| |
Volunteers in Mission
Fall Opportunities
The
Williamsport District Volunteers In Mission Ministry is offering
three out-of- the-area mission opportunities this fall.
A
VIM team will be in Greensburg, Kansas from September 20-September
28, 2008. In May 2007 an EF 5 tornado (strongest winds), estimated
to be 1-1/2 miles wide, struck this town. All businesses and most
residences were almost entirely destroyed. The cost of the trip is
$325 per person. The fee and application are due September 2. Team
members are responsible for their own meals and snacks during the
two days of travel to and from Kansas. For more information contact
John Best (326-1943, 337-9048,
jmbest@comcast.net). There are also trips to Gulfport,
Mississippi from October 18 to October 26 and from October 25 to
November 2, 2008. Information sheets are at the Information Center
in the narthex.
Our Newest
Outreach: Russian Initiative
At the last
Administrative Council, it was voted to support the Russian
Initiative which involves the countries of Russian, Belarus,
Moldova, and parts of Ukraine. The Russian Initiative and the
rebirth of Methodism in Russia began with five congregations in
1992. By 2007, there were 105 churches with 8 new church starts and
6 new churches expected to being in 2008. The Russian Initiative is
a program of the General Board of Global Ministries. The heart and
soul of the mission is in the encouraging relationships with young
and growing churches. The General Board of Global Ministries
receives contributions and transmits them to the United Methodist
missionary in Moscow who manages the transfer of the funds to the
Eurasia United Methodist Church Treasurer. The treasurer distributes
the funds to the Eurasian pastors and churches under the guidance of
their bishop. The Council voted to support the Initiative with
$1,000 a year for the next three years, with decision to continue
after the three year commitment is complete in 2011.
The Central PA Conference Ukraine Initiative
is
in the midst of its
15th year of ministry and outreach in Ukraine. One current area of
the Initiative's focus is to provide Bible study and Sunday School
materials in the Russian language for the Istochnik UM Church and
for the Cerebral Palsy Center, both serving Kyiv.
This
is just one of the ministries which your congregation may
support. To reach out to help our sisters and brothers in Ukraine
understand more about God's compassion and love, you may send your
donations to:
The Rev. John Godissart, UI treasurer
121 North Second St.
McConnellsburg, PA 17233-1163
jgodissart@comcast.net
or contact:
The Rev. Michael Gingerich, UI Chairperson
mgingerich@hotmail.com
District Volunteers in Mission Under
the leadership of John and Sue Best, and the blessings of our
District Superintendent, Rev. Arlene Beechart, a Williamsport
District VIM Ministries has been organized. Kathy Burkhart
represented our church in attendance for the meeting on April 5.
Our mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.
Our purpose: Volunteers in Mission share Christ’s love in ways that
make a difference. We witness through work by:
-Honoring God in all we do, Living in community, Experiencing the
people, Caring and Listening,
Being flexible and patient.
Our task: Our task is what we do (or physical work we do) with our
abilities and is always secondary to our purpose of making a
Christian difference. Although our task is distinct from our
purpose, the two are joined together so that Christ may be lifted
up.
We are looking for work that needs to be done in the Williamsport
District. If you know of someone in need of repairs, and cannot do
them their selves, please contact Kathy Burkhart, so help can be
arranged.
If you would like to be on the list of Volunteers, also contact
Kathy. If you would like to donate, please send your checks to the
Williamsport District Office, 2420 Nottingham Rd.
Williamsport, PA 17701, and mark it for the Williamsport District
VIM Ministries.
