FORMER PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Passing On The Gift In Guatemala
Carol Oliver, member of New Horizons UMC, in Columbia,
recently traveled to Guatemala on a Heifer International educational tour.
While there she was invited to participate in the "passing on the gift" ceremony
as one family passed on the gift of trees to another family. For
information about Heifer International contact Carol Oliver, at the Office of
Creative Ministries. Phone: 573-474-7155 or Email: oliver@umocm.com
Manchester UMC Hosts Largest Fair Trade Market in
the Country
(Continues this weekend, Nov 27-29)
Why buy an over-priced, over-packaged, sweatshop-made,
plastic things-ma-jig? Cultural entertainment, tasty food, and world-changing
goods fill the nation’s largest Fair Trade Market open for it’s seventh year
November 21-22 and 27-29, 2009 at Manchester United Methodist Church (129 Woods
Mill, Manchester, MO 63011 [click for map]). For an average $20 per handmade
item, go green, end poverty, buy a toy for Cindy Lou, a gift for Nana, and find
unique gifts to complete any holiday list knowing the artisan has already been
paid a fair wage. Not a sweatshop, forced laborer or destructed rain forest in
sight. Art, clothing, handcrafts, musical instruments, games, sporting goods,
home décor, food, books, toys, jewelry…from more than 50 countries. Tis the
season to de-Grinch: shop The Fair Trade Market.
If you are in Columbia you can shop in this same way at
the Global Market in Community United Methodist Church.
Click here for directions to Community UMC.
Heifer's Global Village Educates on Hunger and Poverty
The Global Village at the Heifer International Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas is an excellent place for youth and their adult leaders to learn about global hunger and ways to alleviate it. Groups have the opportunity to spend the night in the Global Village (pictured above) in various kinds of lodging typical of homes from around the world. Here we see a group from Wilkes Blvd UMC and Trinity Presbyterian Church, from Columbia, Missouri. To learn more about the Heifer Ranch contact Carol Oliver at the Office of Creative Ministries. (573-474-7155 or oliver@umocm.com).
Governor Nixon Calls Special Meeting
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Governor Nixon visit with Kevin Fisher of Liberty United Methodist Church. Governor Nixon invited Missouri Projects Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, Jeff Baker, and Liberty UMC's Disaster Response team to this special meeting to discuss faith based response to disasters. Front left to right: Craig Fugate, Governor Jay Nixon, Kevin Fisher. Back left to right: Jeff Baker, Bill Moorefield (Liberty UMC) and Mike O'Connell (Department of Public Safety).
Governor Nixon's Faith Based Initiative: Phase II
In the past two weeks Phase II meetings for Governor Jay Nixon's faith based disaster response have taken place all around our state. At each of these meetings the Office of Creative Ministries Disaster Response Skid Loader (pictured right) and the Liberty UMC feeding trailer (left) have been on display. Meetings were held in Cape Girardeau, St. Charles, Jefferson City, Springfield and Lee's Summit. For more information on the Governor's faith-based initiative contact Jeffrey Baker at the Office of Creative Ministries at 573-474-7155 or baker@umocm.com.
Gleaning Cantaloupes - Providing Food for the Hungry
David Hill (foreground), from Trinity United Methodist Church, Appleton City, in the Heartland South District, dumped a 5 gallon bucket full of cantaloupes as Society of St. Andrew volunteers gleaned at Twin County Family Farm, in Rich Hill, Missouri. The Society of St. Andrew, uses volunteers to glean produce farms cannot sell to feed people in need. The Society of St. Andrew has set a goal of gleaning 5 million pounds of produce in Missouri by the end of the year. Thus far they have delivered more than 3.5 million pounds to Harvesters, and other food distribution agencies. For information about how your church can get involved with gleaning food for the hungry contact Jeff Baker, at the Office of Creative Ministries. (573-474-7155) Photo by Shane Keyser
Fortuna United Methodist Church Gleans Watermelons
Rev. Richard Parker, pastor of the Fortuna United Methodist
Church, along with church youth (shown above) and Jeff Baker, from the Office of
Creative Ministries, and his family, gleaned 6,000 pounds of watermelons.
Just imagine the joy at the tables of the poor in our communities at being able to sit down to a nice juicy watermelon from their local food pantry. This kind outward focused Society of St. Andrew feeding program may be of interest to your congregation as well. Contact Jeff Baker at the Office of Creative Ministries.
Thus far in Missouri we have gleaned potatoes, sweet corn, turnips, cabbage, squash, apples and now watermelons. There are likely food items in your area currently going to waste that farmers would be happy to have you glean for the poor.
Handmade Donation from the Heart
Caroline Hobson from Belleville, Illinois donated 110 handmade infant sweaters and caps. Sent them to be used in making Baby Layette kits for Church World Service (CWS) through the Festival of Sharing. Midway Locust Grove UMC will make the 30 pictured into CWS layette kits and bring them to the Festival. For more information on how you can participate in similar projects through the Festival of Sharing please contact Terri Williams at festival@socket.net.
Rockville UMC Gleans Sweet Corn
On July 25th volunteers from Rockville UMC gleaned sweet corn at Miller's Produce near Jericho Springs, MO for the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA). About 650 lbs. of corn was taken to Rockville, MO and distributed to the community from their church. For more information on SoSA gleaning and growing projects contact Jeff Baker at the Office of Creative Ministries; baker@umocm.com or 573-474-7155.
Missouri UMC Youth Plant Cabbage
Youth from Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, MO volunteered their time to plant cabbage for a Society of St. Andrew growing project. They planted approximately 1,800 heads of cabbage that will be harvested and donated to local food pantries. For more information on how to volunteer with the Society of St. Andrew contact Jeff Baker at baker@umocm.com.
Taylor Chapel UMC Free Lunch Program
May Storms Strike Missouri
Over the weekend storms blew through southern Missouri with winds up to 120 miles per hour. This photo shows damage to a trailer home in Fredericktown Missouri. Volunteers will be needed in the coming weeks for debris removal. To volunteer, contact us at the Office of Creative Ministries; phelps@umocm.com, 573-474-7155.
Native American Ministry Video
Just click on the picture below
Frank Hanagarne, from Shiprock United Methodist Church, in New Mexico, recently visited Missouri with information about their ministry. While visiting the Conference Office we made a short two minute video that you can you use when you collect the Native American Special Sunday Offering. The official day to do this was April 26th but some congregations receive it at other times. Click on the picture above for the medium resolution video. Other versions that are available are the high resolution version and the Quicktime version.
Team Leader Training at La Croix UMC, Cape Girardeau
Seventeen persons received Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training at La Croix United Methodist Church, in Cape Girardeau. Pictured behind the sign is the Office of Creative Ministries pick-up and skid loader which have recently been employed in both Southwest and Southeast Missouri. The picture on the right shows the team that was able to build the highest tower using only construction paper and tape. This was an exercise in working as a team. The training was conducted by Audrey Phelps and Jeff Baker, from the Office of Creative Ministries. The next training will be for Mozambique Team Leaders, on March 21, at the Conference Office. After that there will be general VIM team leader training in Blue Springs, on May 9th. Click here for a brochure.
Festival of Sharing
Coordinating Committee
Learns About the Missouri Hunger Atlas
Dr. Sandy Rikoon, with University of Missouri's Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security, spoke to the Festival of Sharing Coordinating Committee about hunger in Missouri. He is the author of the Missouri Hunger Atlas which is available on line. http://missourifamilies.org/mohungeratlas/readingatlas.htm The graph above shows how hunger is increasing in Missouri. It has increased by 60% over the last 12 years. A lot of information by county is available by going to the website and clicking on any county. One of the pages from the hunger atlas shows the overall hunger need by county. (see above) Over 30 Coordinating Committee members, representing 11 denominations, met at Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Columbia, on Thursday, March 5th.
Net Distribution in
Mozambique - Martha Sutherland's VIM Team
$1,428 Raised for Nets in January Alone
"In the afternoon all team members assisted the Mozambique staff distribute 1200 mosquito net (Nothing But Nets) to a community of folks who had been waiting for hours. A young mother with her baby was asked to lie down on the ground in the beautiful blue insecticide treated netting to demonstrate its proper usage. We removed the nets from the plastic packaging before distributing to ensure that the bags were not used for personal use as nothing goes to waste and food items would be transported in the contaminated bags. We were proud to represent Christ and Missouri in this endeavor to save lives from malaria that is rampant. The only thing that could have made the distribution process better would have been more nets available to provide people in this remote area. Nothing But Nets is a necessary program that we must continue to support."
