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HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST
Mission Opportunities
For Mission Monday, February 4, 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
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
PULL TAB BILL HAS A CHANCE TO PASS INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Under legislation passed by the Indiana House the last week of January, more than 7,000 bars, taverns and restaurants across the state would be allowed to offer the pull tabs and other forms of low-stakes gambling (Indianapolis Star). The bill now moves to the Senate, where it already has received support from some key lawmakers. This marks the second consecutive year that state legislators have considered proposals that would expand gambling in Indiana.
Last year, they voted to allow slot machines at the state’s two horse tracks. Some legislators argue that expansion was offset by another bill under which 16 law enforcement officers were hired to crack down on illegal electronic gambling machines commonly found in bars across the state. As a result, many of those machines, known as Cherry Masters, have been removed from Hoosier taverns. But to help appease those upset by the crackdown on Cherry Masters, lawmakers decided in 2007 that they would allow American Legions and other nonprofit organizations to offer pull tabs and other paper games.
Rep. Brian Bosma, for one, doesn’t. The Indianapolis Republican, who serves as the House minority leader, said Indiana has become too addicted to gambling and the revenue it generates. “I feel gaming in this state is the crack cocaine of public policy. We simply can’t get enough gaming,” said Bosma, who voted against HB 1153. “I’m saying, ‘No.’ I want off the cocaine. I’m done with it.” – Howey Politics Indiana
Editor’s note: Contact your senator TODAY by e-mail. To find his/her e-mail addresses, log on to www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl. Don’t know your legislators and need a listing by ZIP codes, log on to www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/.
MISSION NEWS
CHURCHES CAN FINANCIALLY HELP FLOOD SURVIVORS IN NORTH INDIANA
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 for Flood Relief in North Indiana – Account 030401
Flood buckets and flood bucket materials are being collected by the Monticello UMC, 200 South Main Street in Monticello. For more information, contact Pastor Brian Beeks at 574-583-5545.
CHURCH AND SOCIETY RECOMMENDS DIVESTMENT FROM CATERPILLAR
Would divestment from companies connected to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land help bring about change in the Middle East? Four United Methodist speakers explored that question during a Jan. 25 panel discussion on “Divestment, the Middle East and Sudan” during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Fort Worth, Texas. The Rev. Steve Sprecher, a director of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, called divestment “a time-honored policy” within The United Methodist Church. Sprecher was part of the committee of the Board of Church and Society that led the social action agency to send a petition to General Conference recommending divestment from Caterpillar Inc., the heavy equipment manufacturer based in Peoria, Ill. The petition charges that the company profits from illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and contributes to the occupation by supplying Israeli Defense Forces with heavy equipment. Find a full story at www.umns.umc.org. – UMNS
CHICAGO OPENS DOORS TO PROTECT WOMAN FROM DEPORTATION
Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago has opened its doors once again to a woman seeking protection from deportation to Mexico. Flor Crisóstomo, 28, says she is “picking up the torch” from Elvira Arelleno, another congregation member who lived in the church for a year before leaving last August. Arelleno was arrested and deported within days of leaving Chicago and arriving in Los Angeles, where she had planned to speak out for compassionate immigration reform. “Today we respond as a church to another request for sanctuary from one of our members,” said a statement released Jan. 28 by the church. “We respond by standing together with her as Jesus calls us to do.” Crisóstomo has three children, ages 9 to 14, and an elderly mother she supports in Mexico with her U.S. wages. She came to the United States illegally in 2000, she said, because the North American Free Trade Act had put many farmers out of work in Mexico and she could not feed her children in her hometown of Guerrero. Crisóstomo took refuge in the Chicago church on Jan. 28, her last day for leaving the United States voluntarily under an order by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals. – UMNS
SOUTH AFRICAN BISHOP UPSET WITH POLICE RAID ON METHODIST CHURCH
A Methodist bishop is crying foul after police staged a brutal raid on Central Methodist Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, arresting more than a thousand refugees and damaging property. The raid, which began around 11 p.m. on Jan. 30 and lasted for nearly four hours, caused both physical and psychological trauma, according to Bishop Paul Verryn. In a Jan. 31 telephone interview from Johannesburg, Verryn told United Methodist News Service that police broke down every door in the church building during a raid that they later labeled a “routine” search for drugs, guns and illegal immigrants. Central Methodist Mission receives support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief for its Ray of Hope ministry, which provides shelter, food, clothing, child care, counseling and employment assistance to refugees. Many of the refugees are schoolteachers, accountants and other professionals fleeing economic hardship and political strife in neighboring Zimbabwe. – UMNS
