Future Teams; UMCOR Opened Two New Offices in 2009; Youth Volunteer Opp. in Honduras

Photo: Two volunteers with Sierra Service Project. Found out how you and your youth group can volunteer in Honduras below....photo courtesy, sierraserviceproject.org.

THE UMVIM WJ OFFICE WISHES YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

FUTURE TEAMS

International Team to Mumbia, India: December 26 – January 16
Mary Philip of Davis UMC will lead a team back to Mumbai and Jamked, India to continue work there. She will be joined by Alex Achimore, Carol Jewell and John Jewell.

San Ramon Valley UMC Youth Team to New Orleans, LA: December 27 – January 3
Michael Stephenson will lead 10 volunteers to New Orleans to continue hurricane recovery work there. He will be joined by Kyle Behring, Connor Finney, Meghan Flanagan, Daniel Glover, Evan Preece, Maddie Preece, Hannah Stephenson, Ben Ten Elshof, Corinne Wright and Emily Wright of Alamo - San Ramon Valley UMC

Connectional team to Palestine: December 28 – January 13
Tana McDonald of Grass Valley UMC will lead a team back to Palestine. She will be joined by Shirley Azim of Yuba City - First UMC Patricia Lee Brothen of Lakeland, MN. - Valley Baptist, Shelby Howe, Donald Lee, Rosann Mackey and Jean Martinsen of Grass Valley - Sierra Pines UMC, Lawrence Williams and Sharron Seymour-Williams of Sparks - Sparks UMC and Robert Joehnch.

Individual Volunteer to Vatukarasa, Fiji: January
Judy Church of Modesto First UMC will return to Fiji to continue work there.

Cal-Nev Volunteer join another conference team to Guatemala: January
Anita Shaul of Carson City First UMC will join up with a team from another conference to work in Guatemala.

Eureka First UMC team to New Orleans, Louisiana: January 9-16
Ken Blackshear of Eureka First UMC will lead a large team back to New Orleans to continue hurricane recovery work there. A list of volunteers was not available at the time of this posting.

Medical team to the Philippines: end of January through February
Rev. Paul Cabotaje of Stockton St. Paul’s UMC will once again lead a large medical/dental team to the Philippines. A list of volunteers was not available at the time of this posting.

Sierra Leone, Summer 2010 - There will be two work teams between June 12 and July 15. Each team will be about 2-1/2 week sin duration. One team will emphasize health and health-related concerns while the other team will emphasize construction. Basic skills needed: workers willing to try anything, with limited tools; workers of all ages. Special skills needed: doctors, dentists, nurses, eye doctors, teachers, file clerks, carpenters, nutritionists, laborers, nurses' aides, teachers' aides. Contact Hope and Les Law, 303-642-3693, lhlaw@hope4salone.org, www.hope4salone.org. Donate a birthing kit for women and babies in Sierra Leone! See attachment.

Guatemala Nov.19-27 2010 - Experience Guatemala, partner with national ministers; work may include opportunities to build extensions onto churches, teach Vacation Bible School to local children, encourage Guatemalan pastors and their wives, and participate in other outreach/social ministries. Time will be spent in the capital as well as rural areas. Trip is open to all ages 14-94! Contact Rebecca Patterson (turtlerap05@gmail.com; 719-440-5625). An informational meeting will be held January 10, 2010 at 7:00pm at Sunrise UMC, Colorado Springs.3)

See www.rmcvim.org for a listing of additional mission teams you can join!

UMCOR OPENED TWO NEW OFFICES IN 2009

UMCOR opened two new offices to serve disaster needs in the US and abroad.

UMCOR’s Western Jurisdiction Office and Depot in Salt Lake City opened its doors in May to serve as a material resources depot to assemble, store and ship UMCOR supply kits. The facility provides new opportunities for kit ministry in the Western Jurisdiction and helps reduce shipping costs and efficiency when areas affected by disaster are in the western part of the US or in Asia.

UMCOR Philippines opened in July to help bring relief to a population vulnerable to natural disasters, civil conflict and extreme poverty. UMCOR Philippines serves as the communications hub between United Methodist conferences within the Philippines and the US. The office offers an on-site storage facility for material goods and relief supplies.
Support these two offices by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440, or Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY IN HONDURAS - SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT

Sierra Service Project (SSP) is excited to announce the dates for the 2010 Honduras Service Project. Sierra Service Project, the United Methodist-affiliated youth ministry organization, is organizing four teams of high school juniors and seniors, and young adults, for a service-immersion experience in Honduras in 2010.
Trip dates are June 23-July 7, 2010 and July 14-28, 2010.

Participants will have the opportunity to be immersed in the culture and life of one of the poorest countries in the Americas and will work alongside Hondurans to build two simple, but safe and dry, homes. To date, SSP has constructed 28 homes in Honduras with plans to build eight more in 2010.

Open to mature high school juniors or seniors, and college-age young adults, this service experience is a great opportunity to meet other young people interested in social justice and service in Central America.

The trip cost is $1,700 if registered by December 31, 2009 ($1,800 after December 31). Cost includes airfare to and from Houston, Texas or Los Angeles, California, and includes all meals, lodging, and transportation within Honduras. A deposit of $400 ($500 after December 31) is required to hold your spot and airline seat.

Visit the Sierra Service Project website or call the SSP office at 916.488.6441 for more details and registration information.

TEAMS NEEDED IN SIERRA LEONE; FUTURE TEAMS; INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING EVENT; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SERVICE IN GUATAMALA & TAWAIN

Students at a school built by volunteers with Operation Classroom in Sierra Leone. Volunteers are needed, please read below.....Photo courtesy, andersonsmattumc.org.

* TEAMS NEEDED TO BUILD & REBUILD CLASSROOMS IN SIERRA LEONE

The following primary schools in Sierra Leone need vim teams to assist it construction and reconstruction:

. UMC Primary School Masori, Mile 91, Yonibana District (reconstruction)2. UMC Primary School, Bonganema, Moyamba East District (Construction)3. UMC Primary School Lowoma, Kenema District (Construction4. UMC primary School Baoma, Bo District (Rehabilitation)5. UMC Primary School Yamandu Bo District (Construction)6. UMC Primary School Moyamba Junction (Construction)

Please contact :

Joe Wagner
Operation Classroom, Inc.PO Box 246Colfax, IN 46035765.436.2805www.operationclassroom.orgocmission@frontiernet.netwww.operationclassroom.org

* FUTURE TEAMS

International Team to Mumbia, India: December 26 – January 16
Mary Philip of Davis UMC will lead a team back to Mumbai and Jamked, India to continue work there. She will be joined by Alex Achimore, Carol Jewell and John Jewell.

Connectional Team to Palestine: December 28 – January 13
Tana McDonald of Grass Valley UMC will lead a team back to Palestine. She will be joined by Shirley Azim of Yuba City - First UMC Patricia Lee Brothen of Lakeland, MN. - Valley Baptist, Shelby Howe, Donald Lee, Rosann Mackey and Jean Martinsen of Grass Valley - Sierra Pines UMC, Lawrence Williams and Sharron Seymour-Williams of Sparks - Sparks UMC and Robert Joehnch.

* INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING JANUARY 21-24, 2010

If you feel the call to serve as a short-term missionary either in the USA or internationally anywhere from 2 months to 3 years, then the Individual Volunteer program may be just for you. There will be a training event next month at the Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, Jan. 21-24th.

Please contact Landon Taylor for more information at ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org.

* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TEAM GOING TO SERVE IN GUATAMALA

There is a VIM trip to Momostenango, Guatemala planned but they are in need of additional members to complete the team! The date for the trip is April 5 - April 11, 2010. The projected cost per person is $1000 with a deposit of $100 (make check to Crystal River United Methodist Church).