Carol Kreamer reports that Missouri raised $1,427.73 in January for Nothing but Nets.
Liberty United Methodist Debris Removal Crew Hard At Work
This trained hard working debris removal crew from Liberty UMC led by Kevin Fisher worked in Southwest Missouri last week. This week they are working in Southeast Missouri. With the aid of the Office of Creative Ministries skid-loader they got a lot done last week and are hard at it again. Also joining them in Southeast Missouri this week are Jeff Baker and Isaac Johnson from the Office of Creative Ministries staff and other volunteers from the area.
To offer your church's volunteer services or to volunteer yourself call Jeff Baker at 573-474-7155 or email him at baker@umocm.com
Photos by Bill Moorefield, Glenn Miller & Gary Taylor
Manchester UMC - Using Jell-O to Promote Missions
Rainbow Jell-O - Click the
Picture for the Recipe
The Children's Department at Manchester United Methodist Church, in
St. Louis is gearing up to raise a lot of money for Heifer
International. In fact they are hoping to raise $5,000 for a
Heifer International Ark which includes at least 2 of every animal
that Heifer makes available to impoverished families to help them
feed themselves.
Have you ever used Jell-O to advance the mission of the church? Who knew you could? Lori Borger, Director of Drama and Children's Music Ministry, at Manchester UMC knew and her art pictured above was a hit among the children and parents at Manchester UMC who are working on filling an Ark for Heifer International. This "rainbow Jell-O art" keeping with the theme of Noah's Ark, helped to kick off the advertising for their Heifer International musical benefit which will debut at both worship services on Sunday, March 8th and will be shown at 3pm, with a reception following, as well.
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Learning A New Way to Shovel |
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| A Missouri Conference VIM team just returned from working on an organic garden project in India. In the picture Don Newton, a member of the Theodosia United Methodist Church, provides the muscle for shoveling as his Indian friend guides the shovel through the dirt. The Missouri team found this team way of shoveling a great improvement upon the way we shovel in Missouri. |
Organic Garden in India
Left to Right: Bob McCombs, Don Jarvis,
Susan Hirsch, Carolyn Mccombs, Wes Hirsch
Three retired Missouri District Superintendents along with other VIMers from
Missouri are in Mussoorie, in North India where they are serving at Woodstock
School, a Christian International School, in North India. Some of the team
members are working in the school library and others are working on an organic
garden research project of the school. The research organic garden is
doing work on improved gardening and farming opportunities for villagers in the
area. Those pictured in this week's photo of the week are cutting away
some of the hillside for a chicken coop.
Fall Gleaning
This fall volunteers came together to glean leftover turnips for the hungry. Thirty three people lent a hand at Rost Landscaping in New Franklin, MO to glean 4,917 pounds (over 2 tons!!!) of turnips. The food was then sent to the Central Missouri Food Bank of Columbia. If you are interested in learning more about gleaning and other hunger initiatives, contact Jeff Baker at the Office of Creative Ministries; baker@umocm.com or 573-474-7155.
Festival of Sharing 2008
The Festival of Sharing took place this past weekend, October 18th, at the State Fair Grounds in Sedalia, MO. It was a wonderful success due to the many different denominations that brought their gifts of kits, money and helping hands. Top left you see the work area of the arena floor deserted as the volunteers and other attendees gather on the other side to praise God for the gifts received; Top right is the ever popular quilt auction where hand made and machined quilts donated from local artisans are auctioned to support the tools of hope and blankets program; Bottom left we see volunteers busily checking, sorting, and repackaging kits for shipping; Bottom right are the Heifers donated through the Festival to a Heifer International project in Holmes County Mississippi. Mark your calendars for next years Festival, Saturday October 17th, 2009.
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Apple Gleaning at Lexington, Missouri
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A group led by Peggy Eschelman recently gleaned apples in Lexington, MO. In four hours they gleaned 1800 pounds of apples that had fallen from the trees. The apples were delivered to the food bank in Kansas City. Contact Jeff Baker, at the Office of Creative Ministries, for more information about gleaning opportunities. (baker@umocm.com or 573-474-8155). I would like to thank Norm Rasa of Rasa Orchards for giving us the opportunity to glean his orchard. |
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Volunteers in Mission Scouting Trip to Russia
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Matt Miofsky and Mike Wondel in Moscow Rev. Matt Miofsky and Rev. Mike Wondel are on a Volunteers in Mission scouting trip to Russia on behalf of the Missouri Conference. Each of them, as well as VIM Coordinator Audrey Phelps (see Photo of the Week below), will be leading conference VIM teams to Russia. We will let you know when their dates are finalized so you can sign up. Below you will find a partial entry from Matt's blog. You can keep up with their experience through his blog by going to www.gatheringnow.org and clicking on "Pastor's Blog". "Well, for those of you following this trip, I am in Voronezh, Russia sitting at Resurrection UMC. It is a new church started by pastor Irina Mitina about 12 years ago. It is in a pretty nondescript building but on the inside it is very nice. They now have about 50 people worshipping weekly. As I talk to her, I cannot get over the challenges and obstacles starting a new church in this city entail. We traveled yesterday out to Camp Voronezh. It is about 20 miles out of town (drive time 1 hour in the back of a van on something that resembled a seat). The camp is important to the three United Methodist churches in Russia. Besides being a typical place of fun, relaxation and learning for adults and children, it is also a place where the gospel can be safely shared. I say safely because the culture here is still not the friendliest toward outside religions." --Matt Miofsky |
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Caden Phelps Steals The Show |
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(Pictured left to right: Audrey Phelps, Isaac Johnson, Carol Oliver w/Caden, Terri Williams) All work came to a halt when Caden Phelps, the darling baby son of Audrey and Eric Phelps, visited the Office of Creative Ministries. Audrey Phelps, currently on maternity leave, serves as the Missouri Conference Volunteers in Mission Coordinator for National and International Projects and Teams. Despite being handed around from person to person and the use of other wake-up tactics, Caden kept sleeping. Or was he pretending sleeping knowing that everyone who visits the Office of Creative Ministry gets put to work in some capacity??? |
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National Honduras Initiative - Sunrise United Methodist Church |
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| Participants from 14 states gathered at Sunrise United Methodist Church, on Friday, September 19th for the sixth annual Honduras Initiative. Participating from the Missouri Conference were from Sunrise UMC, Morning Star UMC, First UMC of Sedalia, Wesley UMC in Springfield, Hermann UMC and St. James UMC. Over 20 Volunteers in Mission teams from the Missouri Conference have served in Honduras since the Initiative began six years ago. Pictured are members of the Methodist Church in Honduras who also traveled to O'Fallon with reports about their churches. |
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Global Market - Community United Methodist Church, in Columbia |
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The Global Market is located inside Community United Methodist Church, in Columbia, Missouri. The mission of the market is to provide a fair and living wage to the artisans in developing countries who usually have to sell their products to large wholesalers for next to nothing. The shop is an ideal place to purchase gifts for friends and family as well as items to use personally. The market is open Tuesdays from 9am to 1pm, Wednesdays from 1pm to 7pm and Sundays from 9:15 to 10:45 am. In the Photo of the Week volunteer Barbara West holds a Guatemalan shoulder bag and a stuffed animal toy. For information about how your church might start a mission project like the Global Market you may contact Community United Methodist Church at 573-445-6131. |
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PETS IN VIETNAM |
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A recipient of a PET in Vietnam is enabled to get around to earn an income selling children's toys. |
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Christianson Native Craft Festival - First Week of August Each Year |
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Thirty-one years ago, Frances Christianson (member of First United
Methodist Church, Rolla), some other United Methodists, and the
Office of Creative Ministries created a unique opportunity for
Christian fellowship that is still going strong today. The Christianson Native Craft Workshop is held the first week of August each year at Shannondale Community Center, 24 miles south of Salem, Missouri, on Highway 19. Around 200 persons gather each to learn how to make split oak baskets, spin wool into yarn, quilt, tat, knot, crochet, make wooden spoons, construct water-tight oak buckets, cane chairs, make old-time music, and/or participate in classes in many, many more other crafts. Some attendees float, tube and swim in the nearby Current River. In the evenings they enjoy events like a talent show, a sheep shearing and pie auction, and an art auction. Each day begins and ends with Morning Watch and Evening Vespers. Participants rave about the experience. Comments like "the best week of my year," "just like a family reunion for us," and "some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet" are common. This event is sponsored by the Office of Creative Ministries. (Office of Creative Ministries, 3009 David Drive, Columbia, MO 65202, 573-474-7155.) (The above pictures were taken by Max Marble, on Thursday, August 7, 2008) |
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FIRST FEMALE BISHOP APPOINTED IN MOZAMBIQUE
Rev. Joaquina Nhanala, pastor of Matola United Methodist Church in Mozambique, has just been elected the first female United Methodist Bishop in Africa. She is pictured above visiting the Webster Hills UMC in Missouri. Persons in the picture, from left to right, include Marny Meserve, Carol Kreamer (Mozambique Initiative), Bishop Joaquina Nhanala, Sharon Kichline (now at Lafayette Park) and Jennifer March (Kingdom House). Joaquina is a Bishop of firsts as she was also the first United Methodist female clergy to earn a masters degree in Mozambique. To learn more about how you can take part in the missions of Mozambique contact your Mozambique Initiative Coordinator, Carol Kreamer, at cpkreamer@hughes.net, or your Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, Audrey Phelps, at phelps@umocm.com.
