The Servant's Journey

March 2018 Issue - Special Pre-Academy Issue

"Our missionary efforts have often failed because they were based on pity, rather than true compassion.... The expression of pity devoid of genuine sympathy leads to a new form of paternalism which no self respecting person can accept." - From MLK's Sermon "On Being a Good Neighbor"

As the TV cameras have focused our attention on Parkland, Florida and the student walkouts all over the country, we have become acutely aware of not only the victims and perpetrators of mass tragedy, but also the survivors. This year's Mission Academy will focus our attention on how we can be in ministry with survivors in moments like these. Of course, some tragedies play out over a longer time frame, like the ongoing circumstances of war, gang violence, environmental devastation, and poverty that are forcing millions around the world from their homes. We will address those, too, through plenaries and classes. Join us by registering today.

Our Academy Chaplain and first keynote speaker will be Rev. Mel Kawakami. Mel was pastor of the United Methodist Church in Newtown, Connecticut when the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting happened. He will share with us his hard-won insights on what it means to be in ministry when tragedy arrives on your doorstep.

We are also blessed to have Rev. Nora Colmenares with us. She is a native of Venezuela, a member of the North Georgia Annual Conference, and works in the Missional Engagement program area at Global Ministries. She will help us look at ways that we can be involved in our own communities with migrants and displaced persons - the global ministry at our doorstep.

You won't want to miss this opportunity.

Costs are $375 (hotel-style lodging), $300 (bunk-style lodging), or $100/day for commuters. Register today! I'll see you at the Academy.

In Christian accompaniment,

Tom

Spanish-language ERT Training offered at Academy

This year we are excited to offer Early Response Team Basic and Team Leader courses at the NEJ Mission Academy. UMCOR recently translated the manuals into Spanish and the courses will be taught by Luis Morales, the South Georgia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator. He has led these trainings in Spanish in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. We are blessed to have him in the NEJ this year.

If you have Spanish-speakers in your Conference who would like to be more involved in disaster response efforts, whether in Puerto Rico or elsewhere, please encourage them to register for the training today!

Chainsaw Safety Training

UMVIM-NEJ is pleased to welcome Kenneth Glass, a Product Application Specialist with STIHL-USA. Ken will conduct two sessions of a Chainsaw Safety Training class for us. Participants will receive both classroom and hands-on training. Chainsaws will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own from home, too!

This is the first year we have been able to offer this training to you, but we hope not the last!

NEW!

UMVIM Team Leader Toolkit now available in print and online!

Remember the old Team Leader Manual? The big binder? Well, we've slimmed it down and updated it. It is now an 80-page paperback complete with tips, checklists, and procedures that you can pack easily in your bag and carry with you. You can purchase it on Amazon for $10. Proceeds support the budget of UMVIM-NEJ. But you can also download it direct from our website for free here.

Stay tuned in the near future for training videos that you can use with team members to explain United Methodist mission theology, UMVIM Best Practices, and more...

Young Adult Mission Journey returns from Cuba

The team of young people worked in Las Tunas province in eastern Cuba from March 3rd to 9th to build relationships with our Cuban Methodist brothers and sisters. We brought needed medical supplies and worked alongside church members as they built a temporary worship space so they could repair the sanctuary roof. Congrats to our newest trained UMVIM Team Leaders - Pastor Rachael Jordan (UNY), Brittany Whyte (EPA), and Ann Jacob (EPA) as well as Rev. Onay Lopez-Diaz (GNJ).

Applications for next year's team will be available later this Spring.

Process for Puerto Rico Volunteers

Please be sure that you follow the process that has been established by the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and Bishop Hector Ortiz for any teams deploying to serve in Puerto Rico. Self-deploying teams, even those working directly with local churches, can strain the system.

Go to http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/puerto-rico-volunteers for UMCOR's official statement of the process.

ERTs should begin by expressing their interest to their Conference Disaster Response Coordinator.

Full volunteer guidelines published by the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico can be found here.

Upcoming ERT and VIM Trainings and Events

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.

Northeastern Jurisdiction Mission Academy

April 11-14 - ERT Basic in Spanish, ERT 200 sequence, ERT and UMVIM Train-the-Trainer, and MORE! - Pecometh Riverview Retreat Center - Centreville, MD

Baltimore Washington

April 28 - UMVIM Team Leader - Conference Center, Fulton

Greater New Jersey

April 28 - ERT Basic and Recert - Middletown UMC

May 19 - UMVIM Team Leader - First UMC, Glassboro

Peninsula-Delaware

April 21 - Missionpalooza! - Wesley UMC, Dover

Upper New York

May 12 - ERT Basic and Recert - Clifton Springs UMC

New York

April 7 - Abundant Health "Hulapalooza" - First UMC, Mount Vernon

April 21 - ERT Basic - Shelton UMC, Huntington

New England

March 17 - UMVIM Team Leader - Plymouth, MA

April 7 - Connecting Neighbors - Bucksport, ME

April 21 - Connecting Neighbors - Northampton, MA

Global Ministries / Mission Volunteers Update

(Mission Volunteers are trained by Global Ministries staff and serve from 2 months to 2 years in placements both in the U.S. and globally at their own expense.)

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 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.

Urgent Summer Volunteer Needs for Individuals/Couples:

Projects within the USA are requesting mission volunteers to support their summer programs. Some examples of engagement include managing a tool shed for volunteer teams, helping teach kids at a summer camp, guiding teams as they come to repair broken homes, or working with youth in a community garden. Summer camps are vital ministries and we need you! Service begins in late May or early June. For more information on program requirements and project needs, contact the Mission Volunteer office at mv@umcmission.org or call 404-460-7192. Time is short: Application deadline is April 8.

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

Mission Volunteers from the NEJ Currently Deployed:

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

Primetimers Journey to Nicaragua October 20-29, 2018

See the flyer here

Upcoming Mission Volunteer Trainings:

May 2-5, 2018

East Bay Camp

24248 Ron Smith Memorial Hwy

Hudson, IL 61748

Nearest airport – Central Illinois Regional Airport [BMI]

September 12-15, 2018

St. Raphaela Center

616 Coopertown Road

Haverford, PA 19041

Nearest airport – Philadelphia International Airport [PHL]

October 31 – November 3, 2018

McCurdy Ministries

362A S. McCurdy Road

Espanola, NM 87532

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

Did You Know?

Global Ministries' Earthkeepers program equips United Methodist laity and clergy to develop or deepen environmental initiatives in their communities. EarthKeepers may have professional experience in science, environment and/or ministry fields, or they may be engaged in religious or environmental work as volunteers.

There are two more trainings for Earthkeepers in 2018.