Advent 2017 Issue

The beauty of Christmas is not ultimately about the carols, the decorations, the traditions, the parties, or the cookies.  And it is certainly not about the presents.  Rather, it is about the presence.  At Christmas, we learn to appreciate again that God in Christ is with us.  In the lowliest of circumstances, at the most dire moments, Christ is born among us confronting power and pain and death with the overwhelming, disarming wonder of new birth.  

In so many ways, that is a model of how we are to conduct ourselves in mission.  It is not the "stuff" we bring or the deeds we do that matter the most.  It is the physical, tangible hope that we bring by simply BEING WITH our brothers and sisters around the world.  

Spending time at Christmas with our loved ones and our congregations is a wonderful thing to do.  It's what I'll be doing this Christmas.  Yet there are many UMVIM teams leaving home to serve others over the holidays.  This year we have teams in Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Kenya, and Haiti modeling the presence of God by being with others in orphanages, schools, churches, and disaster-ravaged homes.  I am so thankful for the powerful witness that volunteers like you shine into the world.  Your presence is the best present of all.

Wishing you peace, joy, hope, and love,

Tom

Tacy Surrett is a high school senior and a member of Asbury UMC in Arnold, MD.  She has lived in England, Germany, and Turkey and written about her experiences volunteering with refugees and migrants there.  Read more of her story here.  We hope Tacy will be able to join us in April for our NEJ Mission Academy!

The Northeastern Jurisdiction Youth Mission of Peace leaves for Cuba on December 27th for 2 weeks.  They will be worshiping, learning, singing, praying, and building shalom with the youth and the churches of Cuba.  Please pray for them by name:

Moselle Jules - Greater New Jersey

Margaret Driscoll - Eastern PA

Clara Szakas - New England

Cory Slack - Baltimore-Washington

Gabriel Papadopoulos - West Virginia

Connor Nelson - Upper New York

Madeline Klein - Upper New York

Katryn Barr - New England

Karis Arnold - Baltimore-Washington

Rachel John - Upper New York

Gavin Hill - Upper New York

Evan Gaalswyk - Baltimore-Washington

Roman Ditzenberger - Baltimore-Washington

Gavin Brandenburg - West Virginia

Plus the adult leaders: Ted & Mary Anderson, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi & Rev. Rafael Koikoi, Thomas Schmidt, and Heather Stierhiem

This April marks 50 years since Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis while supporting the Sanitation Workers Strike.  Rev. Claire Matheny of the Baltimore-Washington Conference is organizing a pilgrimage to Memphis as well as education and advocacy for racial justice.  Participants from out-of-conference are welcome.  Read more here.

There has been lots of activity in the NEJ around ERT Training and Recertification.  And there's more to come!  Click the links for each conference for further information or to register.

April 11-14 - NEJ Mission/Disaster Academy at Pecometh Camp & Retreat Center in Centreville, MD

It may seem a little early to start thinking of summer, but if you would like to serve as a volunteer this June, July, and August, we need to get your application now! Mission Volunteers is looking for people aged 18 and up who can give at least two months to serve with others around the world. Applications for summer service are being accepted now. You can find the application and other program information at www.missionvolunteers.org. Training is mandatory – Apply Now! Email ksmith@umcmission.org for more information.

Bahamas Methodist Habitat is seeking volunteers to begin as soon as possible to help with their Disaster Relief Program, as well as a Volunteer Coordinator. If you can serve for six months starting in Feb/March 2018, please contact Mission Volunteers.

Do you have teaching experience? The English-speaking School of Lubumbashi, DRC, needs teachers for any grades from pre-kindergarten to high school. A teaching certificate is not required, but desirable. Housing is provided by the school. 

See the full list of opportunities at www.missionvolunteers.org.

Richard Mroczka, Western PA Conference - serving IGLEMEN, the Methodist Church in Nicaragua in Managua

Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center

91 N. Lakeshore Drive

Lake Junaluska, NC  28745

Nearest airport – Asheville Regional Airport [AVL]

East Bay Camp

24248 Ron Smith Memorial Hwy

Hudson, IL 61748

Nearest airport – Central Illinois Regional Airport [BMI]

St. Raphaela Center

616 Coopertown Road

Haverford, PA 19041

Nearest airport – Philadelphia International Airport [PHL]

McCurdy Ministries

362A S. McCurdy Road

Espanola, NM 87532

Nearest airports – Santa Fe Municipal Airport [SAF] (32 miles)

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!