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Mission News for February 22, 2010

HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST Mission Opportunities

For Monday February 22, 2010
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries tithe.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication

The Rev. LeKisha Reed, Associate Director of Mission and Advocacy, is available to you in the new Indiana Conference Center and would like to hear what your congregation is doing in mission and advocacy. Submit mission news, information and volunteer opportunities to lekisha.reed@inumc.org or call 317-924-1321. The Indiana Conference Mission and Advocacy area has created a Facebook Fan Page. Check it out here.

REMINDER

FINAL WEEK FOR HEALTH KIT COLLECTION TO M.M.D.C. IN ILL.

This is the final week of the Health Kit blitz in Indiana United Methodist churches. Please check out the site locations these kits need to be delivered THIS WEEK. All sites that are not transporting the kits directly to Midwest Mission Distribution Center will stop collecting kits on Friday, Feb. 26. The list is available here.

MORE WAYS TO GIVE TO HAITI RELIEF

TENTS DESPERATELY NEEDED IN HAITI FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS

Friends of the Orphans, a Chicago-based charity with Roman Catholic roots serving South America and the Caribbean, and Children of Abraham, an Indiana Conference Advance Special with offices at Hammond First UMC, have been resupplying the Saint Damien Children’s Hospital in Haiti. This 120-bed hospital currently has 700 people in serious or critical condition under its care. Children of Abraham have been supplying medical supplies and many additional beds, as well as food which are being distributed with help from the Italian contingent of the United Nations.

The United Nations is supplying tents to house the additional patients. However, a community of more than 6,000 people is now living in the open or in cardboard boxes and lean-tos in the area around the hospital, many of them family members of patients. The rainy season begins in about a month and these people have no shelter, no homes in Port-au-Prince to return to, and relief organizations will be unable to build shelter until sufficient infrastructure is built. The Italian Army, which has taken responsibility to accomplish this, has told us that it will take a minimum of six months. The rainy season begins soon bringing with it swarms of disease-bearing mosquitoes,

Children of Abraham is partnering with other concerned relief agencies to supply ten-person mosquito netted tents complete with rain tarps. We have multiple suppliers willing to provide these tents for $150 each, which normally sell in the $350-$400 range. To give room to actually live and move the tents will be set up for five people or less. It will take 1,200 tents to accomplish this task. We think we can do it and are asking Indiana United Methodist congregations to assist us by making a donation to cover the cost of one or more tents. Transportation will be through Children of Abraham. The tent city will be organized by Friends of the Orphans and Saint Damien Hospital. Donations can be sent to Children of Abraham, 6635 Hohman Avenue, Hammond, IN 46324. If you have questions, please contact David Schrader, pastor of South Bend Grace UMC and Children of Abraham board member, at 574-288-4789, or by e-mail at pastordavidschrader@yahoo.com. Visit Children of Abraham at www.coa-worldwide.org.

UMCOR ANSWERS FAQ ONLINE

UMCOR has developed “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) to help in answering questions about what local congregations can do to help respond to the needs presented following the earthquake in Haiti. The information can be found on UMCOR’s Web site.

HOPE CRISIS RESPONSE NETWORK SEEKS MEDICAL TEAMS UPDATED

There is an immediate need for the following: Requesting physicians of specific specialties to deploy with the National Disaster Medical Assistance teams to Haiti. The need is for trauma surgeons, orthopedists, anesthesiologists and others with experience in treating crush injuries.

For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/haiti/volunteers.html.

NATIONAL DATABASE SET UP FOR VOLUNTEERS GOING TO HAITI

Volunteers need to go to http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/HaitiVolunteer and register their intent to volunteer in Haiti in the future, along with listing their skills and aptitudes for being a United Methodist Volunteer In Mission.

