News from us [link removed] November 9, 2021
Alpha Bet

Josh Schaller wasn’t exactly hyped about the prospect of running an Alpha class. He wasn’t familiar with Alpha, other than hearing about it from retirement-age people who talked about how great it was when they did the class 20 years ago. He was expecting some boring church video that goes over the basics of the Christian faith. He was surprised.

“They did a stellar job with the production of these videos,” Schaller said. “It is definitely not your typical church video.”

Schaller is the camping logistics coordinator for the Missouri Conference and is an active member of Community United Methodist Church in Columbia. He and Rev. Dr. Roger Ross, Missouri Conference director of Congregational Excellence, ran an Alpha class for Community UMC starting last February. They ended up doing the class entirely online and had about 25 participants.

Although Alpha is geared for the seeker or unchurched, nearly all of the class came from people within the church.

“I think people needed to experience the class for themselves before they felt comfortable recommending it to their friends outside of the church,” Schaller said. Even though it was a class full of Christians, the curriculum still worked.
[link removed] Read more about Alpha and how its impacting communities for Christ around Missouri →
Upcoming Events
Quilt Auction Now Open Through Nov. 13
The 2021 Quilt Auction is now open! The auction runs until 10 a.m. on November 13 and benefits the Church World Service blanket program, which assists those rebuilding after a disaster. This is a great opportunity to pick out those birthday, Christmas, wedding or new baby gifts while helping a good cause. Check out photos and details of the items available for auction and make your bids by visiting [link removed] www.getabidauctions.com/FestivalOfSharing
Other Upcoming Events
Nov. 3-18 - [link removed] HealthFlex Annual Enrollment
Nov. 16 - [link removed] Wespath Pre-Retirement Webinar
Nov. 18 - [link removed] Collaborating for Community Impact with Rev. Lia McIntosh
Nov. 18 - [link removed] Wespath Pre-Retirement Webinar
Nov. 18 - [link removed] Engaging the Community for Social Transformation Webinar
Nov. 21 - [link removed] Connecting New People to Christ Workshop
Nov. 30 - [link removed] Giving Tuesday
Dec. 1-2 - [link removed] Shift Happens: Doing Ministry from the Right Side
See the full events calendars at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/events
HealthFlex Annual Enrollment
HealthFlex 2022 Annual Enrollment continues through November 18, 2021. If you receive coverage through HealthFlex, it's important that you review your plan selections, even if you want to keep your current coverage. For resources related to making your selections, UMPIP and Pastoral Support Addendum forms, and more, visit [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/benefits

Featured Resource
Talkspace: Connect With a Licensed Therapist Via Text Message and Video Chat
From Wespath: HealthFlex participants and their family members now have another option to connect with one-on-one counseling opportunities and mental health support. Wespath has added Talkspace to its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources. With Talkspace, individuals can connect with a licensed therapist via text message or video chat,and can typically start therapy in just a day or two. [link removed] Learn More →
More Resources
[link removed] Podcast: Moving Your Church from Book Studies to Anti-Racist Actions
This episode of the Expanding the Table Podcast, produced by the UMC General Commission on Race and Religion, features a panel of three clergypersons leading mostly white and racially diverse congregations. They share how they are moving from first awareness and books studies about racism to putting Christian anti-racism into action in their congregations and our communities.
[link removed] Small Group Study: Coming Home for Christmas This Advent
This resource features scripture, activity and small group experience centered on this year's Advent focus scripture passages from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C).
[link removed] PDF Resource: Data Security: 7 Steps to Minimize Exposure of Your Ministry's Sensitive Digital Assets
Protect your ministry from cyber attacks. Being proactive about your cybersecurity can help save your ministry time and money. With the recent jump in cyber attacks, GCFA's IT Services team wants to remind you of some tips to help your ministry secure data. Download this resource and share it with your ministry staff.
See the full resource library at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/resourcelibrary


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Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 | 573-441-1770
www.moumethodist.org