UMCOR RESPONDS TO CHILE EARTHQUAKE

Photo: Devastation from earthquake in Chile, courtesy Reuters via umcor.org.

EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE & UMCOR RESPONSE

February 27, 2010—The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the needs of people affected by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile early on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate at least 147 people have died, homes and hospitals have been destroyed, and the earthquake triggered a tsunami that is rolling across the Pacific.

Bishop Joel N. Martinez, interim General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries said, “I have just received the terrible news about the major 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile. The early reports of great destruction and widespread injuries and the increasing death count point to a need for a full response by all humanitarian agencies and governments in the coming days and weeks.”

UMOR is working with partners in Chile: Iglesia Metodista de Chile (IMECH), Ministerio Social Methodista (MISOM) and Equipo Metodista de Acción Humanitaria (EMAH) to respond with resources and support.

Bishop Martinez continued, “I received a message from the Iglesia Metodista de Chile and have expressed to Bishop Mario Martinez Tapia that we respond with our prayers, our solidarity, and our commitment to offer the resources and services of UMCOR to help the church respond.”

In an email, Juan Salazar, President of the Methodist Social Ministry in Chile, says of their initial evaluations of damage, “the information that arises each time indicates that the effects are greater than originally assessed.”

UMCOR executives, Melissa Crutchfield and Tom Hazelwood expressed via email, “our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mobilize EMAH and IMECH in response to the earthquake this morning. We will continue to keep in touch and to keep you in our prayers. UMCOR and the people of the United Methodist Church stand with you and will help in any way we can.”

Disaster Response Training

Crutchfield and Hazelwood conducted a three-day disaster preparedness and emergency response training for IMECH district coordinators in October 2009. About 20 participants of the Chilean Methodist Church from different districts and regions engaged in the eight-hour a day training, which fostered networking opportunities with local authorities and relevant partners in the emergency response field. The disaster response training offered support IMECH, MISOM and EMAH district coordinators to build a disaster response network in preparation for disasters.
In a blog entry in the UMCOR Notebook, Hazelwood writes, “When we spoke of the use of volunteers and their value to UMCOR’s ministry of disaster response, the people of Chile knew and understood perfectly. They know what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ when there is trouble.”

How to Help

Bishop Martinez says, “I call on our generous United Methodist constituents to join in the response to the Chile Emergency Advance to strengthen UMCOR’s ability to be fully present with resources.”

At this point, it is not anticipated that relief supply kits will be needed. Financial support can be made to Chile Emergency Advance # 3021178

International Disaster Response; New Mission Volunteer Brochure Available; Honduras Summit; Equipment Needed in Haiti, Restoring Homes in WA State

Photo: A girl plays with a string in front of her family's tent in a camp near Mardan, Pakistan. Church World Service tents and blankets are helping to shelter displaced children and families in Pakistan. Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan

*INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE & UMCOR

In the past month, UMCOR sent more that $250,000 to support disaster response efforts around the globe. Nearly half went to assist people displaced by the fighting in Swat, Pakistan.

UMCOR also supported an emergency food distribution to 4,200 displaced people in Myanmar.
The International Disaster Response Advance allows UMCOR to provide financial support to disasters when it is needed.

Please help keep the Advance funded so that UMCOR can continue to quickly respond to those left vulnerable when a disaster happens.
Download and share Responding in Time of Need, UMCOR’s new church bulletin or present UMCOR's power point slide and collect a special offering on Sundays. By doing so, you allow UMCOR to respond immediately and comprehensively to disasters in our world. Give to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450.

* NEW MISSION VOLUNTEER BROCHURES AVAILABLE

There is a new informative brochure available for the Mission Volunteer program. In the past many received brochures and information via the "Call to Serve" brochures. These are no longer in print. The new brochures are now available. If you would like to order some for your local church, district, or annual conference event, contact Heather Wilson, UMVIM Coordinator for the Western Jurisdiction at umvimwj@hotmail.com or 818-333-6730.

* HONDURAS MISSION SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2009

The 2009 Honduras Mission Summit will be held at Christ Church United Methodist in Louisville, Kentucky, September 10-12. You will hear from Bishop Elías Galván, from pastors and leaders in Honduras, and experienced work and medical team leaders from the United States churches. You will also explore ways that our US churches can more closely work together and help strengthen the Methodist Mission churches of Honduras.

To find out more about the conference and to register, visit www.ccum.net/HondurasSummit . You can register online or by mail.

Please contact Janet Hundley, janeth@ccum.net, if you have any questions or problems regarding the online link.

