The Servant's Journey

May 2017 Issue

Rev. Tom Lank

From the Coordinator:

"For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us." - Ephesians 2:14

As the church is roiled by rumors and speculation about division these days, people have asked me "What will happen to the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission if the denomination splits?"

While I think that the silent majority of the UMC favors living together despite our differences, we will not know for sure until the Commission on a Way Forward completes its work and the General Conference votes again in February 2019. In the meantime, we hear only from the most strident voices at the poles of the discussion. Uncertainty breeds fear and anxiety. Sometimes people deal with that fear by contingency planning.

The answer I give is that UMVIM-NEJ is a 501(c)3 independent of the formal denominational structure and thus somewhat insulated from grand decisions like these. We can and will continue to help you train, resource, and connect regardless of what happens at the denominational or jurisdictional level. In order to do that effectively, however, we need the financial support of individuals, local churches, and annual conferences. (Donations can be made through the Advance #982760).

That which connects us in our mission and ministry (like UMVIM) is stronger than that which divides us. The relationships you all form as you put Christian love into action - in the wake of a disaster, in 50/50 partnerships, in your local communities - these are too important to sacrifice on the altar of theological orthodoxy or the rights of LGBTQ persons. So whatever may pass, let us continue on boldly in the ministry which Christ has entrusted to us, raising up disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Applications Available for 2018 Mission Discovery Journey to Cuba

Do you know a good leader in the 18-30ish age group? UMVIM-NEJ is recruiting the next generation of Team Leaders and we need your help getting the word out.

This will be our second year traveling to Cuba to savor the flavor of church revival. Check out the video below for one participant's 2017 experience.

Applications for the 2018 Young Adult Mission Discovery Journey are available here. Dates of travel will be March 3-9, 2018. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2017

Project Updates:

New Leadership in Guatemala

Pastor Juan Ixtan has been chosen as the new IENMPG (National Methodist Church of Guatemala) President (2017-2019).

Ingrid Yaneth Tixal is replacing Doris Flores as the VIM Guatemala Coordinator. Please find her contact information below:

Ingrid Yaneth Tixal, VIM Guatemala Coordinator

Office Phone: 011 502 7926 7957

011 502 7926 7958

E-mail: Iglesia.guatemetodista@gmail.com

Facebook: VIM Guatemala

Additionally, Global Missionary Calley Pilland is retiring.

At this time, Global Ministries is working on the best way in which to be in relationship with VIM Guatemala that will serve the Methodist Church of Guatemala and the people of Guatemala best.

Costa Rica Mission Projects

Costa Rica Mission Projects has space available for VIM teams during the months of September, October and November. We will be working on local church building projects in southern Costa Rica during that time period and teams would also have the opportunity to spend time with the children at the CRMP Day Care Centre in San Isidro. We can also arrange for Vacation Bible School activities at area churches if teams are interested. Feel free to contact Will Bailey at: jwilb4@gmail.com<mailto:jwilb4@gmail.com> or call 011-506-8853-4965 (Costa Rica).

Eastbrook Mission Barn

(New Entry on USA Project List)

Eastbrook Mission Barn, 226 Church Lane, New Castle, PA 16105. 724-856-8241 or missionbarn@gmail.com. We host mission teams of 2-20 people from 8 years old - adult. Any age can come make and or verify UMCOR kits and or collect supplies for any of the kits on umcor.org web site. 5th graders and above can build ramp modules (portable ramps to take out to install in our community).
People can come for 4 hours - 4 days.
There are overnight accommodations for guests at a nearby retreat center (for 1-10 guests). That is $25/night/person when volunteering at the barn.
Please contact the above information to set up a time for your team to come.

Global Ministries / Mission Volunteers Update

The Nanjing Union Theological Seminary

The Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (NJUTS), situated the historic and cultural Yangtze River Delta region of China, is urgently seeking a full-time English teacher to work with their seminary students. NJUTS will provide text books for the classes and curriculum support. In addition to classroom responsibilities, the volunteer will run a weekly “English Corner” which gives students a chance to practice their English after classes. This position would begin in mid-August 2017 and is expected to last for two years. Estimated monthly expenses are $250. Interested applicants should contact the Mission Volunteers program at mv@umcmission.org.

Mission Volunteer Trainings

Two Mission Volunteer trainings are scheduled for the remainder of 2017. Go to umcmission.org to apply:

September 13-16, 2017
Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center
501 William Law Rd.
Windsor, NY 13865
Binghamton Regional Airport (BGM) is located approximately 30 miles away.

November 8-11, 2017
Mount Sequoyah
150 N Skyline Drive
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Nearest airport - Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)

17 New Missionaries to be Commissioned, 1 from NEJ

Congratulations to Church and Community Worker Quest J. Hunter, a product of the New York Annual Conference, who will be serving Global Ministries as a community engagement missionary based in Atlanta. Godspeed!

