Mission, Service, & Justice CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES
The Border Collaboration Network Monthly Webinar
(3rd Tuesdays/month)
Tuesday, February 20th at 2:30 pm Central via ZOOM
This monthly webinar seeks to connect persons, ministries, and organizations actively supporting asylum-seeking migrants and refugees. Webinar topics have emphasis on evolving humanitarian responses in the areas of hospitality and housing, accompaniment and sponsorship, legal services and policies, and advocacy.
Stories of Emerging Immigrant Communities
During this session, we will hear from Pastor Dianne Garcia of Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio share about an immigrant church, led by immigrants, and serving the immigrant community in San Antonio, TX and from Tara Orlando of Floyd Friends of Asylum Seekers share about the growing community of compassionate volunteers who come together to assist asylum seekers in the Floyd County, VA region.
2024 Webinar Dates: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, and November 19
Follow TBCN Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FronterizadeTexas/.
Neighborhood Economics Conference – A National Conversation with a Local Impact
San Antonio, February 26-28, 2024
According to its webpage, Neighborhood Economics is about: Connecting capital to neighborhoods that normally don’t get it. Neighborhood Economics mobilizes entrepreneurial possibility in disenfranchised neighborhoods through a reimagined, liberating economy. The prevailing moral hunger of our day is the desire to repair historic, systemic inequities. Neighborhood Economics works alongside communities that have been denied access to power and privilege to rebuild regenerative local economies. We believe when connection points and resources work through equity and empowerment, things change. We will rest in work when harmful economic systems crumble, enabling wealth generating-futures for everyone.
REGISTER: https://neighborhoodeconomics.org/san-antonio-register-now/
The Transformational Communities Network [TCN] is looking for new cohort teams for 2024.
Participants in the Transformational Communities Network 9-month training, Homegrown Shalom; Blessed are the Peacemakers will gain knowledge and hands-on experience in the application of the principles of asset-based community development [ABCD], facilitation techniques, action planning and application, identifying underlying contradictions and challenges within communities, and a theology of Shalom. The TCN Training is currently offered in a hybrid in-person and online format, and includes online instruction, reflection conversations, webinar presentations, and ongoing accompaniment from a member of the TCN team. Time between training sessions allows teams to complete assignments and put the tools they are acquiring to use in their unique context. Each team will work with its community to develop a strategy for transformation. Learning Session content is based on the biblical principles of SHALOM [Jeremiah 29:7] and the United Methodist Church’s Communities of SHALOM framework which seeks to apply long-term holistic and sustainable transformation through community development. Link to Application for Cohort. Link for Program Information. The 2024 program begins February 29. Team application submission deadline is February 15. QUESTIONS? Contact TCN Project Director Bob Clark at bclark@riotx.org / 210.837.0923
2024 TCN Webinar Series: Living Into God's Intention for Creation
As we journey together, we will delve into the essence of embodying God's purpose for creation – SHALOM. This invitation is extended to anyone with a longing to cultivate a more profound bond with their community and foster deeper connections for the collective well-being. The five webinars in this series will be:
Wednesdays at 12-1pm CST via ZOOM
March 6th from 12-1pm CST - Change: We will consider the dynamics of change: What brings about change? Change is an ever-present force, and comprehending the mechanisms behind it enables us to guide those transformations proactively.
May 1st - Contextualization
July 3rd - Connecting with Community
September 4th - Connectionalism
November 6th - Capacity
Storytelling CAFÉ
Join the Transformational Communities Network & The New Wineskin Initiative for Storytelling & Celebration Around the Work of God Beyond Our Walls!
We will meet together to discover stories that vividly illustrate how God is actively shaping the world and influencing our daily lives, as recounted by members of our communities. See you there!
Monday, February 26th at 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Central via ZOOM
REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/storytelling-cafe-tickets-807244649477?aff=oddtdtcreator
2024 Dates: March 25, April 22, May 27, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, November 28, and November 25
Religion & Race Learning Opportunities
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY – APRIL 14, 2024
From Global Ministries, “The Native American Ministries offering bolsters the work of Native American ministries in annual conferences throughout the United States. These ministries exist in rural and urban settings, including reservation and other community ministries. The Native American Ministries offering also provides scholarships for Native Americans studying at United Methodist schools of theology and empowers congregations to find culturally appropriate ways to minister to their communities through Christ’s love.”
