HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER EVENT; COORDINATOR NEEDED IN NICARAGUA; UMVIM NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Leon Cathedral in Leon, Nicargua. Read below to read how you might become an Individual Volunteer to serve in Leon.

HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER EVENT

Greetings!

This is to announce the next meeting of the UM Joint Commission/Hands Across the Border on November 5th & 6th in El Centro and Mexicali. Passports are a plus for crossing back to the US, but if you have a government issued ID (with a photo) along with a certified copy of your birth certificate, our experience is that it has been a 100% successful method for crossing the border.

The meeting will start out at 7:15 p.m. on Friday the 5th of January at the El Centro United Methodist Church at the corner of 8th and Olive in El Centro. Take Interstate 8 east from San Diego. In El Centrop, take the Imperial Avenue offramp and head north for any blocks until you reach Olive Ave. Turn right and go to 8th St. (about four blocks). The church is on the corner.

We will meet on Friday night for desert, a devotional, a brief meeting and fellowship. The brave among us can sleep in their sleeping bags on the floor of the church. The rest can stay in one of the many local motels.

On Saturday morning, we'll meet for breakfast at 7:00 a.m back at the church. From there we will have transportation for those of you requesting it that will take you to the Stephen O. Parrish Center at the Santo Nino Church in a neighborhood of Mexicali. We will participate (hopefully) with members of the Light of the Canyon UMC in Anaheim Hills in a work project. We will also have a brief business meeting, have lunch and receive an update from the pastors in Mexico about what is happening in their churches. The bus or van will return to El Centro. We expect to leave Santo Nino around 2:30. From there we will proceed to the border and then back to the church in El Centro. We will ask for your voluntary donation to cover the cost of transportation and food. This plan is subject to change based upon how many responses we receive. In any case, transportation across the border WILL be available.

The Stephen O. Parrish Center is working to provide medical and dental services to the surrounding community. It also provides social services and training to the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to see how churches on both sides of the border cooperate to help our neighbors. Those attending will return with great stories to share with their congregations. I sincerely hope that you will attend.

Should you have any questions, just give me a call. My number is (909)234-3835.

Blessings,

Murray Hawkins, President
UM Joint Commission/Hands Across the Border
murray@mexicomissionproject.org

COORDINATOR NEEDED IN NICARAGUA

Immediate Need - Team Coordinator Needed for El Ayudante, Leon Nicaragua

El Ayudante in Leon, Nicaragua (www.nicamissions.com) has an immediate need for an Individual Volunteer (or a married couple) to coordinate our mission teams in Leon and handle other administrative responsibilities. This role involves overseeing and working closely with mission teams as they serve in Leon, while overseeing the staff and other logistics of the ministry (team houses, transportation of teams in country, etc.) . A one year commitment would be preferred. Conversational Spanish is preferred, but not necessary. Housing, some meals, a vehicle and a stipend will be provided by the ministry. Requirements: A love of God and people, organizational and administrative skills, people skills, a team player, a multi-tasker and experience in short-term international missions.

If interested, email Daphne Moses: daphne@northsidemethodist.org.

Daphne MosesMemphis Conference UMVIM CoordinatorAssociate Pastor Northside UMC2571 N. Highland, Jackson, Tn 38305731-668-0617

UMVIM NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

TEAMS NEEDING MEMBERS

RUSSIA: A West Michigan team will be working July 18-July 29, 2011 and are looking for individuals to travel and sponsor the work. Approximate total cost: $3,000 per person. January 2011 is the date for commitment. Contact is Jody Pratt, / 269-792-0481.ST. KITTS: Tired of hot, sultry temperatures? Looking forward to Iowa's winter months? Got a plan for volunteer work in January/February 2011? Consider travel to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts where a United Methodist volunteer team will work on repairs at the Dieppe Bay Methodist Manse, paint at Challengers Methodist Church Hall and hold VBS for church/neighborhood kids. Trip dates are Jan. 29 to Feb. 12, 2011. Only 12 seats available with cost of $1,450. Contact Beverly Nolte, 515 266 4186, for more information and application form. All construction skills welcome with plenty of meaningful work available. Enjoy Caribbean hospitality while working for the Lord.

CHILE: There is still have room on all three of the trips to Temuco, CHILE this winter. Teams will repair the sanctuary of the Second Methodist Church, which was rendered unusable by the earthquake. Dates in 2011: Nov 6 - 21; Jan 8 - 23; Feb 5 - 20. Contact Don Herringa, 920-854-5572, 11393 Mink River Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210.
UMCOR Sager Brown: June 4 - 12, 2011 - Baldwin, LA. Travel will be on a Ludolph motor coach. Former teams have involved males and females from age 12 to 80+. Sager Brown has reserved dorm style rooms for thirty people. Three or more people of same sex may be housed together. Total cost is $800 per person plus at least $50 project money. This covers ALL transportation, lodging and meals for the nine days. Down-payment must be received by January 10, 2010. Contact Gladys McCracken , 123 West Hwy 14 Bypass, Brookings, SD 57006-4215, 605-692-5985.

HAITI, Jeremie. An UMVIM team from the Detroit Conf., Oct.12 -20, 2010, has an unexpected opening. If you are interested in joining the team to work on some much-needed high school rooms, contact Pat Grainger or Keith Thomas or call Curtis Bartz (313) 278-4849. HAITI, Feb 9 - 17, 2011. Contact Rev. Don Dexheimer , Rockford District, NIC Conference (815-623-2292 X 103 ). We will partner with the Methodist Church of Haiti to rebuild facilities damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. The work we do, construction, medical, and VBS, will be determined by the skills of the team members. We are looking for team members who are willing to make a commitment to return to Haiti later with their own team. the need to multiply leadership is great.

HAITI: Mar 30-April 7, 2011. Mission Discovery, team leader training offered while on the trip. For young adult leaders who will commit to returning to an international location with a young adult team within 2-3 years. Team Leader: Lorna Jost, 605-692-3390. Write for an application.

HOLY LAND TRIPS & THE BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

Dear Friends,

Educational Opportunities (EO), the travel agency that brings the largest number of UM's to the Holy Land targets UM pastors and churches, offering good travel rates for visitors (before you read the fine print!) and many free trips for clergy and their families. For many years they have worked to take UMVIM teams to different parts of the world. Unfortunately, for tours to the Holy Land, they work very closely with certain Israeli Jews who do not want visitors to hear about or be exposed to "the other side of the coin." This violates our resolutions and our faith. Please encourage your UMVIM teams to comply with our UM resolutions on Holy Land Tours (below). Since this is the Holy Land, we do not conduct your "typical" UMVIM trip here. We split the time between the service project, building relationships with the indigenous Christian population, and visits to our partner projects and the holy sites. Preparation for the trip that involves required reading and a commitment to action upon their return are key components in these trips. I am happy to coordinate UMVIM trips with EO, however, they MUST be in compliance with the standards and guidelines our denomination has so carefully laid out. I encourage you to continue to be in touch with me prior to sending a team so that we can place them well, and ensure their visit meets the recommendations outlined by our denomination. Together we can make sure the visits are educational, enlightening and spiritually renewing, not just an act of charity. With appreciation, Janet Lahr LewisUnited Methodist Liaison in Israel and PalestinePO Box 1463191146 JerusalemIsrael-PalestineWk: +972 2 277 0047Mobile: +972 (0)54 669 7736Emails: jlahrlewis@yahoo.com, jllewis@annadwa.org

Please read: Resolution 292: Holy Land Tours From the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2008, pp. 767-769. Copyright © 2008, The United Methodist Publishing House, used by permission.

