With Lent following so quickly on the heals of Christmas this year we lost much of our "Ordinary Time" between the seasons.  Remembering that this in-between time got its name from "ordinal", meaning "counted," we are encouraged to make all our days count.

Jesus went even further.  He made sure that the "ordinary" people of his day knew that they counted.  Their society may not have noticed but God placed great value on them.  In a passage from Matthew that will be sacrificed this year due to the fewer "ordinary" Sundays, Jesus emphasizes this in two ways:  he first pronounces multiple blessings upon the crowd (Beatitudes), and then, just as shockingly, describes them as salt and light.  (Matt. 5:1-16)

Silver and gold are nice, but without salt and light people did not survive.  The world could not go on.  You may remember that we get the word salary from the fact that many people, like soldiers, got paid in salt.  In looking for disciples and people to change the world by practicing his words, Jesus left no room for the excuse, "you must have somebody else in mind."  The world doesn't need "somebody else".   In case Jesus still means it, examine this issue for ways to be what the world needs most, ways to count for something.

Call 1-888-346-3862 today to order a free poster, offering envelopes, and a DVD with short UMCOR highlights suitable for a mission moment during worship.  More resources are available online at umcgiving.org.

"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good'' concludes the unfolding story of God's creation of the earth and all its living creatures as revealed in Genesis, Chapter 1.  How are we as God's people to understand the story in the midst of human acts of racism, violence, and earthly destruction?

Native American traditions teach us that creation--all that comes from God and all that comes from the heart and mind of God--is sacred.  Native traditions call on its people to value life the way God values life. To be a created people is to be relationally connected to all people everywhere, as well as to all God has created.

To believe in Jesus is to love as God loved and live as Christ lived, valuing all creation. To believe in Jesus is to live in the way of Christ, freeing the oppressed, healing the sick and wounded, clothing the naked, and welcoming all.  To believe in Jesus is to follow the sacred commandment to love as God loved. To believe in Jesus is to embrace the sacredness of life.

While God has given humanity the gift of life and relationship, too often we have created barriers between people and lands. We have acted in ways that violate the sacredness of life and do not make for peace.

As followers of Christ, as Christians in community, let us deepen our understanding of what it means to live in sacred harmony. Then, let us walk together in ways that lead to peace and reconciliation.

"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it" (Psalm 24:1)

There are many of you reading this who may wonder why I would even ask such a question, as you have been faithful attendees of this annual summer event for many years. You have also encouraged, invited, recruited, and provided scholarships for others to share in the experience. You come because you know that:

§   This is a time for study, reflection, and action.

§   There is growth through leadership opportunities.

§   Each year there are studies that focus on:

Spiritual Growth--providing biblically sound resources that challenge you to grow and act.

A Social Issue--addressing a topic with global impact that can lead to involvement in systemic change.

Geographical Focus--enabling you to learn about an issue in a specific part of the world.

On July 11-14, 2008 we will gather in Ellensburg to explore "Living the Sacred."  Because we know that God created everything and called it good, we try to live faithfully in the midst of human acts of racism, violence, and earthly destruction. We will learn this year from Native American tradition how to see ourselves related to all people everywhere and to all that God has created.  We will explore how our belief in Jesus helps us embrace the sacredness of life, loving as God loved. We will see how humanity has acted in ways that do not make for peace.

Maybe a better question is: Why wouldn't you attend the Cooperative School of Christian Mission?  Clergy, lay men and women, youth, and children, we are called to join together as followers of Christ, to live in sacred harmony.

Bonnie Chandler-Warren, Assistant Dean

Thanks to the generosity of United Methodists, the young girls at Jamaa Letu orphanage are living in a safe environment, are well cared for, and receiving an education. They are happy and look forward to the future-but what about the boys?  There are currently twenty-two young boys at Jamaa Letu II, who also deserve a chance for a productive, happy life.  Children in both orphanages are growing up quickly and becoming the future of Africa.

Hope for the Children of Africa Task Force appreciates all who are continuing to sponsor the girls, but now is hoping others will come forward to support and provide necessary assistance for the boys.  The cost of sponsoring a child is $393 a year.  To sponsor one of the children please contact Sponsor Coordinator, Ann Wilson at hfca@stanwoodumc.org.

On the cold dark Saturday morning, December 29, six intrepid souls left Bellingham at 5:30 for Lewis County to help those most affected by the recent flooding.  At Boisfort, a small community west of Chehalis, the volunteer coordinators did an excellent job of matching our group's abilities with the tasks at hand.  They made sure we had good sturdy rubber boots, gloves, and facemasks before sending us to one of the houses most severely affected by the floods.  The house was sitting in a sea of mud.  Earlier groups had completely gutted the inside of this almost hundred year old house that had been inundated with over six feet of water and mud.  The morning was spent with four of us outside digging mud away from plants and the foundation so a tractor could push it away, while two of us worked inside removing mud from between the studs along the floor.

While working, a car stopped and a high school student handed me a wad of cash and some gift cards for the homeowner to use at a local hardware store. The cheerleaders had held a car wash and wanted to give the proceeds to someone in need.  Later the fire department arrived with lunch. We washed our hands with bleach water and stood up to eat because there was no place to sit down.  By 2 pm, we were all feeling the effects of our labors, so decided to call it a day.

We were touched by the graciousness of all we met.  This community is pulling together to help each other and was overwhelmed that groups, like ours, would travel several hours to come and help them.  We hope to send another team soon.  I would encourage others to do the same, as the needs are great and will continue for a long time to come.

Bill Green, Pastor, Garden Street UMC

It was a moving experience to gather in a circle of prayer with all of the volunteers at the back of the loaded van, blessing both those who had contributed to this process and those who would receive these relief supplies.

The dates for our UMVIM team to Juneau, Alaska this year are June 29 to July 13.  If you need to spend less time, you could do either of the weeks or 10 days.  We will help build two new sleeping cabins in the Southeast Alaska Methodist Camp and also support the Douglas UMC with their 4^th of July beef barbeque dinner!  What a spectacular scenic area this is with its mountains, glaciers, eagles, rivers, salmon, and salt water--and fireworks at midnight on the 3rd!  The camp is 25 miles north of Juneau, nestled amongst tall trees, with Lynn Canal and Eagle Beach a short hike from camp.  We'll sleep in the all weather cabins with good beds which have mattresses!  Showers and laundry are available and we'll do our cooking in the main lodge.  We usually have time for lots of sightseeing and an occasional fishing trip, if they are biting!

Cost for the two week work period should be around $190 per person, which covers food, fuel, camp building fund, and insurance, with more information available the end of March.  Air fare to and from Juneau is each person's responsibility.  Due to restricted transportation, we limit each member to one checked bag, a sleeping bag, and one carry on.  We will be met at the Juneau airport by our camp hosts, and after we gather the team, do some shopping, and have lunch, will head out to camp.

Interested?  Contact Tom/Mary Louise Hager at 509-493-2445 (h), 206-399-3523 (c) or tomterrific3@juno.com.

How are you engaging 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.