Friday, March 5, 2010
Methodists in Thailand
My church supports a student pastor in the northern area of Thailand from the Akha hill tribe. Pastor Nimmit is in place due to the good efforts of Revs. Mike and Sherri Morrissey. The Morrisseys are elders from the Kentucky conference. Read more about the type of approach they take into mission work at Respect
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Business as Mission
Bill Mallory will present a Sunday School session Sunday, March 7 on "Business as Mission." When in the States, Page and Bill spend much of their time in Augusta with the grandkids, but live most of the year in Cebu, Philippines where they have a factory making garden pots, urns, planters, fountaines and many other outdoor items.
They currently provide jobs for around 4,000 people and operate as a BAM (business as mission). Bill says a BAM has 3 bottom lines- profit, service to the community and introducing Jesus. They currently sell their products to Home Depot and Sam's and catalogs, Horchow, Frontgate, Grandinroad and Plow & Hearth. They give the Holy Spirit credit for their success and have many examples where He put things together they never thought possible.
If you are in the area join us for what should be an interesting discussion!
They currently provide jobs for around 4,000 people and operate as a BAM (business as mission). Bill says a BAM has 3 bottom lines- profit, service to the community and introducing Jesus. They currently sell their products to Home Depot and Sam's and catalogs, Horchow, Frontgate, Grandinroad and Plow & Hearth. They give the Holy Spirit credit for their success and have many examples where He put things together they never thought possible.
If you are in the area join us for what should be an interesting discussion!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Haiti Update and United Methodist Mission Teams
Rev. Nick Elliott gave me permission to share this as the intent is to "get the word out" on the best ways to be a help in Haiti. You'll read in this MANY opportunities for assistance AND limited opportunities for teams to go in. I'll be part of a mission leadership team from North GA meeting this Saturday to get a first hand account regarding Haiti and how we might best be part of the long term recovery.
REFLECTIONS ON VISIT TO HAITI
FEBRUARY 20-23, 2010
Rev. Tony Rowell (Chair of UMVIM, SC), Mr. Wade McGuinn (Director, Haiti Children's Project), and myself formed a delegation from South Carolina to visit Haiti with Mr. James Gulley, the UMCOR Coordinator for Haiti on February 20. We were joined by James' son and daughter in law, an independent writer and photographer team. Our pilot was Brett Meares who also spent his time shuttling food into Haiti from the Dominican Republic while we were busy in Haiti.
As we circled the Port au Prince Airport, we could see the devastation from the air. We were met at the airport by Donnette and other staff from the Methodist Guest House. The drive was quiet sobering. Later on as we toured the city and looked at the devastation, several things became obvious. The amount of damage was far greater than can be understood from watching the news media coverage; the danger from falling buildings is still present; there is without doubt many people that are still missing and presumed to be under all the rubble; and everyone we met was still in shock.
We visited the ruins of the Montana Hotel with a respective silence. This is where James Gulley, Clint Rabb and Sam Dixon from the GBGM were meeting. As they were walking from the lobby to the dining room the earthquake hit. Jim said “in a matter of three seconds we felt the earth shake and then we were covered in debris.” They were in a small space about 4' by 8' injured but alive. Although they thought they could hear searchers looking for them, they could not get their attention. It was over fifty-five hours until they were rescued and by that time, Sam Dixon had gone to meet his maker. Clint was rescued but badly injured and soon went on to meet with Sam and their Lord. Thankfully, Jim only sustained minor injuries.
These types of stories can be told repeatedly. People going about their daily tasks with the assumption that everything is business as normal and within the blink of an eye—everything changes. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and in the very best of times, life is extremely difficult. The list of why Haiti is so poor is too long to mention but a primary reason is the lack of a sufficient government infrastructure. It was this same lack of infrastructure that caused many deaths due to the lack of adequate building codes.
The projection of lives lost is 250,000 and 300,000 injured and 1,500,000 displaced. Many refugees have gone to different cities throughout the country and others are living in tent cities. For example, on the Methodist Guest House compound there is a double set of concrete basketball courts filled with tents and five hundred people living there. As you can imagine, food and sanitation are main concerns; as well as sufficient health care.
The school at the Guest House compound is sitting idle due to safety concerns of the buildings; and the shops and trade schools do not have sufficient funds for operation. There is only minor damage at the Guest House and this is primarily the collapse of security walls around the house. To compound difficulties, the Guest House is a source of income for the Methodist Conference and so are the schools, but the earthquake brought a stop to this income.
