The Servant's Journey - Holy Week 2017
The Servant's Journey - Holy Week 2017
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The Servant's Journey 
Holy Week 2017 Issue

Assistant VIM Coordinator for Haitian Methodist Church Needed

The Haitian Methodist Church is seeking an experienced volunteer/s - couple or individual - to fill the role as Assistant VIM Coordinator to help with teams coming to Haiti. The volunteer/s will assist the Guest House Manager in team orientations and debriefings, management of projects, and general support. The position is located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The assistant is needed beginning in June or July for a three month commitment.  Only those who have served previously in Haiti on mission teams will be considered. For more information on this opportunity, please contact the Global Ministries Mission Volunteers office at mv@umcmission.org.
The NEJ's own Jodi Crimmel has been serving in this capacity throughout the Spring.  Thanks, Jodi! 
Rev. Tom Lank

From the Coordinator:

Thank you for attending the Academy!

77 of you attended our 3rd Annual joint UMVIM/UMCOR Training Academy last month.  We had a great time together, networking and learning to help improve the way that we engage in mission and disaster response as United Methodists.  Here are a few of the responses we received from participants:
"Excellent opportunity to learn among a diversely experienced group in the disaster response community, from highly qualified instructors. The curriculum is appropriate for those exploring avenues for VIM and disaster response, and for old hands."

"Amazing. Absolutely worth your time."

"This Academy will help you understand the process of UMCOR & VIM and help to understand the roles. Other topics related to mission are also explored - health, racism, partnerships, community."

"A heavenly place, full of heavenly people, learning how to better serve God."
Save the date now for next year's Academy: April 11-14, 2018.  We'll be meeting on the lovely Eastern Shore of Maryland at Camp Pecometh's Riverview Retreat Center.  

Report from Cuba

From March 3-12, four young adults from the Batlimore-Washington, Greater New Jersey, Upper New York, and West Virginia Annual Conferences journeyed to Havana, Cuba as part of their hands-on UMVIM Team Leader Training.  They partnered with Cuban Methodists, preached, prayed, led children and youth ministries, spent time with Cuban seminarians, experienced Cuban hospitality and culture, and aided in the construction of new faculty housing for the seminary.  Congratulations to Angela Flanagan, Samantha Lunn, Ellen McGaugh, and Emilee Hrtyanski - the next generation of Team Leaders from the NEJ!
Check out the video below for the flavor of the experience.  Applications for the 2018 Young Adult Mission Discovery Journey should be available next month.  Stay tuned!

Active Shooter Guide Available from FEMA

From Cathy Earl at UMCOR:
"UMCOR has received an increasing number of requests for training to prepare for an “active shooter” incident.  UMCOR defers to emergency response professionals for such training, so you may want to invite local law enforcement to provide expertise on the matter – perhaps in context of a Connecting Neighbors training!
 While UMCOR is not endorsing any single training on the subject, one such opportunity is FEMA’s free on-line training:IS-907 - Active Shooter: What You Can Do.
You will need to register with FEMA’s EMI (Emergency Management Institute) https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx to take the course, if interested.
We recognize there will always be the need to address the emotional, spiritual and social crises that accompany incidents involving violence. Thankfully, there are many clergy and laity, professionals and paraprofessionals, and others who are prepared to attend to these crises of individuals and communities in the aftermath of such tragedy.
UMCOR will continue to  identify ways to support the people of the United Methodist Church to respond in these circumstances with a ministry of care that seeks to alleviate suffering and bring hope and healing."





Mission Volunteers Update

JOSHUA PROGRAM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The JOSHUA Program, a summer service program focused on community revitalization in the Ohio Valley Region, is seeking two long-term volunteers for Construction Director and Volunteer Coordinator for the upcoming summer season of work. Housing is provided by the program, as are most meals. If you are available May – August for this unique opportunity to show the love of Christ to others, please contact the Mission Volunteers office at mv@umcmission.org.
Three Mission Volunteer trainings are scheduled for the remainder of 2017.  Go to umcmission.org to apply:

May 3-6, 2017
Epworth Forest Conference Center
8531 East Epworth Forest Road
North Webster, IN 46555
Nearest airport-South Bend International Airport (SBN)

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)

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?

UMVIM4Health.blogspot.com is the Community Health blog of the UMVIM movement.  It has great information for health-related teams, including where to find medical supplies for mission, health education resources for your tablet or smartphone, team openings for medical professionals, and much more.  Make sure you look at it before your next journey!

Miss an Issue?

Each issue of The Servant's Journey will be archived at http://umvimnej.org/news_events/newsletters.html.  Go back and see what you missed!
Donate Through the Advance #982760
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • Assistant VIM Coordinator for Haiti Needed
  • From the Coordinator
  • Young Adult Mission Discovery Report
  • Active Shooter Guide Available from FEMA
  • Mission Volunteers Update
  • US Disaster Response Update
  • Did You Know?
  • Current Team Openings
  • Training Calendar
  • Recommended Reading / Viewing
Current Team Openings
  • April 23-29, Virginia
  • April 23-29, West Virginia
  • May 7-12, South Carolina
  • May 7-13, West Virginia
  • June 11-17, Washington DC
  • June 21-28, Haiti
  • June 24-July, Bolivia
  • June 28-July 12, Alaska
  • June 29-July 10, Alaska
  • July, Zimbabwe (Relational)
  • July 1-8, Pennsylvania
  • July 4-14, Guatemala
  • July 8-15, Pennsylvania
  • July 18-26, Mozambique
  • July 22-29, Belize
  • July 22-29, Bahamas
  • July 23-29, West Virginia
  • July 25-30, Onondaga Nation
  • August 4-14, Haiti
  • September 5-16, Israel/Palestine
  • September 10-18, Portugal
  • September 17-23, North Carolina
  • September 22-28, Nicaragua
  • October 1-7, Red Bird Mission, Kentucky
Upcoming Trainings 
Western PA
-- VIM Team Leader Trainings 4/25, 4/29, 5/6 

-- May 20, ERT Basic and Recert, First UMC, Fredonia
--April 22, "When Disaster Strikes, the Church Responds" a 1-day forum on disaster response ministries
-- April 29, Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Team Basic Training

-- April 30, UMVIM Team Leader/Member, Aldersgate UMC, York, PA


--May 6, ERT Basic & Recert, First UMC, Mays Landing
--May 20, ERT Basic & Recert, Butler UMC, Butler


--April 29, UMVIM Team Leader, Trinity UMC, Prince Frederick, MD
-- May 20, UMVIM Team Leader, Toms Creek UMC, Emmitsburg, MD



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