Photo: Gary Henderson, executive director of the UMC Global Health Initiative, responds to Bishop Ntambo of North Katanga Conference in the Democratice Republic of the Congo, courtesy UMC/Gary Henderson
* EARLY RESPONSE (ERT) TRAINING IN COLORADO APRIL 25, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This training is for people who would like to help with disaster relief soon after a disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane strikes. ERT members are self-sufficient, badged volunteers who help with tasks such as debris removal and making homes safe and secure. Training will be held at the Rocky Mountain Conference office in Greenwood Village, CO. To register, contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net, 303-346-7057.
* Training Seminar for Laity & Clergy in Pacific Northwest Annual Conference
Over the years of my ministry, district training events have been the most consistently helpful and practical learning experiences available to me. Here in the Inland District, Rocks and Ripples 2009 promises to be such an event. I remember that in seminary, when a certain professor wanted to introduce us to a new idea, he'd say, "I want to drop a pebble in your pond." I spent a lot of happy hours as a kid skipping rocks across various North Central Washington lakes, and that professor's words brought a great picture to mind of rocks touching down on smooth lake waters and sending ripples out in every direction. I believe that this year's Rocks and Ripples will have a similar powerful effect on your leadership in your local church!
This year, in an attempt to bring that impact closer to where you live, we are offering two nearly identical sessions, the first starting at 8:30 a.m. at Simpson UMC in Pullman; the second starting at 2:30 at Spokane Valley UMC. Both sessions will feature our bishop, Grant Hagiya, speaking on "Sparking the Leader Within!" Our new bishop's passion is leadership; he's made a life-long study of the topic and has much to share. In addition, each session offers your choice of two workshops from many options. Whatever leadership role you have in your local church, whatever committee or team you serve on, you will find something of great help to you.
Thank you to those of you who have already made your choices and submitted your registration to the district office. If you are one who is still considering, I invite you to look over the options and sign up today! In order to have a fairly accurate count for the meals, we need your registrations by this Friday, April 17. So contact the district office by phone 509-838-3085, 800-549-1945, or by e-mail inland@pnwumc.org. You may register for your workshop then pay at the door. I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you.
Dale Cockrum
Inland District Superintendent
This year, in an attempt to bring that impact closer to where you live, we are offering two nearly identical sessions, the first starting at 8:30 a.m. at Simpson UMC in Pullman; the second starting at 2:30 at Spokane Valley UMC. Both sessions will feature our bishop, Grant Hagiya, speaking on "Sparking the Leader Within!" Our new bishop's passion is leadership; he's made a life-long study of the topic and has much to share. In addition, each session offers your choice of two workshops from many options. Whatever leadership role you have in your local church, whatever committee or team you serve on, you will find something of great help to you.
Thank you to those of you who have already made your choices and submitted your registration to the district office. If you are one who is still considering, I invite you to look over the options and sign up today! In order to have a fairly accurate count for the meals, we need your registrations by this Friday, April 17. So contact the district office by phone 509-838-3085, 800-549-1945, or by e-mail inland@pnwumc.org. You may register for your workshop then pay at the door. I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you.
Dale Cockrum
Inland District Superintendent
* UMCOR & HEALTH DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
A recent meeting of bishops and United Methodist health care leaders in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, has led to major capacity-building efforts throughout the Central Conferences in Africa through the assistance and support of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Bishop Janice Huie, of UMCOR board president and residing bishop of the Texas Annual Conference, chaired the meeting.
Ten of the 12 African Central Conferences were represented at the gathering, which was also attended by representatives from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the United Nations Foundation, all key partners in The United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative (GHI). The week-long meeting focused on creating a plan to help African Central Conferences and communities access resources so that their ministries can save more lives. The meeting included dialog and training sessions about ways each conference can build upon and improve existing health ministries; increase their partnerships and sustainability; and decrease dependence on the Church and US donations for health program support.
Ten of the 12 African Central Conferences were represented at the gathering, which was also attended by representatives from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the United Nations Foundation, all key partners in The United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative (GHI). The week-long meeting focused on creating a plan to help African Central Conferences and communities access resources so that their ministries can save more lives. The meeting included dialog and training sessions about ways each conference can build upon and improve existing health ministries; increase their partnerships and sustainability; and decrease dependence on the Church and US donations for health program support.
"This gathering laid the foundation for our ongoing cooperative work with the United Methodist health ministries in Africa," said Sam Dixon, Global Ministries' deputy general secretary for UMCOR and Global Health. "Working together, we can make a real impact on the health of the millions of people United Methodist hospitals and clinics serve, aiming to reduce maternal and child mortality and combat the devastating effect of diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS on African communities."
The meeting, also attended by United Methodist Communications, focused on assisting the conferences to build the capacity of local United Methodist hospitals and clinics, starting with developing health boards to coordinate their efforts. These health boards are the starting point for increasing capacity and effectiveness of the health ministries of each conference. This is especially important because across Africa, United Methodist hospitals and community based health care programs provide services to people and in remote villages where no other entity operates. These hospitals and programs need the consistent support and resources of the Central Conference structure to become more effective and save more lives. The aim of developing African Conference Health Boards is to provide oversight and backing to these critical health care ministries.To support United Methodist hospitals and clinics in their critical ministries of healing and health please give to Hospital Revitalization, UMCOR Advance #982168.
