Annual Conference Wrap-Up

It is always an exhausting but inspiring privilege to be able to celebrate mission with the Annual Conferences in the Northeastern Jurisdiction. Each conference has its own character and culture, its peculiar ways of loving each other and being "one in ministry to all the world" as our communion liturgy puts it.

In Greater New Jersey, we got lots of interest at our UMVIM exhibit and commissioned a new Global Missionary, and continued to support our covenant relationship with Tanzania.

In Baltimore-Washington, I collaborated with Fred Sipes and Stacey Cole-Wilson on a pre-conference workshop on equipping the church for mission and got to witness the use of a Samoan Circle process during the plenary session where 7 people of diverse perspectives were able to share deeply about their reactions to the Special Session. It was wonderful to see the resources of our global denomination at work in the ministry of reconciliation.

In Peninsula-Delaware, the VIM and Disaster Response Coordinators and I shared the stage along with Global Missionaries Jonathan and Donna Baker for a 45-minute celebration of mission. New missionary Carlos Samuel Reyes Rodriguez was commissioned as he continues to work with DACA "Dreamers" at Delaware State University.

In New England, highlights included the commissioning of Patricia Regina Moreira Marques, a missionary from Brazil teaching theology in Portugal. They also recognized the Bicentennial of Methodist Missions with a presentation from George Howard of Global Ministries, and celebrated the expansion of Justice For Our Neighbors into a new community thanks to a matching grant from the Conference. Barbara Burnside not only collected enough disaster relief kits and donations to fill a trailer, she also got to highlight all of the New England Conference UMVIM and Disaster Response activity from the dais.

And that was just 4 out of 10 annual conferences! What mission excitement happened in yours? Drop me an email at coordinator@umvimnej.org to let me know.

Peace,

Tom

Haiti Travel Advisory Lowered - Teams Are Welcome

Last week, the U.S. State Department lowered the Travel Advisory for Haiti from a Level 4 to a Level 3 (its usual state). Travel medical insurance for teams going to Haiti will now be honored and the Guest House is encouraging teams to come. Teams should be aware that there are still security-related incidents happening regularly in Haiti. Travel advisories can change at any time, so please make sure you register with the State Department to receive updates and check with Brulan Jean-Michel at the Guest House and your hosts to get a full picture of what to expect. And, as always, register your team with UMVIM-NEJ so we can assist you if there is any trouble!

Earthkeepers Training in NEJ

Global Ministries is hosting three EarthKeepers trainings in 2019:

Philadelphia, PA at Arch Street UMC -Aug 8-11
Austin, TX at TBA - Sept 26-29
Chicago, IL at Euclid Ave UMC - Oct 24-27

Global Ministries EarthKeepers equips United Methodists to develop or environmental initiatives in their churches and communities, and connects them with a broader community of United Methodists who are actively engaged in creation care. Training topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, strategies for social change, and United Methodist resources.

During the training, participants will develop a plan to implement a project in their churches and/or communities. After the training, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a grant to support their projects.

Training, food and lodging expenses during the event are paid for by Global Ministries. Participants are responsible for their own travel, parking and incidental expenses. Local participants may sleep at home.

Global Ministries EarthKeepers come from conferences around the United States and range in age from 13-99. Participants ages 13-18 may attend with a participating parent or guardian.

More information is at: www.umcmission.org/EarthKeepers.

Mission Volunteer Updates

Current Mission Volunteers Placement Openings With Immediate Need:

Pawnee, IL
Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC), a disaster relief facility and depot for UMCOR Relief Supply Network, is seeking a hospitable Volunteer Coordinator Assistant to welcome teams, orient them to the facilities and to work with the Operations and Volunteer coordinator to accomplish daily tasks.

Iquique, Chile
Colegio Ingles is seeking a volunteer that will support the English learning process of the students, assist the English teachers, and reinforce the English workshops.

To find more information and apply for these placement openings contact the Mission Volunteer Office directly at mv@umcmission.org. For a complete list of placement sites requesting long-term volunteers visit our website at https://www.umcmission.org/serve-with-us/mission-volunteers.

Upcoming Training Events:
July 17 - 20, 2019
Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
Farmington, MN

October 2 - 5, 2019
Olmsted Center
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Cuba Teams on Hold

Due to visa restrictions from the Cuban government and a travel restrictions from the U.S. government, UMVIM teams are currently unable to work there.

U.S.-based Coordinator for the UMVIM/Cuba partnership, Aldo Gonzalez, says "It is a sad day for me in particular because of the many years I have worked to maintain our mission work in Cuba. I am not dismayed and continue to pray that level heads will prevail and we may be able to have our work restored.... Let us continue to pray so that we can once again be able to help the folks in Cuba who are the ones suffering right now."

Una Jones, Director of Mission Volunteers for Global Ministries adds "Thank you Aldo for your perseverance and faithfulness to the UMVIM partnership with the Methodist Church in Cuba. We will continue to remain in prayer for change because the UMVIM Community, even though only two teams per month, have been going to Cuba for many years"

UMVIM Teams Invited to Help South Carolina with Recovery Effort

Check out the video above or contact DisasterResponse@umcsc.org for more information or to schedule a team. As you watch the video keep your eyes peeled for testimony from members of a team from Trinity UMC in Frederick, MD - part of our Baltimore-Washington Conference. Good work, Trinity!

Upcoming Early Response Team and UMVIM Trainings

Susquehanna
June 22 - UMVIM Team Leader - St. John’s UMC Newberry
July 27 - UMVIM Team Leader - First UMC Hollidaysburg
August 17 - UMVIM Team Leader - Gettysburg UMC
September 14 - UMVIM Team Leader - Trinity UMC Danville
October 19 - UMVIM Team Leader - Grace UMC Lemoyne
November 2 - UMVIM Team Leader - First UMC Lewistown

Congratulations to Marvin and Sylvia Reimer!

They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary (don't let the cake fool you) while leading a medical mission to Panama this month. The sparks are still flying!

Did You Know?

In addition to offering grants to Annual Conferences for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation, Relief, and Recovery, UMCOR also offers grants for Migration-related ministries. "Migration grants support projects that seek to alleviate physical and emotional suffering of vulnerable, migrating individuals and families. Projects support the right to stay, right to safe passage, right to welcoming and belonging, and right to support for the returned. Examples include (but are not limited to): provision of basic human needs and transitional services; provision of temporary lodging; translation services; and reunification." Your community can be in ministry to the migrants in its midst, too. Apply today!