MessengerNebraskaVOL. 47, NO. 4 Check us out online: www.umcneb.org Fall 2010

by Josh SumnerAssociate editor of “The Wauneta Breeze”Reprinted with permission

PALISADE—It’s quite possible that Sheridan Matthews has never looked forward to church as much as he did when he walked out the door last Sunday.

After all, it was his first time back in almost 10 months.Matthews, a proud Palisade resident and faithful churchgoer at the town’s United Methodist Church,

is also a family man. He and his wife of 12 years, Lori, have two sons—Dallas, 11, and Alex, 8. They’re a tight-knit bunch who enjoy the everyday pleasantries of small town life that so many people take for granted in our fast-paced world.

That was until Sheridan’s life took a jolt last September.While working in North Platte, Sheridan got pulled over for what police said was a flickering taillight.

Instead of getting a word of warning and being allowed to go on his way, Sheridan was shocked to learn that there was a warrant for his arrest. Before he knew what hit him, he was extradited to Minnesota for charges stemming from an incident in 1990.

“I kept having them rerun my name and social security number,” Sheridan said. “I told them I hadn’t had any law trouble for decades. It didn’t seem to make a difference.”

Matthews explains that he was convicted in 1991 in Minnesota and charged with possession of stolen property. He was given an imposition of sentence and a fine. By the time he moved to southwest Nebraska, he had paid almost $7,000 for his offense.

“I was under the impression that it had been paid and it was a dead issue,” Sheridan said. “I thought I had fulfilled my side of the obligation, and I went about my life.”

Over the next several years, Sheridan got away from the fast life that made him a criminal in the first place. He settled down. He met the love of his life, Lori, at the Chase County Fair in 1995.

The two clicked. The young couple dated for three years before getting married in 1998. Soon after, they were expecting their first child. Years went by. The Matthews celebrated the birth of their second son, and the young family felt blessed. Sheridan’s life seemed to be heading in a positive direction. I was

Sheridan Matthews has a new found appreciation for his freedom. He and his wife Lori enjoy the morning air during a stroll down the sidewalks of Palisade.

(Continued on page 6)

Palisade UMC shows true meaning of gracious generosity

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GRAND ISLAND—Cecilia Contreras sings as part of the MU4GI (Methodists United for Grand Island) inaugural worship on Aug. 29. The worship also celebrated the nearly 80 United Methodist volunteers who worked at the State Fair on Saturday. Read the complete story at www.umcneb.org.

EDItORIAL2 Fall 2010Nebraska Messengerwww.umcneb.org

(ISSN 0194-7761 USPS #376-540)Vol. 47, No. 4 September-October 2010

To inform, educate and inspire Nebraska United Methodists in all areas of mission and ministry in the church.

Kathryn Witte, editortrisha Johnson, communications coordinatorRoxAnn Delisi, circulation Editorial opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church. Columns and letters to the editor are the views of that writer and not necessarily of “The Nebraska Messenger” or the Nebraska Conference. Published four times a year (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall) by the Nebraska Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504; phone 402-464-5994 or 800- 435-6107; fax 402-464-6203. Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Nebraska Messenger, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504.

“The Nebraska Messenger” welcomes letters from its readers. All letters should be limited to 200 words, signed and include the author’s name, address and church affiliation. Letters should address the mission and ministry of the church. Editing and publication of letters are at the discretion of the editor and will be posted on “UMconnect.” Letters are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of the Nebraska Conference or of the Nebraska Messenger.

Letters to the editor postedon UMconnect

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Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson

From the Bishop

death notiCes

on faith and PolitiCsNote: Sen. Lowen Kruse served in the Nebraska

Legislature from 2001-09 and is also a retired United Methodist minister. We have asked him to share ideas on how persons of faith can effectively discuss difficult issues and affect important community decisions.

Most of our United Methodist stands on public is-sues are well received. They complement positions of other Christian and Jewish national bodies. Statements are always based in scripture and our experiences as Christians in the world. We never ask all members to agree, but we do ask them to hear this word and reflect on it.

When folks object, we can feel timid and picked on. Our founder, John Wesley, would urge us to be bold, not apologetic, when we confront issues which generate controversy. He did a lot of confronting, and citizens became angry. When questioned, he urged his members to push back with their understanding of the Gospel. A few were frightened away, but many more were attracted by the bold truth.

A retired pastor in Arizona, the Rev. Buss Stevens, recently reminded me of Wesley’s model in a “United Methodist Reporter” article.

