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Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
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HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST
Mission Opportunities
For Mission Monday April 28, 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
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This Week’s Events Mission News Job Opportunities |
Newly Listed Mission Opportunities Mission Opportunities Reminders |
THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
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 or 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.
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.
MISSION NEWS
PASTOR SHARES HEART FOR MISSION
PLANO, Texas (UMPortal) — The Rev. Mike Slaughter set a rule in 1979, after coming on board as senior pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. The church could never vote down a project, he said, “if it’s something that Jesus would do.”
Ginghamsburg, a United Methodist congregation 16 miles north of Dayton, took those words seriously. Members have since launched missions around the world, from Sudan’s Darfur region to their own “rust belt” community.
For the complete story, log on to www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3405. – UMPortal.org
SPEAKERS: CHURCH CAN HELP PERSONS WITH AIDS
FORT WORTH, Texas (UMPortal) — Author Kay Warren says so many people die of AIDS that it’s like “a city the size of Chicago being wiped off the face of the earth, every year.”
Ms. Warren, the wife of megachurch pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren, was among the presenters at an April 22 news briefing who said the United Methodist Church can help ease the struggle of those affected by the disease.
More than 150 clergy and laypeople from across the globe attended the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee’s “Lighten the Burden II” HIV/AIDS briefing at Fort Worth’s First United Methodist Church, a day before the opening of the denomination’s 2008 General Conference.
“We can’t do everything, but we can do something,” said the Rev. Shane Stanford, the teaching pastor at Main Street United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Presenters shared stories about the AIDS/HIV situation “on the ground” and the denomination’s response. Projects funded by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund were also highlighted.
For the complete story, log on to http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3420.
INDY CHURCH TO HOST MINI-MARATHON WORSHIP SERVICE
Soul to Sole - A Mini-Marathon Worship Service,
Saturday, May 3, 6 a.m.
Robert's Park United Methodist Church in downtown Indianapolis
401 N. Delaware Street (corner of Vermont & Delaware)
317-635-1636
Come, join runners, walkers and volunteers for a 30-minute worship service to prepare your mind, body and soul for the 13.1-mile journey. This brief service begins at 6:00 a.m. the day of the race and will conclude by 6:30 a.m. to give participants ample time to arrive at the starting line, just eight blocks away. Off-street parking is available just east of the church.
SAGER BROWN DEPOT OF HOPE
The Sager Brown campus has been a beacon of hope in Southern Louisiana for more than 140 years. Originally a school and orphanage, today it is a relief supply center that sends health, flood, sewing, layette and other kits to people in need around the world. UMCOR's most recent DVD tells the story of UMCOR Sager Brown and provides additional resources for those who want to participate in its ministries.
In addition to an informational video about UMCOR Sager Brown, the DVD has three short instructional videos illustrating how to assemble health, school and layette kits. The DVD also includes instruction sheets for each kit in addition to sewing patterns for layettes and school bags, and information about volunteering at the Baldwin, Louisiana campus.
Order your free DVD today by sending an email with your name and mailing address to umcor@gbgm-umc.org. You can also support this ministry by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440.
SUPPORTERS RAISE MONEY FOR BED NETS RIDING 238 MILES IN TEXAS
The Nothing But Nets campaign to eradicate malaria is receiving a major boost, thanks to three annual conferences in Texas. The Texas Conference “Nothing But Sweat” cyclists raised $156,144 with a four-day, 238-mile bike ride from Montgomery to Fort Worth, Texas. Houston Area Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, president of the Council of Bishops, and Bishop Benjamin Boni of Côte d’Ivoire, which will receive insecticide-treated bed nets purchased with the donations, were on hand to greet the riders April 23 at General Worth Square Park across from the Fort Worth Convention Center, site of the 2008 General Conference.
The Rev. Morris Matthis, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, Sugarland, Texas, led the bike ride, with the goal of raising both money and awareness of the malaria crisis.
As the cyclists gathered in General Worth Square, Bishop Huie voiced her pride that the group would “step out, take a risk, and be blessed by people and churches along the way.”