UMCOR DEPOT WEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

UMCOR WEST DEPOT IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS

WINTER VOLUNTEERS are needed in the UMCOR West Depot, Salt Lake City, Utah. Since its opening just over a year ago, UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah, has welcomed groups of volunteers from across the western United States, sent out a shipment of relief supplies to Haiti, and hosted disaster preparedness training. One of two UMCOR relief supply depots and one of six depots in the UMCOR Relief Supply Network, UMCOR West is looking for volunteers to fill out its winter calendar.

If your church is interested in sending volunteers on a winter trip to UMCOR West, please contact the depot to set up a reservation.
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/umcorwest/Find out more about UMCOR's Relief Supply ministry here. Read the fall Relief Supply Newsletter. Your gift to Material Resource Ministry, UMCOR Advance #901440, supports this important work

TEAM TO HAITI NEEDS VOLUNTEERS; JOB OPENINGS IN HAITI; NEWS FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN; TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN CAL-PAC; NEWS FROM THE ADVANCE

TEAM IN SOUTHEAST JURISDICTION TO HAITI NEEDS MEMBERS

Haiti Openings:10-Day Trip: There are six openings on a ten member team November 29, 2010 - December 8, 2010. The cost is $1450 plus $350 from each member's church. The work will be heavy manual labor. Please contact Jamie Gibson at Jamie720@aol.com or call 478.742.1382 for more information.

HAITI JOB OPENINGS

6-Month Commitments: The positions of Haiti Volunteer Financial/Hospitality Coordinator and Haiti Volunteer Management Coordinator have been re-posted. Mike Willis-Haiti Volunteer Management Coordinator and Doug Nagle-Financial/Hospitality Coordinator will have completed their six month rotation in November. Resumes and applications are now being accepted.

If you are interested or know of someone who would qualify for either of these positions; send a letter of introduction and resume to Susan Meister haitivolunteers@yahoo.com .

Susan will continue scheduling teams and maintaining the website http://www.umvimhaiti.org/

NOTE: These positions will be GBGM consultants and report to GBGM-Mission Relations. They are funded through UMCOR with the approval of the governing body of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Job Descriptions:
Haiti Volunteer Financial/Hospitality Coordinator
Haiti Volunteer Management Coordinator

NEWS FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Interfaith Fellowship and Tree Planting, Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1-5 pm, Sand Creek Regional Greenway, Denver - join a group of Jews, Christians and Muslims for a great Fall day of fellowship and tree planting to beautify a trail. You can donate a tree or shrub in memory or honor of someone. Great for families. Contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net, 303-346-7057. See flier at http://www.coloradoipl.org/programs/peace-forest/.

Liberia, November 4-15, 2010. Continuation of health-related mission to Liberia called "Liberia Connect" sponsored by Trinity UMC, Denver. Contact Cheryl Townson, Cheryl.Townson@uhc.com.

Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, South Dakota, June 4-11, 2011. Annual trip that is highly recommended as a memorable experience with Native Americans. Contact Bob Henman, bobh@mesanetworks.net.

Ubuntu Explorers - this is a wonderful relationship-building program sponsored by United Methodist Women. Groups go on mission trips all over the world. There is a trip to Brazil in November 2010. See web site http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/programs/ubuntu. There will be more trips in 2011.

UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN CAL-PAC

There will be an UMVIM Team Leader Training at Pasadena First UMC in Pasadena, CA October 2nd from 9:30-2:00. There will be a light lunch provided and there is a $15 fee per person for food and materials. Please make checks out to "UMVIM WJ" and send to Heather Wilson at 11707 Terra Bella St., Lake View Terrace, CA 91342. For more information please email Heather at umvimwj@hotmail.com.

NEWS FROM THE ADVANCE FOR CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH

10-Fold Unfolded – A Participant’s Guide
10 projects. 10 days. 10-Fold Unfolded

From October 10th through 19th you will be able to learn about projects of the General Board of Global Ministries around the world supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church,
during an online event unlike anything you have experienced before. It’s called 10-Fold. Through live webcasts, streaming video, online chats, and other media at 10-Fold.org, you will see and hear about amazing efforts that are
changing people’s lives.

Here is the daily schedule of projects that will be featured at 10-Fold.org:

October 10: Haiti Recovery – 3,000 humanitarians helping a country rebuild itself

October 11: Children’s Health and Wholeness – Transforming communities so that children can live healthy
and whole lives

October 12: Missionaries in the US – Dedicated men and women living their faith through remarkable service

October 13: Missionaries Around the World – Growing a global force for faith and hope in over 60 countries

October 14: Training Church Leaders – Training the thousands called to devote their lives to Christ and the Church

October 15: Church Planting Worldwide – From Asia to Latin America, introducing the United Methodists
and sharing the gospel through word and deed

October 16: Justice for Our Neighbors – Church-based teams helping refugee-seekers and immigrants
navigate their way as they start their lives in the United States

October 17: Clean Water and Sanitation – Helping families in Africa and South America gain access to
safe water and sanitation facilities

October 18: Healthcare in Africa – Combating disease in 22 hospitals and clinics across Africa

October 19: Sustainable Agriculture – Training farmers so rural families and communities can thrive

Because of the unpredictability of planning a global event online, this is a preliminary schedule and is subject to change.

10-Fold Unfolded – A Participant’s Guide to 10-Fold Live Events Online

To give you a real feel for these projects, you will be able to participate in events that are happening live around the world and hear from the people who are directly involved, on the ground. You can:

See missionaries about to be commissioned into the field. You’ll hear them talk about their call to ministry,
hopes, and prayer requests.

Enjoy a cooking demonstration with sustainable farm-grown ingredients, designed to educate (and perhaps
inspire the chef in all of us).

Chat with a Vietnamese woman starting United Methodist congregations there, talk to a doctor in a UM
hospital in Africa, and hear from a missionary from Ghana telling his personal stories — all via live Webcam.

And you will also be able to participate:
Haiti Toolkit Day will be a live webcast that will take you to four youth groups around the country as they assemble school kits that will be sent to Haiti to aid in the recovery process. An expert will be there to answer questions; discuss the need, use, and distribution of kits; and provide instructions on how you can assemble
kits and send them to the relief effort.

10 Days. 100,000 People. Help Us Spread the Word

10-Fold is about multiplying ministry and mobilizing passionate people to stand up and be counted for the causes they believe in.
From October 10th through the 19th, $1.00 will be donated for every person that signs up as an advocate for a project on 10-Fold.org, up to $10,000 for each project.
So we need your help to spread the word. Tell friends, family, and fellow church members about 10-Fold and how they can participate online to help secure support for these projects.

Here are a few easy ways you can get the word out about 10-Fold.

Tell your Friends on Facebook

Become a Facebook Fan and encourage your Friends to join you. And don’t forget to RSVP to the 10-Fold Event
on Facebook.

As October approaches, you will get 10-Fold updates on Facebook. Please share them with your friends.
[http://www.facebook.com/GlobalMinistries]
[http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126405637388518&index=1]

Follow 10-Fold on Twitter and be sure to tweet about the event to your followers.

Stay up to the minute on the conversation by following 10-Fold on Twitter. And when you participate, use #10Fold so you can be part of and follow the worldwide conversation.
[http://twitter.com/ConnectnMission]

And here is a blurb for bloggers, website posts, and Church newsletters. Or send it in an email to everyone you think would be interested.

Mark your calendar and spread the word! From October 10th through the 19th, there is going to be a 10-day online event that will mobilize passionate people to stand up and be counted for causes they believe in, and you will have a front row seat. It’s called 10-Fold.