Computer Ministry, Inc Needs Help
Since
January 2008, we have donated nearly 550 PCs to Zimbabwe, Puerto
Rico, Ghana, and various local churches and non-profit organizations
helping people in the region and even up to Maine. We need at least
20 for a theological seminary in the Philippines, and 200 more for a
health ministry in Kyrgyzstan. But our shelves are bare. Perhaps the
Lord is giving us a brief vacation, but the requests continue to
come in. Although our next recycle day is not until August 9, we are
making an appeal for your unused PCs and related equipment now. If
you have a PC you aren't using and want to dispose of, please
consider Computer Ministry, Inc. Even if you don't have a PC to
donate, talk with co-workers, neighbors, or other family
members. We are in the Mission Central building, 5 Pleasant
View Dr, Mechanicsburg PA. Our e-mail is:
computerministry@comcast.net, our website is
www.compministry.org, and our phone is 717.766.6373. We are open
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am till 4:00 pm, but if you
can't make it on those days, Mission Central will accept PC
donations for us any day they are open (Mon-Sat). If you wish, we
can give you a donation acknowledgement for tax purposes. |
| |
Sierra
Leone Initiative we are inviting you to send at least one
individual to participate in the January - February opportunity to
travel to Sierra Leone. We will take at least two teams to Sierra
Leone. Tentative Schedules:
- Team one
Depart: Sunday, January 11th
Return: Thursday, January 22
- Team two
Depart: Tuesday, January 20th
Return: Sunday, February 3
Our team's primary focus is to expose participating congregations to
the various ministries supported by the United Methodist Church in
Sierra Leone. We will visit Albert Academy, Theological Seminary,
Harford Academy Girls' School, Kissy Medical Clinic and a variety of
congregations. We will visit congregations as well, but cannot
promise that each participant will be able to visit their specific
covenant congregation, since travel to some areas is so difficult
because of limited infrastructure.
While many individuals have a passion to build, teach, or even
perform medical services, this is not currently the thrust of our
work. Since the war, it is essential that we rebuild relationships
and begin setting goals to do the prior mentioned work.
Our total trip fee is: $3,500. This is
all inclusive for travel, meals, lodging, etc. You only need funds
for meals while in transit to and from Africa. Airlines tickets must
be purchased soon, the payment schedule is as follows:
- July 16: $1,000.00
- August 11: $1,000.00
- September 15: $750.00
- October 15: $750.00
A total payment of $2,000.00 is due by August 11th. NO RESERVATIONS
will be accepted after this date. All checks made payable: "Calvary
UMC" and sent to:
Calvary UMC
Attn: Rev. Jeff Fisher
4700 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717)545-0021
For questions, e-mail: : missions@calvaryunitedmethodist.org.
*APPLICATION does not guarantee acceptance for available spaces
**NOTE: While we try to keep faithful to our prices, we have been
warned there may be a
further
fuel surcharge, if this occurs we will have to pass this expense to
each participant.
|
| |
MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO
UM Missionaries Terry
and Muriel Henderson have been serving the rural poor of Mexico
through the GYTTE (Give Ye Them To Eat) development project for 31
years. Central PA Conference has been sending annual work teams for
15+ years with a team scheduled to go in October. Many
of our churches help to support the Hendersons and the GYTTE
programs. The current economic downturn in the US has drastically
affected the GYTTE program. There's a saying in Mexico: "When the
USA catches a cold, Mexico catches pneumonia.” Program contributions
have dropped 90% and the GYTTE program is in imminent danger of
being closed. Over the past several months, the Livestock program
has closed and money from the sale of the animals has kept the other
programs going.
GYTTE provides training for the rural poor to enable them to help
improve their circumstances without having to leave their families
to try to find jobs in the USA. About 20 Mexican staff are employed
full time with many others hired frequently as day laborers when
training events are held. Without support, this program will not be
able to continue. "Give Ye Them To Eat" is an approved Advance
Special of the General Board of Global Ministries. Please consider
making a donation as individuals, classes or congregations. Please
lift the GYTTE program in prayer! Give a gift online by going to
www.gbgm-umc.org and typing in Give Ye Then To Eat, #07629A. A
credit card can be used. Process a financial gift by mail. Make your
check payable to Advance GCFA. Write the name of the ministry and
the Advance code number on the check., "Give Ye Them To Eat", No.
07629A. Send your donation to Advance GCFA - GBGM, P.O. Box 9068 -
GPO,NY, NY 10087-9068. 100% of your donation will reach the GYTTE
program in Mexico. For more information about GYTTE go to
www.gytte.org For information about the October VIM team,
contact Rev. Marian Hartman at
revmeh@epix.net.
|
