H.A.I.L. - Here Am I, Lord !
Global Mission Newsletter of PNW Annual Conference
March 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
Greetings!
|
Welcome to this brand new missions tool for you and your congregation! For many years the mission opportunities and accomplishments of Pacific Northwest Annual Conference were communicated in a newsletter called, "Whom Shall I Send?" After an absence, it now returns resurrected in a new electronic format aptly titled, "Here Am I, Lord!" Even its abbreviation, the H.A.I.L. sends a message we hope will impact our conference mission endeavors.
In the time of the Gospels, "Hail" was a common greeting. With this word, Gabriel greeted Mary with startling news to which she responded, "Here am I." Yet "Hail" meant more than "hello." Greek scholars assure me that the greeting undoubtedly retained the connotation of the word's original meaning, "rejoice." When a messenger brings news of what God intends to do in and through us it is indeed a cause for rejoicing -- even when that news is daunting. What you find in this newsletter will be "good news", a report of the "gospel" work of our conference in the world.
You may more often cringe or even cry over much of the news on your radio, TV, or paper, but we trust you will rejoice when you read "Here Am I, Lord." For you will be reminded that even in distressing situations there is something we can do together toward the transformation God intends in our world.
| | | |
|
|
|
|
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) - March 18 |
The mission of UMCOR is to alleviate human suffering -- whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster -- with open minds and hearts to all people. OGHS offering keeps UMCOR doing its business as it does not receive apportionment funds or any other world service funds. OGHS offering helps UMCOR respond immediately to a disaster. Our Conference was a recipient of UMCOR Grant for the floods last fall. OGHS offering also assists UMCOR programs that have not been fully funded through designated Advance gifts. OGHS resources, such as the litany, lectionary readings, a call to awareness, and suggested hymns are available online from UMCOR. Last year, 59.2% of UMCs in our conference sent their gifts. Let us aim for 75% participation this year! For proper credit, please send your offering through Conference Treasurer, noting "OGHS."
|
|
| Marysville Youth Helps Flood Victim |
 The Marysville UMC youth group spent a Saturday helping an 80-year-old Granite Falls woman clean up after November's floods. Receding river water had left her yard and the base of her house caked in mud, silt, and sand. The Marysville group included Scott Evensen, Linda Evensen, Greg Evensen, Jeff Jensen, Stephanie Kushner, Dylan Madison, Wesley McClain, Daniel Stokes, Steven Utt, Thomas Young, Nelson Sterling and Mary Grace Lucey.
The woman had insurance and had hired a contractor to make repairs to her home, but the contractor would not make the repairs until the mud was removed from the base of her house. She called the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to find out if anyone could help clean up the mess left behind by the river. While FEMA helps disaster victims find temporary housing, repair their homes, replace personal possessions and deal with other uninsured losses, the agency typically does not deal with yard cleanup. So, FEMA turned to its voluntary agency partners to find help for the woman. Two such partners are United Methodist Churches and UMCOR.
When FEMA called the Marysville UMC, youth coordinator Nita Lucey didn't hesitate to offer help. "We have a very involved group of kids," Lucey said. "We went to Mississippi last year, but this was an opportunity to help someone in our own back yard. This is a great feeling, to be able to help someone here." The teenagers brought shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows and drove in a caravan out to Granite Falls. By early afternoon, the woman's house was clear and the kids started in on the yard.
|
| Tacoma Sub-District Mission Secretary Named |
| Marian Zaske was named as Tacoma Sub-District Mission Secretary, following Steve Wischmeier's resignation for a health reason. District Mission Secretaries work along side the Conference Mission Secretary in promoting missionaries and mission programs of the United Methodist Church. Contact your District Mission Secretary if you have any question on 'mission.' If your church has a new mission chair, be sure to let your District Mission Secretary know.
|
| Cooperative Schools of Christian Mission -- Save the Date! |
|
July 13-15 (weekend School at Whitman College in Walla Walla)
July 23-26 (weekday School at Trinity Lutheran College, Issaquah)
Theme: "Sing Along the Walls."
Studies: "Music & Mission" (all School study in Issaquah; also a class in Spanish)
"Israel & Palestine"
"Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives"
Fees: $160 for adults, $110 for youth (Walla Walla)
$200 for adults, $125 for youth (Issaquah)
Partial scholarships may be available.
Our school is run cooperatively by the United Methodist Women and the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. Men, youth, children, as well as women, are encouraged to attend. Pastors can use the School for continuing education credit. More detail and registration form are forth coming -- stay tuned!
|
| For I Was Hungry . . . |
|
First, some basic facts about hunger in the U.S.:
* 12% of US households, 38 million people, do not have enough to eat.
* 50% of food stamp recipients are children.
* Only 30% of eligible seniors receive food stamps, because of lack of understanding of the program, transportation and pride. The rate of child poverty in the US, 17% in 2004, is 2-3 times higher than in other wealthy countries.
In 1963, President Kennedy told delegates to the first World Food Congress, "We have the capacity to eliminate hunger from the face of the earth in our lifetime. We need only the will."
What can we do? Yes, we need to continue, and increase, our giving to local food banks and feeding programs. But we need to address the issue of hunger at a more systemic level. Decision-makers have the ability to reduce hunger, if they only choose to do so. The task is too large for charities to handle. We need to increase spending on Food Stamps, School Lunch and Breakfast, and WIC (Women, Infants, Children program).
We need to let our elected officials know that we are concerned, and that we want their assurances that they will support increased spending to meet the needs of the hungry. Further, we can support the work of Bread for the World, a United Methodist supported advocacy group fighting hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Get more information from Bread for the World and consider having an "Offering of Letters" at your church or CROP Hunger Walk to lend support to the work of Bread for the World.
|
| United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) |
| Are you searching for a mission experience for yourself, your church group, or your youth group? Simple -- go to UMVIM website, and be amazed at the numbers of challenges to answer, "Here Am I Lord!" Happy mission adventures to you!
|
| NOMADS |
|
NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service) are alive and well and busy. We have two ongoing projects to support Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana. There are over 70 projects scheduled for support of agencies and churches across the country this winter and spring. If you are interested and have an RV, contact the NOMADS office to see what openings are still available. NOMADS are a growing and vital arm of the church Volunteers in Mission, in partners with the UMVIM teams.
| |