On Monday, February 22, we met with President Gestner Paul. The schools and the Guest House are priority for the Conference. The guest house will serve as the center of operations in the Recovery Phase and the schools' tuition pay the great majority of salaries for the Pastors of the Conference.
The first school we visited was College Bird. It was a school with 1850 students and thankfully no one was injured during the earthquake because school had finished and everyone left for the day. Even the custodian had just left when something told him he should wait until the next morning to mop the final classroom. The church was still standing but the Bell Tower was cracked and leaning which makes it impossible for the church to be used. The rest of the buildings had collapsed and were being cleaned up with hand tools and workers (a mammoth job.) This is President Paul's first priority but I question when it will be cleared.
An Associated Press article February 26, 2010 quoted Haitian President Rene Preval as saying it would take 1000 dump trucks 1000 days to to clear all the debris from Port-au-Prince. It also said they only have 250 dump trucks owned by the government and maybe another 250 from the private sector. This will definitely have an impact on Haitian Methodist President Gestner Paul's plan for the College Bird School to be ready for construction by mid-March.
The Haitian infrastructure will continue to face more challenges as the government attempts to move displaced persons to the outlying areas beyond Port-au-Prince. The government does not like the idea of large tent cities but the Haitians are reluctant to move again after finding a suitable tent city. However, with the impending rainy season, sanitation and malaria are primary concerns. There is a small tent city in the yard of the Prime Minister and nearby the symbol of oppression (the Presidential Palace) was destroyed by the earthquake.
The second project we visited was the Carrafour School and Church. There was very little damage to either and they can be used as soon as a government inspector approves use. There is a real problem with getting persons to return to their homes, churches, schools, etc. Simply, everyone is so afraid of another earthquake that they do not want to be inside a building. They know the loss of life during the January 12 earthquake and simply do not desire to be a casualty if/when it happens again. This was evident even with our team. We experience aftershock the night we arrived and the second night some of our team slept in tents. I might add the rest of our team joined them when an aftershock hit about 1:30 am the second night.
We followed the western seaside highway out of Port-au-Prince to Melliere. There we found a school and a church that would be a great project for six or seven UMVIM teams. It is in a sugar cane field and teams would probably stay in the Guest House in Petit Goave.
We then followed the seaside highway to Petit Goave which is seventy-five miles out of Port-au-Prince. You can easily see the fault-line due to the cracks and holes in the asphalt highway. The damage in Petit Goave was nearly as bad as in P-a-P. The school had some moderate damage, mainly cleaning debris. The Methodist clinic was demolished and a nurse from Texas was a casualty. There was minor damage to the Church but the auxiliary buildings sustained major damage.
The top three Priorities for Haiti Methodist President Gestner Paul are:
1. College Bird School
2. Update and repair the Guest Homes
3. Life with Dignity for the HaitianPeople
UMVIM, SC will definitely be able to assist with the first two and if we are sincere, sensitive
Christians, we can assist with the third.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Haitian Methodist Conference was last week and most likely the Conference endorsed President Paul's priority list. UMCOR's Tom Hazelwood and three of the five UMVIM Jurisdiction Coordinators attended to gather the latest information. Please remember according to the Discipline, UMCOR is in charge of all disasters and all United Methodist Agencies are to work under the direction of the Haiti Conference.
PRESIDENT GESTNER PAUL WANTS ALL THE TEAMS WORKING IN THE DISASTER AREA TO WAIT UNTIL AN INVITATION IS ISSUED. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE DISASTER AREA, YOU CAN SERVE AT THE DISCRETATION OF THE CIRCUIT SUPERINTENDENT.
There will probably be someone selected and stationed in P-a-P to coordinate teams coming to Haiti.
Wade McGuinn will be checking the plans, material lists, and labor costs for the Church. (A Special thank you to Wade for arranging the private air flight.)
The Haiti School Lunch Program should be pushed and expanded. For $1.00 a day a Haitian child can receive enough nutritious food to thrive. To put it in perspective, I saw a TV commercial asking for $19 a month to “help save the animals.” Which is the most important children or animals?
Health kits, midwife kits, layette kits, scholarships and gifts which preserve the dignity of those receiving assistance are still needed!
