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HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST
Mission Opportunities
For Mission Monday May 5, 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
THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
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
- May 6 to 22 – Sierra Leone – Koidu Secondary School - U of I, Lang Brownlee, team leader
MISSION NEWS
UMCOR HELPS WITH FOOD SHIPMENT TO HAITI
In regard to Haiti which is suffering a food shortage, UMCOR has helped with a shipment of two containers of food through Stop Hunger Now. The United Methodist relief agency continues to monitor the situation and seek ways to securely bring assistance to the people who need it.
UMCOR’s efforts will be funded through International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450. UMCOR’s responses will be reported through the UMCOR Hotline, our weekly news digest. You can find it online here: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/hotline/
AFRICAN OPERATION CLASSROOM COORDINATOR AT NORTH CONFERENCE
The Rev. Anthony Dioh, the country coordinator of Operation Classroom, the Director of Education for the Conference, and the Director of the S. Edward Peal Center, will be one of the speakers at the Operation Classroom breakfast (cost $9) at 7:30 a.m., Friday, May 30 during the North Indiana Annual Conference in West Lafayette. He will be updating the conference on Liberia. Joe Wagner, General Coordinator will be updating the conference on Sierra Leone and other Operation Classroom activities. Order and pay for tickets for this breakfast through the North Indiana Conference. Log on to www.nicumc.org/pdf/ac2008/banquets.pdf. Print out form and mail reservations with check to the North Indiana Conference Service Center in Marion.
A STUDY OF THE WORLD-WIDE CHURCH APPROVED
A Task Force on the Global Nature of the Church, authorized by the 2004 General Conference, asserted that General Conference is too “U.S.-centric.” The six-member group proposed to the 2008 General Conference last week the possibility of making the United States a central conference similar to other conferences outside the United States.
The task group submitted 23 petitions that would amend the constitution to allow for the creation of a regional conference for the United States and change the name “central conference” to “regional conference.”
The group said it prefers the word “worldwide” rather than “global” since global might be associated with the “homogenization and dominance of Western economy and culture.”
In response to the proposals, delegates asked the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table to create a 20-member committee to consider recommendations of the study group and suggested that the six members of the earlier study be included in the new committee. The new group will also consider the financial implications of proposed changes in structure and report back to the 2012 General Conference.
Arthur Jones, a lay delegate from North Texas Conference who introduced the recommendation, said the establishment of a study committee does not require the creation of a U.S. regional conference; however, if the U.S. church were to become a central conference, it would probably convene after General Conference. – UMNS
CHURCH SUPPORTS JUSTICE FOR MIGRANTS
The United Methodist Church is urging justice for migrants worldwide and reform of U.S. immigration laws. Delegates adopted resolutions covering both global migration and immigration issues in the United States.
U.S. immigration. The U.S. domestic resolution calls for “full protection of all workers, which includes the opportunity to gain legal status for all migrants.” It also urges U.S. lawmakers to ensure that immigrant laws do not rip apart families.
General Conference also added a new section on “Rights of Immigrants” to the denomination’s Social Principles. It states in part, “We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education and freedom from social discrimination.” The global economic system has led to migration and many challenges for migrants.
The resolution, “Welcoming the Migrant to the United States,” was written to incorporate six other resolutions that currently appear in the church’s Book of Resolutions. Amendments in legislative committee further incorporated proposed actions dealing with immigration.
A third resolution, proposed by Metodistas Associados Representando la Causa de Hispano-Americanos (MARCHA), addressed both U.S. immigration reform and the church’s responsibility to ensure fair treatment to immigrants.
“The broken immigration system in the United States and the xenophobic responses to migrants reflect the former social order,” according to “Welcoming the Migrant to the United States.” It states: “The calling of the people of God is to advocate for the creation of a new immigration system that reflects Jesus’ beloved community.”
Global migration. The “Global Migration and the Quest for Justice” resolution stresses both the economic needs that contribute to massive movements of people today and the difficulties encountered by migrants. It states, “While money and products easily flow across borders, the movement of people is increasingly restricted, leading to concentrations of the poor along borders and, often, to the building of literal and figurative walls of exclusion.”
The resolution commits the church to help all types of migrants and to engage in advocacy on their behalf. It urges investigation of the causes of displacement and marginalization and calls for the preparation of “educational resources for the achievement of these objectives.” – UMNS
CONFERENCES EXTEND COVENANT AGREEMENT
With his country in the midst of political and economic turmoil, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, episcopal leader of the Zimbabwe Area, said that the role of United Methodists in Zimbabwe is to continue to encourage a spirit of peace.
For 11 years, the Baltimore-Washington Conference has been a resource on which Nhiwatiwa can depend. On April 30, during the 2008 General Conference, the two annual conferences signed a new covenant to extend their relationship through 2012.
The covenant states the two conferences will focus on issues such as theological training, community and economic development, young adult ministries, preaching, biblical studies and leadership in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.
Schol said the new covenant would extend the work and relationship-building that has occurred since 1997. In 2007, the Baltimore-Washington Conference sent a 13-member team of clergy and laity to Zimbabwe to teach church leadership and community development strategies and skills to about 300 pastors. The team also distributed more than 7,000 insecticide-treated bed nets, as part of the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign. – UMNS
BILL GATES SR. THANKS UNITED METHODISTS
United Methodists have decided to wipe out malaria because “brothers and sisters don’t sit back and let each other die,” said William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, during a May 1 session of General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I am here today to thank you,” he said. “We are proud to be your partner in this campaign to end the world’s worst killer of children. We believe the campaign cannot succeed without you.”
