Committed to social justice in Nebraska since 1966
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Friends,
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This is an exciting time of year as we gear up for our spring and summer service opportunities! Read on to find out how you can help as we work to eradicate hunger, poverty, and racism in Southeast Nebraska.
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Calendar of Events
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Sunday April 18th (can be celebrated anytime)
Give to the Native American Ministries Special Offering.
The
funds collected will allow The United Methodist Church to partner with
existing native ministries and create programs on behalf of Native
Americans. Money collected also supports seminary scholarships for
United Methodist Native Americans.
Mark Advance #752 in your check's memo line.
Saturday April 24th
Change the World Event with Global Youth Service Day projects for grades 6-12 and Impact Community projects for participants over 18 years old. For more information contact: Lisa Maupin, 402.898.9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
Friday April 30th
"Box City--Why Does Anyone Have to Be Homeless?" youth social awareness event hosted by Omaha First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street. For more information contact: Becky Jones at becky.jones@fumcomaha.org.
Sunday May 2nd
Together Sunday honoring the 35th Anniversary of the establishment of Together, Inc. in Omaha. Congregations are encouraged to consider a special offering of monetary or in-kind donations. Speakers from Together, Inc. are also available. For more information visit www.togetheromaha.org.
Sunday May 9th
Nebraska/Nigeria Special Sunday
Through this partnership, the Nebraska Conference is the primary source of funding for the orphanage in Jalingo, Nigeria, which is currently home to 48 students. In addition to the costs of running the orphanage, approximately $2,000 per child, per year, is needed to provide for the resident orphans.
Give to the Nebraska/Nigeria Partnership by noting Advance #851 in the memo line of your check.
Sunday October 17th
Stand Up Against Poverty, UMM's final day of service for 2010.
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New Staff
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UMM is pleased to announce the addition of three new full-time employees. Dr. Mary Lee Fitzsimmons, Rebecca Walters, and Jaimee Trobough will join the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Lisa Maupin, and Jessica Mews to assist with The Big Garden and communications and volunteers. The past three years have seen tremendous growth at UMM, during which time The Big Garden has doubled its number of community gardens, expanded the summer internship program, and added a children's educational component. UMM has also seen considerable growth with additional days of community service as well as increased numbers of summer VIM teams. United Methodist Ministries anticipates an exciting time of further growth and expansion of other programs.
Mary Lee Fitzsimmons Rebecca Walters Jaimee Trobough
Dr. Mary Lee Fitzsimmons
Evaluation and Special Projects
Mary Lee will provide a comprehensive evaluation of UMM programs as they relate to long-range visioning. She has experience in medical, multi-cultural, and educational settings. She also serves as a liaison to our rural gardens and has a real affinity for rural areas. Mary Lee has a "checkered" academic past as a nurse, a social worker, and as a PhD researcher. She has been married 40+ years, has 4 children and 4.5 grandchildren. At home, her tomato seeds are germinating, her impatiens are started, and the spinach seeds that she put in last fall are germinating.
Rebecca Walters
Program Manager for The Big Garden
Rebecca graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, she managed a dental clinic before beginning her internship with Destination Midtown in 2009. While at Destination Midtown, Rebecca gained a strong interest in community development. She particularly loves engaging residents of the Leavenworth/St. Mary's and Midtown neighborhoods. She is in the Masters of Public Administration program at UNO and expects to finish in August. At UNO, she participates on a student leader committee that encourages students to be active in their communities. Rebecca is married to Kevin, has a dog named Casey, and is excited to start her own home garden this summer.
Jaimee Trobough
Communications and Volunteer Coordinator
Jaimee was born and raised in Omaha, where she studied theology and Justice & Peace Studies at Creighton University. She has participated in many service immersion trips including work in soup kitchens, food pantries, and homeless shelters in New York, Boston, San Antonio, Kentucky, and Louisiana. She has worked with migrant farmers in New Mexico and Florida, and has spent significant time in the Dominican Republic as well as short stays in Mali and Haiti. She is married to United Methodist pastor Mark Richardson, and they are expecting their first child later this year.
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Garden Advance
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You can now make a special
contribution to The Big Garden as an Advance! Our Advance number is
3021107.
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Speakers Bureau
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Did you know that we can provide your church with speakers on themes of mission and justice? Just give Lisa or Jaimee a call at 402.898.9862 and we'd be happy to set you up. |
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Big Garden
Volunteers will work with The Big Garden staff in the
greenhouses at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. No previous growing experience is
needed, but we prefer that volunteers be 16 years or older. Some finger
dexterity is helpful, as we will be separating
seedlings for replanting. Volunteers receive free admission
into the gardens. Volunteers are needed M-W-F, April 12-May 14 from 9:30-11:30am. Sign up
for one shift, or feel free to come multiple times! Contact Lisa Maupin, 402.898.9862 or e-mail
info@bigmuddyumc.org to sign up.
Spring into Spring Plant Sale at Lauritzen Gardens
We need pairs of volunteers to help staff The Big Garden/Blue Flamingo booth at this fun event! Volunteers will work in roughly 2-hour shifts Friday May 14th (4:30-7), Saturday May 15th (9-5), and Sunday May 16th (9-5). Come with your mom or a friend, or we can set you up with a partner! This is a fundraiser for The Big Garden/ Blue Flamingo. Contact Lisa Maupin,
402.898.9862 or e-mail
info@bigmuddyumc.org to sign up.
Blue Flamingo Thrift Store
Volunteers are needed Fridays from 12-5 at the thrift store, 1716 South 10th Street in
Omaha. Schedule your time for one Friday a month or
every Friday. To
volunteer contact Lisa Maupin at 402.898.9862 or
lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
Blue Flamingo Off-Site Sales
Do you
need a more flexible volunteer schedule and like to spread the message
about Fair Trade? The Blue Flamingo is developing a list of people who
are willing to assist with our off-site Fair Trade sales. To
volunteer contact Lisa Maupin at 402.898.9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
Summer Mission Experience
Did you know that United Methodist Ministries is an accredited Volunteers in Mission site? We can set your group up with a meaningful community service experience in Omaha, for one day or many! Contact Lisa Maupin, 402.898.9862 or e-mail
info@bigmuddyumc.org for more info.
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We hope you'll join us in community service this spring and summer.
Sincerely,
Jaimee Trobough
United Methodist Ministries
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