
displaced by fires. In her Red Cross duties, God
placed her at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in the
aftermath of 9-11. She then became a United
Methodist Early Response Team volunteer. Cynthia
continued, "I had not seen it before, but God had been
preparing and training me for this ministry for years."
Cynthia is a member of Lewistown-Trinity United
Methodist Church. It is a small, rural church in the
very small, unincorporated village of Lewistown in
Logan County, just a few miles from the resort area of
Indian Lake. In the summer, the Indian Lake area
population triples in size. "The fire departments of
Lakeview and Indian Joint Fire serve this area and
have had their share of experiencing lives lost through
fire and accident. Those victims are sometimes family,
neighbors or friends," Cynthia remarked. "Both
departments saw a need in having a fire chaplain and
welcomed me aboard. And although fire chaplains on
large city departments are commonplace, the need for
a fire chaplain in a small rural setting is just as
important. Tragedy affects us all. I am there for them
to remind them of God's presence in life's darkest
moments. I am there for their families in a time of
crisis or tragedy. This is my God calling."
Cynthia further commented, "The Certified Lay
Ministry Academy helped me to discern God's plan
for me with clear vision. The academy equipped me
with the additional tools and support to accept my call.
I was certified as a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) and
serve faithfully in my calling."

Visit our webpage @

http://www.umruraladvocates.org/

UMRF to UMRA
a Message from outgoing President Rev. Roger L. Grace
It was in Mexico at a Rural Chaplains Association event in November of 2007 that I was
first approached by the Rev. Dr. Harold McSwain, who asked me if I would consider
serving as President of UMRF for the 2009-2012 quadrennium. Harold assured me that he
would help me, he was a former UMRF President, and that the current President, the Rev.
Dr. Ed Kail, would also assist. In a moment of weakness, I agreed. At General Conference
2008, at the UMRF banquet, I was elected President by those in attendance. Unfortunately
Harold could not attend, as he had suffered a stroke shortly after returning from Mexico. Ed
told me that it was a pretty straight forward position, that there were a couple of meetings a
year to prepare for, a Legislative Consultation 2
years after General Conference, then another
General Conference. There was a certain rhythm to
the work.
The rhythm had been roughly the same for many
years; UMRF was primarily a group that worked on
legislative issues of concern for rural, Town &
Country people, churches, and pastors. Together we
worked to obtain voting rights for Licensed Local
Pastors, to recognize and create the Certified Lay
Minister program, to address salary and insurance
concerns in rural, Town & Country settings. If there
was a concern related to our constituency that was before the General Conference, there was
a good chance it was there due to the efforts of UMRF.
However, an interesting thing happened during the first couple of years following the
Fort Worth GC in 2008. There was talk about making some changes to UMRF that would
allow for the group to become active in training, of assisting not only at GC, but throughout
the year. A group met at Gulfside Assembly in Biloxi, MS and, after prayer and
discernment, proposed that we move from being focused primarily on legislative issues, but
to become more "full service" for our rural constituency. A name change was proposed, to
move from United Methodist Rural Fellowship, to United Methodist Rural Advocates. The
change in direction and name was approved at our 2010 Legislative Consultation in Tampa,
FL. The change in name did not take effect until 1/1/2013.
Since the move in this direction, UMRA has continued its Legislative work and presence
at General Conference. We have engaged the assistance of consultant to help us in our
planning and structure and participated in a financial campaign, Ignite Initiative, to help us
become more solvent. We have also been supportive of the work of two new ministries,
NETworX, which is an outgrowth of the Rev. Dr. Alan Rice's work in rural North Carolina
and is now operating in several states as well as promoting the ministry of the Lay Academy
for Rural Church Ministry, which is led by the Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis in Kansas. The nice, neat
rhythm of the year has been changed, now we are active at several levels in a variety of
ways that we could never have imagined in Fort Worth at GC 2008.

It has been a good 8 years and I am honored to have served as President of

UMRF/UMRA. I know that Rev. Randy Wall, of North Carolina, will provide excellent
leadership into the future. I look forward to assisting him as UMRA continues to be faithful
to its call to be in ministry with the rural, Town & Country segments of the United
Methodist Church.
Picture from installation of officers at General Conference Banquet 2008 - left to right in
back: Ed Kail and Judy Hill; front Peggy Jeffries, Roger Grace, Debbie Ketcham, Mollie
Stewart, and Gary Moody.

