Towards a New Future for UMVIM

As we try our best to serve you and to rally United Methodists into the mission field, UMVIM is exploring new options for the future. Next week representatives from the 5 U.S. jurisdictional UMVIM offices will gather in Nashville, TN to talk about how we can cooperate more closely and improve the resources we offer you. We don't know where the discussion will lead, but some of the ideas on the table are: streamlining down to one website, one newsletter/communication platform, one unified project list, and one insurance program.

We are a grassroots organization and whatever happens, we do not want to lose our local character and presence in each annual conference. But at a time when there is so much talk of division, UMVIM is modeling unity and cooperation through our shared mission as United Methodists.

If you have ideas, comments, or suggestions, please send them to me (coordinator@umvimnej.org) and the other NEJ representatives at the meeting - Rev. Tom Vencuss (tvencuss@nyac.com), Rev. Stacy Cole-Wilson (scolewilson@bwcumc.org), and Greg Forrester (greg@nvoad.org).

Joint NCJ / NEJ team returns from China

For the first time, the North Central Jurisdiction and Northeastern Jurisdiction collaborated on our Young Adult training program by sending a peace delegation to China from July 17-30. During the course of the two weeks, participants met with leaders in the China Christian Council / Three Self Patriotic Movement, the Amity Foundation, and the YMCA/YWCA. Our young people got to experience the global church that is growing exponentially and they were trained as Team Leaders along the way. United Methodist News Service will be running the story next week at umnews.org.

Pictures from the Mission Field

Teams have been serving all over the world this summer! And some of them have sent in pictures. Take a look...

Mission Volunteer Updates

All clear for volunteers in Haiti and Puerto Rico

Coordinators for mission teams in both Haiti and Puerto Rico want you to know that despite reports of political unrest from recent months, it is safe for volunteers to come. And volunteers are needed! Please contact Brulan Jean-Michel (brulanj@yahoo.com) to arrange teams to serve in Haiti and contact Tymera Jackson (puertoricovols@umcor.org) for teams wishing to serve in Puerto Rico on Hurricane Maria recovery projects.

Youth Teams for Puerto Rico

For youth teams, or other groups not working on hurricane recovery, these are considered Church-to-Church partnerships and should be coordinated through the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico. The contact person there is Paloma Rodriguez (paloma.rodriguez@metodistapr.org).

Upcoming Early Response Team and UMVIM Trainings

Susquehanna
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

Greater New Jersey
Late September date TBA - UMVIM Team Leader - Westfield UMC - contact coordinator@umvimnej for details

Did You Know?

There are already 38 million Christians in China. By the year 2030, experts believe there will be more Christians in China than in any other country in the world. The center of gravity for world Christianity is moving east and south.