John Wesley’s efforts in social justice were plain gutsy. He stood up for oppressed children forced to factory work, for ignored miners and for poor fami-lies considered to be a public burden. He is credited for helping avert a nationwide rebellion as he traveled 200,000 miles on horseback with a message of caring.

When we urge churches to help offenders re-enter the community, so they may become supportive citi-zens, some object to “pampering” criminals. We face a current outcry to reject “illegals” because they are law breakers. Wesley sent class members to prison, to teach those who had broken the law to read and write. It was not popular!

Bill Moyers, in a commencement address three years ago at Southern Methodist University, said that no institution has done more to shape America’s moral imagination than the Methodist Church.

He noted that most Methodists were adamantly op-posed to slavery. It brought anger (even in Nebraska) and caused a church split. However, national attitudes changed. Methodists came out in 1908 against child la-bor, for an eight-hour day for laborers and many other reforms. These stands became public policy.

Most pastors were as timid as I about protesting that which we saw as wrong. It simply is difficult to com-municate all parts of the issue. For example, I and other Christians marched in protest of building more nuclear weapons in 1981. Members objected, and the local paper said we were un-American, hurting the defense of our nation. When my members discovered that we had enough nukes to destroy the entire world 20 times over, they quickly agreed we were actually pro-Ameri-can, prioritizing limited budgets. It soon was national policy. We hesitate due to lack of understanding.

Stevens points out United Methodists even have a national agency that is given to searching for evidence of injustice worldwide. We join with other faith groups to do extensive study, let members know and thereby affect public policy.

There is injustice among us, which we find to be in contrast to the values of the Gospel. First, we do our study to be sure of facts. Then, we should be confident to speak out.

“ R o l l ’e m , boys and girls, rol l ’em,” my fat her ’s voice

boomed up the stairs. In record time, my nephew, son and daughter would jump out of bed, put on their clothes, and shoelaces flapping, rush downstairs. t h e y w e r e r e a d y f o r w h a t e v e r a d v e n t u r e granddad had planned for the day. they k new his voice and his love for them. They had discovered that going where granddaddy wanted to go was never dull.

that summer memory from many years ago drifts into my mind as I ref lect on some biblical stories of God’s call to persons of faith. Abram was an old man when God said, “Get up and go.” He and Sara left

the land of Ur and started on a might y adventure. W hi le the journey was at times scary and full of doubts and temptations, t hey persevered . t hey trusted, at least most of the time, that through them

God was creating a great people through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed. they knew, almost instinctively, t hat t he jour ney was a pr iv i lege. they tr usted God’s call.

S a m u e l h e a r d G o d cal l ing in the night. At first he thought it was his teacher Eli, but with Eli’s help he kept l isten ing , trusting the voice of God. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Samuel responds and opens himself to God’s calling into the priestly life. It was an adventure, filled with battles, hard choices, hurt feelings and intrigue. Samuel was even able to be God’s agent in calling forth David to be king of Israel.

Lydia from Thyatira was running a f ine business buying and selling purple cloth. She heard God ’s voice t h roug h Pau l a s they were worshiping by the river in Philippi. God opened her heart and she and her household were baptized. She then invited Paul and timothy to stay in her home. tradit ion suggests that she began a house church. Life was never the same. She was on the Christian journey.

W hat is God’s call to you and to the congregation w h e r e y o u w o r s h i p ? G o d p l a c e s m i s s i o n opportunities in front of you and nudges you to move out. God is calling you through worship, or when you are awake in the middle of the night, or when you are going about your daily routine. You know the voice. This is the voice of the Holy One, the one who loves you perfectly, the one who has work that you can do. His voice is calling you

and your church on a grand adventure, as surely as God cal led Abram and Sara, Samuel or Lydia. There are people near you who need to hear the story of God and His love; there are people near you who need their physical needs met; there are places to go and things to do that will make God’s reign on earth more nearly complete. If you trust the voice and the One behind the voice, move out.

Ever y f a l l i s a ne w beginning. School starts. Schedules change. the journey is a bit disrupted a n d y o u m i g h t s e e a ministry or a person that has a need you can meet. Rethink Church resources may be a way to discover how to move out of the building and into the world. What is the mission field on your front steps? What skills do you have to engage this mission field? Watch, wait and learn. When you hear “roll ’em,” move out. God has a transforming, l i fe - g i v i ng jou r ne y of growing service, love and relationship for you. Even if you trip on your shoelaces, it is worth the risk.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” Jesus tells his followers in Matthew. take a new step in the discipleship journey this fall.