The primary project will be to construct a retaining wall in the church courtyard to prevent mudslides into the church complex. This courtyard is used to minister to the children throughout the week and on Sundays. We will also share the love of Christ through Bible School. If you would like to share this information with others, we may be able to complete the team and hold our group travel rate. Thank you so much.

Contact information: Christine Dial Phone # 352-794-3584
email: cd1945@aol.com
2600 N Comanche Pt
Crystal River, FL 34429

* VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO TEACH IN TAWAIN

Taipei City. Methodist Graduate School of Theology in Taiwan. Request for volunteers to teach Old Testament and/or Church History for semester starting September 2010. Credential requirements include Th. D or Ph. D. Language: English, some understanding of Chinese helpful. Request volunteers stay 3-6 years. Housing available. For more information, contact Landon Taylor at ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org

TEAM LEADER TRAINING; FUTURE TEAMS; HELPFUL WEBSITES; UMCOR IN THE PHILIPPINES

Photo: Volunteers hand out food in Philippines. Read more about work there below....Photo courtesy, umcor.org.

* TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

The UMVIM Leadership Team will be conducting two Volunteer In Mission Team Leader Trainings on December 5, 2009 at First UMC of Olympia. Topics to be discussed will be the UM Connection, insurance, safe sanctuary requirements and background checks.1) TEAM LEADER TRAINING for National/International Mission10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Fees: $20 for the manual

2) TEAM LEADER TRAINING for Conference Projects10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Fees: none First UMC of Olympia1224 Legion Way SEOlympia, WA 98501-1655(360) 943-2661 If you are interested in registering for either class,e-mail Ronda Cordill, r_cordill@hotmail.comor call (509) 235-5466.

* FUTURE TEAMS TO GUATAMALA, ANGOLA, LOUISINA, SIERRA LEONE, KENYA, CAMBODIA & HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR VOLUNTEERS

1) Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana - Summer, 2010 (1 week trips during June 6 - July 25) - ongoing reconstruction of homes devastated by hurricanes. Registration deadline March 15, 2010. Cost is $225 per participant, which includes lodging, meals, construction materials and evening activities. Contact Laurie Byland, 225-383-4777, X235; laurie.byland@firstmethodist.org, www.thebluetarp.com.

2) Angola, October 2010, MALARIA NET DISTRIBUTION - a fund of $120,000 was collected for the "Nothing But Nets" program in honor of our previous Bishop, Warner Brown. We are beginning to recruit a team of 8-10 people for the distribution of these malaria nets in Angola. The distribution plan will be coordinated by UMCOR in Angola. We would like to have a representative group of health care workers, pastors and lay persons. Contact Burl Kreps, angoadvo@msn.com, 719-637-0258, 719-337-3066(cell).

3) Guatemala, March 19-28, 2010. Serve with the indigenous Mayan people in the mountains of Guatemala. Build adobe homes for widows, construct chicken coops, play with children, visit the John Wesley School. Contact Laura Richards, corichards@aol.com, St. Luke's UMC, Highlands Ranch, CO.4) UMVIM team leader training, Saturday, December 12, 9 am to Noon, St. Luke's UMC, 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO. Please contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net to register. Team leader training also offered on request.

5) Please see the following web sites for more information about UMVIM:

a) www.umvim.info - contains listings of all the UMVIM projects in the USA and around the world as well as information about long term opportunities for individual volunteers.

b) www.umvimwj.blogspot.com - has information about volunteer needs in the western US and teams you can join.

c) www.rmcvim.org - has information about Rocky Mountain Conference teams you can join, going to Guatemala (2010), Sierra Leone (2010), Kenya (2010 and 2011), Cambodia (2011), and India (2011).

d) www.umvim4health.blogspot.com - this is a great web site for health care volunteer opportunities.

* UMCOR WORK IN PHILIPPINES CONTINUES

Philippines continues to comb through remote areas to provide relief supplies to those in need following the devastating Typhoon Ketsana and Parma, which struck the country in September and October.

It took UMCOR Philippines staff and volunteers six hours on a boat to travel to one affected area to assess damages. In one area, on the coastal area of Talim Island, most of the homes and structures were completely destroyed. Three United Methodist churches were damaged and two of the churches remain under water. UMCOR Philippines is working with district leadership to respond to the needs of the church and affected communities.

In addition, about 1,500 food items have been purchased and repackaged by local churches and volunteers assisting UMCOR Philippines. Trained by UMCOR and student council members of the Angono Rizal System University, volunteers prepare water purifiers daily to include in the distribution to displaced families, as health and sanitation is a major concern.

Support the ongoing relief efforts in the Philippines with your gifts to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.

UMVIM Sites in the Oregon/Idaho Conference; Desert Southwest Mission Festival Lifts Up UMVIM Ministry; Individual Volunteer Training in the WJ

Photo: Alton Collins Retreat Center & Camp in Oregon. They are accepting volunteers, read more below. Courtesy, www.gocamping.org.

* UMVIM SITES IN OREGON/IDAHO CONFERENCE

Interested in serving stateside? The Oregon/Idaho conference has several great locations for volunteer teams. They are listed below. For more information, contact Brenda St. Clair, the Oregon/Idaho UMVIM Coordinator at jgbrndr@cabelone.net or at 208-520-7527.

CAMP SAWTOOTH/CAMP & RETREAT CENTER, P O Box 68, Fairfield, ID 83327, Dave Hargreaves, SawtoothUMCamp@hughes.net .
Open in June-Sept only. New building projects and trail maintenance. S.A. Max 16 RV. S. A. Max 16, RV.

ALTON L. COLLINS RETREAT CENTER, Rev. Todd Bartlett, director@relianceconnects.com , 32867 SE Highway 211, Eagle Creek, OR 97022 503/637-6411, toll-free 888/567-6411. Grounds, organic garden, and trail maintenance. Adults. limited RV parking.

CAMP LATGAWA / CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER, Eva LaBonty and Greg Clensy, Latgawa@gocamping.org, 13250 South Fork Little Butte Creek Rd., Eagle Point, OR 97524, 541/826-9699. Camp, building, and trail maintenance. S, A, RV.

CAMP MAGRUDER, Steve Rumage, Director, 17450 Old Pacific Hwy. Rockaway Beach, OR 97136. 503/ 355-2310; F: 503/355-8701. director@campmagruder.org
Carpentry, general maintenance, and grounds work. S, A, RV parking. Max 6-12.

SUTTLE LAKE CAMP & RETREAT CTR, - Jane Petke, 29551 SW Suttle Lake Rd., Sisters, OR 97759, 514/595-6663, F: 503/595-2818, suttle@gocamping.org.
Make a difference through carpentry, general maintenance, cutting wood, trail improvements, renovation of small cabins, and construction of wooden bunk beds.
J, S, A.


WALLOWA LAKE CAMP & RETREAT CTR, David and Ingrid Cook, 84522 Church Lane, Joseph, OR 97846. 541/432-1271. wallowa@gocamping.org.
May-June or Sept-Oct : Construction of cedar deluxe yurt cabins.
Summer only: kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping volunteers.
A. Max 16.

* DESERT SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE LIFTS UP UMVIM MINISTRY AT ITS MISSION FESTIVAL

The Desert Southwest Conference held its first Conference Mission Festival November 7th and it was a huge success. Bishop Carcano was present and shared a Spirit-filled message and UMVIM was a focus of the festival. Pastor Mel Muchinsky of Cross in the Desert UMC lead the way in putting the event together and he and his team did an incredible job. Below, please find a report on the event.

REGISTRATION AND ATTENDANCE

Well, the Design Team wasn’t sure if the event would happen or not! Two weeks before November 7th, we only had a dozen people registered. As we came closer to the event, registrations started to come in and on Friday, November 6th we had a total of 128 signed up. Of these, 96 ordered lunches which were prepared by UMOM - New Day culinary school. There were several "walk ins" that morning, bring the total official count to 141. Worship service was attended by 160 people (all right, it was really 162 but let’s round things off).