* RESTORING HOMES IN WASHINGTON STATE

In January more than 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to massive flooding in Western state of Washington. Dozens of highways were closed and shelters were opened to house those in need. Nearly 4,000 families registered for federal assistance for home repair.
UMCOR is assisting the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference in their disaster response ministry. UMCOR is supplying building materials, financing homes, replacing lost household appliances, as well as providing emotional and spiritual care to those coping with their loss.
You can help Washington residents recover by giving to U.S. Disaster Response, Advance # 901670.

* MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED IN HAITI

Dr. Pressner Louis is a gynecologist working in the border region of Dominican Republic and Haiti. Though his specialty is gynecology, he sees all kinds of patients in his clinic.
Dr. Louis has requested specific pieces of physical therapy equipment listed below. His clinic was evaluated by a recent exploratory team from the UMVIM, SEJ office, and his operation is an officially recognized VIM project.
1. muscle stimulator
2. TENS unit
3. ultrasound
4. paraffin bath and paraffin
5. hydroculator and compresses
6. whirlpool
7. chair or table for strengthening the quadriceps muscles
8. table for traction of lumbar and cervical spine
Please pass this list along to any who might have available equipment for donation. If you have available equipment, please contact Dalton Rushing in the UMVIM, SEJ office at dalton_rushing@umvim.org or 404-377-7424.

Prayer Requests for Future Teams; Individual Volunteer Training; Helping the Displaced in Pakistan; Honduras & Sierra Service Project

PHOTO: A girl plays with a string in front of her family's tent in a camp near Mardan, Pakistan. Church World Service tents and blankets are helping to shelter displaced children and families in Pakistan.Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE TEAMS: “Salaam” to the Individual Volunteer serving in Palestine: Dec.15 - June 2009 Yvonne Turner of Sierra Pines UMC is volunteering as an English teacher for youth at Hope School in Palestine through June of 2009. Yvonne first visited Palestine as part of an UMVIM Team led by Rev. Tana McDonald (Feather River Cooperative Parish) last year and felt personally challenged to offer her service and presence in solidarity with the Palestinian community. Yvonne has established a blog for family, friends and well-wishers to stay connected with her there. http://yvonnepalestine.blogspot.com/ Gary & Jeri Carson-Hull partner with a Tennessee UMVIM team to Swaziland, Africa: May 12 – September 16 Gary & Jeri Carson-Hull will be joined by a team from Tennessee to build and repair Methodist schools in Manzini, Swaziland (the largest city in the country). Chris McLain (the in-country VIM coordinator) will be keeping them busy with many projects over their 4 month stay as they travel and serve through-out the country. Gary and Jeri plan to keep family, friends and supporters up to date via their blog page at http://carson-hull.blogspot.com/ Medical & Connectional team serving the Ray of Hope Foundation in Kenya May 22 – June 5 Team leader Craig Wood of Glide UMC – San Francisco will be leading Glide UMC’s first UMVIM team! Glide UMVIM volunteers are doctors, nurses, teachers, photographers, videographers and social workers. The mission of Ray of Hope Foundation is to promote health, healing, medicine and education to the global community through the exchange of volunteers, technology, training, medical supplies and educational programming. Craig will be joined by Katherine Burke, Mark Hespeth, Joshua Biddle, Karen Oliveto, Travis Woodard, Robin Ridenour and Stephan Chase. Care – A – Vaners construction team works in Mt. Shasta, CA: May 26 - June 3 Rod and Gloria Castor head up yet another group of nomadic volunteers who will go in mission, living out of their RVs while working on light construction and repair projects throughout California-Nevada Conference. The Care-A-Vaners has worked this year at Laton UMC and The East Salinas Family Center. Other locations are scheduled for this year—give us a call if you want to join them in this work. San Ramon Valley UMC High School Youth Team to Laton, CA: June 20 - 27 Michael Stephenson and 4 other adult volunteers will lead a team of 18 high school aged volunteers to Laton UMC to continue repairs there. See the UMVIM website for photos. Projects may include exterior painting, the sanding and staining of church pews and the replacement of window screens. Michael will be joined by Mackenzie Dimler, Keegan Dimler, Matt Donatelli, Spencer Farady, Lindsay Garnick, Nick Johnson, Justin Koos, Ali Kuelz, Thomas Mannell, Lizzy Miskovetz, Lauren Nakaso, Evan Preece, Jack Jack Schramm, Paige Steffy, Ben TenElshof, Mark Warwick, Annette Warwick, Trevor Willis, Kevin Dimler, Crista Farrow, Paul Kuelz and Debbie Koos of Alamo - San Ramon Valley UMC. Epworth UMC-Berkeley heads to Nicaragua: June 21 – July 3 Lloyd Elliott from Epworth UMC – Berkeley will take a second team of volunteers to a newly created UMVIM site in Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua to continue their relationship of support and friendship with the Ruben Dario High School. They will also be exploring possible mission opportunities related to health and healthcare as well as water quality and water erosion. Lloyd will be joined by Annette Cayot, Jim Lockwood-Stewart, Charles Lynch and Christina Kellogg of Berkeley - Epworth UMC Lynne McCoy and Pat Stout of Los Altos - Los Altos UMC. Mother and daughter volunteer to join missionary daughter in Cambodia: June 23 – August 12 Martha Parker of Mill Valley – Mt. Tamalpais UMC will join her daughter Katherine Parker ( A GBGM UM Missionary) in Cambodia to aid with projects there. Martha’s other daughter Janet Parker has been serving in the region since April 28th and will continue through June 12th. Martha’s background is in nursing and she has a community health and advance practice as the Mill Valley School district nurse. You can check out all the Parker’s activities at Katherine’s missionary blog: http://chad-cambodia.blogspot.com/ *INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING JUNE 25-28, 2009 If you are interested in serving in mission as an Individual Volunteer then come to the training event held June 25-28th at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, CA. For more information and to register please contact Landon Taylor at ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org. *PAKISTAN: HELPING THE DISPLACED The recent political crisis in the Swat region of Pakistan is forcing over 1 million people to flee for safety from heavy fighting in the North-West Frontier Province. UMCOR is providing immediate relief through partner organizations and is in contact with the Church of Pakistan regarding assistance. UMCOR is supporting Church World Service (CWS) and Muslim Aid to deliver food, shelter, blankets and other supplies in the Mardan and Swabi district. CWS is setting up mobile health clinics to provide medical services to those in need and Muslim Aid is providing tents, mattresses and other needs including medical services. Help support this effort with your gifts to International Disaster Response-Pakistan, UMCOR Advance #982450. * HONDURAS: BUILDING HOMES In Honduras, hundreds of thousands of families live in overcrowded, substandard rural homes that are vulnerable to flooding, mudslides and fire. Most are poorly built with weak foundations that cannot withstand heavy rainfall. UMCOR is supporting a two-year grant for the Sierra Service Project of Carmichael, Calif., an incorporated agency of the California-Nevada and the California-Pacific Annual Conferences, to build 12 safe and secure homes for families in need. UMCOR is providing building materials and funds to hire local labor to supervise the work. The Sierra Service Project involves North American youth and adult volunteers to assist in building homes in Honduras. For more information about volunteering with the Sierra Service Project team in the summer of 2010, contact Rick Eaton, executive director at rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org or visit their website. You can also give to Sierra Service Project, UMCOR Advance #982185 or Central America Emergency, UMCOR Advance #501300.

