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HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST
Mission Opportunities

For Mission Monday, January 7, 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

MISSION NEWS

AFRICA UNIVERSITY SUNDAY SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 3 IN NORTH INDIANA

Africa University Sunday is Feb. 3 in the North Indiana Conference. Churches are reminded of this opportunity to celebrate Africa University. Offerings may be received for Scholarships for students at AU. Each of the nine NIC districts is raising funds for international (all-Africa) scholarships. For information, contact Ruth Ellen Stone, chair of scholarship committee, ruthellen1@juno.com.

Two recent graduates of Africa University are available to speak in churches throughout the spring semester. Mr. Bonaventure Dusabimana, now a junior-year nursing student at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, enjoys opportunities to share his experience of Africa University as well as of his survival from Rwanda genocide and subsequently achieving degrees at AU and Valparaiso University. Contact Bonaventure directly at baobaa@yahoo.com, or call 765-674-7985. Any offerings go to the host church’s AU Scholarship contribution.

Also available is the Rev. Christian Kapez-a-Kapend, Congolese 2007 graduate of AU and currently intern pastor at the Wesley Foundation, Purdue University in West Lafayette. Christian has surmounted severe challenges to attain his AU education in theology. Contact through the Rev. Lana Robyne, Wesley Foundation pastor at Purdue, lana@wesleyfoundation.org. Christian, joined by another member of the Wesley Foundation leadership team, speaks on behalf of both AU and the Purdue Wesley Foundation. Offerings are divided between AU Scholarships and the Wesley Foundation at Purdue.

-- Dona Lou Imler,
 Chairperson, NIC AU Committee,
 DonaLou2@gmail.com

KENYA METHODIST LEADER CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE

The Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Methodist from Kenya who leads the World Council of Churches, is calling upon both political parties and the churches to end the violence sparked by recent elections in that East African nation. Disputes over the re-election of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki have, by some estimates, led to the deaths of several hundred people, including up to 50 who died Jan. 1 in a church that was set on fire in western Kenya. In his Jan. 2 statement, Kobia noted that people in Kenya and around the world are “appalled and concerned” by the killings, beatings and burnings. He called on WCC member churches to provide humanitarian aid and support dialogue and reconciliation. –UMNS

UNITED METHODIST MISSION LEADER VOICES CONCERN ON KENYA

The interim leader of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is asking all groups in Kenya “to put peace and reconciliation ahead of personal or party gains.”

In a statement released Jan. 4, Bishop Felton E. May stressed that “Africa and the world cannot afford a civil war in Kenya, which has for years been a place of stability and economic prosperity in the volatile East Africa region.”

The outbreak of violence following the re-election of Kenya’s president has resulted in an estimated 300 deaths and calls for an independent investigation into the election.

Citing concerns for the welfare of Kenya and its people, as well as United Methodists and Methodists there, May reported that all missionaries and other denominational representatives were safe. – UMNS

UNITED METHODIST MISSION AGENCY RESUMES INTERN PROGRAM

The mission agency of The United Methodist Church is resuming a program that places young adults in mission settings in the United States for 10 weeks of summer service and education. A dozen people ages 18 to 25 will be selected for 2008 as the program is reintroduced after nearly a decade of inactivity. The sponsor is the mission personnel program area of the denomination’s Board of Global Ministries. Orientation begins in New York City on June 1. Service gets under way June 8 and ends Aug. 2, followed by a week of debriefing. Participants must have completed at least one year of higher education. An online application form is at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/youth/. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1. – UMNS

SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW OFFERS FREE LENTEN PROGRAM ON HUNGER

The Society of St. Andrew invites your congregation to participate in I Wonder, a program of spiritual reflection, prayer and giving to feed the hungry. Each household will receive a devotional booklet of daily reflections and a coin bank for donations to the Society of St. Andrew’s hunger relief ministry. An optional Good Friday Fast is also available for use with the Lenten devotions or as a stand-alone program.

There is no charge for the Lent program. Materials will be ready in early January. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6. Visit www.endhunger.org/lent.htm to order a free sample Lent kit or call 800-333-4597.

INDIANAPOLIS WEST DISTRICT HAS SUCCESSFUL PACKING PARTY

Indianapolis West District’s most recent packing party, held Dec. 8 at Plainfield UMC was a great success! Some 29 people from six churches packed 250 Yes kits (65 elementary) and 28 teacher’s kits in 61 boxes that were taken to Lapel, Ind. for shipping. Ten of the boxes will be sent to Kissy Clinic. The churches represented were Amo, Avon, Coatesville, Plainfield, St. Luke’s and Speedway. Thank you for your commitment and dedication.

UMCOR INFORMATION AS YOU PLAN AHEAD

The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) administrative cost is financed through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering each year. On the fourth Sunday in Lent, United Methodists come together for One Great Hour of Sharing.