Upon the return of Tom Hazelwood and the Jurisdiction UMVIM Coordinators, we will have a much better idea of how and when we can begin our response.
We in UMVIM, SC are called to be servants to our Lord and Savior as we serve with the Haitian Methodist Church. True servants are not concerned about logos or egos but only a heart to serve.
I know in my heart, the Haitians stand a good chance to be better off than before; if, we as Christians use our love and resources to help them recover. The Haitian People are some of the most loving and resilient people God ever created and they have hope for the future. I am reminded of a Haiti Proverb from the Haitian book GOD IS NO STRANGER.
Photo by Rev. Tony Rowell for use only to raise awareness of the Haitian situation.
Lord your servant
doesn't know
left from right.
Even now I don't
know which one of
your Hands I am in
--but if in the
left or the right
it doesn't matter.
I am in Your hands
and that's enough.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nick Elliott
March 2, 2010
REFLECTIONS ON VISIT TO HAITI
FEBRUARY 20-23, 2010
Rev. Tony Rowell (Chair of UMVIM, SC), Mr. Wade McGuinn (Director, Haiti Children's Project), and myself formed a delegation from South Carolina to visit Haiti with Mr. James Gulley, the UMCOR Coordinator for Haiti on February 20. We were joined by James' son and daughter in law, an independent writer and photographer team. Our pilot was Brett Meares who also spent his time shuttling food into Haiti from the Dominican Republic while we were busy in Haiti.
As we circled the Port au Prince Airport, we could see the devastation from the air. We were met at the airport by Donnette and other staff from the Methodist Guest House. The drive was quiet sobering. Later on as we toured the city and looked at the devastation, several things became obvious. The amount of damage was far greater than can be understood from watching the news media coverage; the danger from falling buildings is still present; there is without doubt many people that are still missing and presumed to be under all the rubble; and everyone we met was still in shock.
We visited the ruins of the Montana Hotel with a respective silence. This is where James Gulley, Clint Rabb and Sam Dixon from the GBGM were meeting. As they were walking from the lobby to the dining room the earthquake hit. Jim said “in a matter of three seconds we felt the earth shake and then we were covered in debris.” They were in a small space about 4' by 8' injured but alive. Although they thought they could hear searchers looking for them, they could not get their attention. It was over fifty-five hours until they were rescued and by that time, Sam Dixon had gone to meet his maker. Clint was rescued but badly injured and soon went on to meet with Sam and their Lord. Thankfully, Jim only sustained minor injuries.
These types of stories can be told repeatedly. People going about their daily tasks with the assumption that everything is business as normal and within the blink of an eye—everything changes. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and in the very best of times, life is extremely difficult. The list of why Haiti is so poor is too long to mention but a primary reason is the lack of a sufficient government infrastructure. It was this same lack of infrastructure that caused many deaths due to the lack of adequate building codes.
The projection of lives lost is 250,000 and 300,000 injured and 1,500,000 displaced. Many refugees have gone to different cities throughout the country and others are living in tent cities. For example, on the Methodist Guest House compound there is a double set of concrete basketball courts filled with tents and five hundred people living there. As you can imagine, food and sanitation are main concerns; as well as sufficient health care.
The school at the Guest House compound is sitting idle due to safety concerns of the buildings; and the shops and trade schools do not have sufficient funds for operation. There is only minor damage at the Guest House and this is primarily the collapse of security walls around the house. To compound difficulties, the Guest House is a source of income for the Methodist Conference and so are the schools, but the earthquake brought a stop to this income.
On Monday, February 22, we met with President Gestner Paul. The schools and the Guest House are priority for the Conference. The guest house will serve as the center of operations in the Recovery Phase and the schools' tuition pay the great majority of salaries for the Pastors of the Conference.
The first school we visited was College Bird. It was a school with 1850 students and thankfully no one was injured during the earthquake because school had finished and everyone left for the day. Even the custodian had just left when something told him he should wait until the next morning to mop the final classroom. The church was still standing but the Bell Tower was cracked and leaning which makes it impossible for the church to be used. The rest of the buildings had collapsed and were being cleaned up with hand tools and workers (a mammoth job.) This is President Paul's first priority but I question when it will be cleared.