FESTIVAL OF SHARING QUILT TO BE AUCTIONED
A Missouri Puzzle quilt will be raffled at 2:00 pm on October 18th at the Festival of Sharing. Hand made quilts from around the state are made and given to the Festival of Sharing to be auctioned. All the proceeds from the sale of the auctioned quilts are sent to Church World Service (CWS) for the Tools and Blankets project. Every year the quilt auction provides another way for people to be come involved in helping others around the world. The right tool at the right time can make a world of difference in the lives of children and families faced with an emergency or struggling to keep food on the table. Through the CWS Tools & Blankets Program, you and your congregation or group can make a world of difference for people in need in some 80 countries and the U.S. You can help provide the right tool at the right time! This year the quilters have quilted the Missouri Puzzle to be raffled off at the festival of Sharing. You can see the quilt and purchase your ticket ($1 each or six for $5) at a quilt show near you. Quilt show dates and locations can be found on the Festival of sharing website at www.umocm.com/festival.htm. For more information on the Festival of Sharing contact Terri Williams at festival@socket.net or 573-474-7155.
VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION / HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GROUP TO MASSACA, MOZAMBIQUE
Steve Solomon with Nelson Memorial UMC in Boonville, Missouri led a group of college students from Florida State University to Massaca, Mozambique. While there, this team worked on building Habitat homes to complete our VIM/Habitat goal of building 75 houses in three years. These houses are built for children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Our goal will be met on time this year by Rev. Mark Dumas' team from First UMC in Jefferson City. For more information on this opportunity and others please contact your Missouri VIM Coordinator, Audrey Phelps, at 573-474-7155 or phelps@umocm.com.
HEIFER RANCH IN PERRYVILLE, ARKANSAS
Retired pastor Rev. Sharon Colbert-Garretson from Mountain View United Methodist Church traveled with a group of conference youth from Willow Springs and Cabool United Methodist Churches to Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas. The Ranch provides hands-on experiences to teach people about hunger and poverty and Heifer’s principals. Here you see several of the youth participating in the Global Village experience. Each group is given a certain amount of "local" currency to buy firewood and food and must prepare a meal. For more information on Heifer International and trips to Heifer Ranch contact your Missouri Representative, Carol Oliver, at oliver@umocm.com or 573-474-7155.
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AERIAL FLOOD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY |
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| The clean-up operations are starting in some areas. Some areas are waiting for the waters to subside before clean-up can begin. Recovery and rebuilding operations will be organized and will continue all year long. To volunteer a team from your church to help with the clean-up and recovery contact Jeff Baker, at the Office of Creative Ministries. Email baker@umocm.com. Phone 573-474-7155. | |
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Flooding in downtown La Grange, Missouri |
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Missouri is experiencing flooding
all up and down the Mississippi River. Hundreds of United
Methodists have joined literally thousands who have been sand
bagging, feeding and helping in other ways. Many churches have
called in order to be a part of clean-up and rebuilding crews once
the flood waters have gone down. Many thousands more are
helping by offering money during their Sunday morning special
offerings for the floods. (Midwest
Flooding, UMCOR Advance #901670). On behalf the the Missouri
Conference we want to thank everyone serving in so many ways to
bring hope to the families who have had their homes, businesses and
fields destroyed or damage. To volunteer for the clean-up
operations call Jeff Baker at the Office of Creative Ministries (573-474-7155
& Email: baker@umocm.com) |
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Thousands of volunteers work to save Clarksville, MO, and other towns up and down the Mississippi. |
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| The pictures were taken by Max Marble, Friday, June 20, in Clarksville, Missouri. The upper right hand picture shows the Clarksville United Methodist Church on Main Street. The other pictures are of downtown Clarksville. | |
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Pitching and Cranking for Mobility for Many |
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| Bishop Schnase, threw in the first pitch at the Cardinals game, in Springfield, Sunday night, to kick off "PET Night at the Ballpark." The previous Sunday David Bennett, pastor of Kirkwood UMC, and Kylie Madden, daughter of Kirkwood's associate pastor cranked PETs to bring the precious Gift of Mobility to 40 people as the congregation collected $10,000 to the Annual Conference offering for PETs. | |
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Disaster Response in Southwest Missouri |
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| Hundreds of homes were damaged or
destroyed in the recent tornados in Southwest Missouri. The
Office of Creative Ministries skid-loader was unloaded in the
parking lot of the First United Methodist Church in Neosho. A
team from Schweitzer UMC has been using it to clean up debris in the
area. UMCOR sent in consultant, Mary
Gaudreau
who is pictured with Karen Benson, Missouri Conference Disaster
Response Coordinator, Joe Bartelsmeyer, Office of Creative
Ministries Volunteers in Mission and
Katie Rooney,
with AmeriCorps. Churches
wishing to help with debris removal
and rebuilding homes may call Joe Bartelsmeyer at the Office of Creative
Ministries (573-474-7155) or email him at
bartelsmeyer@umocm.com
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Millers UMC Receives Helping Hand From Volunteers in Mission from Cornerstone UMC |
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A Volunteers in Mission Team from Cornerstone UMC in O’Fallon spent 10 days in Miller Mo. to help a fellow church install a new 200 amp circuit breaker panel and handicap accessible rest rooms. The ten members of the team brought their own sleeping quarters, cooks, cookware and tools to complete the work. With the help of church members they first had to replace an old 50 amp circuit breaker panel with a new 200 amp panel with 30 breakers to support the existing electrical circuits and the new circuits needed for the new rest rooms. The new rest rooms were built in a vacant church room and required new sewer and water connections to city services. The rooms were provided with 36” doors and handicap stools. Electric heaters, washbasins, mirrors and lighting were installed in each restroom. On Wednesday evening the members of the Miller and Patton Chapel churches provided a delicious meal for the Mission team. The members of this team were; Bernard and Nadine Groharing, Joe Rolen, Gene and Yvonne Beasley, Dale and Lou Broeker, Bob and Mary Scherer and Dennis Murary. Cornerstone UMC in O’Fallon has a very active VIM program. In Feburary, 30 members traveled to Pharr Texas to build two bedrooms on a home.
