UMCOR Responds to Myanmar Disaster

Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar's most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed.  Satellite images reveal extensive damage along the entire coastal plain.  Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing.

UMCOR is partnering with Church World Service, the Methodist Church in Lower Myanmar, and Action by Churches Together to provide relief and support for those struggling in the aftermath of the cyclone.  The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors.

Please pray for the people of Myanmar who have suffered great losses.  Pray also for new venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need.

Send your gifts through your local church for UMCOR Advance #3019674:  Myanmar Emergency.

"I have no dignity."  "I don't have a say in what I eat or do."  "No one considers my views."  "I feel useless."   These are sentiments commonly expressed by refugees - people like you and me who, because of persecution or violence, have been forced to flee their homes and countries.

There are nearly 14 million refugees worldwide, according to World Refugee Survey 2007, and 21 million people internally displaced within their own countries.  Especially vulnerable among them are the almost nine million who have spent five years or more "warehoused" in camps or segregated settlements.  They typically are unable to work or study.  Despair and apathy are common and take their toll on mental and physical health.  Some "long-stayers," especially the young ones, become recruitment targets for paramilitary groups, gangs, and drug traffickers.  For many, the second or even third generation knows no life outside the camp.  What a tragic waste of human potential! 

Through many programs, we are helping refugees move beyond mere subsistence.  The programs are rooted in the recognition of refugees' right to live free, dignified, and productive lives and to realize their potential, whether they stay in the country of first asylum, eventually return home, or permanently resettle elsewhere. 

You are encouraged to use special materials during the month of June to highlight the plight of refugees in our world, and to share with our government officials the need to work for peace.

For more information, and worship resources, go to one of these UM or related agency websites:

Church World Service:  www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/publications.html#wrd

Q:   Can I come just for the weekend?

A:   Yes.  The weekend package includes Friday dinner through Sunday dinner and two nights lodging.

Q:   What if I don't need lodging?

A:   You can be a commuter.

Q:   How much does it cost?

A:   If registered by June 20:  $255 (full time); $210 (weekend); $160 (commuter).

      Otherwise:  $300 (full time); $255 (weekend); $205 (commuter).

Q:   Are scholarships available?

A:   Yes!  Please read the article below.

Q:   How can I get the brochure and registration/scholarship application forms?

A:   You can download the most current version from www.pnwumc.org/missions.

Q:   What are the study subjects?

A:   All school study is "I Believe in Jesus"

      Electives are "Israel/Palestine" and "Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival."

Q:   I really want to attend the School, but need a ride.  Is there any way I can find a carpool?

A:   If you send your request with your address, phone number, and E-mail address to the Registrars (Bill Green/Noriko Lao) at schoolofmission@gmail.com or call 360-733-7440, they will share your information with registrants in your area.  There is a good chance someone will contact you about carpooling.

Q:   What if I have more questions?

A:   The brochure and confirmation letter that will be sent upon receipt of your registration should answer most of your questions, but if you want further information, contact the Registrars (see above).

ATTENTION Women, Men, Youth, and Children:

YOU qualify to receive a scholarship to the Cooperative School of Christian Mission (CSOCM). 

YES, scholarships are available to anyone who would like to attend.  Special priority will be given to:

            ♪ Ethnic Adults

            ♪ Youth and young adults under 45 years old

            ♪ Women belonging to small units (under 30 members)

            ♪ Women belonging to new units

            ♪ First time attendees

Even if you do not fall into one of these categories; please apply because many times scholarship funds go unused. 

Full or partial scholarships are available from various sources: apply first to your local church and/or local United Methodist Women.  Then apply to your district UMW, Conference UMW or Cooperative School of Christian Mission (CSOCM).  You will need to contact the individual groups to find out the amounts they offer and application deadlines. The conference UMW and the CSOCM offer ½ of the registration fee and the application deadline is June 6, 2008.

The UMW scholarship checks will be sent directly to the CSOCM registrar.  Any balance remaining must accompany the registration.

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship process, contact Linda Key at 509-830-1960 or email at lmkey@charter.net.

Why should a man attend the Cooperative School of Christian Mission?

By nature, men are more active as individuals, not so much in groups.  They like to do things on their own.  The Cooperative School of Christian Mission is a perfect opportunity for men and women to work together on issues that affect us all.

Women are effective in social/cultural issues and men are effective in technical/cultural issues. It is the combination of both technical and social issues that are changing our world.  Men need to be proactive and not reactive.

One way to be proactive is to take part in the Cooperative School of Christian Mission. When I went in 2001 I had just come back from Vietnam and had a current view of what was presented.  I was impressed with the class subjects and the historic, cultural, and spiritual presentations.  I was also impressed with the lack of men at the event.

Yes, we do live in a changing world. In my observations, our current problems are the result of history, culture, and religion, made worse by greed and technology.  We MEN need to control our anger, conquer our fears, and get involved in such things as the timely issues presented at Cooperative Schools of Christian Mission.

