"This Sunday occurs during Epiphany, the season of manifesting God's light to the world.  Human Relations Day calls the Church to recognize the right of all God's Children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other.  The purpose of the day is to further the development of better human relations."  (Para. 264.1, The Book of Discipline 2004)

The Human Relations Day special offering will be distributed as follows:

§     57% to more than 30 church-based Community Developers work in racial- and ethnic-minority communities in the United States and Puerto Rico;

§     33% to a multiracial network of grassroots social-justice organizations related to United Methodist Voluntary Services for providing vital outreach;

§     10% to Christ-centered youth Offender Rehabilitation projects for giving teenagers a chance to succeed.

Please give generously.

The Summer Intern Program of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) has resumed, after being dormant since 2000.  A dozen young persons, ages 18 to 25, will be placed with United Methodist institutions and churches across the United States.  Each placement involves some element of social justice, which allows interns to become engaged with the church in action in the area of eradication of injustice.  Applicants must have completed at least one year of higher education and be able to dedicate a full ten weeks to the program.  Orientation begins in New York City on June 1, 2008.  Service gets underway on June 8 and ends on August 2, followed by a week of debriefing, again in New York.  Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend, travel to and from their place of assignment, and room and board.

The US-2 Program is an opportunity for young adults ages 20 to 30.  US-2s are commissioned missionaries of the GBGM and serve two years in a variety of settings in church-related or ecumenical organizations.  Their purpose is to engage in the alleviation of human need and the strengthening of poor communities in the United States.  Over the years, a great number of US-2s have gone on to long-term missionary service or become clergy or lay leaders in the church.  Prior to service, training will take place in New York City this summer.

The application deadline for both programs is February 1, 2008.  Visit http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/youth for additional information and an application form.

David and Lori Persons are missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries assigned to the Democratic Republic of Congo.  They will be itinerating in our Conference in January.  Find a location near you to hear them speak.

1/9 7:00pm Pasco: Riverview; 1/10 5:30pm Walla Walla: Pioneer; 1/12 6:00pm Snoqualmie; 1/13 8:30am & 10:45am Seattle: University Temple; 1/137:00pmCoupeville; 1/14 5:30pm Bellingham: Garden Street; 1/19 10:00am Seattle: Woodland Park; 1/20 8:30am & 10:00am Vancouver: Salmon Creek; 1/20 6:00pm Castle Rock; 1/21 7:00pm Vancouver: First; 1/22 noon Lyle; 1/22 6:00pm Vancouver: Vancouver Heights

Some slots are still open -- 1/11 (available for churches in Seven Rivers District), 1/15-1/18 (available for churches in Seattle, Tacoma, and Puget Sound Districts).  Contact Noriko Lao at norikolao@cs.com if interested in inviting them to your church.

David is serving as dean and professor of biblical studies at the Faculte Methodiste Theologie in Mulungwishi.  He is involved with training of Congolese pastors.  Lorene is serving as director of the Women's School at the same facility.  She works primarily with women and family issues.  To learn more about their work, click on Missionary Biographies under the Quick Links in this newsletter.

There are many 2008 Congo calendars left for sale at $10.00 each.  The proceeds go toward tuition and mattresses at the Mulungwishi Seminary, where missionaries David and Lori Persons work.  Make your checks payable to Mulungwishi Seminary and send to Marian Zaske, 815 S. 216th St, C-38, Des Moines, WA 98198.  For more details, contact Marian at 206-870-2038 or Zaske@wesleyresident.org.

Two Cargo Containers Much Appreciated

After a long journey, the two cargo containers that were sent from the PNW Annual Conference were finally delivered to Lubumbashi, DRC!  Mike and Terrie Hobbs, along with GBGM Missionaries Jeff and Ellen Hoover, plus many recipients, were on hand to off-load items.

Ellen Hoover writes:  "I just returned from the container-unloading site.  By late afternoon, the container was entirely discharged.  Just before the last items were off-loaded, the forklift arrived to take the two containers off their trucks and put the one on its blocks and the other in an open area to be moved later to Jamaa Letu.  Meanwhile, people were loading their various small and big trucks with all the wonderful gifts from Pacific Northwest.  There was a bit of an air of disbelief that all these things were really here, things they had requested and really needed for their projects.  The Kolwezi truck was very carefully and skillfully packed with the medical equipment, mattresses etc.  For TESOL's things, we were able to move all of them with our pickup truck, even the lateral file cabinets which we moved two at a time.  They fit just exactly side by side, not a centimeter to spare in height.  They were about an inch too long so we couldn't shut the tailgate but Jeff said they didn't budge at all during the trip.  Thanks so much.  I'm looking forward to the excitement of opening the boxes and finding out all the good things inside.  The things for individuals c/o us were mostly in the first container but we now also have a couple of other boxes and will distribute those as soon as possible--but we might still try to go to Mulungwishi tomorrow since we could get in a full day of teaching and also get some more computer equipment out of our house--a distinct advantage as we now have almost no floor space left.  Jeff has just returned from the container scene too, after picking up several cartons of Mulungwishi library books at the guest house."