Safety Officer Training in the PNW Conference, Missionary Visits from Mongolia; Volunteers Needed to Cuba & Midwest; Sager Brown Volunteers Touch Live

Photo: Two Volunteers at Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, LA, help replace a homeowner's door, courtesy UMCOR

* DESIGNATED SAFETY OFFICER TRAINING

If you, or someone in your church needs to get certified as a DSO or have their certification updated we have a number of training opportunities coming up. May 24 - during Convo, lunch-time. $10 if not registered for ConvoMay 31 - Sand Point Community UMC, Seattle, 1pm, cost $10June 18 - Annual Conference at UPS, 10am, cost $10 If you would like to attend one of these events please send an email to: camping@pnwumc.org or call 1-800-755-7710 x 305

* INTERESTED IN SERVING IN CUBA?

Rev. Nick Elliott, former Executive Director of UMVIM, SEJ, will be leading a 12 member construction team to Havana, Cuba. Team will assemble in Miami on November 30 and fly to Havana on December 1-10. We will be working on the Methodist Seminary in old Havana, worshipping in different churches, and learning about the Cuban culture.

Please email NickElliott@onlymyemail.com for an application. Special consideration will be given to persons who have never been to Cuba. Anticipated cost is $2250 from Miami.

* NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS

Recent flooding and windstorms in the midwest have resulted in a great need for volunteers.
For more information about this need, view the attached document, or visit www.umvim.org/midwestflooding.pdf.

* GLOBAL MINISTRIES MISSIONARY TO MONGOLIA VISITS CHURCHES IN CA

Helen M. Sheperd, a General Board of Global Ministries' missionary serving in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is available for Covenant Relationship support in the California-Nevada Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

She currently is making appointments to visit churches in California.

Read about Helen Sheperd's work in her May 2009 newsletter - and read her biographical information on the GBGM website.

Another GBGM missionary, Debbie Umipig-Julian, writes from Yokohama, Japan, "The worldwide economic status is influencing every fiber of our lives this season - definitely not good news, but let us not get tired of loving others, and making a difference wherever we are for God's glory and honor."