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PETs PARADE AT GENERAL CONFERENCE |
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David Westerfield of the
Kentucky Annual Conference drives a PET onto the General Conference
assembly floor during an April 26 celebration of rural ministries at
the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth,
Texas. (Photo by
Paul Jeffrey -
UMCom) |
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Missouri Conference Delegation Seated at the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, TX |
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| 1. The 16 member Missouri Conference delegation. 2. Bishop Schnase serves one of the 6,000 persons attending the opening worship. 3. The elements for communion are consecrated in the middle of the convention hall. 4. All bishops are seated up on the platform. 5. & 7. The General Board of Global Ministries has an amazing display to celebrate the Advance giving program of the UMC. Two of the exhibit areas are shown here featuring Nothing But Nets and the PET. 6. The Cokesbury display area is larger than most Cokesbury stores and prominently features Bishops Schnase's book, The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations | ||
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THE GIFT OF MOBILITY BECOME A REALITY FOR MANY AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE THIS YEAR |
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| The 10,000th PET which was built a couple of
years ago is shown here. But the real story is that of giving
people like Thong in Vietnam the Gift of Mobility. Thong is a
shoe repair man. His former means of transportation was that
of moving one stool in front of the other and then shifting his
weight to rest on it while he moved the other stool forward.
Imagine his joy at receiving the Gift of Mobility.
Congregations across the state are preparing to give this gift to
hundreds more at Annual Conference this year during the offering to
be received at the Friday night dinner gathering. Our thanks
to KOMU-TV in Columbia for the pictures they took in Vietnam. |
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Government of Taiwan Donates $15,000 for Missouri Flood Recovery |
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| Governor Blunt presented a check for $15,000 to MIDRO from the Government of Taiwan. He received the check as a donation from Mr. Henry Fan, from the Taiwan Consular General's Office. Max Marble, who serves as the treasurer of the Missouri Interfaith Disaster Response Organization was on hand, in Jefferson City, on Friday to receive the donation. Pictured from left to right are: Max Marble, Governor Blunt, Jim Eckrich, MIDRO president (Lutheran Church), Henry Fan and Ronald Reynolds, Director of the Missouri Emergency Management Agency. |
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Tornado Hits Buffalo, Missouri Hard |
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| Rev. Kenneth Johnson, pastor of the Grace Community United Methodist Church in Buffalo, sent us these pictures that show some of the destruction that the tornado left behind. He was not able to get into the hardest hit area because it was still blocked to the public. The American Red Cross has set up its processing center in Grace Community UMC. Many Missouri communities are still suffering from the flooding of two weeks ago. If anyone has pictures please send them to photosoftheweek@aol.com. | |
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Neosho United Methodist Men Sponsor a Potato Soup Benefit for the Hungry of Missouri |
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| For 35 years the Neosho United
Methodist Men (with the help of the entire church) have been serving
potato soup with the proceeds going to feed hungry people through the
Society of St. Andrew. They have calculated that they are able to
provide 150 servings of food for every $3.50 bowl of soup they sell.
Through the years their efforts have expanded from an in-church benefit
to one where they deliver soup to businesses all over the town of
Neosho. The men of the church have produced a CD with complete detailed
instructions for planning a potato soup benefit. To receive the CD phone
the Office of Creative Ministries at 573-474-7155 or email
marble@umocm.com To view a three minute video of the potato soup benefit click here. |
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Office of Creative Ministries Studies Plan B, by Lester Brown |
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| Pictured from top left to right
are: Terri Williams, Carol Oliver, Isaac Johnson, Ann Moreton,
Max Marble and Audrey Phelps. Joe Bartelsmeyer was on a VIM
scouting trip in Brazil for this picture. They study a chapter
a week and take turns leading the study. The Office of Creative Ministries and the Global Connection Team are urging congregations to study Lester Brown's book, Plan B. The book is about caring for creation. Terri Williams and Carol Oliver from the Office of Creative Ministries Staff just returned from a Caring for Creation Conference held at the United Methodist Mount Sequoyah Camp, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They have formed a committee to plan a Caring for Creation Conference for the Missouri Conference for next Spring. If you would like to serve on the committee contact Terri Williams, at the Office of Creative Ministries. (Phone 573-474-7155 or Email williams@umocm.com. Plan B is available from Cokesbury and most any bookstore. |
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Disaster Response Chainsaw
Training Continues to Draw |
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| Members from Church of the Resurrection UMC, Liberty UMC, Waverly UMC and Warrensburg UMC received the kind of disaster response chainsaw training that is required of early responders. Future chainsaw trainings will be held on March 17 at Camp Gallilee and on April 11 at Blue Mountain. For more information and to register call Joe Bartelsmeyer at the Office of Creative Ministries 573-474-7155. |
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| The Charles Chesnutt Black Heritage postal stamp was unveiled during worship at St. James United Methodist Church on Sunday. This was just one of many ways that the congregation celebrated Black History month during February. On behalf of the congregation Rev. Emanuel Cleaver received the framed picture of the stamp from Ms. Deborah Anderson, manager of the North Kansas City Branch Post Office. | |
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Atlanta UMC Youth Experience the Global Village |
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The Youth from Atlanta UMC, in the Mark Twain District, traveled
to the Heifer International Ranch, in Perryville, Arkansas where
they learned about world hunger and stayed in the Global Village.
For information about sharing this experience with your youth group contact Carol Oliver, at the
Office of Creative Ministries. (Email:
oliver@umocm.com / Phone:
573-474-7155) |
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Palmyra UMC Completes Second ARK |
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Carol Oliver, from the Office of Creative Ministries, presented the second Heifer International ARK award plaque to the Palmyra United Methodist Church. Pastor Rebecca Peak received the plaque on behalf of the congregation during the children's time. The church set out with the goal of providing one ARK in 2007 and ended up providing two ARKs during 2007 with a start on a third. An ARK is a gift of $5,000 which provides at least two each of the animals provided by Heifer International to impoverished families. Each family passes on the first offspring of the animals they receive to other families during a ceremony called "The Passing on of the Gift." Such gifts are gifts that keep on giving. |
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Values Diversity Award to Office of Creative Ministries |
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Audrey Phelps, VIM Coordinator, and Isaac Johnson, Office Manager, hold the Values Diversity Award given to the Office of Creative Ministries. Over a thousand persons attended the awards breakfast held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia on January 17th. Each year a teach, an individual and an organization are recognized. The annual breakfast seeks to honor the values that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for. The text on the award reads: "The Columbia Values Diversity Award is presented to the Office of Creative Ministries, an organization which promotes new ways for congregations in Columbia and around the state to reach those in need. In achieving the organizational mission of: “Appropriate response to identifiable human need”, the Office of Creative Ministries’ diverse efforts include: caring for the earth; a prison ministry; working for peace, racial justice and gender inclusiveness; and outreach to persons with disabilities. The organization has also maintained a strong intentionality toward inclusiveness in its governing board, the projects chosen and people participating. The message and work of the Office of Creative Ministries have consistently been an example of Dr. King’s values." |
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This picture and information was received from Carol Kremer It continues to rain in Mozambique and your partner churches are affected - especially Chemba, Buzi, Save, and Nova Mambone. The photo, taken by Rev. Jacob Jenhuro, just arrived from Mozambique. As you can see, the Zambezi (at Caia and Chemba) and Pungue (on the way to Buzi) rivers have inundated homes even miles from their shores. The Buzi River is also over its shores due to rain in and west of Mozambique. According to AIM, the official news service, the forecast is for continued rain in the region. The Save River has forced the people of Mambone to be evacuated as well as the people from the churches of Chemba (Caia and Goba local churches) have been evacuated by the government also and it is said that there is not enough food or safe water. Visit the website: http://allafrica.com/mozambique/newswire/ to keep informed of the flood situation. One complication is that voter registration is happening from January 15 - March 15. There are difficulties in registering displaced persons. Click on the articles to read the full story.Please pray for our sisters and brothers in Mozambique as they continue to live with the realities of their country, through which the great rivers of sub-Saharan Africa flow. |
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Flooding in Mozambique |
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"Jaws" From The Office of Creative Ministries Responds in Lamar |
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Jay Thomason, a member of Liberty United Methodist Church, and a certified Office of Creative Ministries skid loader operator, sat at the controls of Jaws during debris removal in Lamar, Missouri after the December ice storm. Crew members included members of the Liberty United Methodist Church and Joe Bartelsmeyer from the Office of Creative Ministries. For persons interested in serving as early responders there will be two opportunities to be trained and certified as chain saw operators for disaster response. The first training will be at Camp Jo-Ota on February 1 and the second one will be at Camp Wilderness on February 6. Call the Office of Creative Ministries (573-474-7155) or email (bartelsmeyer@umocm.com) in order to receive registration information and materials. |
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Oregon United Methodist Church Provides Shelter From The Storm |
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The Oregon United Methodist Church was one of many churches that opened its doors and fired up its stoves to shelter people who had lost power in their homes. Pictured on the left are some of the persons taking shelter. Several rooms at the church provided sleeping arrangements as well. Rev. James Shrieves reports: "Since Tuesday our church has served as a SHelter site for the American Red Cross. We have had 36 persons living in our church fellowship hall, and around 60 meals served per meal time. Many of our members have assisted in meal service, and custodial work. We have been without electricity and water during this time. Members also went house to house bringing in the elderly to the shelter or delivering meals to those who decide to stay in their homes."