She explained that the money raised, which far exceeded the original goal of $100,000, will be used to save lives of children and expectant mothers in Côte d’Ivoire. A team from the Texas Conference will deliver the nets later this year. The Central and North Texas conferences have raised more than $300,000 for Nothing But Nets, including contributions netted through a series of three-on-three basketball tournaments. – UMNS
UMC RECEIVES $5 MILLION TO HELP END CHILD MALARIA DEATHS
As it commemorates World Malaria Day, The United Methodist Church announced April 25 it will receive a $5 million grant from the United Nations Foundation, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to help eliminate malaria and other diseases of poverty. Bishop Thomas Bickerton revealed the grant at the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body meeting in Fort Worth through May 2.
“We hope to use this $5 million to support a fundraising and educational campaign to help end deaths of children from malaria. The goal is to raise $100 million over the next several years for programs in Africa to fight malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and to support the Global Fund,” said Bickerton.
The United Methodist Church is embarking on a global health initiative aimed at combating diseases of poverty. The denomination has recently entered into an expanded partnership with the United Nations Foundation to help end malaria deaths. – UMCom
TANZANIAN MISSIONARIES TO SPEAK AT UNION UMC IN BRAZIL ON MAY 18
Union United Methodist Church in Brazil, Ind. invites all churches to join us for an evening on Missions from Africa.
May 18 at 6:00 p. m., the Rev. Lowell and Claudia Wertz from “Joy In The Harvest” in Tanzania, Africa, will be reporting on their ministry there. The Wertzs are ministering to refugee and destitute camps, feeding programs for street people, aids victims and orphans. Come to hear their exciting story as we celebrate with them how God is using “Joy In The Harvest” to reach hearts in Africa.
TWO NEW DISASTER RESPONSE EXECUTIVES JOIN UMCOR
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) introduced new staff at their semi-annual board meeting last month. Melissa Crutchfield, who began on April 21, will serve as the assistant general secretary for International Disaster Response. Sandra Kennedy-Owes began her new role with UMCOR April 14 as executive secretary for Domestic Disaster Response.
A life-long United Methodist, Crutchfield most recently worked for Aurora Associates, International where she specialized in capacity building through education for women and in education for refugees. “Melissa’s experiences in tough international situations combined with her understanding of the church’s role in responding to disasters make her an ideal fit to lead the International Disaster Response unit,” said the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR’s top executive. “I welcome her diverse background and ability to empower local leaders to create partnerships with local agencies.” Crutchfield will be UMCOR’s on the ground person within central conference settings — Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
Kennedy-Owes has worked in the disaster response field for more than twenty-five years, most recently with the Alabama West Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry as Director of Casework Services. She is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. “I look forward to bringing Sandra’s years of experience in disaster management and response to UMCOR as we work to increase UMCOR’s ability to train and respond to disasters of all types in the United States.” said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, executive for UMCOR, Domestic Disaster Response. – UMCOR
UMCOR’S 100-TON CHALLENGE BEGINS MAY 10
United Methodists are encouraged to help farmers earn fair prices for their crops by participating in UMCOR’s 100-Ton Challenge. Beginning on World Fair Trade Day, May 10 and continuing through May 9, 2009 — the campaign encourages United Methodists to help increase the amount of fairly-traded coffee, tea, chocolate and snacks purchased through The UMCOR Coffee Project and its partner Equal Exchange, a 100 percent fair trade, worker-owned co-operative.
The goal of the 100-Ton Challenge is to increase awareness about fair trade in United Methodist churches everywhere and leverage fairly-traded products to help promote better lives for farmers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the United States. Consumers of fairly-traded coffee, tea and chocolate, help farmers stay on their land, care for the environment, and support their families.
Help spread the word about fair trade. Download UMCOR’s 100-Ton Challenge poster or the World Fair Trade Day bulletin insert. You can also help small-scale farmers though your gifts to Sustainable Agriculture and Development, UMCOR Advance #982188.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
INDY CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, a progressive congregation of 6000+ members, is seeking a full-time Director of Children’s Ministry. Building on the current ministries, the Director will be responsible for leading and growing a program that instills Christian values and creates faith memories for infants – 5th grade students (currently totaling 1,659 children). Working in partnership with parents, volunteers, and staff, this ministry promotes the spiritual growth of children and their families through religious education, fellowship, and outreach opportunities.
