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Mission News for August 23, 2010

HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST Mission Opportunities

For Monday, August 23, 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. Contact her at  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.

Mission Census Being Taken by Conference Will Continue Through the Summer 

Register to participate at www.inumc.org/missions. If you need a paper copy of this survey, call the Conference Center at 317-924-1321 or toll-free 877-781-6706. Thank you for your participation.

MISSION, OUTREACH NEWS

40 Days of Prayer for campus ministry begins today

Today begins the 40 Days of Prayer for Campus Ministry. Today, campus ministries will initiate a season of prayer that we hope becomes more than just an item on a prayer list for 40 days, but will birth a passion for the young people of our nation. It is our prayer that God would stir the desire to pray for and minister to the young people in your midst. It is also our prayer that college students would become people of prayer, making an impact in the world for God.

If you have checked out the Forty Days of Prayer Web site, you know that we have several ways that you can receive the prayers that have been written by church leaders, campus ministers and students themselves. One also can follow on Twitter or on Facebook to receive a link to the prayers on the Web.

UE Freshman Service Project hits Evansville community today

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (UE) – Incoming freshman at the United Methodist-related University of Evansville will get their first lesson today, Monday, Aug. 23 – about the importance of serving the community. More than 500 of UE’s newest Purple Aces took part in the University’s 2010 Freshman Service Project, scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. During this time, students did everything from reading to children and helping with crafts at Carver Child Care, to helping decorate a new tutoring center for Aurora, to painting and cleaning at the Tri-State Food Bank.

Cloverdale church has begun distributing Angel Food

The Cloverdale United Methodist Church has just become a distribution point for Angel Food Ministry (www.angelfoodministries.com). Angel Food offers great food at greatly reduced prices to anyone, regardless of income. Currently this ministry is feeding 500,000 people a month. According to Cloverdale Pastor Paul Fulp, “This is an awesome program. A basic box of excellent food, supposedly enough to feed a family of four for a week, is only $30.” He said he and his wife have been buying the food to check it out and found it very good. He said, “This is our first month to be a distribution site and have already reached families in the community that we have never met before.” For more information about his experience, contact Fulp at paul.fulp@inumc.org or call him at 765-729-1130. – e-HUM

Global AIDS Fund provides help, comfort

NEW YORK (UMNS) — An AIDS orphan in Kenya, Purity at 14 had become the caregiver for a younger brother and sister and a mentally disabled older brother. They had a piece of family land, but no food. Purity became involved in a United Methodist-supported project that linked her with a group of 12 families in her community. A Zoe Ministry project helped her to plant grass – feed for the family cow – and cultivate greens to sell for profit. Zoe Ministry is one of the grant recipients of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. Read more.

Asian-American churchgoers discuss issues

SAN JOSE, Calif. (UMNS) – The National Federation of Asian American United Methodists recently held its first national convocation in 11 years. More than 200 people gathered at Wesley UMC July 29-31. They represented United Methodists of Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Formosan, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Japanese, South Asian and Vietnamese descent. Among other topics, the group discussed church-wide efforts to improve the denomination’s organizational structure. The group also urged the church to be more engaged in watching out for people trapped in the U.S. immigration system.

Heifer Project International gets top honor

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) – Heifer Project International, long supported by United Methodists through The Advance, recently was named the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation’s 2110 Nonprofit Organization of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by a nonprofit organization using direct response marketing to advance its mission. Chris Quinn, the federation’s executive director, noted that Heifer International’s “important work transcends languages and countries, uniting everyone for one important goal.”

Since 1944, the organization has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer International is currently working in more than 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

Joining ‘voices for recovery’ in September

WASHINGTON (UMNS) – The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is encouraging local churches to observe National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in September by hosting a special worship service or other educational event to highlight the realities of addiction, the benefits of treatment and the possibility of recovery. More information, including a planning toolkit, is available at www.recoverymonth.gov or by calling toll-free 800-662-HELP.

Event planned to lure back former churchgoers

VISTA, Calif.(UMNS) – United Methodist congregations are among the more than 1,5000 churches across the U.S. that have committed to participate in “Back to Church Sunday” on Sept. 12. Churches agree to send out invitations and hold special services to welcome back people who once attended church – but have not recently. Outreach, Inc., a California-based church marketing company that supports the initiative, found last year’s participating churches increased their weekend attendance on average by 19 percent. Resources for planning “Back to Church Sunday” are available at www.backtochurch.com.