WORKSHOPS

Eight workshops were presented and, although some people were disappointed with the three cancelled ones, they nevertheless attended the ones presented. Workshops were better attended at 12:30 pm then at 9;15 am - don’t know "why?" but maybe people were finally getting used to the schedule or maybe the "buzz" was that they were all well presented. Several people told me they were considering new mission projects because of these workshops.

Faith in action: volunteers in missionHeather Wilson, Western Jurisdiction UMVIM coordinator. The whys, how to’s and needs for VIM volunteers and churches.
"…as a fire by burning": mission motives and methods

Let by David Alberts, former Program Counselor for Missions in the Central Illinois Conference and current senior pastor at St. Matthew UMC in Mesa. Does your congregation need to catch a vision for missions and learn creative means for transforming good intentions into action? Here is real help based upon the vast mission resources available to United Methodists and the experiences of successful mission-centered churches.

Making new disciples for missions
Led by Glen Simpson and Relevance Young Adult Ministries, the official young adult ministry of the Desert Southwest Conference. Young adults gravitate to churches that are making an impact. Today’s generation of young adults are embracing service, social action and missions. In a survey conducted by Lifeway Christian Resources, 66% of young adult churchgoers vs. 47% of young adult non-churchgoers agreed that meeting the needs of others is an essential element to this generation.

Encouraging effective collaboration
Moderated by Candace Sherwood, Community Relations & Events Manager, UMOM New Day Centers. As resources grow scarcer and individual and community challenges more complex, Missions often need to join forces to make headway. Collaboration is more than a buzz word, it's a whole new way of getting work done. This workshop will demonstrate how collaboration offers the chance to access resources and leverage outcomes in ways to make Mission success possible.

General cross-cultural issues
Ministering with a different culture has its challenges! Whether your dealing with people in another culture as a volunteer or rubbing elbows with those right in your own congregation, this workshop will give insight how to establish relationships.

Providing job support as a mission project
Moderated by Lisa Armijo from Arizona Women’s Education and Employment. Started in 1981, AWEE has changed the lives of 60,000 individuals through life and career success planning, training and support. Techniques will be shared as to how churches can respond to people’s needs during this economic recession.

Rethinking church
Hosted by Stepehen J. Hustedt and the Desert Southwest Conference Communications Commission. What if church wasn’t a place you go? What if Church was a thing you do? This workshop will how to reach out to un-churched individuals between 18 and 35 with a secondary audience of 35-50. Research shows that young adults a looking for a church that does what it says it does and has a mission focus. What does this mean to how we tell our story as United Methodists?

Increasing global ministries missionary covenants
Facilitated by Judy Witt, DSC Secretary of Global Ministries. Special Sundays offerings, The Advance, as well as individual & church partnerships with missionaries/countries/specific projects are just some of the opportunities available. Can we help establish ten new covenant relationships in this quadrennium? Come and see!

TABLE DISPLAYS

We had 17 display table reservations but 22 showed up! I nice problem to have; we just made room for more. Besides the "regular" displays, we had some interesting and unique ones from local churches.

Association of Arizona food Banks
Desert Foothills UMC - Agua Prieta
Duet - Elaine Dinse/Meryl Ahart
Faithworks - Glen or Jan Allen
Fountain Hills UMC - Pam Novak
Give Ye Them to Eat - Hendersons
Global Ministries - Judy Witt
Habitat for Humanity
Hope for the Hopeless
In Mission Together - Mel Munchinsky
Justa Center - Scott Ritchey
NOMADS - Dick Bulkeley
Shepherd of the Hills UMC - Cleo Perry - quilts
Shoebox Ministry - Laura Borgeson
Sidewalk Ministry - Billie Fidlin
St. Matthew UMC - Bulgarian UMC - Andy or Kay Rountree
UMOM - New Day - Helping Hands - Candace Sherwood
United Methodist Women - Carla Whitmire
Wesley Center - Betty K. Mathis
WHEAT - Hand to Hand Project - Ada Davis

WORSHIP SERVICE

The service opened with the SON Worshipers from St. Matthew UMC providing prelude music. The congregation joined in with the singing of A New Hallelujah! The Band also sang Children of God and Thank you, Lord. The One Flock Choir sang Multiply Your Love. Two excellent talks were given by Bishop Minerva Carcaño and Heather Wilson, UMVIM Coordinator of the Western Jurisdiction. There certainly was the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the service, one would have thought all these individuals and groups sat down and planned the service because of its unity and theme but in fact they didn’t!

The Agua Prieta Liturgical Dance group had an excellent presentation both during the service and later on the Patio. Flags representing different countries throughout the world brought us closer together as a global community (these were loaned to us from Payson UMC). There was no registration fee charged for the event in order to make it accessible as much as possible to all who wanted to attend. To those who wanted a lunch, the cost was $10.00 but anyone could have brought their lunch with them or lunched off the hospitality table. An offering was taken which totaled about $1,300.00 which paid for all the costs of the event! What a blessing!

OVERHEARD COMMENTS

Why did we wait so long to have this?

(After the worship service) I just need to sit here for awhile and reflect on what I’ve seen and heard.

What an inspiring and uplifting worship service!

I’m disappointed that the workshop on immigration issues was cancelled.

What wonderful hospitality - the snack table has variety.

Can we keep the flags up in the sanctuary longer?

I just connected with another group - didn’t know we had so much in common.

We just got two good ideas for a mission project that will be introduced next January.

I haven’t seen some of these people for a long time - it’s great!
　

* INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING IN THE WESTERN JURISDICTION JANUARY 2010

If you feel called to serve as a couple or as an individual for 2 months to 3 years as a mission volunteer, then the Individual Volunteer ministry is for you! There are sites all over the nation and the world needing and wanting volunteers. For more information please contact Landon Taylor at ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org and go to http://www.individualvolunteers.info/.

There will be an Individual Volunteer Training event in Pacific Palisades, CA, January 25-27, 2010. Please contact Landon Taylor for an application and more details.

TEAMS NEEDED IN SENEGAL, MEXICO, CHILE, WASHINGTON, & ALASKA; PRAYERS FOR FUTURE TEAMS

Photo: Volunteer helping to rebuild home in Lewis County, WA due to flooding. To volunteer, read below. Photo courtesy Channels Express, Pacific Northwest Conference.

* TEAMS NEEDED IN SENEGAL, MEXICO, & ALAKSA

Senegal:
The United Methodist Church of Senegal is a Mission Initiative of the General Board of Global Ministries. The church has been recognized by the government of Senegal since 1996. They are involved in a variety of ministries including health, Christian Education, and church constructions. Senegal is a 95% Muslim country, but it is very safe and peaceful. It is very easy to reach from the US as it is the most western country in Africa. There are opportunities for construction, medical, educational, and agricultural teams.

Mexico:
Igelsia Metodista Refugio de Paz - Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon. Construction of Sunday School classrooms. Ten teams needed. Youth accepted.

Chile:

The national Volunteer in Mission coordinator in Chile has a church in theValpariso region which needs to build up a place beside the church forsocial or community programs called VILLA ALEMANA, near to Valparaiso. The weather is so good the views are amazing andthe the people very nice and waiting for your help. Please contact Denise Soto Vergara at denise_178@yahoo.com.

Alaska:

North Star United Methodist Church in Nikiski, AK - 4 teams needed and able to accept youth and family teams as well. Will be able to accept teams as of June 2010 to do construction and landscape work as well as create a playground. For more information please contact Rev. Laura P. Skiba at plskiba@gmail.net or klskiba@alaska.net or at 907-394-3674.

Washington:

In a little less than two months, it will be two years since the 500-year flood in Lewis County, WA. Many volunteers from many faiths have given of their time, their talents and their gifts to help the flood survivors recover.

Unfortunately, the task is not complete. There is still a great need for volunteers. Please consider sharing some of your time, energy and talents with those who have had a very difficult two years.