METHODIST CHURCH OF HAITI GIVES INVITATION TO CONFERENCE

The Five Jurisdictional UMVIM Coordinators had their weekly conference call with UMCOR this past Thursday evening. The Methodist Church of Haiti has invited us to attend their annual conference the end of February in Les Cayes. Plans are being finalized for that trip. We also will work on some team logistic assessments with the hope of being able to start scheduling teams as soon as possible. Please continue to register online to go with a future team to Haiti, even if we already have your name as the data base includes more information. – Lorna Jost, NCJ-UMVIM

VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION TEAM LEADER TRAINING COMING TO INDIANA
  • March 20, 2010 at First UMC in Bloomington, Ind.
  • April 10, 2010 at New Life UMC near Mexico, Ind.

Both 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET), Penny Krug will be the trainer for these sessions.

Who should attend? Leaders and/or participants of work teams and youth leaders

What is the cost? $15 person, which includes lunch and basic materials plus $25 for VIM Training Manual (only 1 needed per church).

Topics include: How to plan a mission trip, where to go when your church wants to send a team, spiritual enrichment, being a team member, cultural sensitivity, insurance and liability forms regardless of where you go, issues of risk, and answers to questions.

To register: Contact Bonnie Albert, Indiana Conference UMVIM Coordinator.

HEALTH, LAYETTE, BIRTHING KITS NEEDED

According to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis is past, but it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti at the present. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available on the UMCOR Web site.

Tom Hazelwood, Associate General Secretary for UMCOR has asked that layettes and birthing kits also may be made and sent in.

There is a need for volunteer groups in the months of February and March to serve at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois assembling the shipment to Haiti. Please contact MMDC to make your team’s reservations. Contact: Midwest Mission Distribution Center, 1022 New City Road, P.O. Box 56, Chatham, IL 62629, phone: 217-483-7911, fax 217-483-7981 or online.

DONATIONS TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

We are grateful that donations continue to come in online. Donors may also contribute by placing a check in the offering plate at any United Methodist church or by mailing it to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Checks should indicate “Advance #418325” in the memo line.

Offerings received in congregations need to be sent to their District Centers using the same P.O. Box address used when sending in the conference tithe. Checks sent to the conference office should have “Haiti Emergency” in the memo line. Thank you for your generous contributions.

Remember, 100 percent of gifts go directly to Haiti Earthquake relief efforts. Administrative cost has been paid through the One Great Hour of Sharing special Sunday offering.

For more Indiana Conference-related information about recovery efforts, early response training, kit assemblage, collection points and special offerings to UMCOR for Haiti Emergency, visit www.inumc.org and click on Haiti Emergency in left column.

MISSION NEWS

UMCOR FIELD OFFICE OPENS IN HAITI

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – The United Methodist Committee on Relief opened a field office in Port-au-Prince and is hiring full-time staff as part of a five-year plan to help rebuild Haiti after the Jan. 12 earthquake. Read more here.

An online version of UMCOR Update can be found here.

DALAI LAMA TO SPEAK AT CONSECO IN INDIANAPOLIS ON MAY 14

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a public talk at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. The program will be hosted by the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) of Bloomington, the Indianapolis-based Indiana Buddhist Center (IBC) and the Interfaith Hunger Initiative (IHI) of Indianapolis. The title of the talk, “Facing Challenges with Compassion and Wisdom,” reflects the core mission of these groups as well as speaking directly to issues central to today’s world. The TMBCC will also host His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s sixth visit to Bloomington, where he will give three public teachings at Indiana University Auditorium on May 12 and 13. The topic of his teachings will be ‘The Heart Sutra’ that expresses the importance of compassion and wisdom – qualities that lie at the heart of the Buddhist religion.

Tickets for the Indianapolis event are available at the Conseco box office or at area Ticketmaster locations. General admission tickets are $25; student tickets are $15. Additional information may be obtained at www.tmbcc.net and www.consecofieldhouse.com.

