REPORT OF ACTIONS

BY THE NEBRASKA CONFERENCE UMMEN PRESIDENT

AT THE 2007 NEBRASKA ANNUAL CONFERENCE, JUNE 5-9, 2007

SUBMITTED BY BILL STAMBAUGH

Tuesday 5 June 2007

1:00 PM          Set up the UMMEN booth in Lincoln at the Cornhusker Hotel                                            with literature and Keith Wright Memorial Flame. Randy Fleming

                        came later and set up other materials pertaining to the UMMen

Foundation.

Wednesday 6 June 2007

            9:00 PM          Attended the Lincoln District’s dessert reception and addressed the

                                    group about the Nebraska Conference UMMen as to where we are

and what we want to do as far as each District and each local church is concerned.  Also talked to Keith Johnson, the Lincoln District superintendent, about him and his wife hosting a dinner to be auctioned on Thursday, June 7.  He said he would get back to me.

Thursday 7 June 2007

            7:00 AM          Attended the Northeast District breakfast and also the Northwest

                                    District breakfast.  I was introduced at each breakfast and

                                    welcomed warmly to give the UMMen information out to the men

                                    and women of each district.  I spoke with Carol Roettmer Brewer,

the Northeast district superintendent.  I also spoke with Lauren Ekdahl, the Northwest superintendent.

12:00 noon      Dixie Allberry, the United Methodist Women Conference President, extended an invitation to me to visit with the women

at the United Methodist Women’s luncheon.  The women received our message well, and they will encourage the men in their churches to get involved with the United Methodist Men.

3:30 PM          I gave the United Methodist Men annual report to the Nebraska Annual Conference.  I presented the recipients of the UMMen 100/1000 club scholarships to the Annual Conference.  Five $500.00 scholarships and two $1,000.00 scholarships were given. Tyler Jack Kaufman received both a $500.00 and a $1,000.00 scholarship. Tyler will be attending University of Nebraska at Kearney.  Patty Loraine Gerdes Norris received both a $500.00 and a $1,000.00 scholarship.  She will be attending St. Paul School of Theology.  Other $500 scholarship recipients were:  Marta Kay Croson Wheeler, St. Paul school of Theology; Carla Jean Gunn, St. Paul School of Theology; and Douglas G. Gunn, Asbury theological Seminary.

5:30 PM          Went to the UMMen dinner.  At the auction, 25 people bought hosted dinners, raising $4,200 for the Foundation.  Many things were donated for the auction.  Keith Johnson and his wife agreed to host a dinner which was included in the auction.

If you need to know more about the Foundation and/or auction, contact Randy Fleming. His address is: Box  410, Springfield, NE  68059.  His phone Number is (402) 210-4885.  He will be happy to hear from you, especially if you have a donation or know of someone who wants to donate to the Foundation.

9:00 PM          Dessert reception with the South Central District.  Rev. Gary Main is the Superintendent.  I talked to Rev. Main also about him and his wife hosting a dinner to be auctioned at the 2008 Annual Conference UMMen dinner and auction.  He spoke to his wife, and I am to remind them next year before annual conference.  I spoke at their conference gathering about the men on the national and state levels. The South Central District has formed a district board.  Had a nice conversation with the President of their UMMen District.  In fact, he and his wife had a top bid for the dinner that my wife, Janice, and I are hosting.

Friday 8 June 2007

7:00 AM          Omaha District and Southeast District breakfast.  Dr. Rev. Randal Sailors is the Omaha District Superintendent and Rev. Barbara Hart is the Southeast District Superintendent.  I spoke at the Southeast breakfast first.  As I was leaving, several men had questions about the UMMen.  

The Omaha District had a very fine turnout.  I spoke to that breakfast advising them that the Omaha District has a UMMen board whose members are looking forward to working with all the people that will be in the Missouri River District.

            9:00 AM          As Janice and I were walking through the hotel looking at the

                                    booths and greeting people that we had met during the prior days’

                                    events, we were stopped by Dr. Rev. Charles and his wife,

Glynis. They recognized us from the Thursday night dessert reception where we sat at the same table.  The Alkula’s asked about the UMMen Foundation and how they could donate to it. They then proceeded to write out a $1,000.00 check to the Foundation as a way of saying  “thanks” for the opportunities they had been afforded.  The check has been forwarded on to Randy Fleming. God was working at the conference throughout the whole week.

Saturday 9 June 2007

7:00 AM          Central District and Southwest District breakfast. Spoke with Secundino Morales, Central District superintendent. I handed

                        out my business cards to all in attendance as well as speaking

                        to them from the podium. At the Southwest District breakfast

                        I introduced myself to Rev. Brian Kottas, the superintendent.

                        I sat at a table with eight men and one lady. We talked about the

                        UMMen one on one during the breakfast, and I handed out the

last business cards I had.

            9:00 AM          Met up with Dave Mendyk. He, my wife and I then took the

items down from the booth and loaded them into my van.

11:00 AM        We went into the ballroom for the celebration of the old and new districts. From there the new districts broke off for short meetings.

                        It was a great week as the Spirit was among all who was there. I feel that God has opened many doors for the men in the Nebraska Conference.

God Bless

Bill Stambaugh, President

                        UMMen NE Conference