Umipig-Julian's third term in mission is nearing an end. Read her spring 2009 newsletter to learn more.

* UMCOR VOLUNTEERS AT SAGER BROWN DEPOT

Volunteers working at UMCOR’s Sager Brown campus in Baldwin, La., do more than prepare emergency relief kits, they help their community with home repairs.
Sager Brown volunteers helped Bobbie, a Louisiana resident who after colon cancer surgery had to use a walker. Bobbie’s doorway was too narrow to accommodate her walker, so the volunteers brought tools and materials and widened her doorway. The volunteers also replaced her front door.

Barbara Snell, who directs of outreach ministries at UMCOR Sager Brown says there are approximately 80 applications from people in the community who are requesting home repairs—demonstrating a strong need in the Sager Brown community in addition to kit ministry that reaches around the world.
Support UMCOR Sager Brown Depot by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440

Future Teams & Prayer Requests from the Cal-Nevada Conference, Individual Volunteer Training, News from Individual Volunteer in Georgia, UMVIM Events

A mother holds her child at Kissy Medical Center in Sierra Leone, courtesy UMCOR

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 - NIV Medical & Connectional team serving the Ray of Hope Foundation in Kenya May 22 – June 5 Team leader Craig Wood of Glide UMC – San Francisco will be leading a team of doctors, nurses, teachers, photographers, videographers and social workers to work with the Ray of Hope Foundation. The mission of this non-profit organization is to promote health, healing, medicine and education to the global community through the exchange of volunteers, technology, training, medical supplies and educational programming. Korean UMC of Santa Clara Valley Connectional Team to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia May 24 - 31 Team leader Terry Won of Korean UMC of Santa Clara Valley will be leading a team of volunteers to Mongolia to do eye glass fittings and consultations as well as a photo ministry for locals in need. He will be joined by Taehwa Park, Benson Choi, Kiok Choi, Sunghwan Pae, Jonathan Shinn, Angela Shinn and Steve Park, all from Korean UMC of Santa Clara Valley. Care – A – Vaners construction team works in Mt. Shasta, CA: May 26 - June 3 Rod and Gloria Castor head up yet another group of enthusiastic volunteers who will go in mission, living out of their RVs while working on projects throughout California-Nevada Conference. The Care-A-Vaners have done exceptional work this year already at Laton UMC, The East Salinas Family Center and other locations. Please post this Prayer Request in your home, office, church or car…anywhere that you’ll be reminded to offer prayers of support and for the safety for these United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. * Individual Volunteer Training If you are interested in being an Individual Volunteer (IV) serving as a short-term missionary from 2 months to 2 years you are welcome to attend the IV Training. It will be held at Aldresgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, CA June 25-28, 2009. For more information please contact Heather Wilson at umvimwj@hotmail.com or at 818-333-6730 or Landon Taylor at ltaylor@gbgm-umc.org. * NEWS FROM INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER SERVING IN GEORGIA Hello everyone, It is spring in Tbilisi and lilacs are for sale everywhere. My students keep me supplied with big bunches of them so my apartment smells nice and fresh. There are wisteria blooming across the street and they are climbing right up the telephone line to the next apartment building. I have started my new project at one of the orphanages and put together a group of my students to go there two days a week and teach some classes there. They will teach English, of course, German, Georgian culture, and perhaps most importantly health and first aid. All of my new teachers are very excited. I was able to help one of my friends get a job as a "driver and personal assistant" to an American family. I'm thinking I should be starting my own employment agency here as I have helped so many people find jobs. The breast cancer walk is on Sunday so along with Vic and Tiko, I am busily preparing for that. I am the Survivor Event chairperson. My friend Deanna sewed up some cute little pink ribbon bags that the women will receive full of goodies, my favorite bakery is "donating" a big pink ribbon cake, we will have flowers for the women and some of my students will do manicures for the women. Vic is in charge