To volunteer, contact UMVIM:Ronda Cordill: r_cordill@hotmail.comJim Truitt: jftruitt@comcast.net

To give financial support, contact PNWUMC:PNW AC TreasurerP.O. Box 13650Des Moines, WA 98198 For gifts in the form of a check, please indicate "Disaster Relief" on the memo line.Thank you for your past support. I look forward to your continued outreach in the future.

*PRAYER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE TEAMS

Individual Volunteers to Tiu Rancho, Bolivia: October 24- November 13
Monica Bruesewitz from South Reno UMC - Nevada, and Margie Marshall will travel to T’iu Rancho outside Cochabamba, Bolivia to work with the GBGM missionaries currently assigned there.

Retired Clergy Team to New Orleans, Louisiana: October 30- November 7
Nadine Dewitt of Sparks UMC - Nevada leads another R.C.A. team back to the Gulf coast to continue hurricane recovery efforts. She will be joined by Philip Angove of Loomis - First UMC Mary Bahlert of Oakland - Lake Merritt UMC Harry Dutt of Bakersfield - First UMC Edna McCoy of Susanville UMC Joe Hurd, Linda Butler, Anita Dutt, Douglas McCoy and John Sublett.

Ca-Nev / Kansas Team to Tatoxcac, Mexico: November 15-24
Jackie Kawashima, Don Kawashima of Wesley UMC – San Jose (and the possible additions of Kelli Kawashima and Desiree Fuentez) will join up with a Kansas team to continue their work in Mexico.

Multi-Church Team to Cuba: November 29 – December 13
Martha Milk will lead a team of 12 to Cuba from Yerington UMC and Woodland UMC. They include Gregg Atkins, Ardith Allread, John Baggaley, Shanna Baggaley, Kris Beck, Ashley Broaster, La Vonda Ristow, Belinda Robinson, LaRae Shaw Meadows, Bob Weiser and Paul Sweet.

FUTURE MEDICAL TEAMS LISTING; INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Photo: Medical mission work in Africa, courtesy, umvim.org. If interested in serving this way, read below.....

* FUTURE MEDICAL TEAMS LISTING

From Cal-Nevada Conference:

March of 2010 Team Leader: Roland Nyegaard of First UMC Modesto
Ph: 209.526.2459

July 29 – August 8, 2010
Team Leaders: Doug & Betsy McLeod of Concord UMC
Ph: 925.212.7459
Email: MAC4160@comcast.net

From Pacific Northwest Conference:

January 2010
Medical Team to Ganta Hospital in Liberia contact Ronda Cordill at r_cordill@Hotmail.com

2010
Honduras
Congo
Rwanda
Months to be determined, contact Ronda Cordill at r_cordill@Hotmail.com

From Desert Southwest Annual Conference

October 2010
Medical-VBA-Construction Team to Guatamala
Contact Bill Sanford at bill@desertsw.org

From Southeast Jurisdiction

Doctors and health care professionals needed to complete a medical team to Danli, Honduras, Feb. 6 - 19, 2010. The team will see, treat, and dispense medications to rural peasants in this small community about two hours from the capital. There is a construction team at work in Danli as well. Cost of the trip is $1425 from Des Moines, IA but travel arrangements can be altered if necessary. Contact Beverly Nolte before November 6 for more information.

Beverly Nolte
5221 Village Run Ave. #604
Des Moines IA 50317
515 266 4186 home
bnmedical@aol.com

* INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING IN WESTERN JURISDICTION

If you are interested in serving in mission ministry as a couple or as an individual then come to the annual Individual Volunteer Training that will be held at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, CA in January 2010. For more information about the Individual Volunteer Training please visit http://www.individualvolunteers.info/ or contact ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TEAM TO NICARAGUA; SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT SITES FOR YOUTH; US CHURCHES RESPOND TO SOUTH PACIFIC DISASTERS

Photo: Cattle being herded in Condega, Nicaragua. You can join a work team to Condega, see below. Courtesy, www.downtheroad.org.

* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TEAM TO NICARAGUA

5 team members needed for a unique VIM work trip to Nicaragua in order to complete construction of a new church in Condega. This is a joint team between the United States and El Salvador. Leaders are John Benson (NC Conference) and Juan de Dios Pena, President of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista in El Salvador. Cost is $400 plus airfare. For more information, email John Benson at jbenson23@embarqmail.com or 252-987-6562.

* SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNTIES FOR YOUTH

Arizona, California and Nevada:
SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT - PO Box 992, Carmichael, CA. Contact: Rick Eaton, Executive Director. Email: rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org Website: http://www.sierraserviceproject.org/. Phone: 916-488-6441. Sierra Service Project (SSP) runs week-long summer service-mission-learning experiences for junior and senior high youth groups at Native American reservation sites throughout the Western US, in South Los Angeles and Tijuana, Mexico. Work consists of home repairs and renovation; evening activities include cultural exploration, faith development and celebration. Cost: $335 per person per week; fee includes food, lodging and building materials. Scholarships and financial assistance are available. Registrations are accepted at any time (depending upon space availability). Priority registration is due November 15. 2010 locations are: Navajo Nation, AZ; McDermitt, NV; Round Valley, CA; Greenville, CA (Indian Valley); Loleta, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Tijuana, Mexico. Maximum 30 for sr. high and 15 for jr. high groups. SSP also coordinates winter and spring break projects for high school and young adult groups at our South LA site. Please e-mail Rick for details.

Mexico:
SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT - PO Box 992, Carmichael, CA. Contact: Rick Eaton, Executive Director. Email: rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org Website: http://www.sierraserviceproject.org/. Phone: 916-488-6441. Sierra Service Project (SSP) runs a week-long summer service-mission-learning experience for senior high youth groups in Tijuana, Mexico. This program has a strong learning focus on the complex issue of immigration and the California-Mexico border region, with particular emphasis on the lives of young people. Service work will include home repairs; evening activities include cultural exploration, visits to social justice organizations, faith development and celebration. Cost: $335 per person per week; fee includes food, lodging and building materials. There will be an additional charge of $40-60 per person for transportation while in Mexico. This means that adult volunteers do not need to drive. Scholarships and financial assistance are available. Registrations are accepted at any time (depending upon space availability). Priority registration is due November 15.

Honduras Service Project:
SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT - PO Box 992, Carmichael, CA. Contact: Rick Eaton, Executive Director. Email: rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org Website: http://www.sierraserviceproject.org/. Phone: 916-488-6441. Sierra Service Project (SSP) sends volunteer teams every summer to Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Americas. In Honduras, volunteers are immersed in the culture, live in a small community, learn together and serve alongside Hondurans. Team members will build two simple, but safe, dry and secure brick dwellings. The trip includes visits to several different local ministries of service. The project is open to high school juniors and seniors and college-age young adults. Registration is on an individual basis. Cost: $1,700 if you register by December 31, 2009 ($1,800 after that date); fee includes airfare to and from Houston or Los Angeles and includes all meals, lodging and transportation within Honduras.

* US: CHURCHES RESPOND TO SOUTH PACIFIC DISASTER

The Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel, California is partnering with Hilltop United Methodist Church, Seaside, Calif., to assist survivors of the four tsunamis that struck South Pacific islands in recent weeks. About 90 percent of the homes were damaged by the tsunami in Tonga.
The churches plans to fill and ship two large crates of food and supplies to Tonga by Christmas, and are collecting donations of food and non-food items for shipping on Nov. 1. Suggested donations include rice, flour, sugar, canned fish, corn beef, salt, peanut butter, beans, or basic items like toilet paper, laundry powder, toothpaste, tooth brushes, and blankets.

Churches interested in donating should email Geoff Van Loucks, Geoff@vanloucks.com for instructions in how to deliver supplies to Hilltop UMC.
You can support survivors of recent disasters with your gifts to South Pacific Disaster, International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450, Indonesia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #217400, and Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.

