Your Monthly News & Updates

February 2016

Happy Valentine's Day from the Foundation!

We hope you understand how much we appreciate you and the outstanding work you do for the United Methodist Church. We continue to be here to serve you and wish you the unwavering love of Jesus to continue to pour into your hearts and your ministry. Thank you for your work in spreading God's love to others!

Anita, Jackie and Marci

Give the Gift of Love

Are you looking for something unique to give to a loved one this Valentine's Day? Or perhaps you need a last minute idea? Consider making a gift to support Nebraska's camps in honor of a loved one. The Foundation has set a goal to raise $50,000 to create an endowment that will support Camp Norwesca, Camp Fontanelle and Camp Comeca. These camps need your help to improve their facilities, provide more scholarships and stay competitive with other camps that do not provide an opportunity for youth to be closer to God. Not only do these camps serve Nebraska's United Methodists - they also offer their facilities to other religious and nonprofit organizations, corporations, families and individuals, providing true support of the community.

If you believe in our youth, please prayerfully consider making a gift to this special fund in honor of that special someone on your list. The fund will be carefully invested and will provide a permanent stream of income to our camps. A great part about YOUR gift is your loved one will know that he or she was part of this lasting legacy.

Pastor Michael Grateful for Foundation's Donors

Pastor Michael Evans of Gibbon Faith UMC in Gibbon, Nebraska was one of the recipients of scholarships distributed by the Foundation for the 2015/2016 school year. Michael received a total of 5 scholarships due to the generosity of donors setting up scholarship funds. "The cost of a seminary degree can be an obstacle for many students," Michael points out.

Although Michael has a degree in journalism with minors in advertising, marketing and management, his true desire lies in serving God through the United Methodist Church. Michael listened to this calling which led him from being an editor at the Kearney Hub to working as a youth minister for Kearney First UMC. Michael is thankful for the Foundation's ability to take care of such a successful scholarship program, "The generosity of the Foundation and its donors has helped me and my family by allowing us to get through the first two years of seminary school debt free. By reducing the "out of pocket" expense of this degree, I have been able to focus on both my studies and work with the local church even on a part-time salary."

Michael is no stranger to generosity, having fostered nearly 20 children in his home over the years, he truly lives as a servant to others. Although their fostering years are over, Michael, and wife Wendy of 17 years, have created and maintained lifelong friendships with the families of these children. Michael and Wendy continue to keep busy, raising two boys: Gabe (13) and Nate(10). In addition to working part-time while going through seminary school, Michael currently serves as a representative on the Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM).

Michael points out the need for donors to continue investing in the future of the Church. "In a time when the Church is desperately in need of theologically sound leadership, incurring tens of thousands of dollars in debt to serve as an ordained pastor is a challenge many are unable to face." Michael continues, "While we are grateful for the many local pastors, certified lay ministers and district superintendent appointees that fill the gap for our churches, there is still a need for ordained clergy. The generosity of donors to scholarships through organizations like the Foundation make it easier for students to attend seminary school. These donations not only help individuals and families, but it is a way of investing in the health of the United Methodist Church."

The United Methodist Church is blessed to have such a passionate and generous individual like Michael working diligently to answer his calling to serve God through the Church.

If you would like to find out how you can support students like Michael, please call the Foundation at 877-495-5545 or email us here.

Board Member Spotlight: Rev. Jeff Kelley

We would like to welcome one of our newest board members, Rev. Jeff Kelley. Jeff serves as clergy in the Milford United Methodist Church in Nebraska. He has been married to Debra for 21 years and has four children, all of whom were adopted. His oldest child, Nathan, is 22 and lives in Lincoln; Maranda, 19, goes to school at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City; Ryan, 18, is a student at Letourneu University in Longview, TX; and Elizabeth, 17, is home schooled.

In his spare time, Jeff enjoys gardening, reading and cycling. He also serves as President Elect for a Kiwanis group. He and wife, Debra, lead a women's bible study at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln. Something few know about Jeff is that he grew up in Kentucky and served there for 13 years before coming to Nebraska.

When asked about the benefits of working with the Foundation, he says, "It gives our people a way of establishing a legacy of ministry support that reaches lives beyond our limited scope of influence."

We would like to thank Rev. Jeff Kelley for his willingness to serve on our board.

What is Lent and why does it last 40 days?

The following is an explanation taken from www.umc.org:

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

"Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy." -Pope Francis

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