New degree program focuses on military chaplaincy

WASHINGTON (UMNS) – Wesley Theological Seminary is offering a new program, “Military Chaplaincy as Call and Practice,” for active and reserve chaplains and clergy pursuing a doctor of ministry degree. “Satisfying the operational needs of military leaders and the religious needs of warriors and their families requires intellectual and spiritual dexterity. This program of study is designed to enhance both,” said the Rev. Lewis A. Parks, professor of theology, ministry and congregational development and director of the doctor of ministry program. The deadline for application is Oct. 1. The first session will be Jan. 3-7 and 10-14, 2011. To learn more, contact Parks at lparks@wesleyseminary.edu. For details and application materials, contact the Office of Admissions at Wesley Theological Seminary at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.

Registration opens for ‘Do No Harm 2011’

HOUSTON (UMNS) – “Do No Harm 2011” is a sexual ethics summit addressing the prevention of and response to abuse, misconduct and harassment of a sexual nature, particularly by people in ministerial roles (both lay and clergy) within The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women has scheduled the event for Jan. 26-29, 2011, in Houston. Early registration is now available online at a discounted rate of $350 per person. Pre-meeting workshops will be offered at an additional cost of $35. Regular registration, between Aug. 15 and Oct. 31, is $425. Late registration, between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15, is $450. Annual (regional) conferences can change participants, if necessary, after registration and pre-payment. People can register at www.gcsrw.org. More information about the denomination’s efforts to grapple with sexual ethics is here.

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

HAITI AND CHILE RELIEF, RECOVERY

Haiti recovery still dominates the United Methodist Volunteers-in-Mission response and of course will for many years. Susan Meister at haitivolunteers@yahoo.com, Haiti team scheduler, reports that they are full with teams through Feb, though still trying to accommodate a couple of teams this fall.

She sends this reminder to team leaders: “In general, your team may consist of no fewer than five persons and no more than ten persons. All participants must arrive and depart on the same flights. As the time for your travel approaches, I will need your flight arrangements and the number of men/women on your team. Please be sure to read all the team information at www.umvimhaiti.org to help you plan your trip. About six weeks before your arrival, the Haiti Coordinator will be in touch with you regarding your specific project assignment and any special information. Your project funds will be due no later than four weeks before your arrival. You will send the project funds directly to me (Susan Meister, 521 Bandy Ave., Galesburg, IL 61401), in a check made to “Haiti Emergency.” I will process the checks and arrange for matching funds to be added and sent to the account in Haiti.”

Please follow these simple rules and make life a little less stressful for those that are trying very hard to accommodate your teams! – Lorna Jost, North Central Jurisdiction, UMVIM

Teams are forming to respond to the earthquake devastation in Haiti.

Wisconsin steps up to help with Chile earthquake response

Contact Don Herringa at donheeringa@yahoo.com or 920-854-5572 to sign up for any of the three teams he will be leading to Chile in response to the 2010 earthquake. The dates are: Nov.7-20, Jan. 9-23 and Feb. 6-20, 2011.

UMVIM Haiti Response Web site up

For more information about latest in Haiti relief efforts by UMCOR,
visit www.umc.org/haiti, www.umc.org and www.churchworldservice.org.

NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Jurisdiction to hold Disaster Response Academy Oct. 3-6

The West Ohio United Methodist Conference has invited the rest of the North Central Jurisdiction, including Indiana, to join them at Widewater Camp in Liberty Center, Ohio, for a Jurisdiction-wide Disaster Response Academy to be held Sunday-Wednesday, Oct 3-6. Driving Directions

Participants can pick from 4 major training classes:

  • Track I (Basic Early Response Team (ERT) – two-day class
  • Track II (ERT, Train the Trainer) – two-day class
  • Track III (Connecting Neighbors Leadership) – two-day class
  • Track IV (Caring for Children) – three day class

For those opting for Tracks I - III above, choose another class on Wednesday:

  • UMCOR Basic Disaster Ministry,
  • On-Site Management & Volunteer Management,
  • Earth Stewardship and Disaster Response or
  • Conference Disaster Leadership Seminar.

Please click on the link below to make payment. Once participants have registered their intent to attend, please fill out the class registration form found on the West Ohio Webpage.

