National United Methodist Rural Advocates

April 2019 In This Issue:

OPEN TABLE

ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

A TRAVELER'S PLACE

WE ARE ... RURAL CHURCHES

AND THE OPEN TABLE
THE UNITED by Andrew Coon
METHODIST
RURAL ADVOCATES
Fellow Servants of Rural
You would not ignore a community more than seven America,
times larger than New York City. Yet the rural
population in the United States, with over 60 million
people, is often overlooked because they are not all We live in contentious times --
living in the same area. times when there is much we can
debate, argue, and separate
Whether your church is urban or rural church, large or over. You know the list of topics
small, the UMRA invites you to join our association of
clergy and laity in reaching out to meet the needs of we can argue about as well as I do,
people from rural communities, their churches and their and the strife that such
pastors.
 arguments have caused over the
We provide advocacy at General Conference and
Annual Conferences to affect rule changes that enable years.
churches to better minister in their communities, provide
educational opportunities for the leaders of rural
churches to better serve their church bodies, and
Yet the rural churches continue to
support church leaders in personal growth and have something important to
ministry. offer in the midst of this season of
dry tinder and fast flames: an
open table. A place where we
hear that all are open, for it is
Christ's table, and all are invited
who seek to love Him, confess
their
sin,
OFFICERS and
seek
Chair - Randy Wall
- RandyLWall@aol.com to
live
Vice Chair - Alan Bolte
revahb@gmail.com
at

Secretary - Sue Grace

smgrlg51@yahoo.com
peace with each other.
Spiritual Dir - Peggy
Jeffries peggyx15@yahoo.com
Where else will that good news be
Comm Dir - Michele proclaimed?
Holloway chele101953@gmail.com

Advocacy Dir - Mollie Where else in rural America, or

Stewart Molliecstewart0128@gmail.com anywhere else, will all people be
Membership - Carl Ellis welcomed in and offered this gift?
ckellis70@gmail.com

Hill
Visit our webpage @
http://www.umruraladvocates.org/
Treasurer - Judy
2 Corinthians 5:20 reminds us
judyh@plainstel.com that we are ambassadors for
Christ, and I think it is important
to remember that an ambassador
is sent to people with whom we
disagree. Just as Christ came to
us, who were far from Him, to
bring us close to our Father, we
 are sent in the same way to
others. Ambassadors to those
with whom we have
disagreements. Yet people with
whom we share a common
commitment to one Lord.

In a time where it is easy to see

what divides -- I encourage each
of us to keep our respective
communion tables as the center
of our worship. Worship of a
Lord who sacrificed himself,
forgiving all, including both those
we agree..... with and those we
don't.

Peace be with you,

Rev. Andrew Coon

Shelbina/Hunnewell Charge
Missouri Conference

RURAL CHURCHES ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY

by Michele Holloway
I serve two small-membership, community-based churches on the Columbia River in
Oregon. The two churches are named for the towns in which they are found and the churches
and towns share names with two volcanoes found across the river in Washington - Mount
Rainier and Mount St Helens.

The community of St Helens has a population of about 12,000 and Rainier is around 1,900.
 Both locations have felt the impact of the economy,
especially with the curtailing of commercial fishing and
logging. Rainier was also greatly impacted by the closure of
the Trojan nuclear power plant back in 1992. Across the
river from Rainier is the larger community of Longview,
Washington which has a great deal industry that relies on
river transport to move product. Every day cargo ships can
be seen loading up lumber, wheat, and other items. Many
ships head on into Portland while others turn around and
head back out to the ocean.
I have a great view of this river traffic from my parsonage.

My two churches, St Helens 1st UMC and Rainier

UMC, though only worshiping 25-40 each Sunday,
are very involved in their communities. St Helens
1st began a weekend foodprogram for grade school
children about seven years ago. This is known in
the community as the Backpack Program. It is
funded by donations from individuals, businesses,
and corporations; and has volunteers from other
churches and civic organizations. It began with
about 50 children and the belief that the church
couldn't possibly serve any more, yet through the generosity of the donors and the additional
volunteers, we are able to serve ~200 children each week during the school year and
maintain around $25,000 in reserve. We attempt to have enough cash on hand to assure
that the following year will be funded. 1st UMC is also involved in helping out at the Senior
Center, delivering Meals on Wheels, providing cookies for the Community Meals that are
served at the 1st Lutheran Church every Tuesday and Thursday. In June there is a chicken
barbecue that is the one main fundraiser for the church during the year. Beginning this
summer, the St Helens 1st UMC will be involved in a Habitat for Humanity Faith Build.