NETworX in Nevada
Bishop Carcano Visits Nevada NETworX Site
Bishop Minerva Carcano newly arrived in the California/Nevada Annual Conference visited
Carson City Nevada the home of a NETworX site to learn more about this anti-poverty
approach. Bishop Carcano spoke to the Carson City 1st UMC who is
an active sponsor of NETworX in the Nevada Capital.
U.M.R.A. sponsored and presented a resolution that was passed at the
recent General Conference that calls United Methodist Annual
Conferences, Agencies, and congregations to support and participate
in NETworX anti-poverty initiatives.
NETworX is a national movement to address the issue of poverty in
America. NETworX provides a comprehensive model for moving
people out of poverty, currently in sixteen communities in four states.
NETworX provides curriculum, leadership training, communication,
support and services to communities.
Most NETworX sites are formed by the initiative of local United Methodist congregations.
This movement reduces poverty at its core and follows the long Wesleyan tradition for
churches to walk with the poor, not doing things for the poor, by creating intentional
relationships across class and race barriers.
U.M.R.A. is keen to see the NETworX approach as an effective tool for UMC congregations
in rural communities. U.M.R.A. has been impressed by NETworX's ability for impoverished
working families to reach their own goals for self-sufficiency in a two to three year period.
The NETworX model creates a befriending relationship between people in poverty and
NETworX volunteers willing to build supporting relationships that encourage people to
achieve their goals to move out of poverty.
Bishop Carcano wanted to see how the California/Nevada Annual Conference is involved in
recruiting and training United Methodist Congregations to initiate local NETworX.
Currently six United Methodist congregations in Cal/Nev have an active NETworX site in
their community.
The UMRA is a supporter of NETworX and submitted a resolution that passed at General Conference this
year. The resolution lifted up "the work of NETworX which is engaged in a transformation ministry with the
poor based on the core values of love and transformation. It invites our bishops, our general and annual
conference agencies to endorse and support local groups of UMC congregations to establish

NETworX initiatives."

MORE NETworX INFORMATION

Submitted by Debbie S. Rice, Ph.D., MSW
Director of NETworX USA
NETworX-Securing Well-being Together
NETworX is a Wesleyan informed faith-based ministry with the poor,
recognized by the 2016 General Conference and now operating 17 sites in four
states in the USA. Due to the advocacy of the National UMRA Board, during the
2016 General Conference, a resolution passed stating:
Therefore, be it resolved that General Conference encourages bishops,
annual conferences, and agencies to support local groups of United Methodist
congregations to work or be in ministry with the poor and to consider NETworX
initiatives.
NETworX takes a unique approach to measurably reducing poverty by
approaching the challenge holistically. The strategy is not well-doing for others but
rather creating well-being together. In NETworX, individuals and communities work
together, choosing to build relationships across class and race lines through
education and love of neighbor as well as love of self. The NETworX curriculum
helps participants change the way they look at and experience poverty. Traditional
definitions of poverty that focus on the lack of material and financial resources are
challenged. Training classes include education around issues of self-awareness,
holistic poverty, resources, the role of trauma, and community change.
Relationships built over time are central and are supported by trained
paraprofessionals. Because the level of transformation desired takes place over
time, participants are asked to dedicate 18 - 36 months to training and relationship
building. Curricula are available in secular and faith-infused versions. The secular
curriculum has also been translated into Spanish. Finally, a children's curriculum,
NETworX Kids, is designed for school-age children.
Measurable outcomes, measured at six-month intervals throughout NETworX
participation, include:

Increase in income to at or above 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines,

Decrease in use of public assistance,

Decrease in revolving debt from credit cards, rent-to-own, or predatory lending,

Increase in assets,

Increase in safe, supportive, and nurturing relationships, and

Increase in perception of overall quality of life.

