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HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST
Mission Opportunities

For Mission Monday April 14, 2008 

This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.

Edited by Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org.

FOR THE LATEST IN DISASTER NEWS AND RECOVERY LOG ON TO www.disasternews.net and www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

TERRE HAUTE DISTRICT OFFERS TRIP TO MISSION DISTRIBUTION

  • April 16-18
  • For more information on these mission opportunities please contact the Terre Haute District Office at 800-919-8165 or 812-237-0101.

MISSION AGENCY TO HOLD SUMMIT FOR MISSION INITIATIVES

MISSION NEWS

FLOODING CONTINUES TO PLAGUE ARKANSAS, MISSOURI

The rain has ended, but rivers are continuing to flood parts of Missouri and Arkansas and as still more evacuations take place, the latest round of flooding has claimed at least two lives.

A levee along the Black River in Missouri failed for the second time in two weeks Saturday forcing the evacuation of more than 50 homes. Bob Fredwell, Butler County’s Fire Chief said the evacuated homes were east of Popular Bluff in the southeastern part of the state.

As a result of the levee break, floodwaters are expected to cover 15 to 20 square miles of the county, local emergency management officials said Saturday.

In Arkansas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the spillways at Bull Shoals Lake Saturday creating even more flooding along the White River.

Emergency officials said two people in a pickup truck died Saturday when their vehicle was engulfed in flood water.

Meanwhile, assessment teams have been moving slowly across northern and western parts of Arkansas trying to determine the amount of damage to the state’s infrastructure. The best they have been able to do is an incomplete estimate. – Disaster News Network

COMPLAINTS ARISE ABOUT SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION STUDY

For more than 75 years, United Methodist Women has sponsored “Schools of Christian Mission” as a means of informing and educating its members. But complaints have arisen about a geographic study on Israel-Palestine that was used in 2007 and will be used again this year. The complaints call into question the study’s depiction of the issues between Israelis and Palestinians. The purpose of the geographic study, according to Harriett Olson, chief executive of the Women’s Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, is to provide a context for the mission of the church. The division, which produces the studies, is UMW’s administrative arm. The other two studies being offered in 2008 are “Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival,” and a spiritual growth study, “I Believe in Jesus.” – UMNS

FILIPINO EDUCATOR STILL SEARCHES FOR ABDUCTED SON

“Sometimes I wonder if he has a blanket or a pillow, or if he is being fed,” said Edith Burgos. “I wonder if he is being tortured right now even as I speak.” Burgos’ son, Jonas, 38, was abducted from a busy mall in Manila on April 28, 2007, by four armed men and a woman. Almost a year after the abduction and despite wide media publicity and appeals to the Philippine government, Burgos is still trying to find her son. An educator and widow of maverick Filipino journalist Jose Burgos, she spoke during Ecumenical Advocacy Days, held March 7-10 in Washington. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and Board of Church and Society support this yearly event. – UMNS

NOTHING BUT NETS WEB SITE OFFERS INTERACTIVE GAME

Throughout April, visitors to the Nothing But Nets Web site can play an interactive game to deliver virtual sleeping nets to Africa and, in the process, raise money to buy real insecticide-treated nets through the malaria prevention campaign. It’s part of a renewed push for the United Methodist-supported Nets campaign leading up to World Malaria Day on April 25. Each time someone plays and signs up at www.NothingButNets.net during April, an anonymous sponsor will donate $10 for a net that will be sent to a family in Africa. – UMNS

RETIRED PASTORS IN EASTERN EUROPE CONTINUE WITHOUT PENSION

At 80, the Rev. Peeter Piirisild continues to preach. As he has for 34 years, each Sunday morning Piirisild enters the pulpit of the United Methodist church in Narva, a city near the top of the Estonia-Russia border, and offers the morning sermon. "I'm retired, but I'm not totally free yet," he says. Piirisild's story parallels that of other retired United Methodist clergy and surviving spouses in Estonia. They are the stories the retirees and widows told when a delegation of United Methodists from the United States and Norway visited Estonia in 2006 in preparation for launching a campaign to raise funds for the denomination's Central Conference Pension Initiative. More information about the Central Conference Pension Initiative is available at www.ccpi.umc.org. – UMNS

NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

MICROCREDIT PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO WOMEN’S GROUPS

Microcredit is programs extending small loans, and other financial services such as savings, to very poor people for self-employment projects that generate income, allowing them to care for themselves and their families. It's found that, time and again, microcredit is particularly empowering to women who are working to keep their families together and healthy in extremely trying times. If your church's women's group would be interested in an hour's program on microcredit and how people worldwide -- particularly people of faith -- can get involved, please feel free to contact Rev. Lisa Marchal at 317.489.9173 or lmarchal@results.org. – e-HUM

WESTSIDE INDY CHURCH HOSTS NEEDS FAIR WITH 40 AGENCIES APRIL 26

Individuals and families with disabilities of any kind are welcome at the Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair, to be held Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th St. (16th and Winton) in Indianapolis.