The Rainier United Methodist Church is known within the community for many food-
related offerings. Each April is the Spring Salad Luncheon where the women from all other
churches in the area are invited to participate in a time of fellowship and food. In May, we
hold a Mothers and Others Tea and recognize a
Church Woman of the Year. On the fourth Friday of
each month a community meal is prepared. The public
is welcome and there is no charge. In July, during the
local Days in the Park event, the church offers a
pancake breakfast for the community. Another
pancake feed happens in December in conjunction
with the fire department's Toy 'n' Joy which provides
gifts for children for Christmas. During December the
church also adopts a family and an older couple in the
area and provides gifts and food for them. In August
there is a church "garage" sale where the UMW
 provides baked goods for sale. The church also participates in the Souper Bowl of Caring,
either with a meal or with a request to bring in food for H.O.P.E., the local Food Pantry. We
seem to like pancakes as there is also a Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper for the community.

These churches are both small but are mighty in their outreach to their communities. Don't
be afraid to start something to meet the needs of your areas of ministry. It may take awhile
to catch on or it might fail, but if you don't try, you'll never know what God has planned.

Michele is a full-time Licensed Local Pastor serving in Oregon-Idaho. She is also the Communications
Director for the national UMRA.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: GC 2020

by Debra Ketcham
As you think of the General Conference delegates from your conference, who represents
the rural areas: the lakes, forests, plains, prairies, hills, and mountains of your conference?
In our conference, the GC clergy delegates consist of large church, district, and conference
leadership. Thankfully we have a few lay delegates who live in the rural, town, and country
places, but still, large church, district, and conference leadership predominately serve as
GC delegates.

With 2/3 of our churches in West Ohio in a rural, town or country settings and whatever
percentage in your and other conferences, you can grasp, maybe for the first time, the vast
majority of our churches have little influence or voice regarding decisions made at General
Conference.

That is why I started serving with the United Methodist Rural Fellowship (now Advocates) at
GC 2004. I spoke for petitions that would help the churches I'd served and spoke out against
how other petitions would cause harm to the churches I served. The UMRA opened my eyes
to the stumbling blocks the UM Book of Discipline created for the rural churches and how I
could be a voice that could generate change. I have advocated with the UMRF, now UMRA,
at every General Conference since.

You also have the opportunity to help make the rural and town & country voice heard at our
2020 General Conference in Minneapolis, MN., next May. We have already reserved rooms;
have a hospitality room to help offset food costs, we will have training and information of
how to be a voice for the majority of churches in our denomination. So, would you like to join
us?

The Interest Form link is below and due by August 1st. The form concerning costs and other
information, along with the actual registration, will be available by Nov. 1, 2019. Please
remember, to observe, monitor, or advocate for URMA, during the Legislative Sessions at
General Conference and in the hallways and byways, you must attend the training session
on May 4, 2020.

The UM Rural Advocates is a recognized and well respected caucus of the UMC.
 Rev. Deb Ketcham, UMRA Event Coordinator

Interest Form Link: Click here

A TRAVELER'S PLACE
from Randy Wall, UMRA Chair
I read its obituary though it was not on the obituary page of the local
newspaper. Most folks know that an obituary is a notice of death about a
person with details about their life and family. This obituary did not make the
obituary page because it was not about the death of a person, but the death of
a business in a North Carolina small town.

When I lived in that area, I went to that restaurant often. Over a menu of a
barbecue sandwich and hush-puppies, I learned in my early days of ministry
things they did not teach in seminary and developed relationships with other
pastors. This restaurant was not just a "preacher place", but it was a local place
where men and women told the stories about their lives, their community, and
solved the world's problems. It also was a "traveler's place" as people made
their way through that small town to the North Carolina coast or to the state's
capital.

This story is not an isolated incident. Small towns, rural

crossroads, and the
like are dotted with empty buildings where small
businesses have closed. The reasons for their closure are
numerous and many. These small businesses were about
more than business and commerce. They were also places
that were apart of the fabric of the community.

Though many businesses have closed and/or left, the

church remains in these small towns and rural
communities. You see, though businesses close and restaurants shut
down, God and His people remain.