Find more information here regarding Native American Ministries.
Anti-Racism 101 online course. This course focuses on the differences between anti-racism & defending oneself against charges of racism.
Other courses also available.
In response to the killing of George Floyd, Bishop Schnase and conference leadership proclaimed commitment to the Covenant on Anti-Racism and the establishment of an Anti-Racism Working Group. This is long-term work requiring active dismantling of racism / systemic inequities existing within church and society. There are various partners available to facilitate this work: Religion and Race, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Transformational Communities Network, and congregations where conversations and on-going commitment to this work is occurring.
Disaster Response
Rio Texas Response Volunteer and Training Opportunities
Go to https://riotexasresponse.org/events to connect to volunteer and training opportunities.
Hurricane Season is Heating Up!
Volunteers are helping to assemble and verify cleaning kits at the Kerrville Warehouse.
Relief supply kits help provide care for the most vulnerable during times of crisis. UMCOR collects and distributes cleaning buckets, hygiene kits and menstrual hygiene kits. When kits are donated to the relief supply network, volunteers assemble and verify the contents of the kits. The Warehouse will then store the kits until a request for them is received. Once a request is received, the kits are sent to those who need them.
Volunteers are asked to come to the Warehouse during the following dates to verify the current supply of Cleaning Kits, so they can be distributed quickly in a time of need. Older Youth groups, Sunday School Classes or Individuals are all welcome. Hours qualify with NHS. If you have a larger group (10 or more), we would be glad to schedule another day if more convenient.
Dates for Verification:
1st Saturday of each Month * 9am-12pm
For more info or details, please contact Eugene Hileman at (210) 557-8698 or aehileman@riotexas.org. Or contact Larry Altman, Warehouse Coordinator at 830-343-0354.
UMCOR SUNDAY – March 10, 2024
From Global Ministries, “The UMCOR Sunday offering underwrites UMCOR’s administrative costs. This offering allows UMCOR to use 100% of all funds given to humanitarian response and recovery efforts directly to communities in need. These gifts ensure UMCOR can respond swiftly to disasters around the world and as a source of hope and healing for those left most vulnerable.”
Find more information here regarding UMCOR Sunday Resources.
UMCOR DISASTER RESPONSE
Connect to https://umcmission.org/response-page/ to learn how we can respond to disasters occurring internationally and in the U.S. such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, the floods in Tennessee, and the wildfires in California.
UMCOR – Support for Ukraine United Methodist Global Ministries Advance #982450
GBGM Ukraine Update https://www.umvim.org/blog/ukraine-update
UMNS Article https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-in-and-near-ukraine-help-refugees
Videos https://vimeo.com/683911680 + https://vimeo.com/683935963
By Phone: Credit card gifts can be accepted by phone. Call toll free: 888-252-6174 to make your gift.
By Mail: A check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to: GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068; Global Ministries/UMCOR, or given at or through any United Methodist church
UMCOR RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY AND SYRIA. Support relief and recovery efforts for this and other international disasters by donating to Advance # 982450.
TO HELP REFUGEES WITHIN UKRAINE Through In Mission Together:
Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee to oversee all the foreign support that is coming in through the Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova”. https://umcmission.org/advance-project/14053a/ The money channeled through this Advance will arrive on the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this would be used, will be taken by this crisis committee that includes some pastors as well as lay leaders. Weekly reports will be made to Ullas Tankler who is the Global Ministries representative for Europe, Eurasia, and North Africa. This gives us confidence to work through the Advance directly with Ukraine.
Churches provide solace in tornado-ravaged Mississippi Delta. Give to UMCOR U.S. DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY - Advance #901670
U.S. Disaster Response – opportunities to respond to disasters within the U.S. such as the wildfires in Maui. Go to https://umcmission.org/umcor-us-latest-responses/. https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670
Global Ministries Opportunities
We are excited to invite you to join us for a Special #StillInMission Event on February 8th, at 12 PM ET. You can find more information about these missionaries on our website.