U.S. Disaster Response Update

--In the Northeast

West Virginia

The long-term recovery effort is well underway. UMCOR recently released a $500,000 grant for WV to assist in disaster case management, construction coordination, supplies and materials. The goal is to help at least 120 families in the next two years. Go to
http://wvumc.org/About/Ministries/Disaster-Response for all the information you need to donate or volunteer.

New Jersey

A Future With Hope is still working with a $750,000 grant from UMCOR to continue recovery from the 2012 Hurricane Sandy. There are many homes in Atlantic County that are still in need of volunteer teams. In many cases these are people who were swindled by contractors in the immediate aftermath of the storm and have now recovered their funds. The more teams, the further the grant money stretches and the more families we can help! Register here or join one of our existing teams.

New York

The NYAC Sandy Recovery ministry is still looking for Done in a Day teams to complete projects in Connecticut and in Brooklyn/Queens. If you are interested please contact Gina Grubbs, Volunteer Coordinator at sandyrecovery@nyac-umc.com, or Tom Vencuss at tvencuss@nyac.com. There is also a great need for rental assistance / mortgage assistance for those still displaced from their homes.

Connellsville, Pennsylvania

The Connellsville Flood Recovery Center still has 109 active cases that they are working with in the aftermath of flooding in late August last year. Many of those homes will need volunteer assistance to do repair and rebuild work as spring approaches. Housing and hospitality for teams wishing to serve for multiple days up to one week is available though one day teams have been the most common practice. Some teams, such one from Latrobe UMC, serve once a month! Volunteers can register online at https://connellsvillevolunteers.org/2016/09/08/how-to-volunteer/ or email volunteer@wpaumc.org. We expect to be scheduling volunteers throughout spring and summer 2017.

--Outside the Jurisdiction

North Carolina: Find current information about the disaster recovery from Hurricane Matthew in the North Carolina Conference here: https://nccumc.org/news/tag/hurricane-matthew/

South Carolina: If you are a team leader and would like to register your team with the United Methodist Church Disaster Recovery to assist with the rebuilding of homes and churches please contact screcovery@umcsc.org or 803-888-3051.

Louisiana is recovering from two recent flooding events in different parts of the state. To send a team, visit www.la-umc.org.

Central Texas: We are looking for groups from High School age (with adult supervision) to adults. We have 36 homes in total in are in need of work in Hood County(Granbury, TX). The work varies from putting in sheetrock and insulation, laying flooring, painting and more. If you don’t know how you can have on the job training. Please, we are looking for groups of 3 or more to work. If you are interested in helping please contact our Volunteer Coordinator/Case Manager Katheryn Meroney through the email and give her your contact information and choice of dates to work. From there she will send you forms to fill out for skill sets, and medical and liability release. The construction person will be in contact with you about types of work. If you know of groups who wish to stay overnight to work accommodations will be made for this also. The contact information is kathrynmeroney@gmail.com Corsicana has 76 homes to be worked on with the same type of work and they will be ready for teams starting March 1st. Please contact Agustin Soto at floodrelief.navrroco@gmail.com Both locations have the local Methodist church to stay in with showers and a kitchen for your accommodations. All of that will be arranged through your volunteer coordinator.

Virginia: The Virginia Conference is requesting trained Early Response Teams to respond to flooding in the Hampton Roads area. Team members must have completed ERT training and have a current badge. To schedule your team, please contact Michele Michaelian, Conference ERT Coordinator, via email at mlskcs@aol.com.

Southeast Arkansas: is seeking teams to help with repairs needed as a result of the March 2016 floods. The damage incurred is a result of the same storms that devastated areas of Texas and Louisiana. Organization of Long Term Recovery was delayed for various reasons but is now in place and operational. Projects are identified and funding secured but volunteer help is little to none. When considering mission opportunities, please consider our neighbors in Southeast Arkansas. Several priority cases are waiting. To volunteer contact Ron Jones, Site Volunteer Coordinator, at woodrat3@live.com or Janice Mann, Disaster Response Coordinator, at disaster@arumc.org.

Mississippi: Hattiesburg, MS and Petal, MS were severely impacted by tornadoes the weekend of January 21, 2017. Long-term recovery teams are now needed. Housing and meals are available at the Volunteer house. Housing at the volunteer house is $25 per night. Other accomodations can be arranged. Meals are flexible. You can bring you own cook and food if preferred.

Work needs include : carpentry, drywall removal , general helpers and more. Please contact Chris Adams at adams.chris.73@gmail.com ; 601 818-5899

Did You Know?

NOMADS stands for Nomads on a Mission in Divine Service. It is a mission opportunity for those who have RVs and want to spend some time with other United Methodists working on projects around the U.S. It's a great way to use your retirement or vacation to improve the lives of others and support the ministry of the church. Check out nomadsumc.org for more information.