Each day will feature a different mission project of the General Board of Global Ministries supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church. Through live webcasts, streaming video, online chats, and other media, you will learn about these amazing ministries that are changing people’s lives.
And by visiting 10-Fold.org daily and registering your interest, you’ll be able help secure tangible support for each project. It’s easy. With one click, you can trigger a $1.00 donation each day of 10-Fold, up $10,000 for each project.

Be a part of a movement that multiplies God’s work, be counted, and help create an effect that is 10-Fold in good works. And when you spread the word, be sure to include a link to the 10-Fold video on YouTube. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enb3SV7Dl14]


10-Fold. Ways You Can Participate
10-Fold is an online event unlike any you have ever attended. Here is what you need to know to be a part of this
global gathering:

10-Fold will be happening online at 10-Fold.org from October 10th through October 19th, 2010.

By going to 10-Fold.org daily and registering interest in a project with one easy click, you will trigger a
$1.00 donation. Up to $10,000 will be donated per project.

Each day will feature a different project supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The
United Methodist Church.

Daily activities will include live online events, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, times still to be determined.

There will be downloadable podcasts, fact sheets, and videos for each project.

Children’s resource packets will be available for the projects, so all ages can participate. You can participate on your own at home or in your office, with family and friends, or with a group. Church groups of all ages can come together and use the 10-Fold activities to start a conversation. And when you do come to
10-Fold.org, take a few minutes to register interest in the featured project and spend time learning about the important work that is being done around the world.
Join us starting on October 10th and help create a movement that is 10-Fold in good works.

And don’t forget, go to 10-Fold.org, sign-up to receive email updates as October approaches, and spread the word!

HAITI TEAM FROM ATLANTA NEEDS 2 MORE VOLUNTEERS

TEAM TO HAITI FROM ATLANTA LOOKING FOR 2 MORE VOLUNTEERS

There are 2 open spots on a team to Haiti. The trip will be October 23-November 1 and will fly in and out of Atlanta. The cost is $1200 per person.For more information, please contact: Anne Forgey abforgey@knology.net256- 539-7367FUMC Huntsville, AlabamaNorth Alabama Conference

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY; NEWS FROM THE ADVANCE FOR CHRIST & HIS CHURCH; STORIES FROM HAITI - CAL-NEVADA'S PHIL BANDY; TEAMS TO HAITI FROM THE WJ

UMVIMer and Haitian boy, brought together in the love of Christ.

UMVIM NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

NORTHEAST JURISDICTION- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Costa Rica, Carillos:
2/9/11-2/20/11. Twelve-day Costa Rican UMVIM trip to help children and families gain the basic resources necessary for a healthy life. Ministry based in the Central Valley of Costa Rica and includes excellent accommodations. Spend five days on building projects and one day being the hands and hearts of Christ working with poverty stricken children at a feeding center in Los Guidos. Two-night excursion to Monte Verde; see a volcano, a cloud-rain forest, explore local shops and cuisine. Cost $1525, air travel from Chicago included. Deposit of $250 due 10/1/10. Balance due 11/1/10. For more information or to register contact Deb Bollig at Mauston UMC (Wisconsin Conference) 608-847-5964.

Haiti, Jeremie: 10/12/10-10/20/2010. Contact: Pat Grainger. A team from southern Michigan (Detroit Conference) will be working in Jeremie. We will be working at the Jean Wesly school and staying with Rev. Jean Lesly Dorcely, Jeremie Circuit superintendent. Team leaders are Pat Grainger and Keith Thomas. Curtis Bartz is our Haiti Michigan Coordinator.

Haiti, project TBA:12/27/10 - 1/3/2011. E'glise Methodist d'Haiti Earthquake Recovery. Team leader and contact: Karissa Ouren, Lake Harriet UMC, Minnesota Conference.

Nicaragua, Jalapa: 10/18/10-10/29/10. Contact Jon, 612-819-8877. Medical team, Interfaith Service to Latin America (ISLA) based in Minnesota Conference, needs members. Those with medical and construction experience preferred but all backgrounds welcome.

Nicaragua, Managua: 6/11/11-6/19/11. An UMVIM team will be working with the Fundacion El Samaritano, a ministry that our West Ohio UMVIM teams began working with annually in 1997. There may be some construction work. There will be interaction with students at two Christian schools and certainly ministry to women and children in public hospitals through giving of layettes, health kits and toys. We will visit community families and also do a number of Bible schools using hand puppets at various locations including at some Methodist Evangelical Churches of Nicaragua. Cost ~$1200. For more information and/or an application form contact team leader Jack Reif, 513-831-5550.

WESTERN JURISDICTION - TEAM LEADER TRAINING

UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) Training October 2nd
If are interested in serving as a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (short-term mission volunteer) and/or leading an UMVIM team then this training is for you! Receive materials about insurance, cultural sensitivity, what to bring, how to pack, etc. that will make your mission trip a rewarding one for your team and those you serve. There will be a brief session during the training highlighting areas such as Haiti, Mexico, & Pakistan.

The training will begin at 9:30, October 2, 2010 at Pasadena First UMC. There is a $15.00 fee for participants that will cover your materials and food during our time together. Please register with Heather Wilson at umvimwj@hotmail.com or at 818-333-6730.

SOUTHEAST JURISDICTION - TEAMS NEEDED IN TENNESSEE

There is immediate need of both Early Response Teams to respond to the new flooding last week and Rebuild teams to address the growing list of active construction projects.Wayne, Wilson, Sumner, Macon, Jackson, Putnam, and Overton counties saw the most flood damage from recent storms. St. Mark's UMC has been working with Marvin Champion in Wayne county with a dozen homes flooded, several of them severally.

Friendship UMC quickly made flood buckets from our storage unit there available, in partnership with Cookeville 1st UMC who was mobilized as a Red Cross Shelter. Russ Cain is recruiting callers in the Cookeville District to help follow up on 50 potentially flood homes. They are working on assessments and collecting reports from other areas. It is unlikely this event will be large enough to warrant FEMA assistance, so even small numbers of survivors will mean enormous long term needs.While they have 40+ teams scheduled later in Sept. and Oct., they have a growing list of projects needing construction teams over the next couple of weeks and only a handful of teams. If you are close by and can put together a team, even if it is small and can only work a weekend, please contact Jason Brock ASAP at DisasterResponse@tnumc.com or 615-695-2765.

September Haiti Team Slots Open Up

Due to two unexpected last minute UMVIM team cancellations for the September 21-30 time period, the Haiti Response Project is in urgent need of at least one UMVIM team to fill these slots in order to continue work on priority projects. If you are able to help field or find a team to go to Haiti on this short notice, please let me right away. While a ten member team would be ideal, a smaller team is okay (at least five persons). Contact Susan Meister, US-Haiti Volunteer Coordinator


Medical Teams requested in Haiti

Haiti, Mizak: Haitian Artisans for Peace International (HAPI), Advance Special #3020490, is seeking an UMVIM Medical Outreach team for October or November 2010 and again for the same time period in 2011. Responsibilities would include clinic days and home visits to community shut-ins. Work alongside Haitian health care workers and nurse. Project funds would be used by team to purchase and deliver medications and medical treatments in Haiti. If interested, please contact Valerie Mossman-Celestin, 616-446-9558.

NEWS FROM THE ADVANCE FOR CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH

10 projects in 10 days.

From October 10th through 19th you will be able to learn about Global Ministries' projects around the world supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church, during an online event unlike anything you have experienced before. It's called 10-Fold.

Through live webcasts, streaming video, online chats, and other media, you will see and hear about amazing projects that are changing people's lives.To get more details, download the 10-Fold Participant's Guide that includes:Tips so you can get the most out of 10-FoldWays you can help spread the word to family, friends, and fellow church members and information about how you can trigger a $1.00 donation with one click when you visit 10-Fold.org daily and register your interest for a project. Up to $10,000 is available for each project. Check the website, www.10-Fold.org starting on October 10, 2010, for this online global gathering and to download the 10-Fold Participant's Guide.