An Associated Press article February 26, 2010 quoted Haitian President Rene Preval as saying it would take 1000 dump trucks 1000 days to to clear all the debris from Port-au-Prince. It also said they only have 250 dump trucks owned by the government and maybe another 250 from the private sector. This will definitely have an impact on Haitian Methodist President Gestner Paul's plan for the College Bird School to be ready for construction by mid-March.
The Haitian infrastructure will continue to face more challenges as the government attempts to move displaced persons to the outlying areas beyond Port-au-Prince. The government does not like the idea of large tent cities but the Haitians are reluctant to move again after finding a suitable tent city. However, with the impending rainy season, sanitation and malaria are primary concerns. There is a small tent city in the yard of the Prime Minister and nearby the symbol of oppression (the Presidential Palace) was destroyed by the earthquake.
The second project we visited was the Carrafour School and Church. There was very little damage to either and they can be used as soon as a government inspector approves use. There is a real problem with getting persons to return to their homes, churches, schools, etc. Simply, everyone is so afraid of another earthquake that they do not want to be inside a building. They know the loss of life during the January 12 earthquake and simply do not desire to be a casualty if/when it happens again. This was evident even with our team. We experience aftershock the night we arrived and the second night some of our team slept in tents. I might add the rest of our team joined them when an aftershock hit about 1:30 am the second night.
We followed the western seaside highway out of Port-au-Prince to Melliere. There we found a school and a church that would be a great project for six or seven UMVIM teams. It is in a sugar cane field and teams would probably stay in the Guest House in Petit Goave.
We then followed the seaside highway to Petit Goave which is seventy-five miles out of Port-au-Prince. You can easily see the fault-line due to the cracks and holes in the asphalt highway. The damage in Petit Goave was nearly as bad as in P-a-P. The school had some moderate damage, mainly cleaning debris. The Methodist clinic was demolished and a nurse from Texas was a casualty. There was minor damage to the Church but the auxiliary buildings sustained major damage.
The top three Priorities for Haiti Methodist President Gestner Paul are:
1. College Bird School
2. Update and repair the Guest Homes
3. Life with Dignity for the HaitianPeople
UMVIM, SC will definitely be able to assist with the first two and if we are sincere, sensitive
Christians, we can assist with the third.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Haitian Methodist Conference was last week and most likely the Conference endorsed President Paul's priority list. UMCOR's Tom Hazelwood and three of the five UMVIM Jurisdiction Coordinators attended to gather the latest information. Please remember according to the Discipline, UMCOR is in charge of all disasters and all United Methodist Agencies are to work under the direction of the Haiti Conference.
PRESIDENT GESTNER PAUL WANTS ALL THE TEAMS WORKING IN THE DISASTER AREA TO WAIT UNTIL AN INVITATION IS ISSUED. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE DISASTER AREA, YOU CAN SERVE AT THE DISCRETATION OF THE CIRCUIT SUPERINTENDENT.
There will probably be someone selected and stationed in P-a-P to coordinate teams coming to Haiti.
Wade McGuinn will be checking the plans, material lists, and labor costs for the Church. (A Special thank you to Wade for arranging the private air flight.)
The Haiti School Lunch Program should be pushed and expanded. For $1.00 a day a Haitian child can receive enough nutritious food to thrive. To put it in perspective, I saw a TV commercial asking for $19 a month to “help save the animals.” Which is the most important children or animals?
Health kits, midwife kits, layette kits, scholarships and gifts which preserve the dignity of those receiving assistance are still needed!
Upon the return of Tom Hazelwood and the Jurisdiction UMVIM Coordinators, we will have a much better idea of how and when we can begin our response.
We in UMVIM, SC are called to be servants to our Lord and Savior as we serve with the Haitian Methodist Church. True servants are not concerned about logos or egos but only a heart to serve.
I know in my heart, the Haitians stand a good chance to be better off than before; if, we as Christians use our love and resources to help them recover. The Haitian People are some of the most loving and resilient people God ever created and they have hope for the future. I am reminded of a Haiti Proverb from the Haitian book GOD IS NO STRANGER.
Photo by Rev. Tony Rowell for use only to raise awareness of the Haitian situation.
Lord your servant
doesn't know
left from right.
Even now I don't
know which one of
your Hands I am in
--but if in the
left or the right
it doesn't matter.