The special offering enables UMCOR to keep its promise that 100 percent of your designated gifts goes entirely to specific causes. One Great Hour of Sharing means UMCOR will provide hands-on care for people caught in the effects of storms, war, disaster and disease. Often UMCOR is the first to arrive on the scene and the last to leave. UMCOR’s ministry is all over God’s wonderful world.

Indiana United Methodists have seen the immediate results of UMCOR’s assistance in the Indiana Area most recently with disaster response relief in the Nappanee area of the North Indiana Conference following a tornado.

Please, as you plan worship for Sunday, March 2, make it One Great Hour of Sharing – and for sharing as you share the goodness of life with those who hurt. Thank you!

NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

BRAZIL MISSIONARY AVAILABLE TO SPEAK IN NORTH INDIANA

The Rev. Stephen Newnum, a United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries missionary serving in Brazil, will be available to speak to churches in North Indiana through Jan. 31. He is being scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis, with consideration given to geographic location and travel constraints. Please be aware that if you invite Rev. Newnum to your church, there might be travel, over-night accommodations and other hospitality needs that your church possibly will need to provide.

For more information about Newnum, log on to www.Newnum.org

For more information and scheduling a date, contact the Rev. Ed Geleske at the Wakarusa United Methodist Church at 574-862-2863.

HAITI SOLAR OVEN PROJECT BEING ORGANIZED FOR FEB. 26-MARCH 10

Rick Jost, husband of Lorna Jost (who is the administrator of the North Central Jurisdiction’s United Methodist Volunteers In Mission program), manages the Haiti Solar Oven project. He is pulling together a team for Feb. 26 to March 10, in a hurry! If you know of folks interested in a trip to Haiti and particularly a different type of trip (not block construction, but oven construction and teaching their use). Since it is difficult to have an orientation from afar, mature team members are requested! The project is located in Bainet, just west of Jacmel on the south coast. Cost is $1,750 which includes the project funds.

For more information, contact Rick Jost immediately with your interest at rjost@brookings.net or call 605-692-3391. Jost lives in Brookings, S.D.

INDIANA AREA DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING MARCH 8 IN INDIANAPOLIS

An Indiana Area Disaster Response Training Workshop is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 8 at St. Luke’s UMC, 100 W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. More information to come.

HENDERSON SETTLEMENT OFFERS PROGRAM FOR SENIORS APRIL 20-26

Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Ky. through the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is offering an opportunity for persons fifty years and older to experience firsthand the ongoing ministry in Henderson Settlement in the Red Bird Missionary Conference through Primetimers.

The Primetimers program offers events for older adults (50 years+) which include opportunities for educational forums, cross-cultural opportunities, faith-filled reflection on the purpose of ministry and greater exposure to the work of the UMC and the church universal.

The Primetimers event at Henderson Settlement “The Life and Spirit of Appalachia” will take place April 20-26. It is open to all people 50 years and older. The registration deadline for the event is Jan. 20.

For more information and registration, please contact the Primetimers office toll-free at -877-882-4724 or by e-mail at primetimers@gbgm-umc.org or log on to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/news/events/?search=Primetimers&C=2927&I=14872

PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING NEXT MONTH

During the week leading up to the Super Bowl Weekend (Feb. 1-3), churches and schools across the country will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. The Souper Bowl of Caring is launching its new National Schools of Caring campaign to engage students in service and philanthropy. To register, visit www.souperbowl.org.

TERRE HAUTE DISTRICT SPONSORING WORK MISSION TO MISS. IN FEBRUARY

The Terre Haute District will be sponsoring a work mission to Pearlington, Mississippi February 24-29, 2008. Work will be focused on continuing hurricane relief and aid to local residents. Numerous projects are scheduled for people with varying skills and abilities. For more information contact the Terre Haute District Office 812-237-0101, 800-919-8168; thdist@joink.com or Pastor Bob Kumpf 812-878-2917, Harmonyumc@verizon.net.

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.

UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TEAMS NEEDED IN MEXICO

OPERATION 2008 CLASSROOM TEAMS

MINNESOTA OC VIM TRIP STILL NEEDS PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT

  • Feb. 28-March 14, 2008.

  • Please contact Doris Acton, RN, UMC Medical Outreach – Makeni, Operation Classroom Ministries Minnesota at doris.acton@nhylandsumc.org or 952-835-7585.

WARSAW, MICHIANA DISTRICTS PLAN WORK TRIP IN 2008

  • March 1-8, 2008

  • For more information, please contact Pastor Jean Ness at 260-856-4482 or 574-529-1044 or e-mail jness@ligtel.com.

TWO OPEN SLOTS FOR UNITED METHODIST VIM TEAM TO CUBA

CAMP WORSHIP LEADERSHIP NEEDED

  • Contact Carolyn Kern at Mishawaka First UMC by calling 574-255-4707.

  • June 15-20

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.

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

Last updated on 04/01/2008

Questions or comments: webmaster@inareaumc.org