STORIES FROM HAITI: NEWS FROM PHIL BANDY ON HIS TRIP TO HAITI

So Why Football?

The small group of visitors that had traveled to Haiti in May, 2010 were witness to the
aftermath of the quake there. I was there. We traveled to the village of Mellier, right
over the epi-center, where we spent a week living in tents among the locals clearing
rubble. There were kids everywhere. They were interested in us, but more interested in their football. It was a shabby thing with all but one of the white panels gone and sported a funny set of threads that made it hairy. The older boys were playing with it in the empty lot under the Mango trees next door. The younger kids played soccer nearby using a rounded chunk of concrete. Time for the balls we brought!

The first ball we pumped up and handed over disappeared - we never saw it “in play”.
But the second one we gave out did not disappear. Our interpreter spelled out the ball
was for everyone but had to be brought back when done. We quickly pumped up 2 more balls and put them in use too. What a site to see a match of just the girls and another with Jst the little kids and another with the older boys on three different lots at the same time. A the balls came back that day and every day after that. We turned these 3 balls and 4 ore new ones over to the school teacher when we left (school met weekdays under the trees,the older kids meet in the Unicef tent).

Other visitors have noted the importance of soccer in Haiti:
Blog: UMCOR Blog
Post: Be there. Be hope. The Football Factor
Link: http://mediagbgmumcorg.blogspot.com/2010/07/be-there-be-hope-footballfactor.html

I am headed back to Haiti September 1, 2010 taking 9 fellow California volunteers who each are to return with their own team of 10 people next year. We are the Volunteers in Mission of the United Methodist Church. We have had over 100 teams to date like mine visit Haiti with a projected number of 900 teams over the next 5 years.

We travel from all over the US and the world to rebuild schools.
My team carried soccer balls there in our suitcases and passed out just a few balls.
Another 6 teams of volunteers followed us back to the same village since then and I
suspect they too brought a few balls. With over a thousand kids in that village, that still leaves a lot of kids without a ball of their own when we move on to the next village. We will travel to over 50 villages in our plan. If only one ball per volunteer gets passed out, that is 9,000 balls that go directly into the hands of the kids (about 1 in 50 kids that we will meet).

I can imagine that each of these balls will create a smile at a time when it is very much
needed. I suspect each ball will each be a focus of friends playing together for years to
come. I hope each kid may remember at some point that somebody came there to say
they cared about them and gave them this ball as a symbol of that. I hope that they kick each and every one of those balls until all the panels fall off.
I cannot imagine a better use of some rubber and leather.

Philip Bandy
Interim Director Volunteers in Mission
California-Nevada Conference
United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 980250
1276 Halyard Drive, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0250
Office: (916) 374-1582
Mobile: (925) 808-8138
Fax: (916) 372-5544
http://www.cnumcvim.org/

TEAMS TO HAITI FROM THE WJ - WESTERN JURISDICTION

Phil Bandy, will be leading a team to Haiti Sept. 1, 2010. Please keep him and the team in prayer. Phil is the UMVIM Conference Coordinator for Cal-Nevada Conference.

Brenda St. Clair will be leading a team to Haiti in January 2011. Brenda is the UMVIM Conference Coordinator for Oregon-Idaho Conference.

MISSION TEAM TO MEXICO; URGENT REQUEST FOR TEAMS TO HAITI IN SEPTEMBER

Volunteer in Agua Prieta, Mexico from Central UMC, AZ.

MISSION TEAM SET TO SERVE IN AGUA PRIETA, MEXICO

Glen E. Allen, Executive Director of FaithWorks in Flagstaff AZ, is leading a medical mission trip to Agua Prieta, Mexico November 11-14. Check out details at faithworks4us.org. This is an ecumenical group and they sponsor a mission trip every month. For more information about serving in Agua Prieta, Mexico please contact Chris Spencer or Ken, UMVIM Conference Coordinators for the Desert Annual Conference, at chrisspencer@npgcable.com and kenth@eaccountable.com.

TEAM NEEDED IN HAITI - URGENT REQUEST

Due to two unexpected last minute UMVIM team cancellations for the September 21-30 time period, the Haiti Response Project is in urgent need of at least one UMVIM team to fill these slots in order to continue work on priority projects. If you are able to help field or find a team to go to Haiti on this short notice, please let Susan Meister know right away. While a ten member team would be ideal, a smaller team is okay (at least five persons).Susan MeisterUS-Haiti Volunteer Coordinatorhaitivolunteers@yahoo.com

TEAM LEADER TRAINING; UMVIM HAITI UPDATE

Team to Haiti, read what UMVIM teams are doing in Haiti towards its recovery....

TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN CAL-PAC

If you are interested in leading an UMVIM team, you are invited to come to the Team Leader training at Pasadena First UMC, October 2nd. It will be from 9:30-1:00. There is a registration fee of $15.00. Please contact Heather Wilson at umvimwj@hotmail.com to register.

UMVIM HAITI UPDATE

What UMVIM teams are doing for the Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti (EMH) earthquake priority projects can only be considered second and third and fourth mile giving! Each team of ten persons is asked to raise $3500 in project money which is then matched with $3500 from the money given to UMCOR for Haiti. Each team member is assessed $350 in project funds and all the trip costs associated with the teams …food, lodging, interpreters, transportation, etc... or $1400. This comes to an ~$1750 cost per team member, differences lying in the plane fare. At least half of this is spent while in Haiti, thus adding to their weakened economy. And UMVIM’ers donate 8 days of their time! And they work! And all the while they smile and thank God for the opportunity to serve!

SUSAN MEISTER, US-Haiti Volunteer Coordinator, has summarized the first 3 months of UMVIM activity for EMH earthquake projects. From May through July, 26 teams of 235 volunteers from around the country and one Caribbean team have donated their time and money to work on EMH earthquake priority projects. This comes to a combined volunteer donation of $411,250 for their efforts! Add the $80,500 incentive grant and the UMVIM Program has contributed $491,750 for EMH recovery through July!

All this does not include the many teams that continue to work on ongoing EMH projects across Haiti not affected by the earthquake area, and therefore not eligible for matching grants.

Between Feb. and July, at least 12 of these teams from the North Central Jurisdiction have served in Haiti. There are 2 more such teams ready to serve through 2010 and there are two Individual Volunteers scheduled to serve starting this fall.

We continue to give thanks for the dedication of these many men and women willing to serve through the UMVIM program in Haiti. The effort of each UMVIM team is of great importance to the overall recovery of the Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti (EMH).

UBUNTU WOMEN'S TEAM GOING TO BRAZIL - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

UBUNTU WOMEN'S TEAM GOING TO BRAZIL

Applications are now being accepted for the Ubuntu, Brazil Journey, scheduled for November 9-21, 2010 and there are 8 openings for United Methodist Women across the church. The trip is led by Jeanie Blankenbaker, former Assistant General Secretary of Mission Volunteers. The Ubuntu Journeys are supported by the Women's Division of The United Methodist Church and Global Ministries.

The objective of the journey is to build missional bridges between US and Brazilian Methodist women:

strengthening women's organizational capacity to be in mission with women, children and youth

creating an educational space for shared learning and leadership

exchanging of skills that enhance women's capability to provide for their families

witnessing the love of God for children and youth to grow into a life free of violence
l

earning the strength of people in the midst of economic and social disparities

Ubuntu Explorers will visit two State capitals and small cities and outskirts neighborhoods where the Methodist or ecumenical organizations have a mission presence. The journey will start at the Northeast Coast-Fortaleza, in the state of Ceara and end in the Southeast city of Guarapari, in the state of Espirito Santo.
The participants will have the opportunity to meet with Methodist women leaders at all levels-local, district and national. In Fortaleza, they will share leadership at a District women's training, while in Guarapari they will share their UMW experience at the National Assembly of the Brazilian Methodist Women Confederation.