To read what other churches
are doing and to report what yours is doing click here |
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Russian Initiative Consultation - Kansas City |
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Mission In MOtion at Branson United Methodist Church |
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| The Branson United Methodist Church is all Mission in Motion. The two top photos show church members putting together 2,000 prison kits for the Festival of Sharing and the bottom two pictures show them receiving, processing and distributing 46,000 lbs of potatoes to food pantries in the Branson area. | |
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Glenwood Park United Methodist Church Distributes 42,000 Pounds of Potatoes |
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Glenwood Park United Methodist Church distributed 45,000 pounds of potatoes to local agencies (Harvesters, Community Service League, Don Bosco Center, Newhouse, City Union Mission, etc.), food pantries, and families on November 3, 2007. These potatoes were obtained through the Society of St. Andrew. The potatoes, seconds not acceptable for the grocery stores, would have normally ended up in a Minnesota dump. Instead they were gleaned from the fields to help feed families. Members of the Glenwood Park congregation, friends, Longview College students, and members of William Chrisman's ACE club worked together to rebag the 100 pound bags into smaller 5-10 pound bags. To arrange for a potato drop for your church email Joe Bartelsmeyer at the Office of Creative Ministries. (bartelsmeyer@umocm.com) Phone: 573-474-7155. |
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La Croix UMC Sends Hundreds Into The Community To Serve |
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| On September 29th La Croix UMC sponsored their 40 Days of Community "Mission Blitz Day." On that day they sent out more than 940 volunteers dressed in yellow t-shirts throughout their community to do all kinds of mission/outreach work. Pictured on the left are some of those volunteers painting the hallways in the "SEMO Action Agency" located in Cape Girardeau. Pictured on the right is Rev. Ron Watts, senior pastor at La Croix, serving in Rio Bravo, Mexico. He was in the medical clinic with some of the patients waiting to be seen. He co-led the volunteers in mission team which returned from Mexico on October 21st. | |
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Residents in Ministry Serve in Caruthersville |
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Sixty-five ministers in the Residents in Ministry program served in Caruthersville, Missouri, on Monday to help the community to get back on its feet after the devastating tornado that ripped through town over a year ago. They delivered a stove to a family that did not have one, taped and mudded sheetrock, dug dirt to level a place for a patio, cleaned up in and around a new church construction project and inventoried and organized the equipment in the Office of Creative Ministries disaster response trailer which has been used by over 100 teams since the recovery work started. The Residents in Ministry program includes all probationary member of the conference who are on the way to becoming full members plus a number of pastors who are full-conference members serving as mentors and leaders in the Residents in Ministry program. Click here or on the picture above to go to YouTube to see what they actually did in a short two minute video. Admittedly the music is a bit dramatic; however, it was the only royalty free music available to the video editor at the time. |
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| The workshop on video editing
drew 19 participants, ages 13 to 58, to First United Methodist
Church in St. Charles Tuesday evening. Standing in the picture
above is Jan Dillard, associate pastor at Presbyterian-Methodist
Church, in Montgomery City, who demonstrated Windows Movie Maker and
showed videos that they had produced and used in church. Max
Marble, Director of the Office of Creative Ministries, led the
participants in a step by step process that ended with everyone
having produced a video of the recent Dexter Festival of Sharing.
Future workshops will be held
in Columbia
(Nov. 1st) and Springfield (Nov. 4) All of the workshops
will be held from 6pm to 9pm to make them available to high school
and college students and those who have day jobs. For more
information and to register email Max Marble at
marble@umocm.com Information about a MissonCast Video Contest being sponsored by the Office of Creative Ministries and the Communications Commission may be found below. Prizes include a digital camcorder, digital still camera and a library of 26 CDs of royalty free music to use in producing videos. |
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PET Building Dedication in Columbia |
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| Larry Wilcox, one of the many volunteers making PETs in Columbia, demonstrates the finishing touches on the PET for children. The picture was taken Sunday afternoon during the dedication of PET-Columbia's new production building. About a hundred people attended the dedication. You may see what happened by clicking on the picture above. It will take you to an extra edition of MissionCast. The content of the MissionCast was provided by KOMU-TV, in Columbia. |
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Keytesville Parades Nothing But Nets |
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| The Keytesville United Methodist Church Nothing But Nets float took first place in the General Sterling Price Days parade, on September 8th. The church also set up a "Funnel Cake" stand to raise money for Nothing But Nets. Pastor McVeigh says the church averages 45 on Sunday morning and that they did their part for Nothing But Nets. All I can say is that you and I (unless you were actually there) were in the wrong place on September 8th. |
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Walk The Trail |
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| Walk the trail that many homeless in St. Louis walk every day. CentenaryCARES offers a number of educational opportunities for youth and adults. One of them is the opportunity to learn about the homeless by walking in their shoes and experiencing what their average day is like. In the church we so often get hung up with our own cares that were never the cares of Jesus. Actually Jesus never built or maintained a building...just think of that? Jesus spoke more about caring for the poor than anything else. Cententary UMC offers the homeless of St. Louis some extravagant hospitality that you can learn about. For information about what they do and what you can do call Jo Wight at 314-421-3136. |
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Bike
Rehab Ministry, Manchester UMC Click on the above picture above to see everyone at work. * * * * *
Young Adult Future VIM Team Leaders Our first Missouri Conference VIM team of young adult future team leaders returned last week from Ecuador where they worked on a construction project and provided a VBS for children. Each of the young adults will be leading a Missouri Conference VIM team with in the next 18 months. This was a training team for young adult VIM team leaders. It was led by Audrey Phelps, a young adult who serves as the Missouri Conference VIM Coordinator through the Office of Creative Ministries. Another Office of Creative Ministries staff young adult serving on the team was Isaac Johnson. From
the United Methodist Interpreter
Magazine
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Alexis Miller and Max Marble at the video editing bay. Our Photo of the Week appears in the current United Methodist Interpreter Magazine's cover article about "Ministry via New Technology". The article tells about MissionCast episode 20 which features Alexis Miller and the Nothing But Nets campaign and episode 19 which features Ryan Oetting and the 2007 Summer Youth Workcamp program. To read the article click on the link below. http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=12322
Disaster Response Skid-loader Training The Office of Creative Ministries continues to train and certify skid-loader operators for clean-up operations after disasters. If you would like to receive the training please contact Joe Bartelsmeyer (second from the left) at the Office of Creative Ministries. Phone 573-474-7155 or Email at bartelsmeyer@umocm.com. This training involved members of Liberty United Methodist Church in, Liberty, MO led by Kevin Fisher (far left)
Vacation Bible School
in Chingletai, Mongolia |
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Sea surge from
Hurricane Dean in the Dominica |
| The Picture of the Week, from the BBC News Service, was taken in Dominica by Lee Wilbur. Lee, son of Reuben and Shirley Wilbur, is serving as a Crisis Corps Volunteer, a part of the Peace Corps. He has a 6 month assignment (through December 21, 2007) working in Dominica with emergency preparedness. Hurricane Dean is the first major hurricane to hit the island nation since 1978. Lee has been working at Dominica's National Emergency Operations Center for Communications. As a US Amateur Radio operator -- KD0BBR ((KD(zero)BBR)), Lee has been granted amateur radio privileges in Dominica with the call sign J79PCV. Lee has been operating emergency radio communications with radios and a computer getting electricity from a generator. |
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| The United Methodist Men meeting in St. Louis bagged 44,000 lbs potato drop. The potatoes were provided by the Society of St. Andrew. The potatoes would have been thrown out. Instead the perfectly good potatoes were salvaged by the men and made their way to the tables of the poor and hungry of the St. Louis area. If your United Methodist Men or your congregation would like to sponsor a potato drop contact Joe Bartelsmeyer at the Office of Creative Ministries at phone 573-474-7155 or e-mail bartelsmeyer@umocm.com. | ||
From Interpreter Magazine
Disaster Response Skid-loader Training The Office of Creative Ministries continues to train and certify skid-loader operators for clean-up operations after disasters. If you would like to receive the training please contact Joe Bartelsmeyer (second from the left) at the Office of Creative Ministries. Phone 573-474-7155 or Email at bartelsmeyer@umocm.com. This training involved members of Liberty United Methodist Church in, Liberty, MO led by Kevin Fisher (far left)
Vacation Bible School
in Chingletai, Mongolia |
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| Congratulations to Jenny and Isaac Johnson. They were united in marriage on July 7th and have just returned from their honeymoon in Canada. Isaac serves as the office manager at the Office of Creative Ministries. Jenny is from Pensacola, Florida and having just received her Masters Degree in Social Work from MU, works at the Office of Refugee and Immigration Services, in Columbia. Isaac is from Sikeston and has been working that the Office of Creative Ministries since graduating from MU. They hope sometime in the near future to serve as missionaries in Africa. The full Office of Creative Ministries staff and many Office of Creative Ministries volunteers were on hand to worship and celebrate the wedding which took place at First Baptist Church in Columbia. Click on the picture above to see more of the wedding. |
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Palymra United Methodist Church Receives Heifer International Ark Plaque |
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| During Sunday morning worship, the Palmyra United
Methodist Church was presented with a Heifer International ark plaque by
Carol Oliver, who serves as our Missouri Heifer International
representative on the Office of Creative Ministries staff. The
church had planned to take all year to raise the $5,000 for the Ark.