Richard Sullivan, Garden Street UMC

The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) is launching the Academy of Mission Renewal (AMR).  The "AMR" is neither a place nor a program, but an opportunity for United Methodists to expand our understanding of mission theology from within a United Methodist framework, and to empower congregations in God's Mission.

The GBGM is now recruiting a core group of AMR Interpreters, who will seek to have Academy groups organized in each of the Annual Conferences, through whichever settings fit local needs.  An AMR Interpreter would be trained for these tasks through events in NY by GBGM staff, and would be available to lead study groups of mission leaders, who would in turn offer the Faithful Witness: United Methodist Theology of Mission study in their local area.

Interested?  Or do you know of an active United Methodist mission leader who would volunteer to renew the Church through theological study?  Contact Una Jones via email (ujones@gbgm-umc.org) or phone (212-870-3792), with your nomination.

1)  Donations to help defray the cost of shipping the container.  Make checks payable to Conference Treasurer, indicating in the memo section Advance #101000-4 / container.  The mailing address is Conference Treasurer, PO Box 13650, Des Moines, WA  98198.

2)  We urgently need strong bodies to help load the container in mid-May at the staging site (the old Gottchalks store at Totem Lake Mall, just North of Kirkland).  Loading will take several hours of one day.  If you are able to help and/or would like more information, please contact Terrie & Mike Hobbs at miketerrihobbs@gmail.com or by phone at 360-320-1323 / 360-320-1352 or Jan Kreidler at hfcajankreidler@aol.com or 206-523-3394.

Jan Kreidler - Hope for the Children of Africa Task Force Co-Coordinator

During our 2007 annual goal-setting retreat, working with the nearby elementary school was established as a high priority.  Each Wednesday, the school district dismisses the elementary children two hours early.  This causes disruptions in the lives of families as most parents have a work schedule that requires child care during this time.  The church saw the need to provide an after-school supervised program in the church each Wednesday.

The after-school program is staffed with volunteers from Riverview UMC.  Every volunteer has been subjected to a background investigation by a state agency.  Each child wears a name tag with parent and emergency contacts on the back as well as any noted allergies.  Small groups are established to allow the children to have personal connections with the volunteers, intensify each volunteer's expertise, and establish better supervision.

We sponsored a Fall Festival on October 31 for the After School Bunch as well as for children and grandchildren of the congregation.  In March, the children, "with able help", made soup for a light supper which the parents enjoyed.  Information about PNWC camping opportunities was also given to the families.

This ministry's objectives are:

1)  Provide a safe, supervised atmosphere        

2)  Meet parents' need for child care on Wednesday early release

3)  Connect Riverview United Methodist to the neighborhood

4)  Connect families using this service to the other ministries of the church

Bette Ward - Riverview UMC

Contact person for the camp is Sandy Coon in Juneau, best reached at 907-780-4910.  You can also contact her at her cell phone 907-723-2043 while she is in the Seattle area May 27 to June 7.  Sandy would love to talk to you about the merits of volunteering at the Eagle River camp this summer!!

Tom Hager, NOMADS State Coordinator

A team of nine members from the Coupeville UMC recently spent a week at the Methodist Red Bird Mission Station in the Appalachia Mountains in eastern KY.  We worked on a home owned by a single mother who is going back to school to earn a degree in radiology.  It was a marvelous experience for all of us and an opportunity to do mission work "here at home".  The station is run extremely well, provides three meals a day, and the dormitory type living is an absolutely beautiful setting.

The Red Bird missionaries are dedicated to their community and to the people living in this extremely financially depressed area.  They not only provide assistance with home improvements, but also have a K-12 accredited school, medical clinic, pharmacy, thrift store and social services.  One of their main attractions is the craft store, where the most amazing items, made by individuals from the surrounding areas, are sold.  This is a great source of income for them.  Also any church can sell the handmade crafts to help these mountain craftsmen/women.

I urge you to consider a trip to Red Bird for your members and especially your youth.  It's a great experience for any age.  To learn more about this marvelous place and the mission, visit www.rbmission.org.

Carmen McFadyen - Coupeville UMC

Twenty four people, representing Seattle: Blaine Memorial UMC, spent March 4-12, 2008 in New Orleans to help in the area's recovery effort through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

Led by Rev. Kathleen Weber, we went as the hands and feet of God to do whatever he intended, but we actually had to include our knees and backs as well.  We laid hardwood floors in one house, painted and laid ceramic tile floors in another.  We also painted, put up shelving, and installed a door on a storage room at the Brooks/Shaw Temple United Methodist Church.  Everyday a crew shopped and prepared delicious meals for all of us, even bringing lunches out to the work sites.  We worshipped at Brooks/Shaw Temple UMC on Sunday and were treated to a brunch afterwards.  We heard story after story of what these people went through and it was amazing to see their resiliency and determination to "go back home".  Strangers would thank us for coming to help and their gratitude was genuine.  The recovery is slow, but seeing an entire street of homes being renovated was a sign of hope.

It was a heartwarming trip.  Thank you all for your prayers.

Marianne Tada, Blaine Memorial UMC

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.