Explorers will visit:

Local units, community and ecumenical organizations dealing with women's needs and rights

Play and have fun with children at the Shade and Fresh Water program-an after-school community program with children and youth at risk

Worship at Methodist churches on Sunday

Contribute to strengthen the mission capacity of Methodist women organization, which carries a legacy of the nineteenth century missionary movement

In all locations, the team will interact with local Methodist women and visit projects supported by the Women's Division and GBGM.

Cost is $3,500 exclusive of USA domestic airfare. For team member application forms and additional information you may contact Jeanie Blankenbaker at jbumvimny@aol.com or (843) 342-7092.

JOINT COMMISSION/HANDS ACROSS BORDER MEETINGS

MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMISSION/HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER

Greetings:

The next meeting of the United Methodist Joint Commission for Church Extension/Hands Across the Border will be held at Campo Nuevo Amanecer east of Tecate on September 10 - 11, 2010. We will begin with dinner at 6:00 on the 10th and adjourn after lunch on the 11th.

In addition to our usual business meeting, we will be discussing how to be in ministry to Latinos on both sides of the border. From Cal-Pac, our facilitator will be Emilio Muller, director of Latino Ministries. One of the pastors from Mexico will discuss the issues from the point of view of the Methodist Church in Mexico.

This is a great opportunity to learn from each other! It is no secret that the efforts of our denomination in California to be in ministry to Hispanics falls far short of reaching that exceedingly large group. We tend to think of ministry to Latinos in terms of a ministry in Spanish. Statistically, the bilingual and monolingual English components of the demographic are quite large. This is a chance to learn how to reach all of these groups.

In Mexico, many churches are small and struggling. We will be exploring how churches, on both sides of the border can grow their congregations.

Join us for this two day event. Mark down the dates on your calendars. More information will be forthcoming.

Blessings,

Murray Hawkins, President
UM Joint Commission/Hands Across the Campus
(909) 440-8586
murray@mexicomissionproject.org

CARE TEAMS TO GULF; HAITI JOB OPENINGS; FUTURE TEAMS; FLOODING IN PAKISTAN; UMVIM NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Flooding in Pakistan. See what you can do to help. Photo courtesy, nydailynews.com.

CARE TEAMS TO GULF - OIL SPILL DISASTER

UMCOR and the Louisiana Annual Conference trained 128 clergy and laity to serve on Care Teams that will be sent to communities on the Louisiana coast that have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We expect to be sending teams for several months,” said Candy McCammon, Care Team supervisor for the conference. Teams will be sent to the British Petroleum compound to meet with oil spill response workers, and to community centers and local congregations to talk with those affected by the disaster.

Your gift to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, helps UMCOR respond to this and other natural or human-caused disasters in the United States.

HAITI JOB OPENINGS

UMCOR has posted several employment opportunities to its website to help the organization advance its relief and development work in Haiti. Positions are open for a Livelihoods Coordinator; Shelter and Reconstruction Coordinator; and a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Coordinator.
For more information, please visit UMCOR’s Job and Volunteer Opportunities website.

FUTURE TEAMS

Carson City UMC Team to Guatemala: July 29 – August 8
Anita Shaul leads a team to Guatemala. She will serve with Warren Shaul, Day Williams, Robin Williams, Abby Williams, Nathanial Williams, Brenda Keller, Sharon Urban, Ben Swanson, Christina Reid, Madison Reid, Robert Jennings-Teats Tobin Volberding, Hope Hutchins, Brian Hutchins, Kristin Schlager, Brianna McCord, Nick Schlager and Hillary Schlager of First UMC - Carson City Maurine Williams of American Baptist Fellowship and Frank Cruz.

Concord UMC Team to Guatemala: July 30 – August 8
Doug and Betsy McLeod lead a team to Guatemala. They will serve with Rebecca Jensen, Michelle Kop, Susan Pintar, Suzanne Hargis and Silvy Puthukkeril of Concord UMC, Alison Berry, Alice Impraim and Wolf Meier of Alamo – San Ramon Valley UMC and Will Valdriz, UCBerkeley student.

Multi Church International Team to Fiji: August 12 - 26
Virisila Batiratu of Sacramento - Centennial UMC leads a team Fiji to continue construction work on a local school. She will serve with David Orland of Foothill - Federated Church, Nancy O'Bryon of Sacramento - St. Joseph Catholic Church and Don Kawashima of San Jose - Wesley UMC.

Kit & Relationship Building Team to Salt Lake City, Utah Supply Depot: August 15 - 20 Steve Elliott leads a kit building team to the UMCOR West Depot. He serves with, Kim Risedorph, Gabe Elliott, Becca Elliott, Coleman Johnson, Bobbie Johnson, Silvia Moon, Louise Nelson, Robert Smith and Carolee Smith of Livermore - Asbury UMC, Cynthia DeLand, Wendy Kenley, Doug Huey and Mary Ellen Huey of Lynnewood UMC, Donna Lindquist and Ginger McGuffin of Alamo - San Ramon Valley UMC.

FLOODING IN PAKISTAN

At least 1,200 people have died and 2 million have been displaced from their homes by the most severe flooding on record in northwest Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people remained isolated on rooftops awaiting rescue on Monday, as floodwaters destroyed bridges and roads, according to news reports.

Government buildings, businesses, thousands of acres of crops, and at least 29,500 homes have been completely destroyed by the floods that followed on the heels of extremely heavy monsoon rains that particularly affected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Additional rain is expected this week, which could provoke more flooding and increase fears of the spread of waterborne illnesses such as cholera. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is reaching out to partners in Pakistan, including Church World Service, Muslim Aid, and the Peshawar Diocese of the Church of Pakistan, and preparing an initial grant to assist in relief efforts.

“We are praying for the people who have lost loved ones, are left without homes and livelihoods, and for those who are trapped and waiting for food and clean water,” said the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, UMCOR’s top executive. “UMCOR is committed to addressing their needs and especially reaching out to those who are most vulnerable.”

Please support UMCOR’s response to the crisis in Pakistan with your gift to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450. Please write Pakistan Emergency on the memo line of your check.

UMVIM NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

From the NorthCentral Jurisdiction:

MEXICO medical team needs pharmacist: Can you put the word out that we are desperate for a pharmacists for our Oct. 7, 2010 medical team to Nuevo Progreso. This is one of the safest border towns in Mexico. We have a pretty complete team EXCEPT for pharmacy. Help! More info, contact Rev. Jo Powers, 419 376 6017.

The next Russia Initiative Consultation will be held at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, April 7-9, 2011. The Crowne Plaza Hotel at 2945 Northwest Expressway will accommodate our participants at a special room rate of $95 per night, breakfast included. Bishop Hans Växby will deliver his address in the opening afternoon plenary on April 7. Thomas Kemper, the new general secretary of Global Ministries, will address the gathering in the morning plenary on April 8. Please protect the dates and plan to attend. The Eurasia Roadmap to 2015 will be the theme of the consultation. We are scheduling these major consultations every two years now, and it is important for us to come together and discern the future directions of the mission.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WORK IN MEXICO

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WORK IN MEXICO

Greetings –

The United Methodist Joint Commission sponsors annual work teams to Baja to work on local churches and homes in the surrounding communities. We count on volunteer help and donations. This summer has been what can charitably be called a challenge, both in identified needs and in obtaining the means to meet them. I’d like to enlist your help. Any help, of any kind, will go a long way to help us reach our goals.

