A new project is being conducted near Batey 7. Many residents are refugees from Haiti who entered the DR seeking work during the sugar cane season. As immigrants, they are generally not recognized or supported by the government. To address this problem, several UM churches are partnering with offenders and ex-offenders through the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries to construct a school made of three shipping containers. An UMVIM construction crew, led by Darrell Long, will install a foundation for the school and provide a roof to cover the containers, to be located along the medical clinic’s back property.
This school will be used for the education of children, the vocational training of women and various purposes of the local church/clinic. Support for employment and education will increase
opportunities for children and family. Collaboration with church volunteers also encourages community residents to take a more active role in improving their living conditions, education,
medical services and neighborhoods. The local church will supply teachers and vocational skill possibilities.
Needs and opportunities:
• Prayer: for trained workers, energy, supplies and finances;
• Building Materials: nails, screws, caulking, iron support beams, plywood, lumber (2x4’s for desks and decking), welding equipment, angle iron (1/4” thickness), Door and window supplies;
• Funding to purchase supplies and some air fare.
Get involved.
Contact:
mcollins@wnccumc.org,
darrell@berothoil.com or
chaplainstilwell@forsythjpm.org
Thursday, June 18, 2009
COALITION FOR MISSIONS - What does this mean for Missions in WNCC?
As you are probably aware, the Commission on Mission/Outreach will no longer exist
upon passage of the proposed reorganization of structure. In its place will be a non-elected
group under the Congregational Excellence Team called, a “Coalition for Missions.”
The coalition will be a non-elected ad hoc group working on the signifi cant mission
causes of the Western NC Conference and connect the mission work of the conference
with the General Board of Global Ministries. Representation will continue through the
conference staff and the chairpersons of the different groups within the coalition (i.e.
Project AGAPE, VIM, Disaster Response, …). These groups will still have rights to petition
for funding and Western NC Conference emphasis. The coalition will share the concerns,
needs and wishes for its different components and for the local churches to get involved.
Whether it will be a loosely-connected body, or a strong federation of mission organizations
will be determined by the coalition’s activities.
Under the new framework, what would be gone is the “commission” made up of
district lay and clergy representatives to set the agenda, budget and prospects of mission
work throughout the conference. The desires, interests, individual mission emphases and
passions for taking the Word of God into the uttermost parts of the world in word and deed
will remain. Under the new set-up, mission would be seen as a benchmark (or a fruit) of
the excellent local church.
This format comes from an understanding that a church is called into mission! Mission
is not a function or activity of the church, it is the church in action! Mission may involve
one-on-one mission projects, teams, missionary support, food packing, working with local
schools and so on. Mission is putting the love of God in action in this world, locally,
nationally and globally.
Over the past few months, a speakers’ bureau has received training to keep the
conference engaged in mission awareness. Approximately 85 persons have expressed an
interest in serving on that bureau. Many of these speakers have been given a PowerPoint
program and other items to help local congregations discern what the church is presently
doing in mission and what they might attempt in the future. While each speaker has his/
her passion for ministry, the speakers will not be advocating any one mission or Advance
project, and will not be asking for fi nancial support.
Thank you for your continued mission support!
upon passage of the proposed reorganization of structure. In its place will be a non-elected
group under the Congregational Excellence Team called, a “Coalition for Missions.”
The coalition will be a non-elected ad hoc group working on the signifi cant mission
causes of the Western NC Conference and connect the mission work of the conference
with the General Board of Global Ministries. Representation will continue through the
conference staff and the chairpersons of the different groups within the coalition (i.e.
Project AGAPE, VIM, Disaster Response, …). These groups will still have rights to petition
for funding and Western NC Conference emphasis. The coalition will share the concerns,
needs and wishes for its different components and for the local churches to get involved.
Whether it will be a loosely-connected body, or a strong federation of mission organizations
will be determined by the coalition’s activities.
Under the new framework, what would be gone is the “commission” made up of
district lay and clergy representatives to set the agenda, budget and prospects of mission
work throughout the conference. The desires, interests, individual mission emphases and
passions for taking the Word of God into the uttermost parts of the world in word and deed
will remain. Under the new set-up, mission would be seen as a benchmark (or a fruit) of
the excellent local church.
This format comes from an understanding that a church is called into mission! Mission
is not a function or activity of the church, it is the church in action! Mission may involve
one-on-one mission projects, teams, missionary support, food packing, working with local
schools and so on. Mission is putting the love of God in action in this world, locally,
nationally and globally.
Over the past few months, a speakers’ bureau has received training to keep the
conference engaged in mission awareness. Approximately 85 persons have expressed an
interest in serving on that bureau. Many of these speakers have been given a PowerPoint
program and other items to help local congregations discern what the church is presently
doing in mission and what they might attempt in the future. While each speaker has his/
her passion for ministry, the speakers will not be advocating any one mission or Advance
project, and will not be asking for fi nancial support.
Thank you for your continued mission support!
Work for WORLD HUNGER at Annual Conference
The membership of the WNCC came through with flying colors at the Annual Conference! 106,087 meals were packed for Stop Hunger Now and approximately $15000 in canned goods were delivered to the food banks and food pantries.
Approximately 450 volunteers helped to pack the food. After a slow start on Thursday afternoon, the youth representatives and their friends were present that night and "caught up" the count. The flow of volunteers through Friday was steady averaging 60-90 persons for each 2-hour session.
Canned goods were delivered to the Kern Center for collection (actually we found food scattered throughout Lake J). We filled up the Disaster Response Truck and waited until Friday afternoon for the Manna Food Bank truck from Asheville to pick up food. Using five volunteers, food was exchanged to the Manna Food Bank truck and it motored off for Asheville. Prior to Annual Conference, the Office of Mission/Outreach received calls from several churches that they had full pickup trucks with food. We instructed these trucks to go "straight to the food banks" rather than have the trucks bring food to LJ and then turn around and take it back. In addition, we received calls from churches with food pantry needs. After consideration, we sent some of the collected foods to these food pantries.
THANK YOU for your consideration and help in this matter!!!
Approximately 450 volunteers helped to pack the food. After a slow start on Thursday afternoon, the youth representatives and their friends were present that night and "caught up" the count. The flow of volunteers through Friday was steady averaging 60-90 persons for each 2-hour session.
Canned goods were delivered to the Kern Center for collection (actually we found food scattered throughout Lake J). We filled up the Disaster Response Truck and waited until Friday afternoon for the Manna Food Bank truck from Asheville to pick up food. Using five volunteers, food was exchanged to the Manna Food Bank truck and it motored off for Asheville. Prior to Annual Conference, the Office of Mission/Outreach received calls from several churches that they had full pickup trucks with food. We instructed these trucks to go "straight to the food banks" rather than have the trucks bring food to LJ and then turn around and take it back. In addition, we received calls from churches with food pantry needs. After consideration, we sent some of the collected foods to these food pantries.
THANK YOU for your consideration and help in this matter!!!
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