With the needed amount already raised by mid-year the congregation has
decided to raise money for an additional Ark. Here we find another
example of Extravagant Generosity. An Ark is a gift of at least
two of each of the animals that Heifer International makes available to
needy families. Pastor Rebecca Dunger Peak feels blessed by
wonderful congregational leadership that makes mission come alive at
Palmyra UMC. To learn more about giving the gift of an Ark contact Carol Oliver at oliver@umocm.com |
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Pictured is Karen Benson being interviewed by MissionCast in the Missouri Emergency Operations Center, at the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City. Behind her you see some of the 200 persons gathered at the Emergency Operation Center for the drill. All of these people and thousands more participated in a 3-day, multimillion-dollar drill simulating a response to the projected New Madrid Earthquake. Go to http://momissioncast.com to hear what Karen has to say. Participating in the drill in Jefferson City were Karen Benson, Missouri Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and chair of the Governor’s Partnership on Disaster Response, Mark Dumas, chair of the Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, and Dante Gliniecki (walking behind Karen to her right) with SEMA, who along with Karen is a volunteer staff member of the Office of Creative Ministries. Marney Meserve, District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Gateway Central District, participated in the drill in St. Louis. Click here to see how your county might be affected in the projected New Madrid Earthquake. |
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Africa University Graduates At Conference |
| The Missouri Conference was honored by four guests from Mozambique. Three of them (see names underlined) are graduates of Africa University. Both the former Missouri East and West Conferences participated in the capital fund campaign to build Africa University and it is wonderful to see such promising church leaders emerging from those efforts. Pictured from left to right are: Carol Kreamer (Mozambique Initiative Coordinator), Delfina Monteiro (Mozambique Area Financial Officer), Ezequiel Nhantumbo (Mozambique Initiative Coordinator in Mozambique) , Ivan James (Samaritan UMC, St. Louis), Jacob Jenhuro (Council Director of the Mozambique North Conference) and Zefanias Chihulume(Council Director of the Mozambique South Conference). Photo by Fred Koenig |
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Nothing But Nets |
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Alexis Miller
Visits With Mel West at the PET Place in Columbia
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| Meet Alexis Miller, the Summer Mission Intern, at
the Office of Creative Ministries. Alexis is a Senior at The
University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, studying for a
degree in Public Relations. This Summer she will serve as a
part of the Office of Creative Ministries team as she learns about
the various outreach ministries of our Missouri Conference
congregations.
PET, stands for "Personal Energy Transportation". A PET is a 3-wheel, hand-cranked, vehicle for those who have lost the use of their legs. You can arrange a tour of the PET Place and learn how you can become involved in this ministry by calling 573-886-7877. |
Week of April 25, 2007
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| Joe Bartelsemyer, from the Office of Creative
Ministries, Eric Anderson, Pony Express District Disaster Response
Coordinator and James Shrieves, pastor of the Oregon UMC, surveyed the
flood waters at Big Lake on Monday. The three of them gained
access to the area because of Joe's disaster response identification
badge, otherwise public access to the area is still denied. When
public access is made available persons wishing to help out with the
clean up in Big Lake and other flooded areas should contact Eric
Anderson or Joe Bartelsmeyer. Pictured in the upper right hand
photo are Rev. Eric Anderson and Rev. James Shrieves. The Office
of Creative Ministries pickup (lower left) made it though the flood
waters to bring you these pictures. (Pictures by Joe Bartelsmeyer) The bonus picture (lower right) shows Lewis (of Lewis and Clark) in deep water. There is a new statues of Lewis and Clark on the parking area below the Eads Bridge, in St. Louis. Normally Lewis is waving his hat to the public in a jovial manner, however when Sally Marble took this picture it looked more like a cry for help. Poor Clark was completely submerged. |
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Cornerstone and
Liberty UMC Build in Caruthersville |
| Pictured above are members of Cornerstone UMC (O'Fallon) building in Caruthersville from the ground up. This week members of Liberty UMC are continuing with the wiring and roofing. This home in Caruthersville should be completed soon built from the ground up by Missouri United Methodists. |
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COLUMBIA WESLEY FOUNDATION |
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(Click on above picture) Granted you can not see who the students are in this picture. They are hard at work gutting a home in New Orleans so it can be restored. It is not that they don't want you to know who they are. They just need to wear the safety suits and masks which disguise them. However, if you click on the picture you will see their smiling faces and their tools of destruction. Their names and home towns are listed below. Andrew Ritts, Ellisville, MO; Yutika Sthavornmanee, Thailand; Dan Swindell, Columbia, MO; Zachary Callaway, St. Joseph, MO, Jamey Richards, Macon, MO; Kristen Hower, Denver, CO; Jenny Jackson, Boliver, MO; Sara Halley, Ellisville, MO; Andrea Stone, Mexico, MO; Leah Halley, Ellisville, MO; Joshua Headley, Boston, MA; E.C. Atchison, Sikeston, MO; Jared Hoft, Columbia, MO |
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OUR
NEW MISSIONARIES Mary Ward, member of St. James UMC, in Kansas City, and Carol Clay Mann, member of Mt. Olivet UMC, in Taylor, were commissioned Tuesday night, in Stamford, Connecticut, at the General Board of Global Ministries Meeting. As a Deaconess, Carol's assignment is to Lewis County C-1 schools, in Ewing, Missouri and to the Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse, in Quincy, Illinois. As a Church and Community Worker, Mary will serve as the Executive Director of the United Methodist Community Outreach Program of Roanoke, Virginia. Look for details of the evening in the up-coming issues of the Review and MissionCast. Judith Ball is a Director of the General Board of Global Ministries and along with Max Marble, Director of the Office of Creative Ministries, attended the commissioning representing the Missouri Conference. |
Week of April 25, 2007
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First United Methodist Church, McAllen, Texas |
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People from 11 states gathered at First United
Methodist Church, McAllen, Texas for prayer before crossing the
border to dedicate the new PET Affiliate, in Nuevo Progresso,
Mexico. This was Bishop Schnase's last appointment
before becoming Bishop. The facilities are beautiful. I
was interested in the fact that the sanctuary has not yet been
built. It felt like there was a strong mission emphasis.
Worship is still being held in the gym of the Family Life Center. For
more pictures of the church that Bishop Schnase built click here.