Early Response Team Training in PNW Conference; NOMADS News & Needs in Galveston, TX; PRIMETIMERS Schedule 2010; UMCOR News from South Pacific

Photo: UMCOR responds to typhoon damage in the Philippines. Read more below and see how you can help. Courtesy, UMCOR.org.

EARLY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE 10/24/09

Training has been rescheduled for Saturday October 24th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Fairwood Community United Methodist Church15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA 98058

Larry Powell from UMCOR will lead this training which is for any one who is interested in being an early responder to a disaster with in the conference. Teams are sent out after the disaster to assist families with clean up and to make sure that their homes are safe and secure in preparation for long term Volunteer in Missions Teams to come in and assist with the rebuilding phase.

Early response teams also assist with the spiritual care and support as families start the healing and rebuilding process.

If you are interested in attending the ERT training or have questions please contact Ronda Cordill the UMVIM Conference Coordinator at mailto:r_cordill@hotmail.comor call at (509) 235-5366.

* NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission of Active Divine Service) REPORT FROM GALVESTON

NOMADS serve all over the country. They are men and women with an RV who make themselves available to volunteer in many wonderful ways for churches. The following is a report from a NOMAD volunteer who is serving in Galveston, TX as that town slowly recovers from hurricane damage. Teams and help are needed. If you are interested in serving as a NOMAD or leading an UMVIM team there, contact Heather Wilson at umvimwj@Hotmail.com. For more information about NOMADS visit http://www.nomadsumc.org/.

Surprise, surprise they were not ready for us when we arrived on Tuesday. The RV parking sites at the Island Community Church where we are parked was completely overgrown with grass, weed, trees etc.. It was also covered with junk blown in since the hurricane from the everlasting wind we have had. The wind is a good thing, it keeps the mosquitoes away and keeps it cooler.The Pastor of the church came to our aid and loaned us a lawnmower, so we have been mowing everyday since.

Yesterday 5 young folks (Aggies on Mission) came and helped us for a half a day to finish the mowing, trimming and cleaning up, Ha Rah we can now see all twenty RV hook ups.The major sewer work has been completed but the final hook ups to the RV's sites were not completed for most of them, thats our project for tomorrow and this week. There was an old travel trailer setting on the property in the way of our activities and that has now been towed away.The church is not in use except for a bible study group on Wednesdays, it is still being rebuilt after the hurricane, however we have access to a meeting room, restrooms, a partial kitchen and a washer and dryer.

Electric and water to the sites is very good.We have a long way to go to totally prepare for our teams, hope it will all be ready by the end of this week, the folks here are happy to have us, people have stopped us driving down the street to give us hugs and thank the NOMADS for coming.We were welcomed at the Moody Methodist Church this morning and introduced by the Senior Pastor. Once again we are dealing with a lot of folks that have never worked a disaster before and they are learning as they go.They need help here badly, the most constant comment from local people is where is the help? We have not seen a single long term team here, they have a few short term teams (3 day weekend) and some really great individuals that are here to help but no teams.

The staff running the rebuilding effort are all very dedicated and working hard to ensure the NOMADS will have our needs met so we can work on the really important job of getting folks back in their homes. They have lots of homes ready for us to work on.Much of the commercial district and the water front is rebuilt but the homes of the folks that did not have insurance are standing empty and very much in need of help.

Our first home will be that of a elderly woman that lost her husband to death a short time before the storm and then her home to the storm.In the meetings I have had so far, money does not seem to be a factor "yet" there is plenty for now but that is partly because the rebuilding has really just started. All of my report deals with just the Island, there is also much to be done on the mainland in Houston proper.

There are good places to eat here and a wonderful large Methodist Church, so come on down.We ask all of you to pray for the people in need here and also for the Disaster Response workers that are doing the best they can to pull this project together.The church were we are parked had 5 and 1/2 feet of water in it, many of the homes had over 8 feet of water, the wind which was a factor seems to be secondary in degree of damage it caused.

God Bless,

Marley

* PRIMETIMERS: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES FOR OLDER ADULTS

Environmental protection, Methodism in Latin America, music in Jamaica, and justice issues along the US-Mexican border are among the week-long educational forums available to United Methodist older adults in 2010 and early 2011 through the Primetimers mission volunteer program.

Six Primetimers events are scheduled for the two years, beginning February 11-20 in McAllen, Texas, with a focus on "Justice on the Border" and extending into January, 2011, in Brown's Town, Jamaica, with the experience of "Making Music: Jamaican Style."
Primetimers is an educational and mission service program of the General Board of Global Ministries for persons over 50 years of age. It offers seminars, cross-cultural experiences, faith-filled reflection, and interaction with the work of The United Methodist Church and the larger Christian family.

"Primetimers offers attractive education programs for adults interested in God's world and the mission of the church," said the Rev. Clint Rabb, who heads the Mission Volunteers office of Global Ministries. "Every event is an adventure in faith and an opportunity for group members to interact with one another and Christians from diverse cultures."

The cost of each event ranges from $850.00 to $975.00, plus travel costs. Advance registration is required, along with a $150.00 deposit.

Environmental protection is the theme of "All Creatures Great and Small," set for November 7-12, 2010, at Epworth by the Sea, located on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Methodism in Latin America is the topic for a May 2010 event at the Biblical University in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Justice along the border will be explored in February 2010, in the Rio Grande Valley, with headquarters at the Pharr United Methodist Church, near McAllen, the site of a Justice for Our Neighbors free legal clinic for immigrants. The clinic is related to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Eagle River United Methodist Camp at Auke Bay, near Juneau, Alaska, is the setting for the August 2010, event on "For the Beauty of the Earth," which includes whale watching and education on the importance of the fishing industry to local communities.
New Mexico's cultural riches will come into focus in October 2010, from a base at the church-related McCurdy School in Espanola. The event on music in Jamaica will be hosted by the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, a mission partner of Global Ministries.

For additional information contact: Nancy Eubanks, Primetimers ConsultantCall toll-free: 1-877-882-4724E-mail: Primetimers@gbgm-umc.orgWebsite: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mv/programs/primetimers/
Topics, dates, locations, and costs are provided in the following list. Each name is also a link to a website offering a great deal of information.

"Justice on the Border"February 11-20, 2010McAllen, TexasEvent cost - $950.00

"A Methodist Primer - Latin America"May 8-15, 2010San Jose, Costa RicaEvent Cost - $950.00

"For the Beauty of the Earth"August 20-28, 2010Auke Bay, AlaskaEvent Cost - $975.00

"New Mexico's Cultural Riches"October 9-16, 2010McCurdy School - Espanola, New MexicoEvent Cost - $800.00

"All Creatures Great and Small"November 7-12, 2010Epworth by the Sea - St. Simons Island, GeorgiaEvent Cost - $850.00

"Making Music - Jamaican Style"January 8-15, 2011Brown's Town, JamaicaEvent Cost - $900.00

* UMCOR NEWS FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC

South Pacific Earthquake and Tsunamis: Four powerful tsunamis crashed into the South Pacific islands of Tong, Samoa and American Samoa on Sept. 29 killing more than 170 people and displacing tens of thousands.

Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR’s disaster response executive, spoke with Dr. Finau Ahio, president of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWC) who reports that 90 percent of the homes were damaged in some way by the tsunami. FWC is reaching out to families to help with immediate needs such as food and clothing.

The Rev. Afereti Samuelu, president of the Methodist Church of Samoa reports that one church and parsonage was completely destroyed, along with the homes of many parishioners. The church is supplying shelter, food and clothing to affected families.

UMCOR is supporting a medical mission from Wesley UMC of Honolulu, HI which will facilitate community-level planning and immediate re-establishment of rural district health care services in the Aleipata and Falealili districts of Western Samoa.

Please give to South Pacific Earthquake and Tsunamis, International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450 For more information about The Advance for Christ and His Church (The Advance) please click on The Advance link found on the left-hand column of this blogspot.