I just got back from my pre-trip to the San Quintin Valley where we looked at a number of projects that we will work on this summer. There are four houses to re-roof. There is a house to build from the pad up – it burned down a few months back and the family is living with friends in a neighboring town. These are all in the village of Jaramillo, a town of about 175 houses.

We desperately need people to help us with these projects. Even a small group is a big help. The cost is $255.00 per person. This covers the cost of food, insurance (UMVIM), program, and some of the construction materials. However, money is never a reason for someone to stay home!

In addition to people, we do need funds to purchase what the participant fees do not cover. Generally, this is about a half of the cost of materials and runs between $4,000 and $5,000. We need your prayers, too. We are gone between July 25 and Aug. 14. Please keep us in your prayers from now until we return.

Just down the highway a ways is Camalu, a much bigger town. They suffered quite a bit of damage from the floods last winter. One home is still uninhabitable. It has a partial concrete floor and the rest is filled with dry mud. The walls are not weather tight. The kitchen has been stolen. It needs a lot of work to make it livable.

The next project in Camalu is the home of an elderly couple. She is as delightful as she is tiny! He has severe arthritis and is wheelchair bound. Their daughter who took care of them died, leaving them with her children to raise. Their house needs a lot of work to be weather tight. She complains about how cold it gets in winter. That means insulating and dry walling.

The last house is also in Camalu. It is very small, just over 100 sq. ft. The man who lives there has severe back problems and has to raise himself with a sling that he has rigged. Then somebody places a board behind him so that he can sit up and watch TV all day. His attitude is wonderful. However, his house has a dirt floor, no windows and the interior walls are made of cardboard boxes. It needs to be made larger and windows installed so that he can see more light inside. He also needs a new mattress, perhaps one with a waterproof cover.

I hope that you can talk to a few people who will join with us to make this happen.

Blessings,

Murray Hawkins, President
UM Joint Commission/Hands Across the Border
Mexico Mission Project
(909)793-5171
murray@mexicomissionproject.org

TEAM LEADER TRAININGS IN CAL-NEV CONFERENCE; LOSS OF BISHOP DEW; HONDURAS SUMMIT 2010

Bishop Bill Dew died last week. He will be missed. Please read more about him below....

UPCOMING TEAM LEADER TRAINING IN CAL-NEV CONFERENCE

Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Central United Methodist Church3700 Pacific AvenueStockton, CA 95204

To register for a training 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. The training cost of $40 includes your official GBGM Team Leader Manual and officially reserves your spot for the training.

Make your check payable to the 'California-Nevada Annual Conference.' Please include 'Team Leader Manual' and the names of those you are paying for on the memo line.

Mail to:UMVIM / CA-NV Conference OfficeP.O. Box 980250West Sacramento, CA. 95758-0250

If it is within a week of the scheduled training, please bring your check with you instead of mailing it.

If you would like to host a future training at your church please let us know!

Eddie Frutchey
Administrative Assistant
California-Nevada Annual Conference
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Mail: P.O. Box 980250 West Sacramento CA. 95798-0250
Office: (916) 374-1584 Fax: (916) 372-5544
email: eddief@calnevumc.org or umvim@calnevumc.org
Cal-Nev U.M.V.I.M. website: www.cnumcvim.org

LOSS OF BISHOP DEW

SACRAMENTO, CA July 15, 2010—The California-Nevada Annual Conference today is mourning the loss of Bishop William W. ("Bill") Dew, Jr., who died Wednesday morning after collapsing at his home in Elk Grove.
Bishop Dew leaves his wife of 52 years, Mitzie Eggers Dew, who was his college sweetheart; three children: the Rev. Linda Dew-Hiersoux, pastor of Central United Methodist Church and at The Table (both in Sacramento), William Waldo Dew, III, and Marilyn Jane Dew (along with their spouses); and six grandchildren.

"Bishop Dew was an outstanding pastor, leader, colleague, and friend," said California-Nevada resident bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. "He helped all of those he worked with to act on the possibilities God gives us. In a sermon I fondly remember, he reminded us, 'You can't think your way into new ways of acting, but you can act your way into new ways of thinking.'

"I will miss my friend."

Bill Dew was born in Newport, Kentucky on December 14, 1935 and attended Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, where he earned an A.B. degree, before attending Drew Theological Seminary. He served a student charge in the New York Conference and graduated from Drew with a Divinity Degree. Elected a probationary member of the Kentucky Annual Conference, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Raymond Archer, who was serving the faculty at Drew. Dew transferred to the California-Nevada Annual Conference and was ordained an elder by Bishop Donald H. Tippett.

The Rev. Dew served churches in Springville, Lindsay, and Clovis; Epworth UMC in Berkeley; and San Ramon Valley UMC in Alamo, California. He served as a District Superintendent of the Central District, 1979-84.

While in Berkeley, Rev. Dew taught the required course in Polity and Doctrine for United Methodist students who attended Pacific School of Religion.

He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Rust College in 1991 and an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Union College in 1992.

The Western Jurisdictional Conference elected him to the episcopacy in 1988, and he was assigned to the Portland Area. Bishop Dew served the Portland Area from 1988 to 1996. He then served the Phoenix Area from 1996 to his retirement in 2004.

California-Nevada Board of Pensions Executive Secretary Grady Knowles, who frequently has cited Bishop Dew's mentorship, said today, "Bill Dew was a wonderful pastor and a profound preacher, but also a great colleague and friend. He saw the Church clearly and loved it anyway. The United Methodist experiment, both locally and much more broadly, has been deeply enriched by his great mind and his even greater heart for all those '...subtle, sneaky reasons we were born a human being and not a chair..'"

Bishop Dew's memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 7 at 11 a.m., at Central UMC. Bishop Bruce Blake will officiate.

HONDURAS SUMMIT 2010

On October 6 – 9, 2010 the 2010 Honduras Summit will be held in Alton, IL (near St. Louis, MO) and ALL those with a heart for the work going on within the Mission Initiative of Honduras are being invited to join us and share in the vision of the Mission, to engage in the process of building a sustainable foundation, and to celebrate our successes over the last several years – a Fiesta for sure!

But at this time, I also want to extend a personal invitation to those of you who are just beginning to feel the “tug on your heart” from God about the thought of Missions, those of you who are brand new to a Team, and those of you who have been somewhat fearful of the thought of International Missions (in general, not just to Honduras) and all of those UNKNOWNS. The 2010 Honduras Summit has been designed with YOU in mind. The entire afternoon of our first day, entitled Missions 101, has been designed to dispel your fears of the concept of International Missions, to explain what VIM (Volunteers in Mission) is all about, how to go about engaging your church and putting a Team together, and what you yourself need to do to prepare to serve Christ in this “life-changing” arena. Of course, we hope by the end of the day you will at least consider joining us in one of our favorite mission initiatives – Honduras.

The local organizing committee has been working diligently to “roll out the red carpet” to all of our guests…Plenary sessions organized, Small group discussions planned, Daily worship being prepared, An opening night Fiesta Celebration in the works, Fellowship opportunities for old-timers and first-timers available all week long, Transportation service being made ready, and did I mention the Food??? But none of this works without YOU! Invite a friend, clear your schedule, and make plans to join us for the 2010 Honduras Summit in Alton, IL. I promise you won’t regret it!!!

En Cristo,


Greg Gelzinnis & The 2010 Honduras Summit Team

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN PHILIPPINES - THREE NEW PROJECTS

Volunteers Needed for Three New Projects

Santor UMC:
Santor UMC in Baggao, Cagayan, Philippines requests three (3) VIM teams to assist the local church in continuing the construction of a 2-story edifice which will serve as a worship sanctuary and multi-purpose center for the church and community.