The reason we gathered at First United Methodist church for prayer, led by Rev. Jose Torres, Rio
Grande Conference District Superintendent, was that the Border Area
Mission through which we have sent many VIM teams to serve in Mexico
is housed in the church. |
April 18, 2007
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Wardrobe Expansion Project, Hayti, Missouri |
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The Picture of the Week shows the expansion project currently underway in Hayti, at the Wardrobe. Pictured is Stephen Rhodes. Stephen and Faye Rhodes are members of the First United Methodist Church, in Hayti and been the key persons who have made the expansion program possible through their dedicated service to the Wardrobe Ministry. Rev. Sue Cubbage and the whole Wardrobe Board have worked hard on this project. The Wordrobe property is owned by the Office of Creative Ministries Board. Others working with Steve on the project last week were Rodger McQuate and Gary Springer, Wentzville UMC & Joe Franks, Maryville UMC. Men from the West Plains UMC will be continuing the work on the building. |
April 11, 2007
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Tennessee VIM team members
serve dinner to the families living in the three homes they helped to
rebuild in Caruthersville. |
March 28, 2007
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From the week of March 26, 2007
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From the week of March 19, 2007
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From the week of March 7, 2007
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From the week of February 28, 2007
 It is "seed time" at the Office of Creative Ministries. Seeds donated during the Festival of Sharing are sorted and shipped to garden clubs that make garden space available to low income families. In the Photo of the Week, volunteer Elinor Russell, from Sturgeon UMC, and volunteer Dolores Reddick, from Community UMC, sort thousands of seed packets preparing for this year's distribution in time for planting season. Some of the organizations that have received seeds are: Community Garden Coalition - Columbia; Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Area; Christ’s Kitchen - West Plains; Agape Ministry of Warrenton; The Wardrobe - Hayti; Gateway Greening - St. Louis and Kansas City Community Garden. If your church group would like to work on this project next Spring contact Isaac Johnson, at the Office of Creative Ministries. (573) 474-7155 or johnson@umocm.com Also, please let your congregation know that they can give seeds through the Festival of Sharing to help put healthy, fresh food on the tables of low-income Missourians.
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From the week of January 22, 2007
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The Beauty and the Beast - Ice Storm |
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Pictures taken by Joe Bartelsmeyer, Office of Creative Ministries, while working in Southwest Missouri. While the ice on the power lines and tree limbs presented a winter wonderland the sheer weight of the ice cause havoc everywhere. To see more of his pictures and to see these pictures at a higher resolution click on either of the pictures above. |
From the week of January 10, 2007
| Dr. Shannon Jung, Professor of Town and Country Ministries,
at Saint Paul School of Theology, will lead a workshop about
food and the part it plays in our personal lives and in our
rural and urban communities. It ties us together in so
many ways. Lent is a good time to think about how
important food is not only for our physical lives but also for
our social and spiritual lives.
Register by sending a check for $15 to the Office of Creative Ministries, 3009 David Dr., Columbia, MO 65202. The workshop is sponsored by the Mid-State Council on Ministries and the Office of Creative Ministries. Please register by March 6. |
From the week of January 3, 2007
Eden Summit: Cultivating
Creation Awareness Congregations
Community UMC, Columbia, Missouri -- April 21, 2007
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From the week of Dec 27, 2006 "Mission in MOtion"
2006 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
COLLAGE |
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From the week of Dec 22, 2006 Kevyn Amos in Quito, Ecuador
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Click here to
view the Mission In MOtion Video
(The video is available on loan from the Conference Office -
573-441-1770)
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| Back Row (L to R): Renee Purol, Gloria
DenHartog and Dorthy Carwell. Front Row (L to R): Faye Chitwood
and Mary Elliott. Not pictured but a part of the group is Sandy
Begley. On Sunday, while preaching at Mt. Vernon UMC (Palmyra), I found a wonderful example of Mission in MOtion. Most every Tuesday Gloria, Dorthy, Faye, Mary and Renee bake "Glory Rolls" in their church basement. Sandy who can not be present for the baking is their top salesperson. The impossible to resist cinnamon rolls are sold for a dollar a piece at various places across the county and all of the money goes to missions. They sent $1,600 to their adopted church in Bouras, Louisiana. They support local and international missions. Shay Blackwell (St. Louis) is one of several missionaries receiving support. The rolls are given to bereaved families as well as those with special occasions to celebrate. As guest preacher for the morning I even came home with a bag of them. (Excuse me for eating while typing... Ummmm Umm) Faye dreamed up this new mission ministry in February, 2005. Since then they have raised $12,952 for missions. Their pastor, Rebecca Dunger Peak, calls the women her "holy rollers." I am told that if you are interested in placing an order for "Glory Rolls" they will do their best to fill them. Contact Faye Chitwood (573) 439-5254. (fchitwoo@marktwain.net) --Max Marble |
From the week of November 19, 2006
 Known as Tweedy Bird because of her color, this truck just showed up one morning on the parking lot of Schweitzer UMC, in Springfield. The donor was anonymous. Tweedy Bird has been put to work bringing relief equipment and supplies to those in the path of disasters. This last week she was in Fredericktown, Missouri along with church members from Wentzville UMC, Schweitzer UMC and a few AmeriCorps Volunteers. They were fixing roofs and repairing walls and rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by the September tornado that ripped through town. The moral of the story is: If you "just show up" at "A Church That Serves" you don't sit still for long. Contact Joe Bartelsmeyer, VIM Coordinator for projects in Missouri, at the Office of Creative Ministries, and you won't sit still long either. Just like Tweedy Bird you will become a blessing to many. |
From the week of
November 12, 2006
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If you use
this 3-minute video in a worship service or a church meeting let
us know how it worked for you. (marble@umocm.com)
To download the video for your use, right click on the link
below and click on "save target as." |
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UMCOR:
Bringing Hope Elaine and Wendall Carpenter are surviving Katrina, in Missouri. Wendall was to have surgery for his heart the day after Katrina struck. Needless to say that was not possible. Nor was it possible in the weeks that followed. Katrina compounded his health problems and only now is he getting some much needed help with his health as Saundra Blackenship, Case Worker Supervisor. funded by the Missouri UMCOR grant, is getting them into a long-term recovery program. Max Marble interviewed them on Sunday, in Benton, Missouri. Click here if you have a broadband Internet connection . Click here if you have a dial-up connection to the Internet. |
From the week of
November 5, 2006
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Latin
American Biblical Seminary, San Jose, Costa Rica |
| Using a scraper, wire brush, bleach and a lot of elbow grease, Gary Garretson, from Willow Springs and Ron Spargo, from Ozark, slowly but surely transformed this wall into a thing of beauty. They were a part of a Missouri Conference Volunteers in Mission team, led by Max Marble, serving at the Latin American Biblical Seminary in San Jose, Costa Rica. Max Marble has served as the VIM Major Project Leader for the Seminary for the past eight years during which time over 25 Missouri VIM teams have served the seminary in a variety of different ways. In 2007 the seminary would like to receive 8 teams from Missouri. If you would like to serve as a team leader for this project contact Max Marble (marble@umocm.com). Click here to see the "after" picture of the above "before" picture. You will also see the whole team made up of persons from 9 different churches scattered all over the state. |
From the week of October 29, 2006
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A New Dream
Home in Hogar, Mexico |
| Left to right - Back: Manny
(the father who lives in the house), Manny (the maestro), Felix
(the maestro), Steve McMurdo, Lisa Conrad, Amelia (the mother
who lives in the house), Barbara Edwards, and Lucita (the
daughter of Amelia and Manny) holding her daughter, Linda.