UMs IN LIBERIA, NORWAY SIGN PROJECT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
United Methodists in Norway and Liberia have signed a partnership agreement to develop and promote community-based projects throughout Liberia. The memorandum of understanding, signed in mid-January in Monrovia, emphasizes mutual cooperation and clarifies the authority and responsibility of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church of Norway. Funding for the five-year development program, based on a document prepared and approved by both parties in March 2007, will come from the Norwegian church and its donors. The goal is to improve lives and create sustainable communities in war-torn Liberia, thereby improving the living condition for people in communities with United Methodist congregations. – UMNS
HIGHLIGHTED MISSION TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE VIM TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 1
The South Indiana Conference announces a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) Training Event scheduled to be held Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Camp Indi-Co-So, 558 Sieboldt Quarry Road in Springville, Ind. www.sicumc.org/gocamp/indicoso.asp
If you are interested in leading or participating on a mission trip this event is for you! Lorna Jost, UMVIM Administrator for North Central Jurisdiction will be the event leader. The cost is $30 per person and includes UMVIM Training Manual and lunch. Please send reservations to the South Indiana Conference – VIM Training, 1520 S. Liberty Drive, Bloomington IN 47403 by Feb. 15. For more information, please contact Jenni Walker or call 812-893-1760.
EARLY DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING SET FOR INDY ON MARCH 8
The Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church is sponsoring a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission EARLY DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING event on Saturday, March 8 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street in Indianapolis (one block west of North Meridian Street (US Highway 31). Coffee and snacks from 9:30 to 10 a.m., training from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. UMCOR approved trainers
Who should attend? All volunteers interested in Early Disaster Response work, pastors, District Disaster Response Coordinators. Cost $20 per person, includes lunch, snacks and materials.
For more information contact: Bob Babcock, South Indiana Conference disaster response coordinator, or Gary Peterson, North Indiana Conference North Conference.
To register send name, address, city, state, ZIP code, home phone, e-mail address, plus name of church, district and either SIC or NIC, to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
Make check payable to: St. Luke’s UMC, add to memo line “Disaster Training.”
NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
AVON CHURCH TO HOLD FORUM ON INDIA-PAKISTAN CONFLICT FEB. 17
There will be a forum on the India-Pakistan conflict at Avon United Methodist Church, 6850 East US 36 in Avon just west of Indianapolis. Adults and youth are invited to join us on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 9:30 a.m., as Dr. Rajesh Kher provides an informative presentation on the Kashmir conflict. For further information, please contact Diane Gattone at 317-272-4068 or dgattone@avonumc.com.
STUDENT VIM TEAM TO PERU MARCH 6-16 NEED A DOCTOR
Students from the University of South Carolina will be traveling to Peru, March 6-16, to be in service to a home for street children in Kusi, in the Andes. The trip is sponsored by the Methodist Student Network, a campus ministry at USC. Students will do construction, working on several buildings to be used by the children. They will also run a Vacation Bible School and hold meetings with the local youth. It is also hoped to have a simple health clinic that can serve the local community with basic health care. The mission team is looking for a doctor to accompany them. Spanish fluency is not necessary as translators will be provided. The cost of the trip is approximately $1400. We will depart/return from Charlotte. For more information, please contact Rev. Tom Wall at USC 803-799-7363 or WallBrodie@aol.com.
NORTH IND. TO HOST VIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING AT KOKOMO APRIL 12
The Mission Volunteers Resource Team of the North Indiana Conference have scheduled a Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training event for Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s UMC, 700 East Southway Blvd. in Kokomo, Ind. Penny Krug will be the trainer for this event. Leaders and/or participants of VIM work teams and youth leaders need to attend this important event.
The cost is $10 person, which includes lunch and basic materials plus $25 for a VIM Training Manual (only one 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.
For more information: Contact Bonnie Albert, bonkay@hotmail.com, or phone 219-464-1447.
Registration deadline is Friday, April 4. To register, send name, address, phone number with area code, church, city. Make checks payable to North Indiana Conference, memo VIM training and mail to P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952. For registration form, log on to www.nicumc.org.
UM MISSION INITIATIVE SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR TEXAS APRIL 17-18
United Methodists who are doing the work of the Christian Gospel through mission initiatives around the world will gather in Plano, Texas, in mid-April to share their experiences and build even greater mission momentum.