Buliclic UMC:
Buliclic UMC in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines requests one (1) VIM team. It is also requesting financial support to assist the local church in purchasing much-needed construction materials to supplement the funds that they have already raised. The VIM team can participate in the project at any point since four (4) full-time workers have been tasked to finish the project. VIM team members have opportunities to fellowship with Buliclic UMC members, where they are welcome to share their gospel witness and personal testimony. They can also visit Palali UMC and San Pedro UMC, both daughter churches of Buliclic UMC, that are within a short distance.

Salcedo Central UMC:
Salcedo Central UMC in Salcedo, Ilocos Sur will begin the installation of the roof and ceiling of their worship sanctuary in January 2011. This church is requesting one (1) VIM team to participate in this project and to provide financial assistance to purchase much-needed construction materials to supplement funds the congregation has already raised. VIM team participation can occur at any point in the project as full-time workers have been tasked to complete the project. VIM team members have opportunities to fellowship with Salcedo Central UMC members, where they are welcome to share their gospel witness and personal testimony. They can also visit Balidbid UMC and Kaliwakiw UMC, both daughter churches of Salcedo UMC, that are within a short distance.

If you are interested, please send all emails to: projects@umvim.org or umvimwj@hotmail.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WORK TEAM TO GEORGIA; MEDICAL TEAM TO HONDURAS NEEDS MEMBERS; INTERNSHIP IN APPALACHIA

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TRIP TO SERVE IN GEORGIA

Volunteers Needed for DeKalb County, GA Trip Trinity UMC of Sarasota, Florida will send a work team to DeKalb County, GA, August 1 thru 7. Volunteers are needed for the entire 7 days. Individuals may also volunteer for Aug 1-4 and 4-7 if the full week is not possible. The team will be doing restoration work in homes. Contact Hank Lunsford, Trinity UMC, Sarasota, Florida for more information (941) 342-4477 (work) or (941) 366-5637 (home).

Wisconsin Medical Team to Honduras looking for members
February 26 - March 6, 2011

Leaders: Chuck Garrigues, 414 708-5074 & Jay McDowell, 414 750-4238, Sponsored by: Our Lord's UM Church, 5000 S Sunnyslope Rd, New Berlin, WI 53151-7418. We are especially seeking doctors, However, medical professionals & helping hands of all varieties are welcome. We also teach sewing & conduct VBS for children & youth.

Appalachian Immersion Internship with Good WorksSept 2010 - April / May 2011

Intern applications are sought for our Appalachian Immersion Intership which begins this September. This 9-12 month opportunity is for anyone, 18 or older who desires to grow in their relationship with Christ and in their relationships with people who are vulnerable, and who are struggling with poverty. We are located in Athens, OH, West Ohio Conference.Do you know someone who has a desire to love and serve the poor and who might benefit from living in an intentional Christian community for a year? The AI internship seeks to create a discipleship training experience where there is a balance of action, education and relationships with people in need.

Housing, food and a stipend provided.
Visit our website and click on "Internships." Call or email us to start the application !· Web: www.good-works.net · Contact: Keith Wasserman , 740.594.9000 · Good Works, Inc. PO Box 4, Athens, OH 45701

UGANDA BLAST INJURES UNITED METHODISTS; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TRIP TO ZAMBIA; TEAM NEWS FOR HAITI TEAM FROM CAL-NEVADA

Pastor Peter Mutabazi (right) was killed in the blast. At left is his wife, Alice. Photo courtesy of Christ Community Church.

UGANDA BLAST INJURES UNITED METHODISTS; ONE DEATH

Six United Methodists from Pennsylvania were injured and a Ugandan pastor killed July 11 as they gathered with others to watch the World Cup final match at an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala, Uganda.

At least 74 people were killed and 71 injured in the bombings at that restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club. A Somali militia, al-Shabab, is suspected of being behind the terrorist attacks, according to news reports.

The church members were part of a 14-member team from Christ Community Church in Selinsgrove, Pa., a city bordering the Susquehanna River 50 miles north of Harrisburg. Eight of the team members already had returned home after completing work at a mission project in Uganda.

On July 12, the team reported the death of Pastor Peter Mutabazi on its website. “Please pray for his wife Alice, 5 children, Bwaise Pentecostal Church and the LifeCare School,” the posting said. “We deeply mourn this loss.”
After learning about the bombings, more than 75 church members came to the sanctuary to pray, said the Rev. Kathleen Kind, pastor of the 500-member congregation.

Another vigil was planned at 7:30 p.m. July 12. “It will be a very informal opportunity to be in prayer,” she said.

The pastor said the news about the bombings came as a “huge shock” to the congregation, which was concerned about everyone affected there. But, she added, “we believe in a God who hears our prayers and is faithful.”

Kris Sledge (left) and Thomas Kramer lead team devotionals in June. Sledge was among those injured in the blast.Photo by Sue Heintzelman.
Kind was not certain when the six involved in the bombing would come home. “We’re honestly still waiting on confirmation on our folks being medevaced,” she explained.

It was hoped the team members would be airlifted to a trauma center in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The most severely injured, she reported, were two youth, Kris Sledge and Emily Kerstetter, who was traveling with her grandmother, Joanne Kerstetter.
Sledge was being treated for facial burns and a deep blast wound and shrapnel to his leg. “I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running,” Sledge told The Associated Press. “I love the place here, but I’m wondering why this happened and who did this ... At this point, we’re just glad to be alive.”

Emily Kerstetter also suffered a leg wound. “We’re waiting to hear what happens next with her,” Kind said.

Two other team members, Pam Kramer and her son, Thomas, had leg injuries. Lori Ssebulime, the team leader, was shaken but not seriously injured, according to the team’s website.

Ssebulime founded the Uganda mission project, Kind said, with work teams sent from the congregation every other year. The church helped support the ministry of Mutabazi and Bwaise Pentecostal Church, located in one of the biggest slums in Kampala. “They really function as a sister congregation to us,” she added.
Bwaise church started a school in 2006 and currently has 200 students. “Our vision is to educate the disadvantaged children and to disciple them for Christ to be exemplary citizens and productive leaders in their communities,” Mutabazi wrote.

Pastor Peter Mutabazi was killed in the blast.

The team from Christ Community Church had arrived in Uganda on June 18 to engage in evangelism and help construct a fence around the school and church property. They also spent some time in Kenya before part of the group left July 7. The remaining team members had expected to depart on July 13.

Kind expressed appreciation for the calls and assistance the church had received from others in the United Methodist Susquehanna Annual (regional) Conference, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
“Thank God for the connection,” she said.

"Our hearts and prayers go to the victims of this violent act," said Harrisburg Area Bishop Jane Allen Middleton. "We keep the members of the work team organized by Christ Community UMC in Selinsgrove in our prayers, as well as their families and the people of Uganda. May all be held in God's loving arms during this tragedy."

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service writer based in New York.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TRIP TO ZAMBIA

Volunteers Needed for Trip to ZambiaTrinity UMC of Birmingham, AL and SIFAT will be taking a construction team to Zambia October 27, 2010-November 10, 2010. They will be building a new Methodist office and SIFAT training center in Lusaka. Volunteers are needed for this trip. If you would like to go or have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Rev. Dave Barnhart dbarnhart@trinitybirmingham.com(205) 879-1737.