W it h hope for ne w ministry visions,

Ann B. Sherer-Simpson Resident Bishop

Nebraska United Methodist Conference

Florence I. Hughes, 93, widow of a Nebraska Conference clergy member, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She is survived by a son, Alan Hughes, his wife Judy and two daughters: Judy Desch, husband terry; Jane Ahl and husband Jeff. Florence was preceded in death by her husband the Rev. Ellsworth Hughes, in 2004.

The service was May 6, 2010, at Milford UMC, Milford, Neb. The Rev. Dr. Michael Curd officiated. Memorials to Milford UMC, 610 Second St., Milford, NE 68405.

Roll ’em, boys and girls, roll ’em

View archives or sign up for the weekly e-mail blast “UMconnect” on the website at www.umcneb.org.

’

RISK-tAKING MISSION & JUStICE 3Fall 2010Nebraska Messenger

www.umcneb.org

perspectivesunder 30

notes

Micah Corps interns visit UMCs from scottsbluff to Blair

“What I had previously thought was ‘not my problem’ now caught my attention and has made me more empathetic to issues among God’s children. Thanks to the Micah Corps Intern program for providing this vehicle to address some tough issues.“

—Miki Naylor, Columbus First UMC

Because of your Mission Share dollars, f ive young Christian leaders were able to deepen their walks with God, sharpen leadership skills and integrate faith and action this summer through the Micah Corps summer intern program, sponsored by the conference Risk-taking Mission and Justice Ministries team.

Prayer was a critical part of the experience. “Instead of going a million miles an hour, I could center on

calm and realize that in slowing down I leave more time to hear God’s guidance,” said Brian Copley.

These young adults also learned about children and poverty, immigration and the environment from a biblical perspective.

“I know that just learning the information that I did this summer changed my life and how I talk about immigration,” said Rebecca Albers.

“After learning about my issue (children and poverty in Nebraska) it became not just an issue for some people, it became a passion of mine,” shared Rachel Boellstorff.

“I learned that having personal relationships with immigrants can greatly improve one’s opinion and views on immigration,” observed Caryn Vincent.

They connected with over 50 local churches during the summer.

“I learned that the people of our church have a lot of compassion for those in need, and that the hospitality of United Methodists amazes me all the time,” said Lauren Fletcher.

What more do the interns take from this experience? “I have a spark in me for these issues and I’m going to use that

spark to help light fires within other people to take a stand and do what God called us to do,” Vincent answered.

To see videos and read more about the interns’ experience this past summer, go to: www.micah-corps.blogspot.com.

Poverty, planet, peace focus of Come to the hill, sept. 30-oct. 2

Does your church have a ministry with the poor? Would you like to see the world through the eyes of those struggling in your community? Experience a poverty simulation exercise at the 2010 Come to the Hill event!

Has your church been looking for ways in which you can be better caretakers of God’s creation? Learn from others across the Conference about what they are doing at Come to the Hill!

Are there families in your congregation who have loved ones in harm’s way and wish for wars to end? Join others in exploring peacemaking at Come to the Hill!

Jim Winkler, general secretary of the General Board of Church & Society, is

going to help us center on God’s Renewed Creation, the Council of Bishops’ document lifting up these three interconnected issues facing our world today.

There will also be opportunities to sing, vision, worship, dance, pray and enjoy Camp Comeca’s beautiful setting.

The cost is minimal for two nights and six meals: $50 for those staying in the dorms and $100 for those staying in the Overlook Lodge (motel-l ike accommodations); there will be child care and Spanish/English translators. For more details and to register go to: www.umcneb.org and click on Come to the Hill 2010 under Quick Links. Questions? Call 402-455-4281. The registration deadline is Sept. 15.

Jim Winkler (second from left) visits with Nebraska Wesleyan University students at the inaugural Come to the Hill event in 2008.

