Seated, as she often is, at her piano bench, Dorothy Sterns speaks of the three very important parts of her life; giving, mission and music.

Douglas UMW member on a "mite-y" mission

by Marcia Schlegelmilch

Epworth Village

Dorothy Sterns has been on a “mite-y” mission for nearly as far back as she can remember. That’s because ever since she was a very young girl she has been saving and giving to mission.

“It was after we moved to Denton I first became aware of mission. My sister Eleanor, who was 11 years older than I, started a ‘King’s Heralds’ children’s missionary society,” Sterns recalls. “I would have been about 7 or 8 years old. We all had mite boxes (a box that is used to save coins for charitable purposes). We studied about missions in India. I even remember getting a little official “Kings Heralds” magazine.”

Seated in the living room of the home she and her late husband shared in Douglas, the 93-year-old speaks of a lifetime of rewards gained from involvement in mission, church and United Methodist Women; all of which are dear to her.

No one who knows Sterns’ family history would find it surprising she lives right across the street from a United Methodist Church. No one would be surprised to find that much of her life has been spent in service of the Lord. The surprise comes with all Sterns is still accomplishing 90 years later.

Born in Montana, to Dr. Lance and Dr. Agnes Houston Jones, a pair of physicians, Sterns was raised mostly in Nebraska. Over the years she and her family called Wallace, Denton and Raymond home, not to mention a few other interesting locations. But that was all before she married Gerald Sterns, settled down and moved to the southeast Nebraska town of Douglas.

Throughout her life, whether while living with her parents and five siblings, or at home with her husband and three sons, Dorothy says it was always first things first. “Because no matter where we moved, the first Sunday we were there we were in church,”

Dorothy calls her parents “remarkable.” She credits her mother’s involvement in the Women’s Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (the predecessor to United Methodist Women) with planting a seed for mission in the hearts of her children.

That is why as soon she could after being married, Dorothy joined her church’s United Methodist Women’s group; a group which, over the years has provided her strength, knowledge and the understanding that she, Dorothy, is a citizen of the world.

“Being a UMW widened my horizons. I appreciate the reading program and enjoy learning,” the genteel white-haired woman explains.

And Epworth Village?

“Epworth Village … I’ve known about it since my King’s Heralds time. Back then people canned for it and sent food to it (Mother’s Jewels Home, as it was called back then),” Dorothy tells.  

The difference a few coins dropped into a small cardboard mite box could make demonstrated to Dorothy the difference she could make to women in India, children of Nigeria and youth closer to home like the kids of Epworth Village. So she chooses to give.

Even after her husband Gerald suffered a debilitating stroke in 1968 while in his 50s … even after he passed away in 1987 … even after seeing her income drastically cut … Dorothy continues to give.

“It’s such a little bit,” the humble woman states, “but it is something I want to do. Years ago I remember a minister from Epworth Church in Lincoln saying the amount you give to your home church … you should give the same to missions. After all, we are all in this together.”

Dorothy’s story is one that is repeated over and over across the state of Nebraska, our nation and the world. A story of people sharing their time, talent, monies and blessings with others. People just like Dorothy who spent over 40 years as choir director of her church, has lent her voice to countless wedding and funeral ceremonies and served in many capacities as a UMW. People who are on a mission; a “mite-y” mission indeed.

	Don Messer

6-1-1 Nebraska AIDS Walk: 6 cities, 1 walk, 1 purpose on Sept. 12

AIDS Walks are scheduled to take place in six Nebraska cities on Sunday, Sept. 12; the cities are Omaha, Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk. For more information, visit the Nebraska AIDS Project’s website, www.nap.org, or click here to view the event brochure.

Don Messer, chair of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee, will speak at the rally in Kearney. He will first preach at an outdoor worship service being held at Harmon Park at 10 a.m., and then speak at the Fine Arts Building on UNK’s campus at 1 p.m.

Messer has traveled the world advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS and has written several books on the subject; his latest is "52 Ways for an AIDS-Free World." He is also the former President of Iliff Seminary, located in Denver, Col.

	William Paul Young

William Paul Young, author of bestseller "The Shack" to speak at Lincoln St. Mark's UMC

"The Shame Factor," a three-day conference at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Lincoln, will examine the role of shame in our society. The conference will be held Oct. 24-26 and will explore what the Bible has to say about shame and how it prevents individuals and groups from reaching their God-given potential.

William Paul Young, author of "The Shack," will speak about the role of shame in his life, and how it led him to write his bestselling novel. Young will deliver the keynote address of the conference on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.

The three-day conference will challenge participants to examine the impact of social shame stemming from low social status, slavery, illness, grief or defeat. Experts believe unresolved social shame can lead to racial and social prejudice, crime and other unhealthy behavior.

The $189 early registration fee covers all sessions and includes breakfast and lunch on Oct. 25 and 26. (Early registration ends Oct. 8.) The student rate is $159; individual tickets for the William Paul Young lecture are available for $30 and $25. Click here to register.

"The Shame Factor" will challenge and enlighten mental health professionals, clergy, educators, psychologists and human resources professionals. Click here to watch a short video featuring the author talk about his book on UM-TUBE.

This group took part in "The church has left the building" day of mission at the 2010 Annual Conference Session. This is what rethinking church is all about -- taking the church outside of the building and into the community. Come find out more at Rethink Church in Alliance, Sept. 10-11.

Rethink Church coming to the Great West District, Sept. 10-11

What if church was a verb? Rethink Church. Be Church.

The Rethink Church training program from United Methodist Communications is coming to the Great West District, Sept. 10-11, at Alliance United Methodist Church. This conference is intended for those who are interested in new ways of doing ministry in their congregations.

Friday, Sept. 10, is a “train the facilitator” day; this portion of the workshop is intended for those who want to hone their ability to facilitate groups. The focus will be on learning and teaching styles as well as hands-on tips for getting the most out of a group gathering. Registration starts at 8 a.m., the workshop begins at 9 a.m., and wraps up at 4 p.m. Participants will achieve a Communications Trainer Level I status from United Methodist Communications.

The Rethink Church Conference on Friday evening will focus on case studies presented in a panel discussion format. Attendees will be able to ask questions and learn from others who have implemented new and exciting ministries in their congregations. The session will continue into Saturday, with registration at 8 a.m. Attendees will learn about connecting to the larger community, how to find out who is actually in their communities (in terms of demographics) and how to get the discussions going about change in the local church.

Click here for more information and to register online. Or download the printable registration form attached below and mail Attn: Rethink Church Registration, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE  68504.

• Registration form

Save the date — South Central Jurisdiction Women's Leadership Conference, March 22-25, 2011

The Women’s Leadership Team of the South Central Jurisdiction is preparing a “grand celebration and convocation” for women clergy of the Jurisdiction. Mark March 22-25, 2011 on your calendar! The conference will take place in New Orleans, La., at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center; the theme will be “Wade in the Water.”

Nebraska Area Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson will be attending and she invites all of the women clergy members of the Nebraska Annual Conference to attend as well.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time together as clergy women, getting acquainted with women from across the Jurisdiction and growing in our capacity to do ministry together in Nebraska and across the church," said Sherer-Simpson.

Further information and a registration form will be forthcoming.

2010 Appointments

Click here to download and view the 2010 Appointments list of clergy in the Nebraska United Methodist Conference.