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"There are only two duties God requires of us:
the love of God and the love of neighbor.
The more we grow in the love of our neighbor,
the more we grow in the love of God."
-Teresa of Avila
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Advance Project
U.S. Disaster Response
Help those affected by this spring's tornadoes in the South and the Midwest, as well as those affected by current flooding throughout the U.S. by contributing to United Methodist Committee on Relief's U.S. Disaster Response Advance #901670. Urge your church to take up a collection, as well. One hundred percent of all gifts given through UMCOR's Advance go directly to the designated project.
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Emergency Response
Missouri River Flooding
United Methodist Ministries is working to prepare for the floods that are affecting the Missouri River District.
Immediate action can be taken through the collection of cleaning buckets. The complete detailed list o f what is needed for each cleaning bucket (formerly called flood buckets) can be found on the UMCOR website. Cleaning buckets can be dropped off at the following sites:
-Missouri River District Office/United Methodist Ministries, 2665 Farnam St, Suite 102, Omaha. M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
-First UMC in Auburn, 1205 L Street, Contact: Teresa Fletcher 402.274.3329 (Call before drop-off)
-Calvary UMC in Fremont, 2439 E Street, Contact: Dan Swanson 402.558.0475 or 402.312.8540 T-W only (call before drop-off)
-First UMC in Falls City, 1700 Harlan St, Falls City. Contact: 402-245-3281. Weekday mornings.
Opportunities for volunteers and teams will not be available until the river crests and the flood waters recede. This is currently not expected to happen for another month or so, potentially by the end of the summer.
United Methodist Ministries will be scheduling work for the volunteer teams so local entities can coordinate the projects as they arise. Those interested in volunteering can send their inquires to info@bigmuddyumc.org for more information.
A project list will be created and teams will be placed on a waiting list and scheduled according to need, projects and available. UMM will be linking groups to projects that local coordinators are planning and facilitating. If you have a potential disaster project within the Missouri River District, contact Catherine McGowan at 402.989.9862. If you have a potential disaster project outside of the Missouri River District, contact Roger Gillming at rgillmin@umcneb.org or 308.836.2334.
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Hunger Concerns Rising
There's Still Time to HelpPop quiz: Families often face greater food shortages a) around the winter holidays b) in the summer months Contrary to popular belief, families face greater food hardships during the summer months when children are home from school. 
Low-income families and individuals in the Metro-Omaha area are facing increasing obstacles when it comes to putting food on their tables this summer. Local food banks and pantries are operating at critical levels due to donation shortages, the rising cost of food, natural disasters, more crops being diverted for use as biofuels, and cuts in federal funding. Summer is a time when families typically need greater quantities of food than at other times of the year, as they struggle to provide meals for children who are out of school. Lower-income families, especially, rely heavily on food banks and pantries during this time. United Methodist Ministries has heard from representatives of Pearl Pantry, Heart Ministry Center, Food Bank for the Heartland, and Together, Inc. who all concur that they are having trouble meeting family and individual needs for food this summer. Pearl Pantry, Heart Ministry Center, and Together, Inc. for example, have had very little meat to disperse. They are relying on canned meats such as chicken, tuna, and pork. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to help immediately, either with monetary or food donations. Items that pantries need most include: - flip-top cans of soup
- pasta
- fruits and vegetables
- peanut butter and jelly
- shelf-stable milk
- apple sauce
- fruit cups
- fruit juice
- dry cereal
- Cup O' Noodles
- canned meats
- diapers
- toilet paper
- laundry soap
- toiletries
- instant oatmeal
- crackers
- granola bars
- dried fruits
- trailmix
For more information about increased hunger concerns facing lower-income families and individuals see: Food Bank for the HeartlandTogether, Inc.Hunger Free HeartlandBread for the World: Hunger and the U.S. Budget
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Support Our Missionaries
 Do you know that you can support missionaries around the world through the Advance projects? In addition to individual donations, your church can "adopt" a missionary by forming a Covenant Relationship. A Covenant Relationship is much more than a financial commitment. It is a dynamic relationship where the church and missionary pray for one another and communicate regularly. The missionary also visits your church. By deepening its own awareness of the struggles and triumphs of the missionary, the congregation participates in a work that is truly connectional. United Methodist Ministries is fortunate to host two missionaries from the General Board of Global Ministries. Lisa Maupin, a native of Wallace Nebraska serves as a Church and Community Worker at UMM, while Erin Eidenshink, a native of Western Pennsylvania serves as a Mission Intern. Click here to read more about Erin and Lisa in the July UMM newsletter. To support Lisa Maupin's ministry click here. To support Erin Eidenshink's ministry click here. To learn more about how your church can form a Covenant Relationship with either Lisa or Erin click here. |
Volunteer Opportunities
Create a short-term mission team in your church. A couple of adults from St. Luke UMC in Omaha were determined to create a VIM team to volunteer through United Methodist Ministries this summer. In order to recruit volunteers, they posted a clever sign-up in their church newsletter that looked like this: 
This sign-up allowed for members who might be available one day but not another, creating a rotating sort of team. Folks even gave up a day of their vacation to be part of the mission team. We applaud this dedicated team and invite you to consider posting something like this in your church newsletter. You might be surprised to see who signs up! To book your mission experience with United Methodist Ministries, contact Lisa Maupin at 402.898.9862. United Methodist Communications recently published an article on short-term mission options when money is tight. Click here to read the article. |
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New Video Resource
Ministry With.org
 Have you seen the awesome new website and video put out by the General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Women? In a hip and inspiring format, it provides helpful statistics and ideas for action regarding poverty. It's about doing ministry With*, not for, others. This downloadable video would make a great sermon piece, a UMW program, an outreach committee devotional, or a youth group lesson. Click here to access the website.
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Get the Latest Disaster Information
Subscribe to the UMCOR Hotline
 Do you receive the United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) newsletter? Subscribe to the UMCOR Hotline to get the latest updates on United Methodist efforts to provide relief to those in need around the world. Click here to go to the Hotline page. |
Events
Summer Camps at Camp Fontanelle June-August
Cooperative School of Christian Mission
July 22-27
World Communion Sunday
October 2
Children's Sabbath
October 7-9
Stand Up Against Poverty Day of Service
October 9
10-Fold
October 10-19
United Methodist Women Statewide Meeting
October 14-15
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Suggested Reading
Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith by Donald E. Messer
What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty by Ruby Payne
Hunger and Happiness: Feeding the Hungry, Nourishing Our Souls by L. Shannon Jung
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving From Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider
Winds of Fury, Circles of Grace: Life After the Palm Sunday Tornadoes by Dale Clem
To Begin Again: The Journey Toward Comfort, Strength, and Faith in Difficult Times by Naomi Levy
Where is God: Earthquake, Terrorism, Barbarity, and Hope by Jon Sobrino
Act of God, Active God: Recovering from Natural Disasters by Gary Harbaugh
All of these titles are available through
Soul Desires Bookstore in Omaha, 1-800-264-4249.
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