York youth learn about taking risks by learning about other cultures

Youth from York First UMC and adult chaperones recently went to Lander, Wyo., to build an accessibility ramp for a woman living on the Wind River Indian Reservation. This was the first mission trip experience for most of these high school students. Because they wanted to experience Native American culture, they attended a powwow Saturday night and tried traditional fry bread. Working on the reservation moved them out of their comfort zones, but sharing watermelon with (home owner) Mrs. Brown and her family and adopting three of her puppies helped build a bridge between cultures, people and hearts.

learn how to be a Volunteers in Mission team leaderLearn more about VIM, including how to organize a team, ways to incorporate justice work in the mission experience and much more. Two dates: Oct. 21 at Columbus UMC or Nov. 7 at North Platte UMC, both from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or e-mail lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

4 Fall 2010Nebraska Messengerwww.umcneb.org

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AROUND tHE CONFERENCEevan davis, son of two pastors,in the special olympics spotlight

by Trisha JohnsonCommunications coordinator

LINCOLN—Evan Davis certainly had a summer to remember. the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games came to Lincoln, Neb., for six days in July. Not only was Evan, 25, chosen to be the Special Olympics athlete from Nebraska to represent our state on the final leg of the Law Enforcement torch Run, he had the distinct honor of lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

His incredibly proud family shared in the excitement of his momentous week.

“It was a fabulous experience, Evan had the week of his life, and we’re still asking ourselves if it was real,” said Evan’s father the Rev. Michael Davis, pastor of the three-point charge of tilden-Meadow Grove-Elgin.

“It was so surreal,” echoed his mother, the Rev. Janet Davis, a United Church of Christ pastor.

The torch run started in Ames, Iowa (site of the 2006 USA National Games) on July 11 and included eight other Special Olympics athletes from across the country and a team of more than 100 law enforcement officers from around the U.S. The team ran the “Flame of Hope” through 100 Nebraska communities over a time span of 10 days and ended its journey in Lincoln on the steps of the Capital Building. The Bob Devaney Sports Center was the site of the opening ceremony Sunday, July 18, where Evan lifted the torch to the cauldron and ignited the flame that burned throughout the Games.

A long distance runner, Evan had no problem with the amount of physical exertion involved in the torch run. Because he didn’t win a gold medal at the Nebraska Special Olympics games last summer, he did not qualify for the USA National Games, but he definitely did Nebraska proud in his role as ambassador.

In addition to carrying the torch, Evan and his fellow torch run team members spoke in the towns they traveled through. the members of the final leg team broke into three groups; Evan’s group made stops in Omaha, Neligh, Atkinson, Gordon, Grand Island, Nebraska City and Waverly.

Some of the stops were particularly meaningful for Evan; his family used to live in both Atkinson and Nebraska City, so he encountered plenty of familiar faces. the torch runners received warm welcomes in every town, and Janet commented that Evan did a fantastic job of speaking to the crowd.

“He had so much poise and confidence,” she said. “More than I’ve ever seen him display. It was wonderful to see.”

Both Michael and Janet were impressed at how well organized the torch run was, especially in light of the fact of how many people were involved.

“Something that really resonated with me was what a team effort this was,” said Michael. “One of the main components of the L3 leadership model is teamwork, and this was definitely a wonderful example of that, and what can be done when we all work together.”

In the weeks following the torch run Evan has been in touch with his new-found friends from the torch run, exchanging photos and sharing memories. Each member of the final leg torch run got to take home a torch as a souvenir.

It has not yet been announced where the 2014 Special Olympics USA National Games will take place, but Evan continues to compete as a runner and in the running long jump, and it would be no surprise if he ends up at those games as well, but as a participating athlete this time.

PhOTO RePRINTed WITh PeRMISSION OF “LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR”

Evan Davis lights the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games at Bob Devaney Sports Center, in Lincoln, Neb., July 18, 2010.

archives announces online resourcesLINCOLN—terri Raburn, director/curator of the Nebraska United Methodist

Historical Center/Archives, recently announced the availability of an online pictorial directory and online card catalog.

the pictoria l director y is located at http://sites.google.com/site/neumcphotographs/. the site currently features the photos of Nebraska Conference clergy who had their photo taken for the most recent pictorial directory, as well as photos of approximately 40 ministers who served from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. It is possible to search for people by last name or church served. There is no charge for using the photos as long as it is a not-for-profit project. Raburn will be adding more photos from the archives’ collections as time allows.

The other new resource is an online card catalog. As of today, there are 910 titles from the archives’ collection listed, with books being added every week. They will have close to 1,500 titles listed when completed. The catalog can be accessed at www.librarything.com/catalog/neumc.

Although the historical center is not a lending library, the card catalog can still be a valuable research tool. If someone from out-of-town has a research request, Raburn and her volunteers do the research on a title and send their results either by mail or by e-mailing scans.