INDY’S CHAPEL HILL UMC TO SEND MEDICAL TEAM TO HAITI

Chapel Hill UMC in Indianapolis has been sending a medical mission team to St. Ard, Haiti for more than a decade. This year’s trip had been scheduled for Feb. 5-13 long before the earthquake hit. At this point, the team is still scheduled to go (though this remains a touch-and-go plan), but of course, they will be facing a very different situation than they have encountered before. Since the earthquake, Chapel Hill has become a drop-off point for Indianapolis for medical supplies that will be taken directly to Haiti. The Haiti mission team has been working around the clock receiving and sorting medical supplies, preparing them for shipment to Haiti, answering phone calls and so on. The team has many wonderful stories to share about the miracles that God has performed in the midst of this overwhelming tragedy and need.

Here is contact information for folks from the Chapel Hill church who will be able to share more detailed information with you about Chapel Hill’s medical mission with Haiti:

  • Carolyn Olivier, coordinator of Chapel Hill’s Haiti medical mission team – 317-244-8336
  • Tom MacCabe, chair of Chapel Hill’s communications committee – 317-241-4947
  • Mike Biggs, pastor of Chapel Hill UMC – 317-241-6163
JURISDICTIONAL UMVIM COORDINATORS HEAD FOR HAITI

Three UMVIM Jurisdictional Coordinators (Greg Forrester, NEJ; Paulette West, SEJ and Lorna Jost, NCJ) will travel to Haiti starting next Thursday, Feb 25, to attend the Elise Methodiste d'Haiti Annual Conference in Les Cayes. While at the Annual Conference we will meet with the Pastors and leaders of the church and discuss their priority projects. During the rest of the time, we will look at some of these projects and determine how best to accommodate volunteers at these sites.

While there, I will also confirm with Gesner Paul, President Elise Methodiste d'Haiti, his participation at the Rx Consultation in Des Moines, IA. He is scheduled to meet with interested parties on May 6, the day prior to the consultation, and to present two workshops on needs for and how to take medical teams into Haiti on Saturday May 8.

While I am gone, if you have questions, please contact your conference UMVIM coordinator for help. They are listed here. – Lorna Jost, NCJ-UMVIM coordinator

PURDUE TEAM WORKS ON HOUSE PLANS FOR HAITI

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Associated Press) – Purdue University students are teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to develop disaster-resistant homes that could help developing countries.

The work has taken on a sense of urgency since a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, killing more than 200,000 people and injuring thousands more.

“I think it gives us all a lot of drive, because this is life or death,” said Lauren Meyers, a Purdue junior and member of Purdue’s Engineering Projects in Community Service, or EPICS program.

The Disaster Relief Housing Project began about two years ago and focuses on designing safe and stable ways to expand a home designed by Habitat for Humanity. "Its original focus was on hurricanes and floods," said William Oakes, EPICS program director.

The scope expanded to include earthquakes last fall, well before the temblor hit Haiti.

“There are a lot of homes built on a sloping terrain, so landslides are another thing we are keeping in mind,” said Purdue senior Peter Brinson, project leader for the team designing the homes. “Another huge obstacle is the fact that Haiti doesn’t have a standardized building code to ensure safety." – AP

BRITISH METHODISTS, ANGLICANS COVENANT FOR MISSION

LONDON (UMNS) – The 265,000-member British Methodist Church and the 960,000-member Church of England denominations have agreed to continue a covenant relationship first established in 2003. The covenant recognizes the baptisms and ordinations of each church, and encourages the sharing of the Eucharist. Read more.

HAITIAN ADOPTIONS REQUIRE MORAL DISCERNMENT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – The images from Haiti –– infants alone in an orphanage, the vacant stares of abandoned children standing amid the rubble are heartbreaking. The first response of many people is to want to rescue these children, but the desire to bring them to a more secure life in your native land, needs to be tempered by a number of practical and moral concerns, say United Methodist leaders. Read more.

FOR THE LATEST IN DISASTER NEWS AND RECOVERY
VISIT www.disasternews.net and www.umcor.org.

NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

CHECK OUT THE NEW GAMBLING RECOVERY MINISTRIES WEB SITE

Check out the United Methodist-related Gambling Recovery Ministries’ greatly expanded Web site. Ministry tools, plenty of information and blog is available online. The site includes practical, easy-to-use help for problem gamblers, loved ones, pastors, counselors, educators and prevention specialists. Sign up for e-news Bonus Pages at www.grmumc.org. This ministry is supported in part through your congregational tithe to the conference.

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TRAINING AVAILABLE APRIL 15-18

The Individual Volunteer training from April 15-18 is for longer term service. It is led by the Mission Volunteers Unit, General Board of Global Ministries. This is not just for anyone. People must apply and go through the Individual Volunteer Web site. There will be folks from around the North Central Jurisdiction and some from farther away at this special training. The North Central Jurisdiction gets to host this event one time each year and this year it is in Minnesota. Going to serve individually for an extended time does require some different skills than leading a team!

TERRE HAUTE CHURCH HAS SPACE AVAILABLE FOR VIM TRIP TO RUSSIA

Want to join a unique international mission to Russia? Our vision is to plant a new United Methodist church in a Russian city with more than a million in population that doesn’t already have a UM congreation. There is a pent up demand for our brand. Time is running out, and the Memorial UMC and its Crossroads cluster from Terre Haute have places open for a June 15-26 VIM trip.

A brief description is available at www.umcmemorial.com, click on the Missions tab. This trip is planned and endorsed by Memorial UMC and its Crossroads cluster from Terre Haute in the new Southwest District. Team leader Peter Priest has met with the Russian United Methodist Bishop Hans Vaxby and the General Board of Global Ministries Director of the Russian Initiative Jim Athern when both visited Cincinnati this past October. Priest has arranged and led study and mission trips to Russia since 1975 for UM-VIM projects and for the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute. The last Indiana mission to Russia went in 2005 and was principally from Memorial Church. –Peter Priest, Emeritus Professor of Russian

BREAD FOR THE WORLD TO HOLD LETTERS WORKSHOP IN INDY, MARCH 6

On Saturday, March 6, Bread for the World in Indianapolis will present an Offering of Letters workshop. We can end hunger in our time if everyone, including our government, does their part. By making our voices heard in Congress, we can make our nation’s laws fairer and more compassionate to those in need.

Bill Stanczykiewicz, President of the Indiana Youth Institute, will provide background on hunger and poverty among Indiana’s children. Ellen Quigley, former Chief of Staff for Rep. Andre Carson, will explain the how’s and why’s of advocacy.

Bread’s focus this year will be working for changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit that help working parents in the U.S. feed their own families. Whether you have participated in a letter writing campaign before or not, this workshop will provide all needed information and materials.

The workshop will be Saturday, March 6 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. (includes lunch) at St Luke’s UMC, 100 W, 86th Street (just west of Meridian) in Indianapolis. There is no charge.

Register at www.bread.org/indy2010 or call Roger Howard at 317-594-9355.

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR HUNGER JUSTICE LEADERS

Bread for the World is looking for the best and brightest 20- to 30-year-old advocates to join the next class of Hunger Justice Leaders. Selected participants will attend an all-expense-paid advocacy-training workshop in Washington, D.C., June 12-15. For information, visit www.bread.org.

PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SUMMER 2010 GLOBAL JUSTICE VOLUNTEERS

NEW YORK (UMNS) – Now is the time for young women between the ages of 18 and 30 to apply for short-term, volunteer-mission service in the 2010 Global Justice Volunteers program of United Methodist Women. The deadline to apply is March 15. The areas of service are Asia and Africa. The program offers young people the opportunity to live internationally for six weeks and explore the issues of justice and its advocacy. Download applications at here.

LENTEN RESOURCE ADDRESSES WATER CRISIS

NEW YORK (UMNS) – The United Methodist Committee on Relief and Church World Service are part of a coalition of faith-based relief and development groups endorsing a Lenten resource addressing the global water and sanitation crisis. The WASH (WAter Sanitation & Hygiene) for Lent Initiative has been set up to encourage getting involved with organizations responding to the crisis as a focus of their Lenten journey. A Web site, WASH for Lent, includes links to many groups, statistics and information about WASH and offers weekly devotionals.