CAL-NEVADA TEAM TO HAITI - INFORMATION FROM PHIL BANDY

Haiti Response UMVIM TEAM
California-Nevada Conference
Traveling Sept 1-11

Team Update No. 2:
July 11, 2010

September Haiti Team:

This is team letter number 2. The first was dated July 5th

Air travel plans
By this time you should each have your ticket to Haiti. We are to all arrive in Haiti on the same flight and depart on the same flight. Your flight should include the following:

September 2nd - Ft. Lauderdale to Port Au Prince 6:50am - 7:45amAmerican Flight #807September 10th - Port Au Prince to Ft. Lauderdale 8:50am - 12:00pm American Flight 1988

Please send your detailed flight itinerary to me and to Steve Elliot so we will know what time and gate you arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. We need to coordinate getting everyone on a shuttle to the motel.

Next meeting
Our next team meeting is July 17th at the San Ramon UMC (SRVUMC) in Alamo, 9:00 to 12:00. Several people cannot make this meeting on the 17th, so we will hold a meeting on July 13th in the evening 7:00 – 9:00 at the same place for those who cannot make the 17th. That address is:
902 Danville Blvd.
Alamo, CA 94507

Agenda: Next Team Meeting
Haiti update
Collecting forms and checks
Things to bring to Haiti
Taking the online cultural sensitivity tests
Review of the project timeline

Things to bring with you to the next team meeting
Bring your $350 check payable to the California-Nevada Annual Conference, note this is for September Haiti UMVIM trip. (or you can mail them to me @ 21 Spring Lane, Danville, CA 94526) The final check will be collected a few weeks before we go.
Forms: (most forms here - http://cnumc.org/pages/detail/1232 )
· Bring all your forms that need a notary to the next team meeting as we plan to have a notary there.
· Complete the Cal-Nev Conference Registration or the Registration Affirmation if we have a previously notarized Conference Registration for you.
· GBGM insurance form.
· Background Check Release form and Volunteer Disclosure forms should be completed if you do not have a current one for the Conference (last 2 years). These are attached to this email.
· Safe Sanctuary certificate are also required.
· Bring photo copy of front page (photo page) of your passport.

Philip Bandy
Director of Volunteers in Mission
California-Nevada Conference
United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 980250
1276 Halyard Drive, West Sacramento CA. 95691
Office: (916) 374-1582
Mobile: (925) 808-8138
Fax: (916) 372-5544
www.cnumcvim.org

TEAMS WANTED IN PHILIPPINES

Tagaytay City, Philippines,courtesy agnet.org.

VOLUNTEER TEAMS REQUESTED IN PHILIPPINES

New Project in Ilocos Sur, PhilippinesBishop Rodolfo A. Juan of the Philippines Central Conference has requested a construction team to rebuild the sanctuary of the 77-year old UMC congregation of Pagangpang. He is envisioning a larger church building with a balcony to safely and comfortably accommodate the growing number of worshipers. The team will also have opportunities for fellowship with members of the congregation.

This is a new project relationship that UMVIM is hoping to strengthen and Bishop Juan is hoping to have a team as soon as possible. Please respond to umvimwj@hotmail.com if you are interested in leading a team.

TEAMS FROM THE WJ TO HAITI - SCHEDULE & CONTACT INFO; TEAM TO FIJI NEEDS VOLUNTEERS; TEAMS NEEDED IN TENNESSEE

Teams needed in Tennessee, read below for more info...photo courtesy, cbsnews.com.

UPCOMING TEAMS TO HAITI - CONTACT INFO & SCHEDULE

We have an UMVIM team headed to Haiti, actually eleven teams! The first team leaves September 1st. The members of this team and the details of the other teams are described below. Please contact the team leaders for each team directly to get on that specific team.

I want to thank everyone that came to the program June 22nd at the San Ramon Valley UMC. We had a nice turnout. The pictures and other information I shared are all online on the CN Conference Ning web site. Those of you who are not already members of Ning will receive an invitation to join so you too can directly access the information. We will try to keep all the detailed information on Ning since this site is more private. General information will go on UMVIM Facebook and the most formal information will go on the Conference web site.

California Nevada Conference Team, September 1-11, 2010

Stephen Elliott
Burr Bruce
Leslie Carmichael
Mark Cordes
John Warren McGuffin
Jennifer Murdock
Jay Rosenlieb
Suellen Rowlison, R.N.
Janet Steele
Philip Bandy, team leader
Bob Borah, alternate
Yvonne Murray, alternate

East Bay / South Bay Area Team, January 26 - February 3, 2011

Stephen Elliott, team leader


East Bay / North Bay Area Team, Feb 14-23, 2011

John Warren McGuffin, team leader


California Nevada Conference Team, Mar 9 – 18, 2011

Philip Bandy, team leader




San Francisco Area Team, date for early April 2011 pending

Mark Cordes, team leader



California Nevada Conference Teachers and Students Team, date for mid June 2011 pending

Philip Bandy, team leader



Central Delta Area Team, 2011 date pending

Burr Bruce, team leader

South Bay Area Team, 2011 date pending

Leslie Carmichael, team leader

Sierra and Nevada Area Team, 2011 date pending

Jennifer Murdock, team leader

Fresno Area Team, late November 2011 date pending

Jay Rosenlieb, team leader


Chico Area Medical Team, 2011 date pending

Suellen Rowlison, R.N., team leader


Contact information:

SAE612@msn.com
Stephen
Elliott
925-362-8697

grumpyburr@sbcglobal.net
Burr
Bruce
530-406-1769

carm-lee@pacbell.net
Leslie
Carmichael
650-941-0260

rev.mark.cordes@gmail.com
Mark
Cordes
415-412-4301

warren@mcguffin.com
John Warren
McGuffin
925-828-8090

Murdockjennifer101@gmail.com
Jennifer
Murdock

jrosenli@kleinlaw.com
Jay
Rosenlieb
661-706-2500

suellen@garlic.com
Suellen
Rowlison
530-897-0226

jrsbeliever@aol.com
Janet
Steele
650-380-4459

philb@calnevumc.org
Philip
Bandy
925-808-8138

TEAM TO FIJI LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Ni sa Bula! The third United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team to Fiji is on the calendar and is looking for volunteers! August 12-26, 2010.
The Fiji Methodist Conference has invited us to the village of Navuniyaro. Opportunities are available for construction and connectional outreach ministries. We want to invite volunteers to join us in using our unique talents to create our outreach pattern.

The project has been ongoing for the last 9 years and has progressed as funds have become available. The Methodist Church / Multi-Purpose Hall we will be working on will be used as an Evacuation Center, Kindergarten, Women’s Project and Village Council Meeting Center.

It will benefit about 600 people in 100 households in the village of Navuniyaro and the community of Luth, Naitasiri.

The Fiji Team’s next team meeting will be at on Sunday, July 4th at 11:30am @ Centennial UMC
Address: 5401 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95822

If you are interested in joining us on the team and would like more information please call the team’s leader Virisila Batiratu @ 916 256-9599 or email her at vsbyou@yahoo.com If you would like to donate funds to this team you can do so through Viri as well. The team plans to raise at least $3500 to cover materials they will need to do the work and supplies for the team.

Thank you, Virisila Batiratu

TEAMS NEEDED IN TENNESSEE

Recent flooding in Dyer County in Northwest Tennessee has devastated the lives of hundreds of people. Areas hardest hit are comprised of uninsured older homes in a low income area. The result of this combination is the need to demolish and rebuild most of these homes. The victims cannot afford to rebuild their homes as they have merely the money they have received from FEMA. Skilled volunteer teams are needed to defray some of the costs for these families. Teams are also encouraged to bring funds to assist if at all possible. Housing is being provided by Dyersburg First United Methodist Church. The facility can accommodate up to 60 people. A kitchen, 3 laundry units, and 12 showers are available. Please contact Rev. Robert Craig at Dyersburg FUMC (731.285.6454) to register a team.