The historical center is located in Lincoln in the lower level of the Cochrane-Woods Library on Nebraska Wesleyan University’s campus. Hours of operation are tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; and Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

fall UPdate and fUnding Plan Meetings

Upcoming district meetings will address the 2011 Conference Funding Plan passed at the 2010 Annual Conference Session. Some districts will be including a district update as part of the gathering. Contact your district office for a detailed agenda for your district’s meeting.

sept. 08—Missouri River district,9 a.m., Auburn UMC

sept. 12—Blue River district, 5 p.m., Lincoln horizons UMC

sept. 20—gateway district, 10 a.m., Kearney First UMC

sept. 20—elkhorn Valley district, 7 p.m., Plainview UMC

sept. 23—Prairie Rivers district, 7 p.m., Central City UMC

sept. 26—great West district, 4 p.m. (MdT), Camp Norwesca

sept. 27—great West district, 7 p.m., North Platte UMC

AROUND tHE CONFERENCE 5Fall 2010Nebraska Messenger

www.umcneb.org

academy aims to create hispanic leaders in the churchby Miriam Peralta Gandarilla

O M A H A — t h e H i s p a n i c Y o u t h L eadersh ip Academy (HYLA) celebrated its second year in Omaha July 29-31. there were 16 participants and four adult leaders; the event is for those in 8th-12th grades.

H Y L A i s p a r t o f a n at ion a l i n it i at i ve supported by the National Plan on Hispanic/Latino Ministry to encourage and develop Hispanic young leaders in t he United Methodist Church. This year’s academy also received financial support from the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The curriculum includes the mission and structure of the UMC; UM doctrine, history and theology; pressing issues for the Latino community, like immigration and education; and nurturing of a UM ethos as part of their identity as Hispanic leaders in the UMC. Participants are expected to finish high school, are nurtured throughout college and encouraged to consider graduate-level education. In this process there is intentional recruitment for ordained ministry and UM seminaries as youths discern their callings.

The Rev. Dr. Jesse Foster, director of Christian leadership development for the Nebraska Conference, was among the presenters. He talked about the importance of leadership and teamwork and demonstrated both through dynamic exercises, as shown in the above photo.

The Rev. Cristian De La Rosa was the academy’s main presenter. She led the group in a module on the doctrine and theology of the UMC. The youth learned about the experiences of John Wesley, the emphasis on justice and social concerns in the UM heritage and the importance of the “Social Principles” and the Wesleyan quadrilateral for our theology and consideration of pressing issues.

De La Rosa asked the same question of each of them: “Are you a leader, follower or someone who is expected to be a leader?” By the end of the three days everyone was able to articulate what God is calling them to do as part of their leadership in the church. De La Rosa then asked, “How will you prepare for that?” She encouraged them and talked to them about what the next steps could be for those who are graduating from high school in the near future.

Miriam Peralta Gandarilla, one of the event’s coordinators, said, “After this event I have seen how these youth feel about church and how they are now encouraged and more willing to participate in their local church ministries. It was a great experience for all of us, and we are hoping to see these young leaders graduate from the Academy next year, when we will have our first graduating class.”

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It’s a social epidemic1,000 people every month

1,000 human hearts dealing with the pain of behavioral and mental health issues.

on the WeBiMMigRation BiBle stUdY ResoURCes aVailaBle Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson encourages co n g r e g a t i o n s to focus thei r Advent studies around faith and immigration. For curriculum options, go to www.umcneb.org, click on Ministr ies in Action in the upper left, then scroll to Risk-taking Mission and Justice.

UNItED MEtHODISt MEN6 Fall 2010Nebraska Messengerwww.umcneb.org

Paid for by UMMenwww.umcneb.org/ministries/mens Contact: Doug Kallesendkallesen@neb.rr.com402-563-1570 3917 Adamy St.Columbus, NE 68601

the “bottom-line” blessing

More than 30 people rode, walked or provided on-site support for the ninth annual UMMen’s Cowboy Trail ride/walk on May 29, 2010. Approximately $9,700 was raised for various mission causes.

by Doug KallesenUMM communicator

The above title is derived from the book “2020 Vision” by Bill and Amy Stearns. Its subtitles are “Amazing Stories of What God is doing Around the World” and “Practical Ways Individuals and Churches Can Be Involved.”

In Stearns’ terminology the “top- l ine” blessing consists of all the personal good things from God. As UMMen in America, these are so easy to identify. The “bottom-line” blessing is basically the good things we do for others in the name of God.

L e t u s r e c o m m i t ourselves as church men to act on God’s plan — we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others. God wants every people, tribe, race and nation to be blessed by his love and provision. That has been his plan all along.