RX CONSULTATION TO BE HELD IN IOWA, MAY 7-9

The Rx Consultation for UMVIM medical teams is scheduled for May 7-9 at Walnut Hills UMC in Urbandale, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines. More information to come.

VIETNAM / CAMBODIA

June 20-July 2. Rev. Dr. Christian Van, Northern Illinois Conference Elder for First Vietnamese UMC, 3100 W. Wilson, Chicago, IL 60625 will be taking a Nehemiah Medical and Charitable Mission team to these Southeast Asia countries. The team needs recruits for this mission and can be contacted: Rev. Dr. Christian Van, 773-213-6613 or visit their Web site.

FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION (UPDATED)

UNITED METHODISTS CONTINUE IN FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS STATEWIDE

The floods may seem long gone and out of the news, however, volunteers are still needed to assist residence in northwest, far northwest and in the central parts of Indiana. (updated 6/15/09)

In far northwest Indiana, contact the Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery in Indiana (LARRI). Visit www.larri.info located at the United Way of Porter County at 951 Eastport Centre Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46384; ph 219-447-3583 or toll-free 877-LARRI4U; fax 219-477-5845. Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery in Indiana (LARRI) has been approved as an eligible volunteer location for Disney’s program Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. Effective Jan. 1, volunteers can go to the Disney site and sign up to work at a LARRI location and receive a voucher for a day at a Disney Park (Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort). Click on photo to go to the official Disney site. Watch for program updates. For details, click here. When asked for city online, type in Munster, IN. (updated Jan. 2010).

Across central Indiana. For work team schedules in the Columbus area, contact Angie Huebel at the United Way of Bartholomew County, 1531 13th Street, Columbus, IN 47201, ph 812-314-2344; ahuebel@uwbarthco.org. For other communities, Bonnie Albert, Indiana UMVIM Coordinator; ph 219-464-1447; bonkay@hotmail.com (Updated 12/14/09).

In Northwest Indiana contact Alan H. Welch, director, DANI-Disaster Assistance for NW Indiana, 1021 N 10th Street, Lafayette, IN 47904; ph 765-742-4718; welchah@gmail.com. DANI information is available by visiting http://daniflood.org.

Morgan County (Lannie Stecher, ph 765-318-8344, pastorlannie@yahoo.com) is in need of both skilled and unskilled volunteers to assist with rebuilding and repairing homes damaged by the June 2008 floods. The “500 year flood” impacted over 2,700 households, 48 percent of which fall below the Federal poverty guidelines. Housing in churches can be provided. Go to www.mcltrc.com to register and for more project information. (Updated 10/24/09)

Southern Indiana - Contact Disaster Response Coordinator: The Rev. David Powell, 820 W Mill Street, Danville, IN 46122; ph 317-745-4330; info@danvilleumc.org. Terre Haute and Bartholomew County areas in need of volunteers.

ONGOING MISSION PROJECT REMINDERS

For more information about these opportunities, listings of ongoing projects and contact information, please visit http://inumc.org/pages/detail/171.

NOMADS VOLUNTEERS WORK IN RESPONSE TO DISASTER
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN NORTH DAKOTA
  • All rebuild is done in Dickinson! Volunteers are needed for Rebuilds in Fargo/Moorhead and the Jamestown areas. Contact: Joan Buchhop, ph 701-775-6151.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES REMINDERS

For more information about these opportunities, listings of ongoing projects and contact information, please visit http://inumc.org/pages/detail/172.