Nationally, NETworX USA is the steward of the initiative with RFD CDC serving
as the lead agency. RFD CDC is a WNCC UMC Annual Conference-affiliated
ministry and 501.c.3 non-profit corporation. NETworX USA is engaged in a
collaborative effort to broaden the reach of the NETworX initiative. In California and
Nevada, the Cal/NV UM Conference is providing regional leadership. In NC and
PA, RFD CDC provides regional leadership. The Great Plains Annual Conference
recently provided seed monies for NETworX initiatives within that conference.
During late 2016 and 2017, expansion efforts focus on Great Plains, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas Conferences. During 2017, plans are in
place to reach out internationally.
If you are interested in hearing more, contact Alan Rice, a member of the UMRA
Executive Committee at 336-239-1526 or visit www.NETworXUSA.org

NETworX CHAMPION
A Personal Story
My husband and I moved to Yadkin County (NC) with our four children in
2010 so that he could be closer to his job. We had no friends or family here at the
time. My husband was the sole breadwinner and I was a home maker. Both of us
had been raised in difficult family situations and we were striving to provide a
better life for own children. On December 15, 2013 my husband lost his job and we
lost our only source of income. This was a devastating blow to our family both
financially and emotionally. We felt very isolated and disheartened.
The wife of one of my husband's former co-workers heard about our situation
and asked her pastor to come and visit with us. The pastor came to our house and
met with our family. Her church provided Christmas for our children that year. She
also invited us to come with her to NETworX. We had no idea what the program
was or why she was inviting us. We did know that a meal was provided and we
wouldn't have to cook at a time when we were struggling to put food on the table.
We met her at the church that hosted NETworX that night. We met other people in
similar circumstances to our own and others who, though not struggling with the
same things that we were, genuinely cared about what we were dealing with.
We continued to come weekly. As we began to build relationships with those
around us we started to feel like we were part of something. The people that we
grew close to became our second family. One thing that happens when you're in the
program is that you are matched with people whose income is above 200% of the
poverty line. These people are allies. Your allies become a sort of mentor. They
encourage you, hold you accountable, and genuinely care about you. One of my
allies was so involved in my life that she didn't seem like an ally at all. She became
more like my sister.
We also started setting goals and making plans for our family. My husband
tirelessly searched for suitable work until he found it. We have the goal of home
ownership and we are taking steps to meet it. I am going back to college to get my
bachelor's degree in Social Work. Our children all have their sights set on college.
We were encouraged to dream again and to take steps towards those dreams. We

are modeling that for our children. They have their own dreams and we are helping
them take steps to achieve those.
NETworX is a place to build relationships, to begin to dream again, to learn
how to set and reach goals, to be your authentic self without judgment, to see a
bigger and brighter picture for yourself and your family. My family has been
empowered, encouraged, guided, and loved through NETworX. We are so much the
better for having been a part of this program.

PRAYERS
by Peggy Jeffries
During Advent some couples argue about what meat to serve for holiday meals, some ar
gue about where to put the tree or how to decorate the house, and some argue about
where to celebrate the holidays. In my house we argue about the focus of Advent.
I believe the focus of Advent should be on the incarnation, the birth narratives, and the
prophecies. I believe that if the preacher mines the gold that is in these stories and
prophecies, and focuses on the incarnation: God-with-us, and on the purposes for which
Jesus came to live our lives on this earth there will be years and years of preaching
possibilities and lessons to be learned.

My spouse believes that the focus of Advent should be on the second

coming and salvation. The incarnation seems to be a been-theredone-that sort of thing for him, but he firmly believes that during
Advent we should focus on preparing ourselves for the second coming,
and on bringing our neighbors and friends into a salvific relationship
with Jesus Christ. I figure there are lots of opportunities through the year to do that, but
only a few weeks to talk about Jesus' coming, why Jesus came, and how we should live our
lives because of that.
The one thing we agree on is that Advent is a time of preparation. Preparing our homes,
our churches, our communities, our hearts, and our minds to draw closer to God. A friend
refers to it as a time of pregnant expectation, although it doesn't last 9 months. Whether
you're preparing for the coming or the return I encourage you to take time this Advent
season to prepare yourself. Don't let the busy-ness of the season disrupt you from your
own preparation. We, like Mary, need time to ponder all these things, and keep them in our
hearts.

Oh, God, who is with us in all our days, we pray to you during this Advent season that we
might be drawn closer to you. We pray that you grant us quiet, peaceful times that we
might ponder your great love for us, and learn again what it means to be your children.
May we be strengthened by the knowledge that you understand us because you have lived
our life, and you know what it means to be human. And during Advent and throughout the
year keep ever before us the needs of your people, and creative ways we can begin to help
meet some of those needs.....Amen.