I am in Your hands
and that's enough.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nick Elliott
March 2, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
UMCOR Haiti Update
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: UMCOR [mailto:umcor@gbgm-umc.org]
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 9:22 AM
To: Scott Parrish
Subject: [umcor-haiti-news] UMCOR Haiti Update
February 19, 2010
UMCOR Haiti
A weekly report of UMCOR's relief efforts in Haiti.
Thanks so much for the outpouring of support for UMCOR's Haiti relief efforts - the generosity is amazing! As we work with the people in Haiti to address the long term recovery and development needs, we are thankful to move forward with the confidence that the people of the United Methodist Church will continue to partner with UMCOR in the years to come. Especially as Haiti prepares for the rainy season, and then hurricane season, please be in prayer with the people of Haiti and know that your support is critical.
As of February 18, 2010
$12 million has been received for UMCOR Haiti Relief
Hundreds of thousands of kits have been received at UMCOR Sager Brown and are being verified for shipment to Haiti.
Since the January 12 earthquake, UMCOR has carried out an initial assessment of damages and needs, developed a five-year work plan, and shored up strategic partnerships with the United Nations, NGOs and the Methodist Church in Haiti.
The UMCOR work plan anticipates three phases of recovery: emergency, recovery and rehabilitation. Currently operating in the emergency phase -- from the time of the earthquake through April and including the start of the rainy season in March – UMCOR is addressing the most immediate needs of access to food, clean water and sanitation, temporary shelter and emotional and spiritual support.
This week’s highlights include:
While UMCOR has been working in Haiti since before the earthquake, this week, UMCOR re-opened the Haiti field office. UMCOR’s Kate Paik and Larry Powell have been in Port-au-Prince coordinating with the Methodist Church in Haiti and preparing the UMCOR Haiti field office.
Staff Recruitment:
--Anthony Jones was hired as an Emergency Response Consultant and has deployed to Haiti.
--Azim Akhtar was hired as the Operations Coordinator and will deploy to Haiti in the coming weeks.
--Key local staff have been hired.
--Positions are posted for: Head of Mission, Finance Director, Emergency Shelter Coordinator, and Income Generation Coordinator.
Kate Paik commented on the three days of remembrance in Haiti, Feb 12-14 which was "to stop and reflect on the past month of survival. Many were dressed in white and spent the three days, usually from 6 am until 1 or 2 pm, at church singing and praying. It [was] a time to gather their strength from God to go on still once more."
With recent reports indicating that 75 percent of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, will need to be rebuilt; volunteers soon will be needed to go to Haiti. Volunteer teams are beginning to mobilize by filling out the registration form.
Through Justice for our Neighbors clinics across the country, UMCOR is helping Haitian immigrants register for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) the US government has offered. A workshop was held in New York City on Wednesday to educate people about how to apply.
In addition to health kits, this week, volunteers began assembling and shipping layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
Western Jurisdiction: Promoting Operation Resurrection 2010 - A Compassionate Response to the Earthquake from the Western Jurisdiction
Methodist Church in Hong Kong: Collected $87,500 from church members to support UMCOR’s relief efforts in Haiti.
Brentwood United Methodist Church: Hosted a concert headlined by Christian artists, Point of Grace and Mark Schultz. The concert raised more than $50,000.
Mission Response Center: Delivered $102,657 in kits to UMCOR Sager Brown. NASCAR shared some shipping equipment and the trailer was loaned by Petty Enterprises.
From: UMCOR [mailto:umcor@gbgm-umc.org]
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 9:22 AM
To: Scott Parrish
Subject: [umcor-haiti-news] UMCOR Haiti Update
February 19, 2010
UMCOR Haiti
A weekly report of UMCOR's relief efforts in Haiti.
Thanks so much for the outpouring of support for UMCOR's Haiti relief efforts - the generosity is amazing! As we work with the people in Haiti to address the long term recovery and development needs, we are thankful to move forward with the confidence that the people of the United Methodist Church will continue to partner with UMCOR in the years to come. Especially as Haiti prepares for the rainy season, and then hurricane season, please be in prayer with the people of Haiti and know that your support is critical.
As of February 18, 2010
$12 million has been received for UMCOR Haiti Relief
Hundreds of thousands of kits have been received at UMCOR Sager Brown and are being verified for shipment to Haiti.
Since the January 12 earthquake, UMCOR has carried out an initial assessment of damages and needs, developed a five-year work plan, and shored up strategic partnerships with the United Nations, NGOs and the Methodist Church in Haiti.