Typhoon Parma, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines since 2006, landed in the north-east part of the country a week after Typhoon Ketsana hit Manila on Sept 28, killing more than 265 people and forcing 567,000 people to flee their homes.

UMCOR is working closely with Action by Churches Together (ACT) partners including the National Council of Churches and Church World Service in addition to local United Methodist connections such as the Manila Episcopal area, Harris Memorial College, Asuncion Perez, and

KKFI (Kapaatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc.) to bring relief to those most in need.
Mobilizing its network of local volunteers including United Methodist district superintendents and disaster response coordinators, UMCOR Philippines is conducting needs assessments in areas which were impacted by both Ketsana and Parma. More than 30 volunteers, including students from Union Theological Seminary, assisted relief efforts by repacking goods for distribution.

UMCOR’s initial focus is on Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Rizal which have been identified as areas receiving little or no aid. Volunteers are distributing food and relief supplies to 500 families.

A partnership with Global Medic is providing potable water in these areas.
Support UMCOR’s relief work in the Philippines by giving to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235

TEAM LEADER TRAININGS; UMCOR TRAINING; PRAYERS FOR FUTURE TEAMS; ROCKY MOUNTAIN MISSION NEWS & FUTURE TEAMS; AIRPLANE MECHANICS NEEDED; MISSIONARIES

Photo: Pilot flying supplies in the Democrativ Republic of Congo. Airplane mechanics are needed. Read more below, courtesy iamanet.org.

* ARE YOU READY FOR RISK IN MISSION? - TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN CAL-NEV CONFERENCE

If not...Come Join Us! UMVIM Team Leader Training is great for anyone wanting to be a Team Leader some day or those who only wish to be a team member on a mission. This class will prepare you to manage those risks to your project success and give you a foundation that is helpful for conducting any mission project locally, nationally or internationally. You do not need to be a United Methodist Church member. You only need to have the desire to help others in service. Please spread the news of these classes to anyone you know who might be interested.

Already had the UMVIM Team Leader Training?
Please join us for an update with the new training material that includes the new Safe Sanctuary program, new insurance, new Conference policies, new international travel and security requirements, and more.
UMVIM Team Leader Trainings
Saturday, October 3rd from 8:30 - 4:30@ South Reno UMC 200 DeSpain Lane Reno, NV. 89501 (Attendees are responsible for their own lunch)Saturday, October 31st from 9 - 4@ Wesley UMC - San Jose 566 North Fifth St. San Jose, CA. 95112
To register for one of these trainings please contact the Ca-Nv Conference UMVIM Office at (916) 374-1584 or umvim@calnevumc.org with your contact information and the information of anyone else who will be joining you at the training. There is a cost of $29 that pays for your official GBGM Team Leader Manual and officially reserves your spot for the training.
To request a training at your location please contact the Ca-Nv Conference UMVIM Office at (916) 374-1584 or umvim@calnevumc.org
Please fill out your check payable to the "California-Nevada Annual Conference"memo line = "Team Leader Manual" and any names of those you might be paying forand mail it to:UMVIM / Ca-Nv Conference OfficeP.O. Box 980250West Sacramento, CA. 95758-0250

ARE YOU READY FOR A DISASTER?
UMCOR Disaster Response Training
The weekend of March 26, 27 & 28, 2010
Stay at beautiful Camp Shasta, high in the SierrasTraining classes taught by UMCOR trainers and include:
· Early Response Team
· Care Team
· Basic Disaster Response
· Care For Children in Disaster
· Safe Chainsaw Use
To register for this UMCOR training please contact the Ca-Nv Conference UMVIM Office at (916) 374-1584 or umvim@calnevumc.org.
More details here: http://www.calnevumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1191

*Prayer Requests for Future Teams

If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others,
let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing
mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:8

Elk Grove UMC Team to the NEW UMCOR West Supply Depot, SLC, Utah:Sept. 28 – October 2. Pastor Kathy LaPoint-Collup will lead the first Cal-Nev Conference UMVIM team to the new UMCOR West Supply Depot! She will be joined by Giles Popish, Mary Popish, Glenda Groff, Bob Fossgreen, Deb Rowland-Bird, Suzanne Ward and Owen Mosburg of Elk Grove - Elk Grove UMC.

Los Altos UMC Relief Team to Casper, Wyoming: Sept. 28 – October 2
Bob Lee of Los Altos UMC will lead a quickly organized construction team to Casper Wyoming to serve those affected by flash flooding last July. He will be joined by Dana Kreiter, Hal Taylor and Richard Roy.

Care-A-Vaners construction team works in Wilseyville, CA (@ Camp Lodestar): October 4-9
Rod and Gloria Castor head up yet another group of nomadic volunteers who will go in mission, living out of their RVs while working on light construction and repair projects throughout the California-Nevada Conference. The Care-A-Vaners have worked this year at Laton UMC, The East Salinas Family Center. Mt Shasta and other locations this year—give us a call if you want to join them in this work.

Multi-Church Recovery Team to Vancleave, Mississippi: October 18-24
Bev Schier will lead a team of 17 volunteers to Camp Hope in Vancleave, MS. The churches sending volunteers are Federated Methodist Church of Placerville, Foothills UMC and Centennial UMC.

Hurricane Recovery Team to Galveston, Texas: October 24-31
Steve Elliott of Pleasanton - Lynnewood UMC will lead a construction team to Galveston to continue to serve those affected by hurricanes. He will be joined by Warren McGuffin of Alamo - San Ramon Valley UMC Roger Everett of Livermore - Asbury UMC as well as Joyce Suter, Larry Suter, Anton West, Doug Huey, Mary Ellen Huey, Beth Okurowski, Ginger McGuffin, Coleman Johnson, Cynthia DeLand, Ruth Coffing, David Hans, Kathy Hans, Cindy Jensen, Sharmyn Crawford, Dick Crawford, Alec Willis and Brian Lundberg.

For more information about any of the above contact, Phil Bandy & Eddie Frutchey
California-Nevada Annual Conference - United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Mail: P.O. Box 980250 West Sacramento CA. 95798-0250 Office: (916) 374-1582 Fax: (916) 372-5544. Email: philb@calnevumc.org ; eddief@calnevumc.org or umvim@calnevumc.org visit: http://www.cnumcvim.org/

* FUTURE TEAMS & MISSION NEWS FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Sierra Leone - Summer 2010 - Exciting opportunity to participate in construction and health ministries! There will be two work teams, 2-1/2 weeks each during the period June 12 - July 15, 2010. Doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, laborers, ANYONE with a WARM HEART are invited! Contact Hope and Les Law at 303-642-3693, lhlaw@hope4salone.org; see attached brochure for more details.

Guatemala - Dental team, April 23 - May, 10 2010 - needs NON-MEDICAL volunteers to assist the dentists and to play with children who will be at the clinics with their parents. The team will be hosted by Salud y Paz. Contact P.J. Baldwin, dental@puravida.org, 303-989-3192, or Mark Ely, marcos@puravida.org, www.puravida.org/dental.

Guatemala - ODIM - Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya - Invites you to bring a medical and/or construction team! Betsy met recently with Director JoAn Dwyer and she thinks JoAn is awesome and well-organized! Work is in villages near Lake Atitlan. Contact JoAn at odimguatemala@gmail.com, http://www.odimguatemala.org/.

UMVIM Team Leader Training, Saturday, December 12, 2009, Broomfield/Northglenn area, 9 am to Noon - This is comprehensive training for those who would like to lead a domestic or international UMVIM team or would just like to learn more about UMVIM. Please contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net, to register.

