WHY VOLUNTEER WITH UMVIM?

WHY VOLUNTEER THROUGH UMVIM?

1.UMVIM is an approved United Methodist ministry.

2. The mission projects are vetted and screened.

3. Volunteer teams can continue their relationship with the project site they served at via The Advance and missionaries.

4. All are welcome to serve.

5. Training, forms, insurance, etc. available

6. It's simple. Contact umvimwj@hotmail.com to get started!

Faith in Action

Faith in Action

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

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



Wednesday, July 14, 2010

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.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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