We thank the individuals and groups of PNW Annual Conference for their generous donations of items that filled the containers and funds which helped defray the costs. 

Melvin Woodworth & Jan Kreidler, Hope for Children of Africa Co-Chairs

It's not too early to be thinking about your summer plans, so mark July 11-14 on your calendars--and plan to join others at the annual Cooperative School of Christian Mission (CSOCM) to be held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.  The theme for this year's school is "Living the Sacred".  Ask yourself:  What will I do for spiritual renewal and/or continuing education in 2008?  A growing number of persons, lay and clergy, are finding CSOCM the best opportunity around!

The all-school spiritual growth study will be "I Believe in Jesus", to be led by Rev. Dr. Ronald Hines, Seven Rivers District Superintendent.  "Giving Our Hearts Away:  Native American Survival" is a study to be led by Barry Moffett, pastor at Clarkston UMC and JaNet'Crouse, laywoman from Trinity UMC in East Wenatchee.  The study on "Israel/Palestine" will continue for a second year with one of the leaders Mark Wendle, lay pastor from Clark Fork UMC in Idaho.

Watch for more information about the 2008 CSOCM studies in the next issue of H.A.I.L.

Medical/Construction Team Returns from New Orleans

"Everywhere we went people thanked us", says Amy Jantzen, Team Leader.  "We now have a real appreciation for the strength of spirit the people of New Orleans have".  Twelve persons from Central Washington traveled to New Orleans November 10-18, 2007 to help rebuild this damaged city.  From Wenatchee were Sandra Whitley, Cassie Noble, Sue Neff, RN, Dr Jim and Amy Jantzen, RN, Jim and Robin Gates, and Stephanie Matthews.  From other areas: Lucile Ames, Okanogan, Mary Shoop, Kennewick, and Don and Laura Jensen, Waterville.  Assignments: to "gut" the house of an elderly woman and provide medical services at a free clinic.

When gutting a house, workers need protective suits, masks, gloves, and hard hats.  You can imagine how hot and exhausting it was on 80 degree days! Of particular interest was a grandmother/granddaughter combo, Sandra and Cassie, who worked side by side.  "I learned I really like destroying things", joked Miss Noble, 17.

The clinic, Luke's House, is housed in Mt. Zion UMC's Family Life Center and a joint effort with Rayne Memorial UMC.  Mt. Zion Church, situated in an underserved area of the city, was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  "It was so exciting to see the people of these two churches working together for the first time in 50 years!" observed Sue. The team's home churches had collected a $1000.00 worth of medical and hygiene items, filling 10 suitcases, which were well received. The three WA medical volunteers were instrumental in Luke's House having a successful first week. Only six New Orleans' hospitals are currently re-opened and often too far away for those who need treatment.

There is talk of returning-the need is so extreme and the people so gracious.

We have been in contact with Rev. Ted Lesnett, Director of Camp Mekokiko on the Big Island of Hawaii!  They are in the process of developing a United Methodist Camp on the NE corner of the island, about mid-way between Hilo and Kona.

Ted has blocked out April 7 to 19, 2008 for a two week construction work session.  This follows the Western Jurisdiction UMW Conference being held in Honolulu April 4-6, 2008.  We see this as a chance for our WJ Methodists to become familiar with the Camping Ministry in Hawaii.  Don/Nancy Burk, Tom/Mary Louise Hager, and Ruth Mathis are going.  We have several openings for the entire work period, but can consider someone coming for just the first or second week.  Team member costs for the full two weeks will be $350 per person, including food, transportation, GBGM insurance and a donation to the camp building fund.  A "Camp Mekokiko" shirt will be sent to each team member before departure so we can be wearing them when being met by locals in Kona.

Members arrange their own flight plans to and from Kona, thru either Honolulu or Maui.  Check with Jan Kaiser at love2trvl@imbris.com for best airfares.  After arriving in Kona, we will rent vehicles for traveling to the camp and picking up provisions (there is a Costco in Kona).  Team member pick up times will be coordinated when we have all the arrival information.  For more details and other information, contact Tom & Mary Louise Hager at 509-493- 2445 or tomterrific3@juno.com.

How are you engaged in mission?  Have you had an invaluable UMVIM or NOMAD experience lately?  Do you have openings on your UMVIM team that other church members can join?  How do you get youth and children involved in mission?  Does your church have a great community outreach program -- a food bank, after-school program, etc.?  What joys does the Covenant Relationship with a missionary bring to your congregation?  Do you have exciting and enjoyable ways to raise funds for mission?

Please share your mission stories with the readers of H.A.I.L.  Send your article of about 250 words in length to the editor at norikolao@cs.com.  Send the picture (in JPEG format) separately.  H.A.I.L. is published as needed, that is, whenever there is enough news.  So, there is no specific deadline, except for timed materials.  To keep the H.A.I.L. going, please send in your article.