UMRA news & updates

April 2021

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
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
2021-2024
Chair - Randy Wall -
RandyLWall@aol.com
Vice Chair - Andrew Coon -
revcoon@live.com
Secretary - Doug Flinn -
doug.flinn64@gmail.com
Spiritual Director -
Orrinda Stockton -
ostockton@hotmail.com
Communications Dir -
Michele Holloway -
chele101953@gmail.com
Advocacy Dir - Mollie Stewart
- Molliecstewart0128@gmail.com
Membership - Sue Grace
smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Thursdays at Church
What day of the week do you have the most folks on your
church campus? Most churches would probably say that
Sunday was the day. I serve as the pastor of Ann Street
United Methodist Church in Concord, NC. On most
Sundays, we have less than 25 people joining in our church
activities. On Thursdays, however, we are generally having
more than 100 people visiting our church campus these
days. Why? Because our church is partnering with our
local health department and a local Hispanic ministry, El
Puente, to give COVID vaccine shots to people in our
community.
We began this partnership with the first vaccine shots given
in February 2021. You can see above some of the folks that
worked in our church fellowship hall on the first day that
those vaccinations took place on our church
campus. Studies show that many ethnic minority persons
are skeptical or timid about getting vaccinated for a number
of reasons including language barriers. We are happy that
our church is helping bridge the gap to make persons in our
community healthier.
Many rural and/or small membership churches look at
themselves and sigh in resignation that they are not big
enough or do not have the resources to do much in their
community especially in these pandemic times. I rejoice to
say that the church that I have the honor to serve as pastor
 Treasurer - Judy Hill saw not what it could not do, but what it could do when it
judyh@plainstel.com worked together with others.
Pastor Randy Wall/UMRA Chair

What have you done to survive?

Now that we have been living in a pandemic for a year the question is often what have you done to
survive or what will change in your life? When the news of a coronavirus surfaced I flippantly
remarked I suppose when General Conference 2020 happens we will not only have security bag checks
but also temperature checks… Was I ever wrong as we know General Conference 2020 was
rescheduled to 2021 to now scheduled for 2022.
My first attempt at writing this article had me sharing “the good, the bad and the ugly”
of the Pandemic but that became a chapter so will try something different.

Since I live alone my life could have been one of COVID-19 loneliness, but I am fortunate to have a
well- worn path through what once was pasture that connects me to the farm house. My son and
daughter in law made up my pandemic bubble and our visits is well- defined by our footprints in dry
grass or wet snow. It connects us for conversation, shared meals, completing puzzles, watching
Netflix, NCAA basketball and routine check ins. This is on my thankful list.

Another item on my gratitude list is living in a rural area that has accessible connections for online
meetings. I participated in many worship services, zoomed church meetings, family and friend
gatherings, and book and Bible studies, and lay servant classes… That definitely is another blessing.

My list of good is long and I hope this helps me remember to let God do the judging of those refusing
to get their vaccines and not respecting others by refusing to follow healthy guidelines. May the paths
I take be well-worn with loving actions. Psalms 23:3 from CEB “He keeps me alive. He guides me in
proper paths for the sake of his good name.”

Judy Hill/UMRA Treasurer

Tithing isn't always about money.

Let’s talk tithing…or rather, more to the point, money. Over this past year, our congregation hasn’t
met together in the building. That comes, certainly with its fair share of troubles in a rural setting—
connectivity issues, accessibility issues, and for many, loss of the ritual of Sunday morning worship.
Another loss we realized about halfway through was the lack of plate offering and in-person tithing
that made up a chunk of our budget. Lacking money, in a pandemic or not, is not an uncommon
experience for many of us in rural settings for ministry. We constantly shift from being in a state of
scarcity to sufficient. But sustainability is rarely ever part of that shifting.
I realized that even after the pandemic, we would have other years like this—where such a large
portion of our budget would be inaccessible or just go away completely. I’ve read the demographics; I
know my community and the projections for the future of the church…we’re dying out. Full disclosure,
I’m a young millennial. I’m 28. And my generation can hardly make our student loan payments, rent,
and basic, fundamental needs, tithing for us is more about how can we use our gifts to serve the
church because we have time but not money. But that isn’t sustainable either, when our church’s
building can’t keep its lights on because the electric company doesn’t take time and service as
currency. So, instead of leaning into the scarcity mindset that we’re just stuck in this place with an
endless deficit, or that we will always have to decrease budget for education or mission because the
building needs care and attention…I prayed... (to read the entire article, please click here.)
-Amber Mitts, OSL. Mountain Sky Conference (Provisional Elder).