The UMCOR work plan anticipates three phases of recovery: emergency, recovery and rehabilitation. Currently operating in the emergency phase -- from the time of the earthquake through April and including the start of the rainy season in March – UMCOR is addressing the most immediate needs of access to food, clean water and sanitation, temporary shelter and emotional and spiritual support.
This week’s highlights include:
While UMCOR has been working in Haiti since before the earthquake, this week, UMCOR re-opened the Haiti field office. UMCOR’s Kate Paik and Larry Powell have been in Port-au-Prince coordinating with the Methodist Church in Haiti and preparing the UMCOR Haiti field office.
Staff Recruitment:
--Anthony Jones was hired as an Emergency Response Consultant and has deployed to Haiti.
--Azim Akhtar was hired as the Operations Coordinator and will deploy to Haiti in the coming weeks.
--Key local staff have been hired.
--Positions are posted for: Head of Mission, Finance Director, Emergency Shelter Coordinator, and Income Generation Coordinator.
Kate Paik commented on the three days of remembrance in Haiti, Feb 12-14 which was "to stop and reflect on the past month of survival. Many were dressed in white and spent the three days, usually from 6 am until 1 or 2 pm, at church singing and praying. It [was] a time to gather their strength from God to go on still once more."
With recent reports indicating that 75 percent of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, will need to be rebuilt; volunteers soon will be needed to go to Haiti. Volunteer teams are beginning to mobilize by filling out the registration form.
Through Justice for our Neighbors clinics across the country, UMCOR is helping Haitian immigrants register for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) the US government has offered. A workshop was held in New York City on Wednesday to educate people about how to apply.
In addition to health kits, this week, volunteers began assembling and shipping layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
Western Jurisdiction: Promoting Operation Resurrection 2010 - A Compassionate Response to the Earthquake from the Western Jurisdiction
Methodist Church in Hong Kong: Collected $87,500 from church members to support UMCOR’s relief efforts in Haiti.
Brentwood United Methodist Church: Hosted a concert headlined by Christian artists, Point of Grace and Mark Schultz. The concert raised more than $50,000.
Mission Response Center: Delivered $102,657 in kits to UMCOR Sager Brown. NASCAR shared some shipping equipment and the trailer was loaned by Petty Enterprises.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Union Mission/ Savannah GA
Do you know of the ministry of Michael Elliott at Union Mission in Savannah GA? Check out this blog entry about Simple Acts of Kindness
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Mission Devotions
Just Do It
The Psalmist says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95: 7,8).
The church service – in which I preached – was over and an elderly gentleman, with a wrinkled face and silver grey hair slowly approached me. His trembling hand took hold of mine and said, “Young man! I am glad you are serving God at this age (I was in my 20s then). When I was like you, God called me to serve him but I told him that I would do so in my later years. After some years, he again called but I still procrastinated.”
Then, with moist eyes and trembling voice, he said, “I am an old man now and my strength is gone. Please tell me what can I do for Christ now?” After encouraging him that God is able to use us in spite of our age and our limitations, I left the place with a heavy heart. Imagine the guilt and pain of this man, who after a long and arduous journey, has come to the end of the road, only to realize that he has taken the wrong one and that too willfully.
Prabhu serves in India
The Psalmist says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95: 7,8).
The church service – in which I preached – was over and an elderly gentleman, with a wrinkled face and silver grey hair slowly approached me. His trembling hand took hold of mine and said, “Young man! I am glad you are serving God at this age (I was in my 20s then). When I was like you, God called me to serve him but I told him that I would do so in my later years. After some years, he again called but I still procrastinated.”
Then, with moist eyes and trembling voice, he said, “I am an old man now and my strength is gone. Please tell me what can I do for Christ now?” After encouraging him that God is able to use us in spite of our age and our limitations, I left the place with a heavy heart. Imagine the guilt and pain of this man, who after a long and arduous journey, has come to the end of the road, only to realize that he has taken the wrong one and that too willfully.
Prabhu serves in India
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mission Devotions
“Amazing Love”
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Editor’s Note: Trinity on the Hill Outreach actively supports and sponsors outreach in Harrisburg which is housed at St. Luke UMC. That church is a struggling congregation, yet our mission funding and active laity make outreach possible in this challenging neighborhood. Further, a strong Methodist mission connection is established as the churches work together sharing the love of Christ in a neighborhood which needs all of us.