Mail the completed form and your check to the UMVIM-NCJ office (UMVIM-NCJ, 928 4th St #2, Brookings, SD 57006) OR if you pay online, e-mail completed form to umvim-ncj@brookings.net.

Urgent help needed in flood relief in Colfax, Iowa

Pastor Cindy Finn of First UMC in Colfax, Iowa, says the town needs URGENT HELP to muck and gut homes. The fire station in Colfax is ready to accept volunteers. Please call Wendy at the EMS Office at 515-674-9113 if you are able to help. For more information, call Becky Wood, Director of Recovery and Volunteer Coordinator for the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church, 2200 Heritage Green Drive, Hiawatha, IA 52233 or phone 515-238-5346.

Iowa Disaster Response team needs ERT help

The severe flooding of the Skunk River in Iowa has caused havoc in the community of Ames and is progressing southward thru Colfax and parts of Des Moines. Trish Burkett, Disaster Response coordinator for the Iowa Conference UMC says they may be needing ERT teams within the next week or two. If you could mobilize your teams for this possibility it would be helpful. For more information, contact Trish Burkett, 808 King St., Bedford, IA 50833, call 712-427-9014 or e-mail Disaster.Response@iaumc.org.

PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Starting New Worship Services workshops being offered by Indiana Conference

Is your church considering launching a new worship service in order to reach a new group of people? Is your church considering applying for an Indiana Conference Church Development Worship Matching Grant? If so, consider attending one of these workshops being offered this fall. The workshops, led by Indiana Conference Church Development staff members, promises to give churches the fundamentals needed in order to successfully launch a new service. The content draws from the experiences of many churches that have previously tried. No need to reinvent the wheel. Learn from others’ successes and mistakes. Churches bringing a team of five people (including their pastor) will be eligible to apply for a Worship Matching Grant.

Cost: There’s no cost to attend but pre-registering a week ahead of time is required. A freewill offering will be received to cover the cost of refreshments.

  • Workshop 1
    • Saturday, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CT; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
    • Wanatah United Methodist Church, 15555 S. 900 W., Wanatah, IN 46390 (near Valparaiso)
    • Leader: Ed Fenstermacher with registration deadline on Sept. 4.
  • Workshop 2
    • Saturday, Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CT
    • St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 N SR 46 Bypass Bloomington 47408
    • Leader: Sharon Washington with registration deadline on Sept. 18

Register for either workshop by calling: 877 781-6706 or on-line at: www.inumc.org/registration.

Clarian Health offers Clinical Pastoral Education for experienced pastors

INDIANAPOLIS – Frank Impicciche, manager of Clinical Pastoral Education at Clarian Health, announces continuing education opportunities with Clarian’s fall CPE unit at its downtown Indianapolis campus, which includes Methodist, IU and Riley hospitals. The unit, Sept. 6 through Dec. 17 is designed with full-time clergy in mind, who have been in ministry for awhile. Serving in ministry, pastors learn things they like and in which they find fulfillment. They have probably faced many responsibilities and experiences that have felt like burdens to them as well. Enrolling in this fall unit of CPE may be a great way to invest in stewardship of self. Participants will meet with a group of learners for six hours each Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and may count up to eight of the required sixteen weekly patient care hours by the time they already spend at their ministry site. Clarian CPE can offer flexible weekly scheduling for any patient care hours pastors do in the hospital setting. A standard ACPE CPE application may be submitted electronically. For more information about this learning opportunity or CPE in general, please contact Frank Impicciche at fimpicci@clarian.org or call 317 944-7415.

Mission Fundraiser offered through Wabale Ministry

Cicero United Methodist Church has a ministry called Wabale Ministry. We sell paper beaded necklaces from Uganda, Africa. The selling of these necklaces help 14 women in Jinja sustain a living along with supporting an Advance Special 3020467 “United Methodist Empowerment Center of Jinja.” Go online through the General Board of Global Ministries to read about this wonderful Advance Special for Women and Youth. We sell the necklaces for $20, $8 goes to the women who make them, $7 goes to the Advance Special and $5 goes to the organization that sells them for their own mission projects. We sell these to church groups on consignment, so there is no cost until you have sold them. If you would like to know more about how to sell these necklaces at your church, at a bazaar or mission conference call 317-984-4971 or ciceroumc4u@verizon.net. – Rev. Byron Fritz

IOP mission trip to Tanzania offered Jan. 14-Feb. 3

The January 2011 Ilula Orphan Program Mission trip to Ilula, Tanzania will be January 14-February 3. A two week option for those who need to return earlier or an extra week(s) option is available for those who would like to experience more of beautiful Tanzania.