of the 5K run and my running team will participate in it. Women here tend to ignore things like breast cancer because they consider it a death sentence and by ignoring it they think it will just go away. They are ashamed, embarrassed etc. so we are trying to turn that attitude around. The Komen Foundation is one of the big sponsors of this event. My Youth House graduation party will be next Wednesday. I have so many students that we have moved the event to a much bigger facility. Last year it was pandamonium because there wasn't enough room for the parents to even watch their children perform. I sponsored a writing contest for my students and they could choose between someone on peace and tolerance or on "Is There God in Georgia?" It has been interesting reading there perspectives on these challenging topics.I head for the states on the 16th and am bringing three of my runners with me. They will run the Bolder Boulder 10K in Colorado, a 5K in Wisconsin and hopefully something in Missouri. While I am gone, Tiko will be taking four other girls to Baku Azerbaijan to participate in a muli-country school track meet. Georgians don't need visas to go to Baku so it is cheap and easy for them to do that but none of the girls have been to Azerbaijan which is a Muslim country. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying spring. Love and peace,Kathy * UMVIM NEWS & EVENTS TEXAS - Hurricane Recovery, June 6-14 - You are invited to join Sunrise United Methodist Church, which is hosting an UMCOR Hurricane Ike Relief trip to Galveston June 6 – 14. We have 30 – 40 from Sunrise going but have room for 70. Please join us! Trip is open to High School through Adult and the cost is $400 which includes transportation and floor space at a church (air mattresses are fine). Deadline to apply is May 16 at the training session (8am – noon, Fellowship Hall, Sunrise Briargate Campus). For more information call Matt Lurz, at 598-7013 x29 or email mattl@sunriseumc.com. Alternate contact, Teri Alcorn, 598-7013 x33, teria@sunriseumc.com 2) HEALTH and SCHOOL KITS for new UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City - Be part of the exciting work of UMCOR! At Annual Conference, which starts June 17, we will be collecting UMCOR health and school kits for distribution to people in need all over the world. BEGIN TODAY collecting items for kits and send them with your pastor or lay delegate to Annual Conference! See attached flier for details or visit http://www.umcor.org/ 3) BRIDGE of LOVE OFFERING - Again this year, the Bridge of Love Offering will be taken at Annual Conference. BEGIN TODAY collecting change to send with your pastor or delegate to Annual Conference! The offering will go to support our sister conferences in Angola, particularly young people, and for the new UMCOR Depot in Utah. 4) UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING - Wednesday, June 17, Redlands UMC, Grand Junction, 1-4 pm. Contact Ann Fort, annfort8269@comcast.net to register. 5) DISASTER PREPAREDNESS/RESPONSE Training - Wednesday, June 17, Redlands UMC, Grand Junction, 1-4 pm. Learn how your church can prepare for a disaster and how the United Methodist Church responds to disasters. Contact Rev. Gary Haddock, pastor@rumcgj.com, 970-245-1478. 6) MISSIONS Dinner, Friday June 19, Conference Center, Grand Junction, CO, 5:30 - 6:30 pm. You are invited to this dinner, even if you do not attend Annual Conference. Keynote speaker will be Rev. Paul Jeffreys, award-winning author, photographer, and United Methodist Missionary, who writes about the work of the church around the world. He recently published, "Where Mercy Fails: Darfur's Struggle to Survive." Cost is $25. If you are not attending Annual Conference, please register for the dinner with Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net by June 1. * UMCOR TO PROVIDE ERT (EARLY RESPONDER) BADGES After much consideration and conversation, a process is now in place for all upcoming authorized ERT trainees to have their badges made by UMCOR. Conferences may also continue to make and use their own ERT badges if desired. The guidelines have been distributed to all currently authorized UMCOR trainers. This message is to summarize the procedure so that you, too, may understand the process. UMCOR wishes to thank the jurisdictional representatives who helped in the finalization of this process. They are listed at end of this notice. SUMMARY Badge process begins May 1, 2009 To qualify for the initial UMCOR ERT badge, a participant must: · Attend the complete basic class led by an authorized trainer