Those already invested in evangelism and service in more than 20 countries hope that many other church members will join them in the first Mission Initiatives Summit on April 17-18. Sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, the summit will be hosted by St. Andrews UMC.
Among the guest speakers is the Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC, Tripp City, Ohio, one of the fastest growing United Methodist churches in the United States.
For details and registration visit: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/news/events/?i=16762.
WARSAW DISTRICT PLANS 2009 MISSION TRIP TO LIBERIA
Rev. Cindy Reynolds and Rev. Bill Kaster are leading a trip to Liberia January 10 through 24, 2009. They are looking for ten people who are interested in being a part of the trip to connect with St. Matthews School. St. Matthews School is the Operation Classroom School supported by the Warsaw District. If you are interested, call the Warsaw District Office at 800-783-6111.
PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
HERE’S A MISSION PROJECT IDEA FOR THIS COMING SUMMER’S VBS
Operation Classroom invites Vacation Bible School directors to consider OC’s new program of PENNIES FOR PEACE as a VBS mission program. Pennies for Peace will fund a program in Liberia to help children with the trauma they experienced during the war. Groups of children are gathered for a day of play therapy, singing, Bible lessons, and food, under the leadership of Rev. Anthony and Jennifer Dioh
Children from your VBS can bring their pennies or change. You might want to have a contest between boys and girls. You may also decide to have a hands-on project of collecting school supplies. A short CD will be available on the importance of PENNIES FOR PEACE.
For more information, contact Operation Classroom at ocmisson@frontiernet.net or log on to www.operationclassroom.org
UMCOR TO SEND STAFF TO ASSIST IN LONG TERM RECOVERY TRAINING
Gordon Knuckey, a staff member of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, will be coming to Indiana next week on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to the Monticello United Methodist Church, 200 South Main from 9 to Noon to conduct a simplified version of long term recover training for pastors and laity in the Lafayette District wishing to help north Indiana residents recover from flood damage. A complimentary lunch will be provided by the Monticello UMC. Please call the church at 574-583-5545 for lunch reservations.
Knuckey will offer a second session Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Columbia City UMC, 605 Forest Parkway in Columbia City, Ind. (phone 260-244-7671). For the Columbia City event, lunch is on your own. No reservations are necessary. Pastors and laity from other districts wishing to receive this training also are welcome to attend. – Gary Peterson, NIC disaster recovery coordinator
HENDERSON SETTLEMENT OFFERS PROGRAM FOR SENIORS APRIL 20-26
- Primetimers: The Life and Spirit of Appalachia at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Ky.
- April 20-26, 2008
- Event Coordinator: Jerry Lambdin, Mission Resources Director, Henderson Settlement
- Telephone: 606-337-3613
- Email: jerrylambdin@hendersonsettlement.info
- Registration deadline: Extended to Feb. 20.
Retreat to this rural mountain community in Kentucky to learn about the life and spirit of Appalachia and the various ministries provided at the historical settlement schools in the Red Bird Missionary Conference. Explore the history of three Appalachian settlement schools: Henderson Settlement, Red Bird Mission, and Pine Mountain Settlement School.
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
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2008 GLOBAL JUSTICE VOLUNTEERS
There is still time for young adults between the age of 20 and 30 to apply for short term, volunteer mission service in the 2008 Global Justice Volunteers program of The United Methodist Church. The 2008 areas of service are Asia and Africa.
The Global Justice Volunteers program offers young people the opportunity to live internationally for two months and explore the issues of justice and its advocacy as a component of mission. The internships relate to grassroots and ecumenical partners of the General Board of Global Ministries, the international mission agency of The United Methodist Church. Emphasis is on cultural exchange. Young adults from the US and Europe live and work in community with young people from the host region.
The program is sponsored by the Mission Volunteers Office of Global Ministries in collaboration with the Women’s Division of the mission agency.
Each intern is expected to contribute $2,200 to the program. Participants usually finance this cost through fundraising in their community/church. Limited scholarships are available.
- Spring Term dates to Asia: (issue focus: Migrant Farmers and Workers) March 3-April 24, 2008, Still accepting applications
- Summer Term dates to Africa: (issue focus: HIV & AIDS, substance abuse as it relates to conflict situations...) June 30-August 17.
- Deadline to Apply: Feb.15.