IOP Missionary Berit Skaare will coordinate our stay at Ilula. Accommodations after we leave Dar es Salaam will be either at the orphanage or guest house and genuine rural African. Regardless of skill level, everyone will have an opportunity to work on the mission field. Several buildings will be under construction including the new Ilula High School, the restaurant, the Internet cafe, the new United Methodist Church and perhaps the library. There are opportunities for health related missions, ie nurses, medical doctors, dentists, optometrists, HIV counselors and more. The nurses will be invited to assist the IOP Nursing Staff teach basic health care classes. There will be opportunities for pastors to teach during the Pastors Retreat and Seminar. There will be opportunities to work with computers, work in the storage building, help sort contributed items, repair treadle style sewing machines, repair bicycles or assist with tractor and farm equipment maintenance and repairs. The missionary will have a list of needs that we will attempt to complete. We will tour the schools, visit foster families, visit the market at Iringa, have a meal and visit for an afternoon with a Masai Tribe, overnight in Mikumi National Park, and more.

Some members of this team are opting for a visit with Lowell and Claudia Wertz and Joy in the Harvest at the United Methodist Mission at Kigoma. The trip to Kigoma in addition to Ilula is available for a slight increase in cost.

The cost which does not include passport and immunizations is $2,800. We will negotiate costs for extra week(s). The maximum number that we can accommodate is 30. The deadline to register is October 15. $100 is needed at that time for flight reservations. The remainder of the money is due December 1.

Please make checks payable to "First UMC" and note or memo Tanzania 2011 and send to: First UMC, PO Box 116, Fort Branch, IN 47648.

For additional information, please contact John Windell at 812-499-3849 or 812-536-2332 or e-mail windelljohn@yahoo.com. Learn more about IOP at www.ilulaorphanprogram.org/ and www.emergingmissionministries.com/.

FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION

United Methodists Continue in Flood Recovery Efforts Statewide
  • For information about flood recovery, click here.

ONGOING MISSION PROJECT REMINDERS

For more information about these opportunities, listings of ongoing projects and contact information, please visit http://inumc.org/volunteeropportunities/category/10.

Mission Guatemala now accepting teams for ministry in San Andrés
  • For more information, you can obtain a Mission Trip Planning Guide at http://missionguatemala.com/mission-trips/team-resources/.
  • North Central Jurisdiction seeks educators to serve on teachUM committee
  • Contact:
Philippines request a construction team - can you help?
  • Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan of the Philippines Central Conference has requested a construction team to rebuild the sanctuary of the 77-year old UMC congregation of Pagangpang.
  • Please respond here if you are interested in leading a team.
Disaster Recovery (UMVIM) teams are needed in Tennessee
  • Contact the Rev. Robert Craig at Dyersburg FUMC, phone 731-285-6454, to register a team.
Gough Family Seeks Permanent Homes for Latvian Children
  • The goal of “A Hope and a Future Ministries” program is to find permanent homes for children.
  • If you know of anyone who would be interested in hosting/adopting, please call Mark Gough at 260-494-8798 or e-mail him at alanmag@aol.com.
Relief and Response Teams Are Being Accepted in Tennessee Following Floods
  • If you are trained as an early responder and have a group ready to serve, please contact Jason Brock at DisasterResponse@tnumc.com or 615-329-1177 (office) or 615-695-2765 (hotline).
  • Volunteers may register online.
  • Click on blog site for latest information for volunteers.
Indiana Conference Disability Concerns Team Forming, Needs Volunteer Leaders
  • For more information, click here.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES REMINDERS