* MALARIA FIGHT CONTINUES IN SIERRA LEONE

United Methodists are taking on a new challenge to provide every child under five years-old in Sierra Leone with a long-lasting insecticide treated bed net. These nets will provide protection from malaria for those most vulnerable to the deadly disease.
To kick off the effort to raise sufficient funds for the proposed November 2009 net distribution, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is issuing a $200,000 challenge grant from its newly-established Anne Ryckman Fund.

UMCOR President, Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Houston announced the grant and the challenge to the denomination's Council of Bishops, meeting in Bethesda, Maryland on May 6. The challenge is to United Methodist annual (regional) conferences and districts to match the funds. Many bishops responded to the challenge with personal donations totaling more than $1,000.

Take up the challenge to cover Sierra Leone with bed nets and save thousands of lives. Give today to Nothing But Nets, UMCOR Advance #982015. Every gift to this Advance between now and June 30, 2009, will go to save lives in Sierra Leone.

Swine Flu & Travel to Mexico; Volunteering in Tough Economic Times, Sri Lanka Emergency; Volunteers Bless Flood Victims in WA

In this photograph released by the Sri Lankan navy, a Tamil man and woman carry children after fleeing an area called the 'No Fire Zone' controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in northern Sri Lanka, April 22, 2009. REUTERS/Sri Lankan

* SWINE FLU & TRAVEL TO MEXICO

Below is a link concerning swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24452859.htm


The CDC says, "CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time." They suggest instead that you take some precautions as outlined on the following website:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx

* UNITED METHODISTS UNITE TO HELP FLOOD SURVIVORS IN LEWIS COUNTY

The Sunday School children from Rochester United Methodist Church gathered at the dairy farm of John Brunoff last Saturday to meet their cow. In the Lewis County town of Adna, they were celebrating helping him recover from last year’s flood in which all of his 272 cows drowned.
When the Sunday School heard about his need, they wanted to help. Leaders Danette and Bryan Jones organized a project selling Beanie Babies and candy bars, and raised over $650 toward the price of a cow. RUMC’s flood fund augmented that to buy a total of 2 cows.

Other UMC’s have joined in the project, including Moscow, Goldendale and Salmon Creek. Salmon Creek has donated more than $4000 just for this part of their flood recovery mission!
To date his herd has been rebuilt to 140 animals, 118 of which are milking. He needs to milk 200 to make a living. 15 pregnant heifers are available from a nearby farmer for $1500, a great bargain.

King 5 filmed the Sunday School visiting the farm; the story can be viewed at http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=353206

United Methodists made other great contributions that same day: Salmon Creek brought a gift of donated clothes for the Rochester Community Closet, RUMC’s new clothing bank started by Susie Hawes and June Gelvin. Also that day, Jim Truitt was coordinating about 40 volunteers from Edmonds, Vashon, Shelton, Salmon Creek, and Fairwood, First United Methodist of Olympia, and St. Andrew’s UMCs at five homes.

What a blessed day to see the joy shared as our churches work in community.
If you would like to contribute to the dairy cow project contact:
Brett DeMond, livingart@centurytel.net, 360-402-3037

If you would like information about donating to the Rochester Community Closet contact:
Susie Hawes, sjhawes@qwestoffice.net, 360-280-7797

If you would like to volunteer contact:
Ronda Cordill, r_cordill@hotmail.com, (509) 993-6753
Jim Truitt jftruitt@comcast.net, (253) 797-1680

*VOLUNTEERING IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES by Sue King, UMVIM Coordinator, Cal-Nevada Conference Much of news and conversation is filled with gloom and despair regarding the current economic situation that our country and others around the world are facing. The concerns are undeniably real and can affect us and our loved ones personally and often with serious consequences. It is at such times that we as people of faith are called to remember whose we are and who we are called to be. We are not alone. I was reminded of this last Saturday at Epworth UMC in Berkeley. Forty people took six hours out of their free time on Saturday to attend an UMVIM team leader training....to gain knowledge about leading mission teams that help the many people in our world who are hurting and often forgotten. Instead of reacting to their own economic situations by turning their focus and limited resources INWARD, they were preparing to look OUTWARD and EXTEND the hand of Christ. Beginning last year, a few people have asked me, “How is the economic situation affecting the Volunteers in Mission? Are there fewer volunteers going?” I can only say that the numbers of people wanting to serve continues to grow...this last training had the highest attendance ever! And, 2008 was another record year for volunteer numbers! Some churches are choosing to do more local trips in addition to usually scheduled international and hurricane response missions. It isn’t that volunteers haven’t been touched by the economic decline—it is because they know it, too, they want to help others they see hurting around them. Yes, I am getting more frequent and urgent requests from churches and economically fragile communities here in California-Nevada Conference. They want to be UMVIM sites and receive volunteers help AND encouragement. Maybe you saw the Oprah show about the situation in Sacramento? Or, read the Sacramento Bee article about what Cameron Foothills UMC and others are doing to feed folks who have no option but to live in “tent cities”? This week I was assessing a site in Laton, CA and saw the orchards of older walnut trees that have been bulldozed and fields laying fallow because of drought in California—unemployment in Fresno County is 35% already. Those numbers include many of the agricultural workers who are at risk economically even in better times. It is such a time as this that we are called to true compassion that result in deeds, not just platitudes. Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to take frequent looks at our UMVIM website to see what new local project has been added. There will be new ones every day. Remember who you are.... and whose you are. We are not alone when we reach out to another.....in prayer, in word, in actions. In mission together, Sue * SRI LANKA:EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR THE DISPLACED UMCOR’s Sri Lanka office is working on the ground with other humanitarian aid organizations to provide emergency assistance to thousands who are being forced to flee from intense fighting in the northern region of Sri Lanka. Thanks to an umbrella grant from the US Agency of International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), UMCOR is reaching the most vulnerable to provide 60,000 emergency kits that include water, glucose, and biscuits as well as help build 4,400 emergency shelters and 800 duplex-toilets for displaced people fleeing to Vavuniya. In addition, UMCOR, working with the Ministry of Health and USAID/OFDA, provided World Health Organization standard emergency health kits and basic medical supplies to provide treatment to 50,000 hospitalized people in Vavuniya, Mannar and Padwiya where hospital resources are particularly strained. Support this effort to help displaced people in Sri Lanka by giving to Sri Lanka Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance # 3020630.