#StillInMission Event
February 8, 2024 | 11:00 AM CST
To register, click here. Registration is required. Join us as we explore the transforming work of United Methodist missionaries serving around the world. You will have the opportunity to meet in a small group to hear a presentation from a single missionary during the call. Find out more about these missionaries below, or at www.umcmission.org.
Jennifer Moore serves as a Christian Educator with the Albania-Serbia-Macedonia Provisional Conference in North Macedonia.
Julie Wilson serves as the Program Director for Open Arms Community Center in the United States.
Elizabeth Dishman serves as the Youth & Senior Services Associate-basement 26 with Bethanien Diakonissen Stiftung in Germany.
Kirk Sims serves as a Consultant & Theological Educator with the Czech & Slovak Republics Episcopal Area in the Czech Republic
United Methodist Missionaries are #stillinmission and we hope that you will join us to learn more! You will get a confirmation email once your registration is accepted. If the limit is reached, you will get priority for future events.
As always, if you have any questions at all or if you want promotional materials for your church or small group, please let us know! If you’d like to view recordings of previous missionary presentations, you can find them on our Vimeo.
Sincerely,
Erica Oliveira (she, her, hers) on behalf of the Itineration Team
Is your church supporting a missionary? The Itineration Team is ready to walk with your church or small group as you discern developing a relationship with a missionary sent by the United Methodist Church through Global Ministries.
Missionary from Italy to Visit Rio Texas in June 2024
Rev. Eliad Dias Dos Santos, United Methodist Church Missionary to Italy, will be visiting congregations and small groups in the Rio Texas Annual Conference in July 2024 for 2 weeks. In Italy, Rev. Dos Santos works with the Methodist Church of Italy in ministry to the poor. She will be available to preach, give a Mission Moment during worship, visit Sunday School classes and mid-week gatherings. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and has taken English. If you are interested in having Rev. Dos Santos visit, contact Becky Wright at bhinscj@gmail.com
List of Active Advance and Missionary Projects
Go to https://umcmission.org/ to learn about United Methodist missions around the world. Click here to download a listing of Listing of December 2022 Active Missionaries and Active Advance Projects, and Global Ministries
GLOBAL MISSION FELLOWS
Global Mission Fellows are young adults, ages 20-30, who commit to two years of mission service to engage with local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. Global Mission Fellows engage in justice work, become ambassadors for mission, both internationally and domestically, and join a movement of young adults committed to mission and systemic change.
INTERESTED IN BEING A GLOBAL MISSION FELLOW?
US-2 TRACK – APPLY NOW (Current 2024 GMF application Feb. 6 for US-2 track.)
INTERNATIONAL TRACK – APPLY NOW
Go to https://umcmission.org/global-mission-fellows/ for application and more information.
39 Global Mission Fellows Commissioned
On January 14, 2024, Trinity United Methodist Church in Naivasha, Kenya, hosted a service of commissioning with Global Ministries, officially recognizing 39 Global Mission Fellows (GMFs) in their service as young adult missionaries.
Global Mission Fellows in this group come from 21 different countries and will serve in 25 countries, including the United States. This cohort of GMFs will spread out over the globe from Africa to Asia, Europe, Latin America and to two island nations of the Caribbean.
Global Mission Fellows are young adults, ages 20-30, who commit to two years of mission service to engage with local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. Global Mission Fellows engage in justice work, become ambassadors for mission, both internationally and domestically, and join a movement of young adults committed to mission and systemic change. For more information, visit umcmission.org/global-mission-fellows/.
UMVIM Upcoming Virtual Mission Trips
It has been difficult if not impossible during the Pandemic to plan and implement an UMVIM Mission trip to the U.S. or places throughout the world. This is a wonderful opportunity to join a Virtual Mission Trip from the safety of your home, office, or church and experience getting to know Mission Partners in those projects, and learn of their country, ministry, and more. https://www.umvim.org/virtual-missions