The fair will feature more than 40 state and local agencies who serve individuals with special needs and their families. These organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, while a carnival featuring games and face painting will run concurrently. The event is free, and free child care is available to children of parents visiting the information tables. Lunch is available for a small donation. Spanish interpretation will also be available. Families also can register for a prize drawing featuring several prizes donated by area businesses and the exhibiting organizations. The fair will have information applicable to individuals of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. For more information, contact the Westside Special Needs Network voice mail at 971-2619, email bdehoff@iquest.net, or visit www.speedway-umc.org.

PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

BOOKS OF WORSHIP NEEDED IN SIERRA LEONE

When I was in Sierra Leone recently, I had many requests for the 1964 Book of Worship. If you have a copy you are not using and would like to pass it on to a pastor in Sierra Leone, you can send it to the address below or you can bring it to conference to our truck at the ingathering. If you bring it to conference, please let me know soon. – Joe Wagner, Operation Classroom, Inc., PO Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035, call 765-436-2805, e-mail ocmisson@frontiernet.net or Web site www.operationclassroom.org.

FIRST YEAR MEDICAL RESIDENT SEEKS INTERNSHIP IN AFRICA

Annetta Alexander, MD, MPH is a first year resident in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at East Carolina University. She is seeking an African location, preferably in Ghana or Uganda, to fulfill a 3 to 4 week elective rotation during March, 2009 as a part of her residency training. Annetta has previously volunteered with medical missions in the Dominican Republic. She prefers working with the pediatric population. Annetta lives in Greenville, N.C. and would connect with a team by flying out of either the Raleigh or Charlotte, North Carolina airports. In order to contact Annetta, do not respond to this e-mail but to her directly at netta365@hotmail.com. Thank you.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES REMINDERS

More information about these opportunities as well as a listing of ongoing projects and contact information can be seen at www.inareaumc.org/general_info/mission_opportunities_listings.htm, which has all the details for these opportunities.

FLOOD RECOVERY IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST CASE MANAGERS

  • For those wanting to volunteer, contact Van Wyck at mevanwijk@hotmail.com or by phone at 219-261-2273 or John Mayfield, case management supervisor, at jmay49@hotmail.com.
  • Churches wishing to make monetary donations to assist victims of the recent flooding in North Indiana may send funds to: North Indiana Conference UMC, PO Box 869, Marion, IN 46952.
  • Note memo for Flood Relief in North Indiana – Account 030401.

PENNIES FOR PEACE MISSION PROJECT IDEA FOR THIS SUMMER’S VBS

POTATOES FOR VACATION

SEWING MACHINES NEEDED IN SIERRA LEONE

  • For more information, call the Bloomington District office at 800-919-8161 or 812-339-1445.

UMCOR’S SAGER BROWN DEPOT NEEDS HELP WITH KITS

  • For more information, log on to www.umcor.org and click on “Help Sager Brown Deliver Kits of Hope.”

UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TEAMS NEEDED IN MEXICO

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AT CENTERVILLE, IOWA

  • Contact the church office at 641-856-3862 or the Trustees Chair at 641-895-0381.

HENDERSON SETTLEMENT OFFERS PROGRAM FOR SENIORS APRIL 20-26

OPERATION CLASSROOM PACKING PARTY IN TERRE HAUTE DISTRICT

  • April 24, at 9 a.m. at Breden Memorial UMC, 2228 S. 7th St. in Terre Haute
  • Please contact the Terre Haute District Office, 1403 Chestnut Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Call 812-237-0101 or 800-919-8168.

UNITED METHODIST VIMS NEEDED TO BUILD MONTANA PLAYGROUND

  • May 2-5, 2008
  • For more information, contact: Barbara Galusha Karst, High Plains Coordinator, bgkarst@vcn.com.

RX CONNEXION TO HOLD ANNUAL CONSULTATION IN LINCOLN COUNTRY

  • May 2-4
  • Fees: $75 - Meeting Registration, 3 meals, snacks (no breakfast)
  • Lodging: $65 - Reserved Room at near-by Baymont Inn or $15/night Limited lodging space is available at the Midwest Distribution Center
  • Optional Tour: $10 Lincoln Springfield Tour Saturday evening
  • Registration Deadline is April 15 (tax day).
  • For more information or to receive a registration form, visit www.gbgm-umc.org/northcentralvim/rxconnexion.html or write umvim-ncj@brookings.net for a copy.

OPERATION CLASSROOM SCHEDULES MORE WORK TEAMS THIS YEAR

  • Pine Creek – May 3. Rev. Bruce Mowery is coordinating the project. For more information contact bemowery@hotmail.com.
  • Bo Centenary School – June 19-July 11. For more information contact Kay Hess at: hess100@juno.com.
  • Itabuna Methodist Church, Brazil – June 27- July 11. For more information, contact the Wagners at ocmisson@frontiernet.net.
  • Henderson Settlement – July 20-26. Applications are due March 12. For more information contact Anne at annekumeh@aol.com
  • W.PL. Brumskine UM School – Oct. 4-19. Kay and Lamar Zeigler are the team leaders. Contact the OC office or Tom at ttillett@ralis.com for more information.