Working with boys and girls in Harrisburg at St. Luke UMC is a rewarding experience. Weekly I prepare a short Bible lesson relating to the monthly theme. Love and relationship with God as expressed 1 John 4:19 was our starting point.
Marsha Jones developed the relationship theme by teaching the children an uplifting praise song, Here I Am to Worship. Another volunteer choreographed liturgical movements to enhance the song. Each of these parts came together by the power of the Holy Spirit as we celebrated our first worship service. Parents and friends joined the children for dinner and worship filling the sanctuary. Various children took leading roles in the service as ushers, acolytes, responsive readers, and singers. You could feel the power of the Holy Spirit as the service built to a crescendo as the children lined each aisle singing and swaying to the praise music. I was overcome with tears of joy witnessing God’s amazing love at work in the hearts of these children.
Melanie
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Editor’s Note: Trinity on the Hill Outreach actively supports and sponsors outreach in Harrisburg which is housed at St. Luke UMC. That church is a struggling congregation, yet our mission funding and active laity make outreach possible in this challenging neighborhood. Further, a strong Methodist mission connection is established as the churches work together sharing the love of Christ in a neighborhood which needs all of us.
Working with boys and girls in Harrisburg at St. Luke UMC is a rewarding experience. Weekly I prepare a short Bible lesson relating to the monthly theme. Love and relationship with God as expressed 1 John 4:19 was our starting point.
Marsha Jones developed the relationship theme by teaching the children an uplifting praise song, Here I Am to Worship. Another volunteer choreographed liturgical movements to enhance the song. Each of these parts came together by the power of the Holy Spirit as we celebrated our first worship service. Parents and friends joined the children for dinner and worship filling the sanctuary. Various children took leading roles in the service as ushers, acolytes, responsive readers, and singers. You could feel the power of the Holy Spirit as the service built to a crescendo as the children lined each aisle singing and swaying to the praise music. I was overcome with tears of joy witnessing God’s amazing love at work in the hearts of these children.
Melanie
Monday, February 8, 2010
Recent Mission Devotions
“The Great Commission”
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus proclaims to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of ALL nations…teach them to obey everything I have commanded YOU.”
I have learned that one of the most important parts of my growing faith is serving. I believe you cannot have an active faith without some aspect of serving or mission work in your life. Not serving for self, but serving for Jesus Christ and proclaiming his words and works to all we encounter, whether this is in your school, in your house, or on the barren streets of Africa.
I had a great opportunity to be involved with a ministry deep in the Bronx of New York City two summers ago. I was able to become close and share stories with several teenagers my age that grew up on the streets of New York. Each of them overcame odds by avoiding drugs, gangs, and violence. Seeing each of them actively seek the Lord amidst constant shootings, drugs and peer pressure gave me so much wisdom on living a faithful lifestyle.
These teenagers were vital for my faith because they taught me something that I NEEDED in my faith at a specific time in my life. That is how mission work goes; we preposterously go to bless someone, yet that person blesses us beyond imagination. This is why I believe that serving and missions is one of the core components to actively living a lifestyle like that of Jesus Christ.
Blake (a college student)
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus proclaims to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of ALL nations…teach them to obey everything I have commanded YOU.”
I have learned that one of the most important parts of my growing faith is serving. I believe you cannot have an active faith without some aspect of serving or mission work in your life. Not serving for self, but serving for Jesus Christ and proclaiming his words and works to all we encounter, whether this is in your school, in your house, or on the barren streets of Africa.
I had a great opportunity to be involved with a ministry deep in the Bronx of New York City two summers ago. I was able to become close and share stories with several teenagers my age that grew up on the streets of New York. Each of them overcame odds by avoiding drugs, gangs, and violence. Seeing each of them actively seek the Lord amidst constant shootings, drugs and peer pressure gave me so much wisdom on living a faithful lifestyle.
These teenagers were vital for my faith because they taught me something that I NEEDED in my faith at a specific time in my life. That is how mission work goes; we preposterously go to bless someone, yet that person blesses us beyond imagination. This is why I believe that serving and missions is one of the core components to actively living a lifestyle like that of Jesus Christ.
Blake (a college student)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Children's Consignment Sale Benefits Mission!