Disaster Preparedness and Response - There are great resources on the Rocky Mountain Conference Web site, including information about H1N1 at http://rmcumc.org/rmc/disaster-preparedness.html . To learn more about the UMCOR West Depot see http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/umcorwest/

*AIRPLANE MECHANICS NEEDED

An airplane owned by the Central Congo conference of the United Methodist Church crashed in early June. To get our missionary pilot Jacques Umembudi (Wings of Caring) back in the air, Steve Quigg and our other missionary pilots are going to work together to rebuild a plane that is out of service since it was confiscated by the military in South Congo. This will require a huge effort and we need some experienced airplane mechanics who would like to volunteer to assist this effort. The airframe has to be repaired and checked out and a new engine installed with prop, new rubber everywhere etc. This will also require some updating and restocking of the hanger and maintenance facility that Jacques uses. For more information, please email Landon Taylor at ltaylor@gbgm- umc.org.

*COMMISSIONING OF MISSIONARIES BROADCAST ON INTERNET FOR FIRST TIME

For the first time, a service of commissioning of United Methodist missionaries, deaconesses, and home missioners will be broadcast live on> the internet. The service will take place on Tuesday, October 13, during the annual meeting of directors of the General Board of Global Ministries, in Stamford, Connecticut. The time is 7:00 p.m. EDT. There are 31 missionaries, seven deaconesses, and two home missioners to be commissioned. Additional details can be found online at> http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5534.

The webcast provides an opportunity for United Methodists to take part virtually in the sacred experience of blessing and commitment inherent> in Christian commissioning. The webcast can be accessed at http://www.ummissionaries.org/.

*GEORGIA FLOODING NEWS

As expected, the assessment teams in the North Georgia Conference have come back with reports that the damage and need is much greater than originally expected, and they are in need of more teams. The North Georgia Disaster Response teams have been working diligently to set up housing accommodations for teams who will be traveling to the area. To learn more about sending UMVIM teams to the North Georgia Conference to deal with the recent flooding, please contact the official call center (located at the conference headquarters at Simpsonwood Retreat Center in Norcross) at 678-533-1443. The call center will be keeping lists of needs to match with the list of those who able to help.

FLOODING IN ATLANTA AREA; US RESPONSE TO FLOODING; VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR TEAM TO NEW ORLEANS; UMCOR WEST GETS A "LIFT"; BIRCHWOOD CAMP ADDING NEW SPAC

Photo: Flooding in Atlanta causes bridge and road collapse, courtesy examiner.com.

* FLOODING IN ATLANTA AREA

In response to this week's flooding in the Atlanta area, the North Georgia Conference is setting up a call center at the conference headquarters at Simpsonwood in Norcross, GA to match cleanup and repair needs with volunteer teams. The call center will operate Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm. Volunteers are needed to help staff this call center.
To volunteer to staff the call center, please contact Dr. Julia Crim, North Georgia UMVIM Coordinator, at 678-462-4335.

Please note: UMVIM teams are not being accepted at this time. This is currently ONLY an appeal for volunteers to staff the call center. When the Conference is ready to accept volunteer teams for cleanup and repair, the UMVIM, SEJ office will make this announcement via UMVIM priority email and will have more information at that time.

*US: GEORGIA FLOOD RESPONSE

On Monday, Sept 21, 17 counties in the state of Georgia were hit hard by massive flooding from severe storms moving northeast from the Gulf of Mexico. About five people are dead after Georgia creeks and rivers burst from days of torrential rain.
UMCOR is in contact with the North Georgia Annual Conference to assist with recovery efforts, as disaster response personnel assess the situation. Cleaning buckets from UMCOR’s Relief Supply Depots are ready to be dispatched to areas in need.
Support the North Georgia Annual Conference during this initial phase of recovery with your gifts to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670

* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: NEW ORLEANS, LA

I am Elinor Edmunds Miller (former Yellowstone Conference Missions Coordinator and now at Faith UMC, Troutdale, OR) and I am the team leader for a UMVIM trip to New Orleans from November 14-21, 2009. If you would like to be a team member or know of someone who might be interested in going, please email me, Elinor Miller, at elinorfromkabul@hotmail.com or call me at 406.465.8799. I have lead UMVIM teams to New Orleans in 2008 and 2009. We would welcome inquiries from those interested in knowing more about the trip. There's room for new team members!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call me at 406.465.8799. I'd be delighted to answer your questions and am excited to be returning to New Orleans.

Grace and peace,

Elinor
Elinor W. Edmunds Miller
UMVIM Hurricane Katrina Team Leader: November 14-21, 2009
former Missions Coordinator for the Yellowstone Conference of the United Methodist Church
Member, Covenant United Methodist Church, Helena, Montana
Attending Faith United Methodist Church, Troutdale OR
Elinor's contact information:
2980 NE Division Street, Unit T2
Gresham OR 97030
406.465.8799

*US: UMCOR WEST GETS A “LIFT”

When UMCOR West Office and Depot opened its doors on May 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the people of the western jurisdiction responded with generous support.
Recently, Park City UMC in Park City, Utah gave UMCOR West the “lift” it needed to operate more efficiently. The church raised over $12,000 for the purchase of a forklift to use in the processing and storing of relief supply kits at the 22,000 square foot depot.

"We are so excited to be able to provide UMCOR with the means to help reach so many people around the world,” said the Rev. Bob Kaylor of Park City UMC. “It is so exciting to have a general church presence like UMCOR here in Utah.”

Christ UMC in Salt Lake City also raised money during their annual 5K run to purchase a much-needed pallet scale for weighing shipping materials to people in need around the world.
Support UMCOR West Depot with your gifts to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440.

* BIRCHWOOD CAMP IN ALASKA ADDING NEW SPACE

Have you heard? Birchwood camp is creating a great new space!
The new building is an Alaska Log structure with a full basement.
The upstairs meeting area will be an open space of about 1500 square feet.
The back deck area will be partially covered and looks out onto Psalm Lake.
We are hoping to have this building finished by fall of 2010. The exterior is almost complete,
thanks to the hard work of many volunteers.

Matching Grant –
Judy and Al Kline have generously offered a 50 percent matching grant, matching up to $20,000 for our new building!
If we can meet this goal by the end of this month, we will be able to finish funding phase one of the new meeting space.
Call us, or reply to this e-mail if you would like to donate. Every dollar you give will be multiplied.

Annual Dinner & Silent Auction
Celebrate old and new connections with Birchwood Camp, and be a part of this exciting new expansion!
When: Sunday, October 18, 2009. Open house and silent auction will begin at 6:00pm, followed by the meal and program.
Where: Birchwood Camp’s Main Lodge.

Tickets: $25/ person, $200/ table of 8... Seating is limited! Call 688-2734 for tickets.
The silent auction will include framed photos by Walt Hays, Miniture Totems by David Fison, and original Alaska Native Crafts.
All proceed will be used to complete the New Meeting Space Project.

Grace and Peace,

Adam Muhr

URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS & SUPPLIES IN MEXICO

Photo: Hurricane Jimena hits Mexico, courtesy scientificamerican.com.

* URGENT NEEDS IN MEXICO DUE TO HURRICANE JIMENA The Joint Commission and Desert Southwest Annual Conference have just responded with money to repair two parsonages and churches. That ended up being small potatoes in light of the overall devastation which has not been reported either in Mexico or in the USA. Hurricane Jimena hit the coast near Guaymas and left flood waters that reached two meters deep in some areas. This area was severely damaged according to Bishop Vasquez of the Northwest Annual Conference. Communications are down, roads are washed out, water supplies are ruined, and homes severely damaged. In Santa Clara, the damages were greatest. Entire communities were washed out and many families lost everything. The farms where they worked were destroyed and unemployment is extremely high. Many of those left homeless are members of our church. Bishop Vasquez is asking for help as follows: Food (or money to purchase food in Mexico) Clothing – used - all kinds and sizes Drinking Water School materials and supplies Construction Materials Support for medical assistance Financial assistance If your church could help out, the Joint Commission will deliver the items and help get any funds to the right place in Mexico. Please see if an announcement can be made at this Sunday’s service. Also, could you give this information to your Missions Committee? Any help would be most appreciated. Time is of the essence. Blessings, Murray Hawkins, President United Methodist Joint Commission murray@mexicomissionproject.org (909)793-5171 1594 Elizabeth St. Redlands, CA 92373

YELLOWSTONE CONFERENCE GIVE TO UMCOR WEST; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED; UMCOR CASE MANAGEMENT TRAINING; UMCOR & DISASTER RESPONSE; NEEDS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Photo: Youth from Bozeman Montana unload gifts of health kit supplies at UMCOR West. courtesy of Yellowstone Annual Conference. Read more below.....