Looking at ourselves as UMMen, we sometimes get

discouraged. Membership and charters are declining. Take hea r t ! he re a re some things God is doing worldwide per Stearns’ book, as of 2004:

● 74,000 people come to Christ each day. ● 3,500 new churches open weekly.

● Three billion people have viewed Christian films such as the “Jesus” film.

● More than one-third of the converts to Christianity in Turkey say they come to Chr i s t because he appeared to them in a dream.

● I n 1 9 5 0 , w h e n China closed to foreign missionaries, there were one mil l ion believers in the country. Today, there are more than 80 million, increasing at a pace of 28,000 believers per day.

● In 1900, Afr ica was three percent Christian, today it is more than 50 percent and adding 20,000 people daily.

● In A.D. 100 there were

360 non-Christians per true believer. Today the ratio is less than seven to every believer, thanks to the holy Spirit.

Now for Nebraska.This long introduction

was intended to help you take heart that you are on the “winning” side — God’s side. To speed things up, we need to focus more and more on the bottom line of “being the blessing to others.” here are some local “bottom-line” reports and suggestions:

● B e co m e a n e M S member, and/or charter your church men, or start a second younger group. See www.gcumm.org, or call a conference officer listed on our Web page.

● Support the annual bike ride/walk for missions, the 100 Club endowment for seminary scholarships, o r t h e B a r n a b a s encouragement program for camp counselors and other ministry persons.

● Go to the Nebraska

UMMen statewide rallies at Camp Nor wesca at Chadron, Feb. 18-20, 2011, and Camp Fontanelle in August 2011.

● Go to www.umcneb.o rg/m i n i s t r i e s/m e n s/index.htm, the Nebraska UMMen’s Web page to find out about other local activities, or get in touch with one of the officers listed there.

● Above all, remember to be the “bottom-line” blessing to others.

blown away,” Lori said. “I thought once he went to Minnesota and got in front of the judge, they would consider that he’s married and has a family. He owns a house and hasn’t been in trouble in a long time.”

It didn’t seem to make a difference. Sheridan was sentenced to 17 months in a Minnesota State Penitentiary.

W hat really puzzled Sheridan was why he hadn’t learned about this arrest warrant earlier. When he got his CDL several years ago, he said he had to pass a background check, which he did. He had been pulled over for speeding in recent years and no warrants showed up.

Sheridan said his incarceration came as a result of a $3,200 tab the state claimed he still owed for the 1990 infraction. Matthews said he would have gladly paid the money if he had known about it. But he didn’t, and in September he made his way to St. Cloud State Penitentiary.

Jolted and frantic, Lori didn’t k now what to do. Consider i ng that she had been in a relationship with Sheridan since she was 18 — practically her entire adult life — she

suddenly felt alone. How was she going to pay the bills? How was she going to keep her children under control, she wondered.

“Both boys were just devastated,” Lori said. “My oldest son began acting out and starting breaking windows.”

As Lori struggled to keep the family together, she realized she couldn’t do it alone. that’s when she turned to the United Methodist Church in Palisade for help.

“Our mandate as a church, if we are leading a Christian life, is that we help others,” said the Rev. Judy Dye, who was pastor of the Palisade UMC at that time. “That’s what we do. That’s who we are.”

At the suggestion of Pastor Judy, Lori told the congregation her story. She wanted to squelch the stories that had already begun to circulate about Sheridan’s arrest.

Shaking, crying and nervous, Lori picked up a microphone and addressed her peers. the folks in the church must have felt compelled because from that day forward, Lori wasn’t just a member of the church—she was treated like family.

t h e p e o p l e a t t h e Un i t e d Methodist Church pulled together to help Lori in many ways. They gave her financial support in the form of

money for Christmas presents for the boys. they provided traveling money so Lori could visit Sheridan in Minnesota. She received food baskets and gift certificates to the grocery store.

C hu rch members even sent week ly bu l let i n s a nd c a rd s to Sheridan so that he knew he was in their prayers. The tall, bearded man admits that he cried in jail when he opened the letters.

“tough guys aren’t supposed to cry,” Sheridan said. “In prison, crying is a weakness. I had to retreat back to my cell in a hurry.”

t he s uppor t t he M at t hew s received from the United Methodist Church went beyond dollar amount donat ions. Lor i sa id it was the emotional guidance and support her family received that helped the most.