I'ts true-- I'm not a shopper! Never have been, and likely never will be one. But I'm thrilled to be a retailer twice a year as this sale is so beneficial to mission efforts here and around the world. Think of a church putting on a sale with 300 consignors, computerized check out with 60,000-70,000 items offered, and thousands of people from the community attending the two day event and you get the idea.
The Trinity on the Hill Children’s Consignment Sale (TOTH CCS) is held twice a year in the spring and fall on the church property located at 1330 Monte Sano Avenue in Augusta, Georgia. Proceeds from the sale are divided between the seller (60%) and the TOTH CCS (40%). The net proceeds retained by the church are used to support the local, national and international missions of Trinity Outreach Ministries. In addition, at the discretion of the consignor, any unsold items may be donated to TOTH CCS to be used in various missions projects.
We're gearing up again, and if you want to be part of it now's the time to sign on as we prepare for the March 12-13 event. Find below a few of the key dates or go to
Children's Consignment Sale for all the details and sign up.
Spring 2010 Sale
Sale Dates
Friday, March 12
9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 13
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (selected items 50% off)
Presale
Thursday, March 11
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Consignor Registration
January 25 - February 28
Barcode Ordering
January 25-March 7
Scheduled Drop-Off
March 8-10
The Trinity on the Hill Children’s Consignment Sale (TOTH CCS) is held twice a year in the spring and fall on the church property located at 1330 Monte Sano Avenue in Augusta, Georgia. Proceeds from the sale are divided between the seller (60%) and the TOTH CCS (40%). The net proceeds retained by the church are used to support the local, national and international missions of Trinity Outreach Ministries. In addition, at the discretion of the consignor, any unsold items may be donated to TOTH CCS to be used in various missions projects.
We're gearing up again, and if you want to be part of it now's the time to sign on as we prepare for the March 12-13 event. Find below a few of the key dates or go to
Children's Consignment Sale for all the details and sign up.
Spring 2010 Sale
Sale Dates
Friday, March 12
9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 13
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (selected items 50% off)
Presale
Thursday, March 11
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Consignor Registration
January 25 - February 28
Barcode Ordering
January 25-March 7
Scheduled Drop-Off
March 8-10
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Mission Conference-- Mission Challenge
Our missions conference at my church, an annual event we call Trinity Outreach Celebration, was PHENOMENAL this year! We had some great preachers with compelling stories, mission training, and a service day that worked our people all over the Augusta/CSRA.
What capped it all off was Sunday morning worship with some international music, an incredible band, and a huge youth choir singing Leeland's "Follow You." But it didn't end there as Rev. Nick Elliott, recently retired after 10 years leading the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission for the southeast, stepped up with a sermon that our church members are still talking about. One long time member and leader of the church, the type guy I appreciate because he isn't prone to empty flattery but tells the truth in love, said "I believe it was one of the most meaningful and effective services Trinity has had." That's astounding because Nick told the truth about hunger, disaster, and need in the world, and our response to this as followers of Christ. He didn't back off, as a matter of fact, it's the most uncomfortable many of us have been in worship in some time. But he didn't merely stop at guilt, and instead moved on to grace and to our responsibility. It truly was a powerful morning in worship which has energized our church in mission.
Check out "A Missionary, Me?" Mission Challenge Worship and click on the January 31, 2010 link. You can choose to listen to the audio of the sermon or watch the video of the entire service if you have time. I wonder if you will be as inspired as we are?!
What capped it all off was Sunday morning worship with some international music, an incredible band, and a huge youth choir singing Leeland's "Follow You." But it didn't end there as Rev. Nick Elliott, recently retired after 10 years leading the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission for the southeast, stepped up with a sermon that our church members are still talking about. One long time member and leader of the church, the type guy I appreciate because he isn't prone to empty flattery but tells the truth in love, said "I believe it was one of the most meaningful and effective services Trinity has had." That's astounding because Nick told the truth about hunger, disaster, and need in the world, and our response to this as followers of Christ. He didn't back off, as a matter of fact, it's the most uncomfortable many of us have been in worship in some time. But he didn't merely stop at guilt, and instead moved on to grace and to our responsibility. It truly was a powerful morning in worship which has energized our church in mission.
Check out "A Missionary, Me?" Mission Challenge Worship and click on the January 31, 2010 link. You can choose to listen to the audio of the sermon or watch the video of the entire service if you have time. I wonder if you will be as inspired as we are?!
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