INTERNATIONAL RURAL URBAN NETWORK RE-START

by Roger Grace
In 2007 the General Board of Global Ministries combined the former Rural Ministries
Network with the Urban Ministries Network. The change came about for several reasons,
among them the realization that many of the issues that rural churches face are similar to
 those that urban church deal with. There was also the reality that funding at the general
church level was getting tighter. The Rural Urban Network came into existence under the
leadership of Diane Johnson of GBGM. For several years it was relatively smooth sailing.
In 2008 there was an international component added to RUN and the name was changed
to IRUN. The last major training event sponsored by IRUN was the 2014 "Shift Happens"
gathering in Houston, Texas. Since that time there has been several changes in GBGM
leadership and the program languished.
That changed in February as Dana Lyles, the new person at GBGM called together
a group of rural and urban leaders for a strategy meeting in Atlanta at GBGM offices. From
the urban side Daniel Schwerin, Joe Connelly, and Diane Johnson came. Rural leaders
were Randy Wall, Deb Ketcham, and Roger Grace. Dana Lyles and Rachael Antwi attended
on behalf of GBGM. The stated purpose of the revitalized IRUN is defined as: Providing
resources for Rural and Urban Congregations and Communities. A strategic plan is being
developed that will focus on revitalization of rural/urban communities and churches,
equipping lay and clergy, collaboration with other groups, and facilitation and organization
of events.
As more information becomes available and plans for events are developed, we will
do our best to keep you informed. At this early point in the re-development of IRUN, the
focus will start on rebuilding the network in US first then reintroducing the international
component.

PRAYERS
by Rev. Peggy Jeffries
At the church I attend I love the current Pastor, and hope he
stays a long time. However, he doesn't seem to have a very
high church orientation. We've been singing Alleluias all
through Lent, and now the oddest of all: During Holy Week
there will be a service on Friday night that combines Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday. I won't be able to attend, but from
his description I believe he's mostly going to celebrate
Communion, then move into Good Friday.

For me that is painful. I dearly need, and deeply love the time
on Thursday to struggle with the Disciples over what he's saying,
over what is happening, and over their own responses/reactions
to it. Imagine their shock when he takes a towel and basin, gets
down on the floor, and begins to wash their feet. The actions of
a servant! He talks of betrayal and denial, and with them we
must ask, Is It I?

And that night shows Jesus at some of his most human

moments: he prays that he not have to experience this terrible
event, that God might intervene in what he knows is coming. He
enjoys dinner with friends, and yet his heart is heavy because
he knows he's leaving them. He wants to be sure he's taught
them everything they will need to know. The knowledge that
one of his best
friends has betrayed him,
and others will deny and
flee. Knowing that they
really don't understand
what is about to happen, or
its significance. And that
sense of resignation when
the authorities finally arrive,
and he realizes that all he
can do from here is just
keep walking forward. I don't know about you, but I've walked
that path (to a point) and it is unbearably painful.

Maybe that's why I really need Maundy Thursday each year, to

be reminded that whatever in life I face, Jesus has already been
there, and understands what I'm going through.

Loving God, as we prepare again to walk with Jesus through

the last few days of his life on earth, let us know that, as with
him, whatever on earth we face you go before us and walk us
through it. Even in realizing that much of what caused his
 death was his willingness to speak truth to power, let us not be
afraid to do the same. Let us remember that he treated
widows, children, the ill. and the unclean as beloved children of
yours. May we do the same without fear of what may come
our way. Let us walk where Jesus walked, and know that as
you never left him, so you will never leave us.....Amen.

NETworX INFORMATION
Submitted by Debbie S. Rice, Ph.D., MSW
Director of NETworX USA
NETworX-Securing Well-being Together

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.

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

RURAL ADVOCATES SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

by Judy Hill, Treasurer
The national organization, United Methodist Rural Advocates, is pleased to announce we
have a limited number of scholarships to offer for attending programs or trainings that can
enhance rural ministry. An applicant can be considered for a scholarship of up to the lesser
of $400 or one half of program/event fees, etc. It is through the UMRA IGNITE fundraising
campaign that these scholarships are being offered.

Please contact Treasurer Judy Hill to learn more. Contact information is listed below.

Judy Hill, Treasurer UMRA

3642 Road D
Joes, CO 80822

Email: judyh@plainstel.com
Cell Phone: 970-630-0320

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/51087588857170Â

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.