Dallas and Alex were made to feel more a part of the church family. The two young boys attended a special Sunday school session with church treasurer Shirley Ferguson every week. Soon, Dallas wasn’t acting out, and the boys rebounded from their initial devastation.

Still, life in prison was a struggle for Sheridan.

“Part of me felt like I didn’t belong there,” Sheridan said. “Leaving my

family—leaving them with their possessions str ung out and not much savings to speak of—I wasn’t planning for that. It was extremely frustrating that I didn’t have anything to give them. I had been the primary provider for the longest time.”

A pr ison Bible st udy g roup, along with the support of those back home in Palisade, helped Sheridan strengthen his relationship with God.

“Pr ison made me reeva luate everything,” Sheridan said. “the minister up there said something that really made me think. ‘Maybe this happened for a reason,’ he said. ‘Maybe this is what it took for God to get you to pay attention to Him—your undivided attention.’”

Sheridan says it was his strong fa ith that got him through this whole ordeal. He kept a Bible close in prison.

“I did what I had to do,” Sheridan said. “I did have in my possession stolen property. So, I was guilty of what they charged me with in 1990. I want to reiterate that because I am accountable for what I did.”

Months began to turn into weeks and weeks to days as Sheridan’s prison sentence neared its end. The Matthews family was pleased to learn that 90 days Sheridan had originally

served in 1991 was being taken off his sentence. All told, his hard time lasted for 10 months instead of 17.

W hen t he day of Sher ida n’s release finally came on June 10, Lori and the boys traveled to Minnesota to pick up their dad. When Lori and Sheridan were finally able to touch, they stood in the prison and held each other for about 15 minutes before they moved. The family now tries to return to normalcy. Sheridan says he’ll work hard to make sure his sons don’t make the same mistakes he did. He wants them to be raised with strong family values and Christian morals.

One thing is certain: They’ll be actively involved at the church that gave them hope during a dire time.

“If there’s ever anything anyone in the church would need, they should feel free to call on us,” said Sheridan. “We’re in the phone book.”

Palisade,from page 1

online

Read more stories on our website: www.umcneb.org

by Louise NiemannUMW president

Simply and surely, United Methodist Women is organized for action. We have enhanced our logo with the words faith, hope and love in action. By doing this, we have spelled out who we are and what we do. We are an organization of faithful women and clergy responding to

God’s call, reaching out in love to fulfill God’s mission.“... mission is presence, relationship, witness, sharing. Mission is refusing

to turn away when the tears of God are being shed over the violence and injustice and suffering of God’s wayward creation ...” (david hosey, 2010 Prayer Calendar)

United Methodist Women offer our hands, feet and voice to the work of God’s mission. We are guided by our Purpose and recognize that as we are changed through prayer and study, the world is changed through our actions.

Surely and simply, United Methodist Women act! We work inside and outside of the church. We save labels and lives. We feed, clothe and educate. We advocate. We give away our money and our hearts to those we know and those we’ll never meet.

United Methodist Women put faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.

7Fall 2010Nebraska Messenger

www.umcneb.org UNItED MEtHODISt WOMEN

Paid for by nebraska UMW

Contact: Rogene Sillettotrsilletto@windstream.net8000 Lowell Ave.Lincoln, Ne 68506402-483-6323

Four generations of the Carole Lashley f a m i l y a t t e n d e d the 2010 School of Christian Mission July 16-18 in Grand Island. From L to R: Carole Lashley of Syracuse, president of the Blue R iver D i s t r i c t ; C a r r i e Hellbusch, Omaha, w i t h d a u g h t e r , Evelynn Ann; and Teresa W hitehead, Omaha. Carrie and Teresa belong to the Papillion UMW.

new logo, same mission outreach

Vanloads for Valentine! let’s get together!

Many local units are already putting together vanloads to go to the Nebraska Conference annual meeting Oct. 15-16, at the Valentine UMC.

Registration forms (deadline Sept. 21) are available online at www.umcneb.org/ministries/womens_ministry/, or in district newsletters. Focus groups will be new this year, so don’t forget to select your top five favorites.