Rural Churches Respond to World Hunger

Growing Hope Globally gives rural churches the opportunity to respond to global hunger from
right where you live. Through our unique Growing Project model, communities come together
around the common cause of hunger. Farmers grow crops while businesses, churches, and
individuals cover the input and land costs. When the crops are sold, the profits are used to
support agricultural development programs around the world, giving those struggling with
hunger the dignity of being able to provide for themselves. Climax and Scotts UMCs in Michigan
have been involved with Growing Hope Globally since 2002. They have partnered with farmers
and other churches in their community to raise more than $1.7 million to support food security
programs around the world.

“We have impacted global hunger through Growing Hope,” Pastor Bev Williams said. “As we live
in this time of pandemic where the world has suddenly changed, there is no doubt in my mind
that we have helped some of the remotest areas of the world. We brought access to food that
didn’t come from a box but was grown by persons themselves in their home country,” Pastor Bev
has seen how a partnership with Growing Hope Globally renews her congregation’s spirit to
serve others. “God has greatly blessed our partnership with Growing Hope, changing lives, by
planting seeds.”
To learn how your church can get involved, visit GrowingHopeGlobally.org.
By Alex Morse, Growing Hope Globally, partners with UMCOR and rural UM churches.

To read more on the work of Growing Hope Globally, read Bob Sefrit's story here.

Devotions
by Mantu Joshi, UM Elder from California-Nevada
 (Used with permission)

God of the Hyphen

As Asian Hyphen Americans, too often we feel our hyphen hijacked.

The hyphen is hijacked when people see us as perpetual foreigners, a risk to
the status quo. People hijack the hyphen when they pay less in restaurants
for our food. Our hyphen is hijacked when Asian actors are forced to play
stereotypes. Our hyphen is hijacked when political rhetoric uses us as the
scapegoats during world wars, and even for worldwide pandemics. And the
hyphen is weaponized against us, as every day terror is inflicted in hate
crimes on our sidewalks and businesses.
God, we ask that you Heal the Hyphen. Come and bless the tension of our
being in this existential tug of war between Asian and American.
Heal the Hyphen with your promise that the perpetual foreigner will finally
be seen as native friend.
And finally heal the hyphens everywhere, in every culture and every nation,
that your love of diversity and communal harmony might turn the hyphen
into the blessed tie that binds humanity.
That we might feel the hyphen as a knot of knowing, we are here and we
belong.
Amen.
Written by Rev. Manohar Joshi (a minister in the United Methodist Church)
#prayersAsianAmericans #prayerracialjustice #hijackthehyphen
#healthehyphen #stophatespreadlove

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

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

RURAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

• NETworX WEBINAR sponsored by UMRA. Information may be found on the UMRA

website under events. http://www.umruraladvocates.org/vision--mission-
webinar.html
• RURAL MINISTRY CERTIFICATE is not sponsored by UMRA. This is an online
program through Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. There are currently two
courses being offered: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry and Practical Theology
in Rural Communities.
• ACADEMY FOR SMALL CHURCH MINISTRIES in affiliation with UMRA. Check
out larcm.org for ongoing and upcoming training opportunities.
NETworX INFORMATION

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

SHARE MINISTRY/BEST PRACTICES STORIES WITH US

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 $50.00
Advocacy Membership One-Year $250.00
Membership Letter and Form - click here
Two Easy Steps to Membership
1. Please fill out membership form:
United Methodist Rural Advocates Membership
2. Pay Membership Dues through PayPal
For more information or membership, contact:
Email: smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Sue Grace - Membership Secretary
2755 Independence Ct,
Grove City, OH 43123
740-707-2901
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 country 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.

United Methodist
Rural Advocates
Click links to the right to find us.