Committed to social justice in Nebraska since 1966 |
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The Rev. Laura Felleman, pastor at First UMC in Plattsmouth, models thrift and Fair Trade items at the Green Garden Party Fashion Show.
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| | Friends,
Many, many exciting things are happening at United Methodist Ministries this spring: new staff members and a new Church and Community Worker, designation as a United Methodist National Mission Institution, the Hershey chocolate campaign, a Blue Flamingo fashion show, new gardens, General Conference, and soon: a new location for the Blue Flamingo. Stay tuned to find out how you can help as we work to eradicate hunger, poverty, and racism in Southeast Nebraska.
Blessings,
Your friends at UMM |
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UMM Receives National Designation
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The Women's Division of the United Methodist Church announced this week that United Methodist Ministries (UMM) has been approved as a new National Mission Institution. This important designation has only been given to approximately100 agencies nationwide. It represents a formalized relationship between UMM and United Methodist Women.
According to the Women's Division, National Mission Institutions are organizations that "are empowering women, caring for children, educating and building youth, looking after the neglected, advocating for social justice issues, creating economic opportunities, and changing neighborhoods." United Methodist Ministries works toward these goals through its Big Garden program, Blue Flamingo thrift store, advocacy campaigns, days of service, and (VIM) mission experiences for teams.
"I am excited about this national recognition. It only verifies what we already know about the effectiveness of United Methodist Ministries in Nebraska", said Missouri River District Superintendent Dan Flanagan.
The application process included both written materials and a day-long site visit to Omaha by a team of representatives from the Women's Division. "We have been working towards National Mission Institution status for several years" said the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Executive Director. "It was clear to me when I arrived at United Methodist Ministries that our goals and programs would be an excellent fit with those of United Methodist Women. We have been working steadily ever since to ready ourselves for the selection process, and now look forward to working more closely with United Methodist Women in our Conference, Episcopal Area, and in the global community."
More information about National Mission Institutions is available here:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/programs/nmi/ |
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Staff Changes
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We have had a number of staffing changes over the past few months, and wanted to provide an update as well as some official welcomes and good-byes.
Nathan Morgan joined the staff May 7 as our Big Garden Director. Nathan will be responsible for the general oversight of the Big Garden, which has grown to a network of 75 gardens across Nebraska and into Kansas. He will provide direct supervision of the Garden in the Omaha metro area as well as working with our continuing Big Garden rural program coordinator, the Rev. Lyn Seiser, to ensure continuity of service across the entire network. Nathan comes to us from Creighton University, where he was a librarian. His diverse portfolio of experience includes gardening, community engagement, and rural outreach programs.
We want to re-welcome Deb Keeney, who has been covering management of both the Big Garden and the Blue Flamingo. Effective April 27, Deb has been officially assigned to UMM as a Church and Community Worker and will oversee both current and developing ministries at the Blue Flamingo.
Caryn Vincent and Matt Freeman have joined us as summer staff. Caryn will be a Master's of Public Health student at UNMC this fall, and will work mainly from the Blue Flamingo as we move to a new location and discover the needs and interests of the community in this new mission field. Matt is an undergraduate at UNO and will work mainly with the Omaha area Big Garden as staff support for both garden labor and garden programs.
We said goodbye on March 1 to our Young Adult Missionary, Erin Eidenshink, who has returned to the Mongolian city of her first missionary placement to work as a teacher. While we miss Erin's writing and interpersonal skills, we celebrate with her as she makes a home in her adopted home country.
We also want to wish Shannon Kyler, Blue Flamingo staff, the best as she moves on to other opportunities. Shannon's gift for welcoming guests and extending gracious hospitality will be missed; we look forward to staying connected with her so we can continue to enjoy her non-anxious presence.
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Mission Opportunity for Nebraska Church Groups
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United Methodist Ministries, an accredited Volunteers in Mission (VIM) site, is encouraging Nebraska groups to come to Omaha for their mission experiences this summer. UMM has some placement availability during July, and August; June is fully-booked. UMM's mission experiences are a combination of hands-on work, educational opportunities, and small-group reflection for youth and adults. UMM's mission experiences are uniquely tailored to ensure that each team has an experience specifically created to meet their needs. Teams work around the Omaha area at social service 
agencies such as community gardens, homeless shelters, food and clothing pantries, and churches. UMM welcomes teams of all ages including youth groups, adult groups, school groups, and families. Mission experiences with UMM typically run 2-5 days. UMM can also arrange lodging, if needed. UMM believes strongly in educating mission teams about justice issues in order to help participants identify areas in need of change within their home communities. Issues that are addressed vary, but may include: - food security and community gardening
- homelessness
- economic justice and systemic issues of poverty
- dismantling racism
- immigration
- access to the arts
- health care
- Fair Trade and economic justice
Nebraska groups, in particular, are encouraged to register now for summer 2012 mission experiences, as most of the currently-booked teams are from out of state. To book your summer mission experience or to find out more, contact Lisa Maupin, UMM Communications and Volunteer Director, at 402.898.9862 or by email at lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org. or go to our website for more information. |
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Blue Flamingo on the Move
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It's true: the Blue Flamingo is moving. Our last day of business on Tenth Street will be Monday, May 21st, and we will re-open mid-June at our new location at 20th and Leavenworth. The new space offers distinct areas for our thrift and Fair Trade items as well as a sorting area that is on the same level, and we are adding a garden behind the store so we can continue to grow fresh produce.
We will announce our official grand opening as well as the date that we will begin accepting donations at the new space in our next newsletter.
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First Blue Flamingo Fashion Show Stops Traffic
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On Monday March 19th approximately 100 people gathered at Urban Abbey in Omaha's Old Market for the Green Garden Party Fashion Show. The show came about through a partnership between United Methodist Ministries and Urban Abbey. Fringes Salon and Spa donated their services, styling models' hair and make-up.
The show featured 14 models who were selected to represent United Methodist Ministries' community partners including churches, friends of the Big Garden, volunteers from Blue Flamingo, and general supporters of UMM's work. Models also represented a range of diversity in terms of age, body type, and ethnicity.
The fashions featured thrift clothing and Fair Trade accessories from Blue Flamingo, a program of United Methodist Ministries. One goal of the show, in addition to raising awareness about UMM and Urban Abbey, was to highlight the "green" aspect of purchasing clothing and accessories from thrift stores. The Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Executive Director of United Methodist Ministries, explained, "I think we sometimes have an assumption that used clothing is worn out or boring or itchy. Having a fashion show helps reframe our understanding of thrift store clothing in terms of stewardship and creativity. Adding Fair Trade helps us remember that there are many parts of the consumer cycle, and that we can make decisions about how much and what we purchase all along the consumer chain."
Members of the audience were invited to show off their own thrift store fashions, and roughly 15 participated as the crowd cheered them on. At least two audience members were dressed head-to-toe in clothing and accessories from Blue Flamingo.
A crowd of people watched from the doorway of Urban Abbey, causing drivers to literally stop in the street to investigate the excitement. Audience members came from as far as Springfield, Lincoln, and Nebraska City for the event.
Everyone present was extremely enthusiastic about the event. Maurice Mashek, a model who represented Hanscom Park United Methodist Church in Omaha said, "It was great fun participating in the event. I enjoyed meeting and speaking with some of the other models. The crowd was fantastic and it was a good experience. I had never been to Urban Abbey or Fringes so I was exposed to an area of the community that I rarely frequent." Ahlschwede added, "The team at Fringes, the Urban Abbey staff and volunteers, and our 14 volunteer models did a terrific job. On a scale of ten, this event was at least an eleven."
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