For more information or to request a job description, contact Terri Coe, Growth Team Leader, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, 317-846-3404, or e-mail coet@stlukesumc.com.
NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
INDY WEST PACKING PARTY CHANGE
The May 18, 2008 Indy West District Operation Classroom Packing Party has been changed due to a church schedule conflict at Avon UMC. The new date is Saturday, June 21 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Avon UMC, 6850 E. US 36, Avon 46123.
MARION CHURCH INVITES VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN IN BUILDING HOME
Your church is invited to join us. Goal – build several homes in a weekend and with your help that could happen. Last year four homes were built. How many we build this year depends on you.
Members of Mt. Olive UMC are planning on building a home and are trying to get a coalition of congregations to fund and build other houses with us. Crossroads Missions organizes, provides tools and directs the event. In a few short hours all of the walls for an entire house are constructed in panel sections. The wall panels will be loaded onto a truck and donated to Habitat for Humanity organizations. Participating churches can determine where the houses go. The total amount of the donations received by July 15 will determine the number of houses we can buy materials for and construct in August.
Mt. Olive UMC in Marion will be hosting Crossroads Missions who will be presenting Help Build Hope, a worship and community building, while constructing a home, experience August 22-23, 2008
Costs are as follows:
$1,800 approx. cost of materials per house
$1,500 per house cash donation to Habitat for the roof
$2,500 event fee will be divided among participating churches
Shipping costs are being donated.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Joy Wickline at 765-661-8761.
NORTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION UPDATED
- Drive-In Day is Wed., July 9
- School is Wed. evening, July 9 through July 12
- Registration deadline is June 30
- Classes:
- I Believe in Jesus--Leader Rev. Dr. Derek Weber
- Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival--Leaders Susan Jennys, Rev. Evelyn
- Taylor-Haney, Rev. Jon Walters, and La Donna WeberIsrael-Palestine--Leaders Rev. Dr. James Dwyer, Robert Epps, Dona Lou Imler, and Nancy Myers
- Yo-Pe-Mi-Ca (youth)--Leader Rev. Jeaninne Walker
- Chi-Mi-Ca(children)--Leaders Mary Margaret Willbanks and Joan Schell
- Further information can be found on the following web site: www.gbgm-umc.org/nicumw/scminformation.html
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.
BOOKS OF WORSHIP NEEDED IN SIERRA LEONE
- Requests for the 1964 Book of Worship
- Send it to 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
- Contact Annetta, at netta365@hotmail.com.
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
- For more information, contact Operation Classroom at ocmisson@frontiernet.net or log on to www.operationclassroom.org
POTATOES FOR VACATION
- For more information and to order the material, go to www.endhunger.org
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
- Contact information: Jerry Hill jerry.hill@bsumc.com or call 864-320-3165
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AT CENTERVILLE, IOWA
- Contact the church office at 641-856-3862 or the Trustees Chair at 641-895-0381.
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
- June 15-19
- Marquette Park UMC in Gary, Ind.
- For registration, schedule and further information, visit: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/northcentralvim/teachum.html or write/call umvim-ncj@brookings.net; 605-692-3390.
OPERATION CLASSROOM SCHEDULES MORE WORK TEAMS THIS YEAR
- 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 Carolyn Wagner.
- 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.
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
- Spice Island, Grenada
- Dec. 26 to January 6, 2009
- Cost is $1,600
- Application deadline: Aug.1
- Contact Beverly Nolte, bnmedical@aol.com, (515-237-8544)
- Curacautin, Chile
- Jan. 9-19, 2009
- Contact Oscar and Joyce Carassco, ocarrasc@umcnic.org, (847-931-0710 X 10)
- For application and more information on both of these teams, log on to www.gbgm-umc.org/northcentralvim/mission_discovery.html or write to umvim-ncj@brookings.net.
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 04/28/2008