MISSION TRIP TO EL SALVADOR
MINNESOTA OPERATION CLASSROOM ANNOUNCES TRIPS TO AFRICA
  • Sierra Leone, Kabala, March 10-25, to begin constructing a new school building. Team leader: Lyndy Zabel, ph 952-829-7179.
MISHAWKA CHURCH PLANNING MISSION TRIP TO HENDERSON SETTLEMENT
  • April 5-10
  • The cost is $200 per person
  • For more information, contact Isaac Nanney, director of student ministry, at First UMC in Mishawaka or call 574-255-4707.
OPERATION CLASSROOM VIM TRIPS TO AFRICA
  • Workteams to Sierra Leone 2010
    • May 2 to 23 To Koidu – University of Indianapolis, Lang Brownlee, team leader
    • June 12 to July 15 - Constructing a school for the blind - Les and Hope Law, team leaders
    • July 25-August 3 - Construction project to be decided - Kay Hess, team leader
  • Workteams to Liberia 2010
    • April- New Georgia school construction
    • June 21 to July 6 - Tubman-Gray School - Especially for College Students
    • Construction of Elementary Building - Jill Bowen Team leader
    • June 22 to July 8 or July 20 to August 1 - Teaching seminar on reading, phonics and writing (elementary level)
    • Sept 7 to 27 – Kay Zeigler and Bob Evans Leaders, Construction project to be decided
RUSSIA INITIATIVE CONSULTATION XV
CHAIN SAW TRAINING COURSE IN WISCONSIN
  • May 15 at Pine Lake United Methodist Camp
  • Limited to 10-15 beginners or experienced cutters
  • Cost: $35 includes lunch
  • Register by May 7
  • More information: Chuck Wedemeyer 414-354-8285
CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEED TO CONSTRUCT NEW HOUSES
  • Work Camp Schedule for S.O.W.E.R. 2010 (Sharing Our Witness – Enriching Relationships)
    • Week 1 May 16 – 22 Frame shell
    • Week 2 May 23 – 29 Roofing, interior walls, exterior doors, windows, siding
    • Week 3 July 11 – 17 Install insulation and drywall, finish siding and soffit
    • Week 4 July 18 – 24 Finish drywall & paint, install porch railing
    • Week 5 August 8 – 14 Finish interior trim, install underlayment, and flooring
    • Week 6 August 15 – 21 Install interior doors, trim, and kitchen cabinets
  • To learn more or to join one of these camps contact Ralph & Carolyn Brandon, SOWER VIM Team Leaders. 231 McMillen Dr., Newark, Oh 43055, ph 740-344-5581, SOWER@wocumc.org
VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TRIP PLANNED TO AFRICA UNIVERSITY
  • May 20-June 8, 2010
  • Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa
  • Cost of the trip: $3800
  • For more information, contact Rev. Anyike at 317-925-1997 or Ruth Ellen Stone at ruthellen1@juno.com.
ELGINS TO LEAD TEACHUM TEAM TO MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
  • teachUM teams to Managua, Nicaragua
  • June 14-23, 2010
  • For more information, e-mail rrelgin@comcast.net
VIM TRIP
  • POLAND, Kielce: June 24-July 7, 2010. This previously announced trip from Illinois Great Rivers Conference will be added to the Mission Discovery list for team leader training while experiencing the trip! We are targeting youth and young adult leaders and all others! Cost is $2,500. Please contact Ron Fontenot,  618-628-8262.
ORPHANAGE #4, PAVLOVSK, RUSSIA
  • June 27-July 11, 2010
  • For more information, contact Glenna Boughton at glennab33@msn.com or call  563-557-9260
FLOOD OF JUSTICE MISSIONS
VIM TRIP
  • PERU, Ica: July 29- Aug 12, 2010. Previously announced team from the Wisconsin Annual Conference needs one more doctor, a few people versed in construction techniques and a pharmacist. Judy Bruun.
WEST OHIO CHURCH ANNOUNCES TWO MISSION TRIPS NEED VOLUNTEERS
  • E-mail Grove City Missions for more information
  • JAMAICA:
    • July 31-Aug. 7
    • Cost is $1,300
    • Team Leader: Carol Coudle.
  • UGANDA:
    • Summer 2011
    • Cost is $3,200
    • Team Leaders: Jan Scharenberg and Dayna McFarland.