*YELLOWSTONE CONFERENCE GIVES TO UMCOR DEPOT WEST

The Yellowstone Conference collected thousands of health kit contents at their annual conference in June. They received nearly 400 cubic feet of supplies and the youth mission team from Bozeman, Montana personally delivered them to UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, Utah.

They helped assemble kits at UMCOR West and painted the warehouse. Says Sally McConnell who coordinated the mission, “By collecting the supplies and working at the depot we made a difference and were sharing the love of Christ with persons in need whom we will never meet.”
Donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, makes a direct and tangible difference in sustaining people's lives.

The types of kits UMCOR West is collecting include: health, sewing, school, layette, bedding and cleaning buckets in addition to the new birthing kit. Detailed information about assembling kits can be found here. You can give toward the purchase of supplies instead of buying and shipping them. Please consider giving to Material Resource Ministry, UMCOR Advance #901440.

* TEAM GOING TO NICARAGUA IN FEB 2010 IN NEED OF MEDICAL PROVIDER VOLUNTEERS

A mission team from Bloomington, IL that goes to Nicaragua in Feb. 2010 is in need of providers ( Dr., PA, NP) As of today they only have two providers that are signed up to go. Last year they had six and were able to see about 1700 patients. If anybody is interested they can contact Kristie Gamble and she will put you in touch with the team leader. You can contact Krisite at 270-885-4365 home or 270-498-6296 cell.

* UMCOR CASE MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

This two-day training prepares disaster case managers to support disaster survivors as they make their way through the recovery process. The training is being delivered by nationally recognized trainers and provided by the Citizen Corps Council of Pierce County in cooperation with the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management.

Training includes Case management skills, building trust with clients, confidentiality, privacy, and cultural diversity. Unique needs of disaster case management including developing individual recovery plans and accessing federal aid for clients.
Helping disaster survivors cope with change. Attendees: Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team (DSAT) members, potential disaster case managers and partners to the DSAT team.

Date: Wednesday, Oct 7 and Thursday, Oct. 8
No cost; funded by a Homeland Security grant.
Time: 08:30 AM —4:30 PM
Lunch is provided—see instructions on attached lunch order sheet

Location: Oct. 7 will be at 9850 64th St. W. University Place, 98467
Pierce County Environmental Services Building
Oct. 8 will be at 2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma, 98409
Tacoma/Pierce County Emergency Operations Center

To Register: Pierce County participants have priority until Sept 25, 2009 to register by sending an e-mail to PCDEMTraining@co.pierce.wa.us with your name, e-mail address, and organization affiliation.

Out-of-county partners may register at any time and will be notified after Sept. 25 if seats are still available for participation.

Questions? Contact Barbara Nelson, Pierce County Citizen Corps Liaison, bnelso1@co.pierce.wa.us or 253-798-2168 or Paul Shukovsky, Pierce County Emergency Management, pshukov@co.pierce.wa.us or 253-798-2219.

* REAL DISASTER RESPONSE - SERVANTS FOR THE MINISTRY: BY TOM HAZELWOOD, ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY, UMCOR

In the recent Batman Dark Knight movie there is a scene where the Joker uses a quip we have all heard many times, he says, “I'm like a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught one.” To some extent, I feel like that is analogous to the situation we find ourselves in today in U.S. Disaster Response.

For years, we in the voluntary sector and especially the faith-based disaster response organizations have chased after government dollars to help pay for the work that we do as partners in disaster mitigation, response, and recovery.In the four years following Hurricane Katrina, we finally got some of what we have been chasing. What have we caught? The U.S. Government now funds a variety of programs that are intended to help the disaster survivor following disasters. Whether the money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or some other source, it has created a dilemma for the faith community.

At UMCOR, we are clear that our mission and ministry are to provide humanitarian assistance “without regard” to a person’s status. Yet, if we as an organization decide to receive money to implement one of the programs being funded by the government, we suddenly have to abide by the parameters that are set by the government as to who can be served. Therein lies the problem. Do we accept money from the government and the inherent restrictions and reporting mechanisms that go with it? Or do we simply ignore the opportunity for government funds and just stick with doing what we can with the funds that are donated by those who support the ministry of UMCOR?What are the options?

Okay, so one solution would be for UMCOR to expand its current non-governmental program, which works internationally, to include a domestic program. Thus UMCOR would create parallel programs, one that uses our private donor funds and one that is funded by the government. Oh, except there is a problem with that model. UMCOR believes fundamentally that all disasters are local. Therefore, the actual implementing of ministry programming (the REAL response and recovery) takes place at the annual conference and community level.

Well then, UMCOR could implement government-funded programs locally, and we could simply continue to provide the private United Methodist funding to annual conferences so they can implement their own response and recovery as they have in the past. We actually tried something similar to this approach after Hurricane Katrina when UMCOR created Katrina Aid Today (KAT) with a grant from FEMA, and while KAT itself was a very successful project, and the annual conference response and recovery, which is still ongoing today, was/is also successful, it did not make for good relationships between UMCOR and our annual conferences. There was always tension between the goals of the government-sponsored program and the UMC funded program. It felt like we were competing with ourselves.

Today, it appears that most government funding for response and recovery is going to be channeled through the states. What this means practically is that any application for government funds will have to be made by the annual conference. I openly ask the question, how many of our annual conferences have both the capacity and the desire and willingness to create parallel operations for disaster response and recovery if they have a disaster? My assessment is: “Not many.”All this brings me back to my first metaphor. We, like the dog, have chased down the proverbial car.

Now what?I think we must remember who we are. We are called to be ministers for Jesus Christ. And for UMCOR, as a part of the general agency of the UMC called to serve Global Ministries, we have the charge to equip willing servants for the ministry of disaster response. I think we have to choose. Do we want to enable the ministry of the church, enable volunteers to participate in risk-taking mission and service, or do we want to implement government programs?

Now don’t get me wrong here, I fully understand that BOTH are means of helping those who have survived disaster move toward wholeness and the new normal that comes following disaster. BOTH are well intentioned and serve a great purpose. But having observed UMCOR oversee one government grant I believe UMCOR’s place is to be the enabler of ministry. Like the pooch that chased down the car and got hit by the tire, I think it is better to stay home and be the friend and companion to our annual conferences and not chase cars any more. But perhaps you have an even better idea we have not considered.

Send us a line. Let us know what you think! http://media.gbgm-umc.org/umcorblog

Tom Hazelwood
Assistant General Secretary
UMCOR Disaster Response U.S., Caribbean, Latin America
100 Maryland Ave. NE Suite 315
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202.548.4002
Fax: 202.544.4116
Cell: 703.624.3224
http://www.umcor.org/

* NEEDS IN THE PHILIPPINES IN THE WAKE OF TWO TYPHOONS

UMCOR Philippines is at work in Botolan after two typhoons hit the area. According to Ciony Eduarte who manages UMCOR’s office in the Philippines, people have been relocated to safer areas as flash flooding resulting from a damaged dam and overfilled rice fields continue to create hazardous conditions.

UMCOR is assisting with emergency response, distributing food in the affected areas in coordination with the district superintendent and KKFI,. They are working together to develop a plan for a longer term response as the needs are assessed.
Your gift to UMCOR Philippines will help those affected by the most recent typhoons. Please give to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.