The United Methodist Church is one of the founding partners of the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign, which fights the disease by purchasing and distributing insecticide-treated sleeping nets in Africa. More than $20 million has been raised since the campaign began in 2006. A donation of $10 covers the cost of delivering one net and teaching a family how to protect itself from malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Zimbabwe Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa thanked Gates for his support of the Nothing But Nets campaign. The bishop told how he had distributed nets in a Zimbabwe village. “That village is very far away, but your helping hand has reached there,” he said. – UMNS
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE OF TIBET, SUDAN, TAIWAN
The United Methodist 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, affirmed support for the people of Tibet and their struggle for independence and autonomy. The action came May 1 as the petition on Tibet was among the consent calendar items approved that day.
Protests led by Buddhist monks have occurred in recent weeks in Tibet, sparked by grievances against Chinese rule and a desire for independence. A worldwide tour of the Olympic Torch, which returned to China on April 30, was disrupted by pro-Tibet advocates. China is hosting the Olympics this summer.
A new resolution on Sudan called “Sudan: A Call to Compassion and Caring,” was part of the consent calendar approved April 29. It advocates for justice for all Sudanese, calls upon United Methodists “in every country” to encourage their governments to aid development of a more just economic system in the Sudan and asks church members to “examine all methods of protest and solidarity before undertaking them” to ensure that none of their actions causes violence.
Also approved by consent was a petition reaffirming the denomination’s support of the democratic aspirations and achievements of the people of Taiwan. Church members are encouraged to become educated about contemporary issues related to Taiwan and the “One China” policy, and to promote the rights of Taiwanese “for stability, security and self-determination of its own status in the family of nations.” – UMNS
UPPER ROOM MINISTRIES OFFERS HOPE, PRAYERS IN MANY LANGUAGES
As delegates and visitors to the United Methodist General Conference arrived at the Fort Worth Convention Center on the first-ever World Malaria Day, April 25, volunteers distributed a small, but powerful book of prayers published by Upper Room Ministries, a ministry of the Board of Discipleship, and written by real people suffering with serious diseases.
Prayers for Encouragement: Hope for Persons Living with HIV and AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Other Serious Diseases is available in French, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Xhosa and English.
At an April 25 press conference announcing a $5 million grant from the United Nations Foundation with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bishop Thomas Bickerton, said that the grant funds would support a fundraising and educational campaign to help end deaths of children from malaria, with an ultimate goal of raising $100 million over the next several years for programs in Africa to fight malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and to support the Global Fund.”
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, http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/media/pdfs%20health/umcor100tonchallengeposter.pdf, or the World Fair Trade Day bulletin insert, http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/media/hunger/worldfairtradeday08.pdf. You can also help small-scale farmers though your gifts to Sustainable Agriculture and Development, UMCOR Advance #982188.
NEWLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
OPERATION CLASSROOM NEEDS YOUR HELP FOR SCHOOLS IN AFRICA
Operation Classroom will have a yellow truck on the north side of the Elliot Hall of Music at Purdue University in West Lafayette for loading your ingathering supplies during the North Indiana Conference session. Plan to be a part of the ingathering of supplies and materials needed for Operation Classroom schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Here is what is needed:
- For HOME ECONOMICS (Sewing-Tailoring) – Sewing and tailoring supplies, embroidery supplies and Crochet supplies, cloth remnants.
- Cooking supplies – Measuring cups, measuring spoons, cooking spoons and ladles, cookie cutters, spatulas, rolling pins.
- For children: Children’s multi-vitamins, children’s Tylenol, Cream of Wheat?, Enfamil and Similac
- 1,000 needed – 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, 1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 oz or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer), bath-size bar of soap small bath towel
- For schools – copy paper, soccer balls, tennis shoes (can be used, if in good condition) YES and ET KITS, notebooks, solar calculators and other school supplies.
- Choir and pulpit robes, communion ware, United Methodist Hymnals, 1964 edition of the Book of Worship.
- OC recently was able to purchase more than 24,000 boxes of chalk for 30 cents a box so this need as been taken care of.
CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED FOR ELEMENTARY CAMP JUNE 15-20
Ted Jansen, pastor at First UMC in Auburn, is a Co-Director of an Elementary Camp this June 15-20 at Camp Lakewood. He needs guys and gals who would be willing to serve as counselors. They must be 18 years or older and willing to enjoy the outdoor setting as a way of sharing their faith with children 3rd grade through sixth grade.
If you know of any contacts who would be interested in getting some more information please contact me at tedj@mchsi.com or at the office at 260-925-0885. He will make the follow-up calls to the contacts you give him. He appreciates any and all publicity and contact information you can give this great camp.
PREVIOUSLY LISTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
NORTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION UPDATED
Here is the latest update for the North Indiana Conference School of Christian Mission at Manchester College in July
Drive-In Day is Wed., July 9
School is Wed. evening through Saturday, July 9-12
Registration deadline is June 30
Classes:
- I Believe in Jesus — Leader the Rev. Dr. Derek Weber
- Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival – Leaders include: Susan Jennys and the Rev. Evelyn Taylor-Haney, the Rev. Jon Walters, and La Donna Weber
- Israel-Palestine - -Leaders include: the Rev. Dr. James Dwyer, Robert Epps, Dona Lou Imler, and Nancy Myers
- Yo-Pe-Mi-Ca (youth) – Leader the Rev. Jeaninne Walker
- Chi-Mi-Ca (children) – Leaders Mary Margaret Willbanks and Joan Schell
Further information can be found by logging on to www.gbgm-umc.org/nicumw/scminformation.html.
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.
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.
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 2008 CLASSROOM TEAMS
- To Sierra Leone
- 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
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
- 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 Weber
- Israel-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
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 05/09/2008