Quality lay training makes a difference

in small membership churches
By Carl Ellis | November 15, 2016

Photo(link is external) by Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, 2011 / CC BY 2.0(link is external)

Quality leadership is the beginning to make a difference in small

membership churches. Are you one of those leaders? Or do you know a
leader who can help make a difference?
The Lay Academy for Rural Church Ministries is helping make a difference
through quality training which empowers people to serve the small
membership church.
The Lay Academy for Rural Church Ministries has two classes that help lay
persons prepare to preach and lead the small membership church as
Certified Lay Ministers. The courses are designed with an emphasis on
effective local church ministry.
The Discovering Your Call to Ministry online course will help you
discover your gifts and call to ministry. During the four weeks you will take
a spiritual gifts inventory and explore your gifts for ministry, read how God
called those in the Bible and how your call might be similar to theirs, and
finally develop a clear statement of your call and gifts for ministry.
Class dates: January 16 - February 17, 2017
Registration deadline: January 11, 2017
The Foundations for Ministry online course helps Certified Lay Ministers,
first time pastors, and District Superintendent Assignment persons
develop best practices for serving the local church in sermon writing,
developing relationships with their congregation, building mission and
vision.

This course is a blend of academic learning with practical on the job

training. It allows the student to learn through both academic and hands
on experience.
This class is also appropriate for pastors moving to new congregations.
The course focuses on a different aspect of ministry each month with all
work and discussion forums taking place online, including monthly
meetings.
Class dates: August 14, 2017 - May 12, 2018
Registration deadline: August 7, 2017
For more information: Visit the LARCM web site or contact us.

IGNITE! INITIATIVE
Help Us Reach Our Goal
from Rev. Peggy Paige, Vice President UMRA
Our goal for our Ignite! Initiative: $75,000
Estimated giving to date: $51,465
Gifts received to date: $32,547
We would like to thank everyone who has participated
to date and would invite those who have not to consider a gift this
Advent/Christmas.
It is easy to give by visiting our website: www.umruraladavocates.org (IGNITE).
We are seeking gifts to support and train rural ministry leaders and churches by:
1)
Hosting Webinars and podcast
2)
Providing scholarships to rural trainings, consultations & conferences
3)
Connecting rural ministry leaders
4)
Offering seed grants for new Program Development
For more information and how you can donate, go
to: www.umruraladvocates.org/ignite.
Or you may make a check out to West Ohio Council on Development with Memo:
UMRA Ignite! and mail it to:
Ignite! Initiative
West Ohio Conference
Council on Development
32 Wesley Blvd.
Worthington, OH 43085

SHARE YOUR STORIES

We Want To Hear From You
Are there ministries and outreach in your churches that you want others to know
about? We celebrate the truth that rural/town and country churches are vital and
active within their communities and we want to share that information around the
country. Do you have a story of joy or hope that you would like to have shared
here? There are others who could greatly benefit from what has worked for you
and even what hasn't worked but that has allowed you to grow. Send stories to
Michele Holloway at chele101953@gmail.com and your stories will be published in

upcoming editions of this eCommunication.

This newsletter is published every other month: February, April, June,
August, October, and December. Please send all submissions to the above
email address no later than the 25th of the month prior to publication.

UMRA MEMBERSHIP
Memberships are available in the following categories:
Limited Income (What you can afford.)
Student $10.00
Basic One-Year $30.00
Church One-Year $40.00
Two Easy Steps to Membership
1. Please fill out membership form:
http://form.jotform.us/form/51087588857170
2. Pay Membership Dues through PayPal
For more information or membership, contact:
Email: ckellis70@gmail.com
Carl Ellis
590 120th Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701 785-445-2595
A Note from Carl K. Ellis
Membership Secretary
Five Reasons to Join UMRA
5. Network and collaborate with other rural groups and agencies around issues of concern for the
rural church and rural places.
4. Utilize technologies which will help us build relationships, share information and resources, and
connect rural leaders.
3. Discover and learn about sustainable, effective, replicable, generative ministries.
2. Be part of an organization which creates and advocates for General Conference legislation that
has had a positive effect on the rural church; such as NOW (Nurture, Outreach, Witness) leadership
format, development of "Born Again in Every Place," and the Certified Lay Minister. An Organization
which will continue to create and advocate for General Conference legislation that may affect
ministry in town and churches and their communities.
1. Together we can make a difference as we advocate for the work of Jesus Christ in rural and town
and country communities.
UMRA membership provides not only voice and vote in the organization, but also includes a
subscription to the UMRA E NEWSLETTER.

Michele Holloway, Editor

chele101953@gmail.com
971.225.8402
Advocating for the work of Jesus Christ in rural communities.

STAY CONNECTED