Also available online is the Ultimate Mission Warm-up word search, the first part of the scavenger hunt to Valentine to add some fun along the way. The other items for the hunt will be available on the UMW Web page at the address above on Oct. 1. Be sure to access it a few days before you leave as advance preparation is necessary!

nebraska Conference UMW 2010 slate for 2011 and 2012 President, Louise Niemann (PR)Secretary, Jenelle erb (eV)Spiritual Growth, dolores Rader (PR)Membership, Nurture and Outreach, June ethridge (MR)Program Resources, Paula Latas (BR)Communications Coordinator, Rogene Silletto (BR)Committee on Nominations Class of 2011, Jean Buell (MR) Class of 2012, Ruby eschen (MR) Class of 2013, Virginia White (PR)

Developing Today’s Church Leaders

at Saint Paul

Now offering degrees in Kansas City and Oklahoma City.

www.spst.edu ADMISSIONS 800-825-0378 admiss@spst.edu

SECOND FRONt8 Fall 2010Nebraska Messengerwww.umcneb.org

from grand island to guatemalaNWU student travels the globe helping others, assisted by Student Day Offerings

by Trisha JohnsonCommunications coordinator

When Kaycie Rupp left her hometown of Grand Island to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) in Lincoln, she knew she was embarking on a new journey, but she never dreamt that journey would lead her to travel to destinations around the world.

A member of Global Ser vice Learning (GSL) — a student organization at N W U whose purpose is centered on local, national and international service projects — Kaycie has assisted in building community centers in Malawi (Africa), helped build houses and clean up for a natural disaster in Guatemala, plus other service work in California and right here in Lincoln. She also spent a semester studying in Chile and did an internship with the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington, D.C., through the Capitol Hill Internship Program.

Kaycie acknowledges that not every college student accumulates such an impressive array of experiences during his or her undergad years. She unwaveringly attributes the

the church that “left the building”Nearly 600 attendees participate in mission work day during 2010 Annual Conference Sessionby Trisha JohnsonCommunications coordinator

incredible opportunities she’s had to the school she attends and admits she could not have gotten there without financial assistance.

“I firmly believe I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I’ve had had I not ended up at Nebraska Wesleyan,” she said. “But it’s a private school, and thus not super affordable by most standards. I could not have gone there had it not been for the assistance I’ve received, including United Methodist scholarships.”

those scholarships are funded in part by gracious donations given on United Methodist Student Day, one of six churchwide Special Sundays observed throughout the year. The fund furnishes scholarships and loans for United Methodist students attending UM-related and other accredited colleges and universities.

This year’s offering will be taken on Nov. 28; according to umcgiving.org, last year’s offering totaled $484,188. United Methodist scholarships and the student loan fund are administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Your support contributes to a long history of United Methodists committed to education, and the money given on this day truly makes a crucial investment in the future of The United Methodist Church. Kaycie, a member of Grand Island trinity UMC, is a prime example of this.

She is now in her last year at NWU. She will graduate with degrees in political science and Spanish and hopes to eventually pursue a dual degree in law and international relations or international development. Currently, she is going through the lengthy process of applying for the Peace Corps, something she was moved to do as a result of her international service experiences with GSL.

“It (GSL) is such an incredible organization and has totally impacted what I want to do with my life,” Kaycie said. “Again, none of what I’ve experienced over the past four years would have been possible without the help I’ve received – I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that.”

Free offering envelopes and other resources can be ordered for United Methodist Student Day by calling 888-346-3862. They will be sent at no cost to your church! For more information, visit www.umcgiving.org/specialsundays.

LINCOLN—The Thursday of Annual Conference is usually another day of business, resolutions and reports. But if you happened upon Snyder Arena on Nebraska Wesleyan’s campus — the site of this year’s session — on June 10, you found an empty room.

In an effort to add a mission component to Annual Conference, attendees — including the nearly 100 Youth Annual Conference participants — boarded 13 buses and spread out to more than 30 sites throughout Lincoln as part of “The church has left the building” mission work day.

The list of work sites included the Capital Humane Society, People’s City Mission, Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Kids Against Hunger, Clyde Malone Manor and Shadowbrook Farm. Part icipants performed tasks including weeding, mulching, painting cleaning, packaging food, sorting clothing and assisting with clerical work.

the day of mission emphasized the theme of the 2010 Annual Conference Session, “Live on i n me: Gracious Generosity.” Gracious generosity is one of the Nebraska Conference’s six signs of discipleship, expressing our vision as we work toward our mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world.

The morning was filled with clouds, thunder and rain, some of the mission sites canceled at the last minute due to the inclement weather, a few folks got lost, others ended up doing things they didn’t expect, but most everyone felt blessed to be a part of a movement that saw Nebraska United Methodists at work in the community. Lisa Maupin estimated that the nearly 600 participants contributed a total of about $28,500 worth of in-kind people hours to the city of Lincoln.

Kaycie Rupp