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

Friendly Planet Missiology Plans September Bike Ride Across Indiana
  • The plan includes Bible studies and workshops.
  • Interested in riding? Participants can ride the whole month or pick a day or two.
  • Interested in hosting a visit? Or a Bible study? Or a workshop? Or a good old story telling evening?
  • Contact Heather Cress at Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church in Worthington at 812-875-2126.
Appalachian Immersion Internship with Good Works
  • Sept. 2010-April/May 2011
  • This 9-12 month opportunity is for anyone 18 or older
  • Athens, OH, West Ohio Conference
  • Web site: www.good-works.net
  • Contact: Keith Wasserman at goodworks@good-works.net, 740-594-9000, Good Works, Inc. P.O. Box 4, Athens, OH 45701
Operation Classroom VIM Trips to Africa
  • Workteams to Liberia 2010
    • Sept. 7 to 27 – Construction project to be decided – Kay Zeigler and Bob Evans, team leaders.
Early Response Team Training in Versailles
  • Sept. 11 at the Tyson UMC in Versailles, Ind.
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.
  • Cost is $35 person and includes lunch plus more.
  • For more information: Contact Jim Byerly at pastorbyerly@comcast.net or call 812-689-6976 or 812-689-5046.
  • Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 3.
  • A registration form is available here.
Illinois Great Rivers to host Honduras mission summit
West Ohio Medical Mission Team to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico
Medical Teams to Nicaragua looking for members
  • Teresa Miller at millerflash@sbcglobal.net, phone 517-699-4116, is looking for members for two medical teams to Nicaragua.
  • Oct. 21-31 and Feb. 17-27, 2011.
Calling United Methodist Women to the Ubuntu Journey to Brazil
  • Nov. 9-21
  • Cost is $3,500 exclusive of USA domestic airfare.
  • For team member application forms and additional information, contact Jeanie Blankenbaker at jbumvimny@aol.com or call 843-342-7092. The UMVIM-NCJ office has applications also.
Wisconsin Team to Cuba
Mission Trips to West Africa
  • Jan. 9-Jan. 22
    • The team will concentrate on providing medical service, staff continuing education, administrative support and maintenance and project development at Kissy Hospital, Freetown.
  • Jan. 23-Feb. 8
    • This team will work both at Kissy and upcountry in the village of Taiama. Participants will work on medical, educational and electrical projects. They will explore the development of a Heifer project for the community.
  • For information, a brochure or application form, please contact Barbara Hale at 317-696-6747.
  • Inclusive cost $3400.
Team to the Holy Land
Wesley UMC of Bloomington, Ill. – medical team to Nicaragua
  • Jan. 21-29, 2011
  • Leader: Donna Schaad at dschaad@mchsi.com, 309-846-8231, Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Northern Illinois Medical/Construction Mission to the Philippines
  • Feb. 10-27, 2011
  • Contact Brian at brichar828@aol.com or Marites Richardson at 773-267-4660 or the Rev. Cerna Rand at 312-236-4548.
Volunteers needed for mission trips to Western Kenya
  • Feb. 11-25, 2011 and July 15-29, 2011
  • The cost is approximately $4,000 per person per trip.
  • For more information, contact Rev. Lynn Renne at lrenne@aol.com or call 812-457-9812.
Wisconsin Medical Team to Honduras looking for members
Medical Teams to Panama need recruits
  • March 2011 and May 2011.
  • For more information, contact Jane Dunn in the Northern Illinois Conference. 
East Ohio co-sponsors two teams to Bo, Sierra Leone
  • Tentative dates – April 25-May 18, 2011
  • East Ohio leader: Beth Ferrell at beth_ferrell2001@yahoo.com 520-203-2092.
  • VA Conference team leader is Dr. Cynthia Horner.

West Ohio Church Announce Mission Trip, Needs Volunteers

  • E-mail Grove City Missions at missions@gcumc.org  for more information
  • UGANDA:
    • Summer 2011
    • Cost is $3,200
    • Team Leaders: Jan Scharenberg and Dayna McFarland
Iowa Conference Seeks Volunteers UMVIM Trip to the Philippines
  • December 25, 2011-January 8, 2012 from Iowa Conference.
  • Four persons sharing leadership, two with UMVIM team leadership training.
  • Hosts: Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
  • Responsibilities include: construction, leading worship services, and for pastors leading- spiritual renewal retreat for the Philippine pastors – a Continuing Education Unit event for them.
  • Approximate cost: $2000 for flight; working out rest of costs.
  • Leaders are: Annette Kruse, Chuck Norman, Lilian Seagren, Gideon Gallo.
  • Please contact: Annette Kruse at pastorannette@yahoo.com with questions.