ERT Training in Colorado; Laity & Clergy Training in Washington; UMCOR & Health Development

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

* 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.

"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.

Volunteer in Ganta, Liberia, Toberman House Wins Humanitarian Award, Hope in the Sudan

Photo: Teresa Juan gathers water from the contaminated river prior to the UMCOR ministry, courtesy, UMCOR NGO

*VOLUNTEER IN GANTA, LIBERIA

Operation Classroom is planning a teachers workshop July 25 to August 10 at the Ganta UM School, in Ganta, Liberia. They have requested workshops in :a. lesson planning, b. lesson presentation, c. classroom management,d. teaching methods for reading, math and science. Certificates will be given each participating teacher. The cost per teammember will be around $3,000 (depending on the price of the tickets whenthey are ordered.) The team will fly to Monrovia, spend one evening in Monrovia and then travelto Ganta. At Ganta they will be staying in a guest house. Time will begivento visit the hospital and the rehab center. Rev. Priscillaa Jaiah is theprincipal at the Ganta school. For more information and an application,contact Carolyn Wagner, PO Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035, orccwagner@hotmail.com. For more information about Operation Classroom, check the website:www.operationclassroom.org.

* HUMANITARIAN AWARD GIVEN TO TOBERMAN HOUSE

At the Toberman Neighborhood Center Gala Dinner Auction, “A Lifetime of Helping,” held recently in Long Beach, it was clear that, even in a down economy, the spirit of giving and volunteerism still prevails.

Toberman’s President and CEO Gloria Lockhart presented three “2009 Humanitarian of the Year” awards to recognize the outstanding dedication and work done by its top volunteers and donors over the past year.

Award recipients included Bill and Joyce Sharman of Redondo Beach; Becky Noble of Chadwick School and the Village (K-6) division students at Chadwick, based in Palos Verdes; and Paul Freese of Public Counsel, Los Angeles.

Emceed by former NBA star and well-known LA sports figure Keith Erickson, the event played host to more than 250 guests and raised much-needed funds for Toberman’s social service programs. Among these programs are family counseling, emergency food and clothing, and an after-school safe haven where students come for homework completion, tutoring, reading development, a computer lab and recreation.

Toberman, a 106-year-old non-profit organization based in San Pedro,CA helps people break the cycle of poverty by orchestrating a myriad of social services for 15,000 financially struggling children, families and seniors every year. Toberman is situated on a brand-new, 36,000 square-foot campus completed in 2007.

Toberman Neighborhood Center, founded in 1903, is a Mission Project of the United Methodist Church: General Board of Global Ministries, Women’s Division and United Methodist Women. The organization was named “Non-Profit of the Year” by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles in 2006. Visit http://www.toberman.org/ for more information.

*HOPE IN THE SUDAN

Teresa Juan spent 20 years as a refugee in Uganda, fleeing the civil conflict that wreaked havoc across southern Sudan for more than two decades, leaving more than one and a half million people dead. After the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, refugees began feeling safe enough to go back to their native land. Now in her mid-fifties, Teresa recently returned to her country with her husband and eight children. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) was there -- providing the tools Teresa needed to help her family make a fresh start.

Jobs, Water and Education
While Teresa felt safe for the first time in years, life remained difficult for Teresa and her family after returning to their village. Teresa, like countless other women across south Sudan, bears the heaviest cost of the legacy of war. Life as a refugee took a devastating physical toll on her husband, who can no longer work to sustain their family. Now, in addition to caring for her family and shouldering the burden of household chores, Teresa must find work to support her husband and children. While employment opportunities for women abound, most women lack the skills, tools, and capital to take advantage of those opportunities. UMCOR trains women in activities such as tailoring, vegetable gardening, catering, marketing and establishing small businesses.

Before UMCOR constructed a well in Teresa's village, Teresa's family relied on untreated water from a distant stream. "My family suffered greatly from drinking contaminated water," Teresa recalled. Like many other families without access to clean water, Teresa's family experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and other side effects of waterborne illness. Not only did Teresa have to care for her often sick family, she had to walk 20 miles a day to gather the contaminated water. Now Teresa's water gathering activities can be measured in minutes rather than hours, allowing her to invest time in economic projects.
In that past, Teresa's children had few learning opportunities. Classes had been held under a tree large enough to provide shade from the hot sun but offered no protection from the rain. Schools canceled classes at the first sign of dark clouds. Primary school children now attend UMCOR constructed schools in Mankaro and Kenyi.

