Open Teams

You've heard the old tagline "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." Well at UMVIM-NEJ we also promote Open Teams. Most often, teams are comprised of members of the same local church. Sometimes they come together from various churches in a district or an annual conference. But a couple of times a year, we also recruit teams with members from all over the Northeastern Jurisdiction. While serving with people you know has some obvious benefits - depth of relationship, easier logistics, continued interaction after the mission experience, etc - inviting outsiders into the mission team can be a blessing, too.

When you bring together people from different churches or backgrounds, the Spirit does something special. Living and working alongside someone for several days or weeks in an unfamiliar environment can foster deep conversations that don't happen anywhere else. Plus, there are a lot of people out there who are the only ones in their churches who are interested in serving in mission. When you invite them along, they can return, tell the story, and ignite passion in more disciples. This is one of the ways that the "VIM Virus" spreads and multiplies.

Last week, I had the opportunity to bring together 12 people from 6 different annual conferences to serve together in Puerto Rico. The Spirit was moving mightily on our worksite and in our devotions as we shared our faith with one another loved our Puerto Rican neighbors. If you are willing to accept new people on your team, just use our Team Registration form and we will promote it on the website and in our newsletter. And if you want to test it out, you can apply to join the next open NEJ team serving in Puerto Rico, October 7-14. Just email us at coordinator@umvimnej.org.

Peace,

Rev. Tom Lank

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.

UMVIM-NEJ Team Returns from Puerto Rico

A team of 12 served in Carolina, Puerto Rico from May 6-13, repairing two different houses damaged by Hurricane Maria. Members of the team came from 5 different Conferences in the NEJ (Eastern PA, Pen-Del, Greater NJ, Upper NY, and New England) and one from the North Central Jurisdiction (Wisconsin). They repaired rotting piers in a foundation that had been eroded by flooding during Maria, replaced or repaired ceiling and roof damage, installed hurricane straps, installed new windows and doors and roughed-in electrical wires. There will be another NEJ team going to Puerto Rico from October 7-14 (Monday-Monday). Contact Team Leader Tom Lank to express interest - coordinator@umvimnej.org.

Volunteers Needed for Summer and Fall in Saipan for Typhoon Recovery

Typhoon Yutu hit Saipan in October 2018. The people of Saipan are waiting to get out of tents or temporary shelters and into their homes. Help get Typhoon Yutu survivors back into their homes by joining a two-week UMCOR specialized team this summer and fall. Flights, accommodations and some expenses are covered through FEMA “invitational travel” for those qualified through a volunteer application process and holding a current Early Response Team badge. Teams are a blend of multi-UMC Conference volunteers with a focus on either
professional or construction savvy members to rebuild trusses and tin roofs for the more than 500 homes that suffered major damage. Team members returning from their Saipan missions have said the work is hard, there’s lots of sweating and the people are wonderful.

Those joining a team must be prepared: current passport good for up to six months beyond deployment dates; the ability to climb and work off of ladders; be in excellent health; and be able to tolerate the extreme hot and humid tropical weather. Additional details are here and more are provided during the volunteer application process.

If interested in helping, contact Kathy Bryson, Yutu Project Coordinator/Cal-Pac Conference, at: pnwumcert@gmail for a volunteer application and Yutu fact sheet.

Mission Volunteer Updates

Current Mission Volunteers Placement Openings

Nepal: Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC) in Kathmandu, Nepal is seeking a teacher
or teachers assistant to engage in mission with them for 5 months to 11 months (a full school
year).

Arizona: Inn2 America, an organization providing safe and compassionate refuge for immigrant
families to stay in during times of transition is seeking a ministry assistant. The ministry assistant
will help to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere for families by greeting families, preparing
meals, and by participating in daily activities. Basic level Spanish language skills are
encouraged.

For more information, contact the Mission Volunteer Office directly at mv@umcmission.org and for a complete list of placement sites requesting long-term volunteers (individuals and couple serving for two months and up to two years) visit 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

Two Medical Mission Opportunities

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation

For 24 years Carolina Honduras Health Foundation has been sending medical mission teams to a remote area of Honduras. 18 teams per year staff a clinic on front beach of the Caribbean, seeing 700 of more patients each week. The poverty in the area, the lack of government services, and the remoteness make the need significant.

Teams are recruiting doctors, NPs, PAs, RNs, EMTs, Spanish speakers, and other non-medical who want to be a part of an incredible mission experience. Teams of August and October 2019 are still recruiting. All teams of 2020 are recruiting. Volunteers come from all areas of the US. For further information, check out the website www.CHHF.org or follow us on Facebook Carolina Honduras Health Foundation. Contact is Team Coordinator Peggy Hook, hookkp@gmail.com 757 719 1260.

Maua Methodist Hospital, Kenya

Read here for the latest newsletter from Maua Methodist Hospital "Under the Jacaranda Tree" that provides all kinds of information about putting together a mission team. They can accept one medical team and one construction team at a time. Contact Kathie Mann at kathie.mann@hotmail.com for more information or to schedule a team.

Upcoming Early Response Team and UMVIM Trainings

Western Pennsylvania

May 18 - ERT Recertification, Ligonier, PA

June 15 - UMVIM Team Leader Training, Conference Center

Susquehanna

June 15 - UMVIM Team Leader - Clarks Summit UMC
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

Did You Know?

YOUTH 2019 is the quadrennial youth gathering of the UMC and it will be held this July in Kansas City, MO. All five UMVIM Jurisdictional Coordinators will be there to promote youth missions through the United Methodist connection. If your church's youth group uses the pre-packaged mission experiences from Group, YouthWorks, Praying Pelican, or the like, encourage them to contact us about opportunities within the denomination that might fit their needs and be consistent with Wesleyan theology.