NORTH KATANGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES COMING TO INDIANA

  • May 5-16
  • If your church, cluster or district is interested in hosting a day or an event, contact Lourdes Gonzalez or Bob Walters at the conference center.

OPERATION 2008 CLASSROOM TEAMS

  • Sierra Leone
    • May 6 to 22 – Sierra Leone – Koidu Secondary School - U of I, Lang Brownlee, team leader
    • June 18 to July 9 Sierra Leone – Bo Centenary School, Kay Hess, team leader, hess100@juno.com
  • To Liberia
    • June 24 to July 11 – Liberia – Tubman-Gray School, Ken and Kitty Decker, team leaders, ken.decker@prodigy.net or kitty.decker@prodigy.net
    • October 9 to 28 – Liberia – W.P.L. Brumskine School, Lamar and Kay Ziegler, team leaders, lamar@rnthompson.com

MISSION TO CUBA HAS AN OPENING FOR MAY 17-28 TRIP

  • Please contact Neil Vander Linden ( ngvl@charter.net – 864-859-3652)) for further information.

SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE UPCOMING MISSION TRIPS

  • June 2008
    • Harrodsburg UMC to Henderson Settlement, Ky.
    • Youth District Mission Trip Location TBA
  • July 2008
    • July 12-19 – Mooresville First UMC to Calnali,, Mexico
  • Summer 2008
    • Bedford First UMC to Louisiana
    • South Indiana Native American Mission Trips
  • September 2008
    • Sept. 20-27 – Ames Chapel UMC to John’s Island, S.C.
    • Sept. 22-29 – Mooresville First UMC to Henderson Settlement, Ky.

MISSION OPPORTUNITY – TRAVEL TO MEXICO WITH COLUMBUS D.S.

  • June 14-21
  • For more information including a brochure visit the Columbus District Web site www.coumc.org or e-mail Brian White.

GARY, IND. TO HOST FIRST EVER TEACHUM FAIR

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGIST NEEDED FOR LIBERIAN VIM TRIP

  • June 19-July 5
  • Cost is $3,500
  • Contact: Team Leader, Julie Warren, steadleaze@charter.net or call 817-453-2682 or 817-975-9216.

MINNESOTA MEDICAL MISSIONS TO SIERRA-LEONE NEEDS PHYSICIAN

  • June 26-July 8, 2008
  • September 27-October 7, 2008
  • For further information please contact Doris Acton, RN at doris.acton@nhylandsumc.org or at 952-835-7585.

MISSOURI CONFERENCE SPONSORING HEALTH VIM TRIP TO MOZAMBIQUE

  • Late June through early July, 2008, sponsored by the Missouri UM Conference
  • For more information, call Tom Mitchell if you have questions or want more information. Phone 314-725-4003 or e-mail TomM8132@aol.com.

NORTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION

  • July 9 for the Drive-In Day
  • July 9-July 12 at Manchester College, in North Manchester, Ind.
  • More information and registration to come.

OPERATION UTAH INVITES VOLUNTEERS TO UTAH MISSION TO NAVAJOS

  • July 9-21
  • For more information, contact Scott or Anita Pattison by phone at 260-347-0056 church or 260-347-3621 home or e-mail them at gspattison@sbcglobal.net

KOKOMO CHURCH INVITES OTHERS TO UTE INDIANA NATION VIM TRIP

  • July 17-July 29
  • If you are interested in finding out more information about this opportunity call the cell number below. I look forward to hearing from you! Seeking God’s Horizon, Paul Rogers, cell phone: 765-863-0127.

SMITH VALLEY UMC MISSION OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

  • Cartagenta, Colombia, South America
  • July 19-26
  • Contact Pastor Joe for more details at 317-432-6706

SOUTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION SCHEDULED FOR JULY

  • July 26-Super Saturday Session
  • July 27-30 Weekday School.
  • For more information check out the “Southwind” newsletter by logging onto: www.gbgm-umc.org/sicumw/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GULF PORT HURRICANE RECOVERY IN AUGUST

  • Gulf Port, Miss., Aug. 9-17
  • Contact Peg and Arley Ellingson, 203 S. 1st Ave Hinton, IA 51024, phone: 712-947-4551(h), 712-947-4553 (o), 712-203-8068 (c) or e-mail: pellingson@usa.net.

MADISON CHURCH PLANS MISSION TRIP TO ENGLAND IN SEPTEMBER

  • Sept. 22 through Oct. 1
  • For more information, call Debi Partridge at 812-273-4601 or email her at partridge2@verizon.net. The price for this trip is $3,000 and the team is almost full.

DETROIT CONFERENCE VIM TEAM PLANS TRIP TO HAITI FOR NOV. 7-14

  • Nov 7-14
  • Contact Curtis Bartz, 313- 278-4849 or jbartz@mich.com for information and an application.

TWO MISSION DISCOVERY OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK

WARSAW DISTRICT PLANS 2009 MISSION TRIP TO LIBERIA

  • Jan. 10 through 24, 2009
  • If you are interested, call the Warsaw District Office at 800-783-6111.

Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.

Last updated on 04/16/2008

Questions or comments: webmaster@inareaumc.org