About UMCOR South Sudan
In countless villages across south Sudan the only education children have comes in the form of sporadic lessons under trees. Families still endure illness from contaminated water. Women continue to labor to provide sustenance and care to their families. UMCOR continues to work, village by village, to improve conditions for the people of south Sudan.

UMCOR began working in Sudan in February 2005 after assessment teams determined that UMCOR's experience could add to the humanitarian effort to alleviate suffering in South Darfur. Initial programs focused on providing essential non-food items to displaced people living in camps. UMCOR Sudan has since expanded its programs to include education, agriculture, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects. A second office was opened in South Sudan, a region with low levels of infrastructure and high levels of need. Programs in South Sudan focus on reintegration of the population by providing water and sanitation programs and school reconstruction after years of war.

You can support this work by giving to Sudan Emergency, UMCOR Advance 184385.

Volunteers Needed to Serve in Cuba; New UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City; & UMCOR/UMVIM Gathering in Mexico City

Photos: Rev. Willie Berman at UMCOR/UMVIM Gathering in Mexico City (top) & Rev. Brian Diggs new head of UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City, UT (bottom).

CALLED TO SERVE IN CUBA? UMVIM TRIP: SPEND YOUR 4TH OF JULY HELPING OTHERS!

Team of 12 from all over the USA will work on the Methodist Seminary in Havana, Cuba. 3 spaces remain! Trip is scheduled for July 2-13, 2009. Cost is approximately $2100 plus cost of trip to Miami. Deadline for Visa Application and deposit of $300 is due April 15. For additional information, contact Rev. Vicki Walker at vwalker@hydeparkumc.org or (813) 253-5388 and your UMVIM Conference Coordinator.

UMCOR NOW ALSO LOCATED IN THE WESTERN JURISDICTION

Most United Methodists have heard of Sager Brown. Sager Brown is the UMCOR depot in Baldwin, LA. Whenever you and/or your church puts together health kits, layette kits, school kits, Flood Bucket/Clean-Up kits, etc. they get sent to Sager Brown. This is where they are held until they are shipped out all over the country and the world as needed.

Now, UMCOR has a new depot in the Western Jurisdiction located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is headed by Rev. Brian Diggs (pictured above, second photo from the top) and will serve in expanding UMCOR's kit ministry.

Want to go and volunteer? The Western Jurisdiction Office is ready to put volunteers to work painting and cleaning as they prepare the 25,000 square foot warehouse for business. Those interested in volunteering can contact Rev. Diggs by phone or email. Phone: 801-973-7250Phone/Fax: 801-973-7290Email: WestDepot@UMCOR.org

Latin American, Caribbean and US Churches Explore New Ways of Being in Mission Together
by UMCOR

More than 100 Methodist leaders from Latin America, Caribbean and the United States gathered in Mexico City, March 24-27, to strengthen relationships through sending and receiving volunteers and when responding to local disasters. The four-day gathering, brought together by Global Ministries' Mission Contexts and Relationships, was marked by honest dialog across borders and cultures to strengthen understanding and partnership when engaging in mission together.

"We need to extend our hands to each other," said Rev. Juan de Dios Peña, from El Salvador regarding the need for Latin American and Caribbean countries to be senders as well as receivers of volunteer missionaries. Rev. De Dios acknowledged the economic challenges faced by many Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL) and Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) churches and also gave examples of how these have been overcome in his own and other countries in the region..
Sharing of models for volunteer sending and disaster response within the United States was part of the consultation that was led by United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Ways to adapt these models for the various cultural contexts were invited.

"United we can achieve much more," said Bishop Moisés Valderrama Gómez of Mexico, and president of CIEMAL. "We can do what God wants to do through our hands not just as volunteers working in Latin America, but all of us as part of the same church."
The idea for the consultation was born out of a pre-General Conference meeting in Panama when the need to develop volunteer coordinators and leaders within Latin American was raised.
Bishop Valderrama was one of the driving forces behind the consultation, "This is not the result of one individual," said Bishop Valderama of the consultation. "God is calling all of us together."
The meeting brought together volunteer coordinators and bishops from the entire region to explore new ways of doing mission. "This is especially important because Latin America suffers many disasters," said Joyce Torres Placa, general secretary of CIEMAL regarding the disaster response training that was led by UMCOR and Mission Volunteers and resourced by Mission Contexts and Relationships.

In addition to the goal of building the capacity of Latin American and Caribbean churches to respond to disaster was providing assistance for them to send as well as receive volunteer teams, "This event is bringing us together and I trust our future work together will produce good fruits-to not only receive volunteers, but to send them as well," commented Bishop Valderrama.