For additional information go online to www.gjv.info, or contact Beth Buchanan at bbuchanan@gbgm-umc.org.
MISSION TO CUBA HAS AN OPENING FOR MAY TRIP
We have an opening for our mission to Cuba, May 17-28, 2008. Cost will be about $1850. We will be working on a seminary construction project in Havana. Please contact Neil Vander Linden (ngvl@charter.net – 864-859-3652)) for further information. A prompt response is needed as visa processing can take three months.
OPERATION CLASSROOM SCHEDULES MORE WORK TEAMS THIS YEAR
Operation Classroom is sponsoring a work team to W.PL. Brumskine UM School Oct. 4-19. Kay and Lamar Zeigler are the team leaders. The project is yet to be determined. Contact the OC office or Tom at ttillett@ralis.com for more information.
Kay Hess, OC coordinator of Rushville District will be leading a team to the Bo Centenary School from June 19 to July 11. They will be renovating the main classroom and office building. Bo Centenary has an enrollment of 1000 students. Bo Centenary is in partnership with the Kokomo District. For more information contact Kay at: hess100@juno.com.
The Lafayette District is planning three work teams this spring and summer.
Our first project is a local project at Pine Creek on Saturday May 3. Rev. Bruce Mowery is coordinating project. For more information contact bemowery@hotmail.com.
Our second project is the Itabuna Methodist Church in Itabuna, Brazil, from June 27 to July 11. The team will continue the construction of the church which is started in 2005. This will be there third team from the district to work on this church. There is the option of a side trip from July 11 to July 14 to Recifie where the district has had a number of teams. There they will attend the wedding of Erik who was our translator when we worked in Recife. Joe and Carolyn Wagner are the team leaders. For more information, contact Carolyn Wagner.
Our third project is Henderson Settlement, from July 20 to 26. All applications for this project are due March 12. The Rev. Anne and Timothy Kumeh will be the team leaders. For more information contact Anne at annekumeh@aol.com
For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Wagner, Operation Classroom, Inc., PO Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035 or call 765-436-2805 or send by e-mail at ocmisson@frontiernet.net. Also visit the Operation Classroom Web site at www.operationclassroom.org.
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.
PLACEMENT REQUEST: HEALTH VOLUNTEER COUPLE
- Family physician with one-year experience serving in Zaire and his wife seek a 3 to 12-month Individual Volunteer assignment. Physician is able to do minor surgery, clinical teaching and direct care. Physician’s wife is fluent in Spanish. Both have received Individual Volunteer training. Notify Roger Boe at boeroger@cableone.net for more information.
UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TEAMS NEEDED IN MEXICO
- Contact information: Jerry Hill jerry.hill@bsumc.com or call 864-320-3165
COLUMBUS DISTRICT TO HOLD MISSION CONFERENCE FEB. 24
- Information Contact: the Rev. Duane A. Loos, Columbus District Director of Missions at 812-623-2382or by e-mail DUANELOOS@aol.com.
TERRE HAUTE DISTRICT SPONSORING WORK MISSION TO MISS. IN FEBRUARY
- Feb. 24-29, 2008
- For more information contact the Terre Haute District Office 812-237-0101, 800-919-8168; thdist@joink.com or Pastor Bob Kumpf 812-448-2917, Harmonyumc@verizon.net.
HAITI SOLAR OVEN PROJECT BEING ORGANIZED FOR FEB. 26-MARCH 10
- 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.
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.
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE UPCOMING MISSION TRIPS
March 2008
- March 7-16 – Bloomington District Mission Trip to Haiti
- March 23-30 – Ames Chapel UMC Trip to Gulfport, Miss.
June 2008
- Harrodsburg UMC to Henderson Settlement, Ky.
- Youth District Mission Trip Location TBA
July 2008
- July 12-19 – Mooresville First UMC to Canalli, Mexico
Summer 2008
- Bedford First UMC to Louisiana
South Indiana Native American Mission TripsSeptember 2008
- Sept. 20-27 – Ames Chapel UMC to John’s Island, S.C.
- Sept. 22-29 – Mooresville First UMC to Henderson Settlement, Ky.
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.
UMCOR INFORMATION AS YOU PLAN AHEAD
- March 2 – One Great Hour of Sharing
TWO OPEN SLOTS FOR UNITED METHODIST VIM TEAM TO CUBA
- April 18-30, 2008
- For more information, contact the team leader, Larry Burke: ljrdburke@comcast.net
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.
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
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.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.