Front: Luis (the son who lives in the house), Riley Smith,
Lupita (who lives in the house) and Mary Haskins. One of the most rewarding VIM projects is "Operation Hogar" where a team works side by side building a new home for and with a family that was living in a card board shack. Pictured above is the team from Hope United Methodist Church, in Lone Jack, Missouri standing in front of the newly constructed home. Click here for their story, a from-the-heart touching poem and another picture. For more information about this project call the Office of Creative Ministries. |
From the week of October 22, 2006
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| In 1986 Gary Johnson wrote the "Festival of Sharing" song and performed it at the Festival of Sharing. As a part of the 25th Anniversary Festival of Sharing Celebration Gary returned to play his song. Those attending the celebration were interested that he could play the guitar with one hand. To listen to the song or to see him play click here. |
From the week of October 15, 2006
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Festival of Sharing "Books from the Heart" are being sorted at Drexel United Methodist Church. The Books from the Heart will be placed in many of the prisons across Missouri. Books from the Heart may be brought to the Festival of Sharing, in Sedalia, on Saturday, October 21. For information on the kinds of books that will be accepted in the prisons click here. We are thankful to Harold Johnson, chair of the Restorative Justice Task Force, for working with this important outreach ministry project. |
From the week of September 31, 2006
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Southeast Missouri
Festival of Sharing, Dexter, September 30 |
| The Southeast Mini-Festival of Sharing was not very mini. Churches from many different denominations converged on Dexter on Saturday, September 30 to share their gifts for the poor and hungry of Missouri and the world. Rice, beans and pop corn were bagged for distribution to food pantries in Southeast Missouri. Over $69,000 worth of cash and material gifts were collected. At noon everyone worshiped and gave thanks to God for their blessings. Lunch for everyone present was provided by various donors. In the afternoon all of the gifts were loaded on to trucks, trailers and vans from service agencies across the Southeast. It was a great day of service and celebration. For more picture click here. |
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Office of Creative Ministries Board
VIM Team in Caruthersville
(VIM Teams Needed for the next two years for rebuilding)
(Call Joe Bartelsmeyer - 573-474-7155)
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| 1. Paul Zimmerman & Steve Cox rest while cutting and hauling a very large tree. 2. Bill Monsees, Linda Page & Paul Zimmerman box books for the high school library. 3. Joe Bartelsmeyer and Linda Page tape a box of books. 4. Audrey Phelps and Isaac Johnson take down a fence around the Lincoln University Extension Center. 5. Joe Bartelsmeyer teaches Audrey Phelps to operate the skid-loader. |
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Whose hat is the heifer wearing at the 1979 Bishop's Convocation (Festival of Sharing)? The price tag may give some a clue. To see whose hat it is click on the picture. Mel West, who established the Office of Creative Ministries is the one helping the heifer model the hat. |
Click here to see recent photos of
the week
Click here to share a favorite Festival of Sharing memory.
Click here to read shared favorite
memories of the Festival of Sharing.
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United Methodists Respond After the St. Louis Storms and
Tornados
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Photos from Annual Conference in Springfield
Photo from the week of August 28, 2006
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Photo from the week of August 21, 2006
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Bishop's Convocation on Hunger, Columbia,1977 Who can you recognize in the picture? Are you there somewhere? The viewing stands wrapped around the whole arena so only a small percentage of attendees are shown. Let us know below any people you can recognize. To enlarge the above picture even more to see more detail you may click here. Order your free 2006 Festival of Sharing offering envelopes by calling 573-474-7155 or emailing johnson@umocm.com or order on line by CLICKING HERE. |
Photo from the week of August 14, 2006
 Your Office of Creative Ministries Staff: Back Row, Left to Right - Karen Benson (Missouri Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (volunteer staff), Dante Gliniecki (UMCOR Grant Administrator), Isaac Johnson (Office Manager), Joe Bartelsmeyer (VIM-Missouri Teams), Back Row - Carol Oliver (Festival of Sharing), Audrey Phelps (Volunteers in Mission - National & International Teams), Ann Moreton (Financial Records), Max Marble (Director) |
From the week of August 7
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From the week of July 31
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School of Missions Weaves Tangled
Web |
From the week of July 24th
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A New and
Important New Orleans Fashion Midway Locust Grove UMC members from left to right: (Standing: Carolyn Doyle, Sheri Cox, Rev. Sarah Evans, Lyndi Fuemmeler, Kurt Zahringer, Frank Santoro Kneeling: Danielle Clark (Click on picture for more pictures)
Health and safety is serious business when it comes to Volunteers in Mission serving in hurricane devastated areas. Many teams are required to use these protective suits while working in New Orleans. Though health and safety are serious matters, returning teams, report light and humorous moments while serving. Their ministry is one that brings hope and happiness to the people they serve. We rejoice in sharing the witness of these teams of beautiful servants of Christ. Click on the Photo of the Week above to see more pictures of the Midway-Locust Grove United Methodist Church VIM team at work and play in New Orleans.
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From the week of July 17th
Some VIM Team Leaders Have Other Responsibilities Too It took some effort for us to be able to show you this picture of what our VIM Team Leaders do when not leading VIM Teams. Rev. Bill Koch, pulled through for us. In addition to being known as one of our active VIM team leaders Bill will now be known as granddad as well. Actually, he has some other responsibilities but we can all see who will rule now. Paxton Liam Genung Koch was born on June 16 and now at one month weighs in at 12 lbs. Congratulations, Bill and Marti. (Bill Koch, is the District Superintendent of the Mark Twain District and has led VIM teams to Costa Rica and Peru.) |
From the week of July 10, 2006
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From the week of June 24, 2006
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"Siding With
Jesus" |
From the week of June 17, 2006
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CENTER TEAM PICTURE:
Front row (team with back to the camera) Left
to Right: Chellsea Hill, Dolly Lassman-Eul, Andrew Scott,
Jana Ballenger, Carolyn Poole, and David Blacksher.
Back row (team facing the camera) Left to Right: Threasa
Ballenger (sunglasses on), Hannah Fox, Chuck Ewy, Doyle
Hill, Kayla Ballenger, Blake Cook and Dana Gilliam.
PICTURE TO THE RIGHT: L to Right Jana Ballenger, Dana
Gilliam (yellow bandana), Kayla Ballenger and in the back,
Dolly Lassman-Eul.
The Asbury UMC (Springfield) VIM team, led by
Threasa Ballenger, returned on the 17th from serving in Allende,
Mexico. Team members show of the backs of their t-shirts
which say "Mexico Mississippi Missions". The
"Mississippi" part of the t-shirt refers to another Asbury UMC
VIM team serving simultaneously at Moss Point, Mississippi. Many Missouri VIM
teams are helping to build this Methodist church in Allende.
Jan Furr will lead a team to Allende leaving September 30 and
Cheney Parrish will lead a team leaving on November 4. |
For week of June 12, 2006 -- Annual Conference
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For week of June 5, 2006
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Volunteers in Mission Serve In Eleuthera, Bahamas |
For the week of Monday, May 22
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Max Marble took this picture of
Rhineland, Missouri on Sunday, May 21, 2006. Ten years ago this
was a forested hill top over looking the Missouri River valley just
north of Herman. Working through the Missouri Interfaith Disaster
Response Network, your Office of Creative Ministries staff was busy
helping this community, as well as several other Missouri communities,
relocate out of the flood plain to higher ground. Most of these
homes were lifted off their foundations, set on wheels and pulled up the hill by
bulldozer and set back down on new foundations. One of the homes
presented quite a challenge. It required two bulldozers pulling.
It was a 40 ton two story stone home. The edge of this home it is just
barely visible behind the third home from the right. Today it sits confidently
at its new location. |
For the week of Monday, May 15
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Bob Carpenter, Missouri United Methodist Disaster Response Team
and retired clergy, serving in Caruthersville. Note the official
disaster
response t-shirt. You can order one by clicking above.
Click here for more
pictures from Caruthersville
Rev.
David Scott, pastor of the Alton and Thayer United Methodist
Churches, let it be known that he would kiss a goat if each
congregation had raised their share of a Heifer International
Ark by the first of March. The cost of an Ark is $5,000
and includes at least 2 of each of the animals that Heifer
International makes available to impoverished families.
David fulfilled his promise during church by kissing Snowball,
pictured at the left. At Thayer the congregation had
raised double the needed amount and so at Thayer David kissed
Snowball and her sister Neva. We understand that the
sermon, prayers and hymns were occasionally punctuated by the
goats. It was a joyful Sunday as the members of the Alton
United Methodist Church and the Thayer United Methodist Church
are well on their way to completing a $5,000 Ark which will put
food on the tables of many impoverished families and will bring
other families the extra income they need to be able to pay
school fees for their children to attend school. We take
our hats off to David for the encouragement he has offered to
get the job done.
