Mission Trips Blog

May 14 to June 23, 2012

Urgent need for volunteers in Maples Cottage renovation project at Mount Sequoyah Conference Center, 150 NW Skyline Drive in Fayetteville, AR.

Dirty demolition work has been done....now the fun of renewing the building. Free housing & linens on campus.

Cost: transportation to Fayetteville, AR, and meals (meal prices in negotiation).

Carpenters & helpers, electrical helpers, plumbing helpers, bat-insulation installers, sheetrockers & helpers, painters, hardwood floor refinishers.

Anytime, May 14 to June 23, 2012. Contact Don White as soon as possible for details:
Rev. Don White
832-794-8162 cell
(April 24-May 4, home 281-446-7686)
donvivwhite@juno.com

4 Corners Global Outreach is an ecumenical, faith-based organization guided by United Methodist Churches. Our goal is to help local communities build and sustain primary care clinics in locations which have inadequate or no access to basic medical services. 

Our first clinic, in Puerto Viejo Sarpiqui, Costa Rica, will serve as a model for the many primary care clinics we hope to facilitate and build worldwide. 

Our mission teams help with clinic construction, assist with medical education and outreach into the villages, work with the Women's Development Group, go door to door in the villages to meet and connect with the communities, and work with the children through Vacation Bible School. There is something for everyone to share their gifts with families in great need.

We have 3 trips planned for 2012!

• July 7-14
• July 14-21
• November 3-10 – Outreach & vision clinic with Christ UMC Plano

To learn more, join us for our next info meeting or visit http://4cornersgomed.org/ 

RSVP at dpatterson@standrewumc.org

Costa Rica Info Meeting

Tuesday, 05/01
7:00 p.m.
St. Andrew UMC Plano
5801 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75025

The Louisiana Annual Conference has a team going to south Vietnam on March 15 to March 27, 2012. They have several spots open.

You don't have to have any medical skills, just a willingness to help those less fortunate and a willingness to share God's love. The cost of the mission will be $3200 (all inclusive).

Please contact team leader Beverly Dinnel (985-320-2393) for further information.

Dates: March 21-29, 2012
Cost: $1350 per person includes airfare
Project: work on UM buildings such as churches, schools.
Contact: Joy Anderson, janderson@fumcr.com

First United Methodist Church of Richardson is looking for a few extra people to fill out their team of ten traveling to Haiti in the spring. The team will be hosted by the staff of the Haiti Response Plan, a program of the Mission Volunteers unit of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

The UMVIM community and the staff of the Haiti Response Plan continue to work in cooperation with the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti (The Methodist Church of Haiti) to host volunteer teams to address the humanitarian needs and priority projects of the Methodist Church of Haiti. Teams typically know of their assignment shortly before leaving.

More Help is Needed in Bastrop

Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2011, six from the East District journeyed to Bastrop and returned Tuesday evening; those going included: Brian Bosworth (Wesley UMC Sulphur Springs), Joyce Whitley (Lone Oak UMC), Pete Adrian (Sulphur Springs First UMC), Rusty Hedges (Paris Calvary UMC), Susan McCury (Sulphur Springs First UMC) and Dick Stanley (Sulphur Springs First UMC).

Much work has been done but much work remains and the UMC is very much open and receiving volunteers to assist in that work. With Thanksgiving and Christmas relatively close together this year they are fearful of a sharp drop off of volunteers during that period. If you know of anyone wondering if they still need volunteers, rest assured they do and would welcome inquiries as to what assistance they do need.

The Austin District Office is looking to schedule groups into January as an indicator of the magnitude of the work remaining.

It is amazing to see the community coming back as evidenced by slabs being poured, out buildings being replaced and green sprouts peeking up from the ground.

Don't forget the people of Bastrop, they still need our help.

Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church 
Paducah, Kentucky
October 12-20, 2012

“WATER IS LIFE. WATER IS BAPTISM. LIFE IN GOD REQUIRES WATER.”

Paducah, Kentucky, founded by William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame, is situated on the Ohio River just a few miles from where it empties into the Mississippi. Long known as the Four Rivers region, it has been a center of river commerce and culture from the time of the prehistoric Mound Builders to the contemporary barge traffic that transports materials down the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Kentucky, and Mississippi Rivers all the way to New Orleans. The rich mix of history and a thriving arts scene propelled Paducah into being named the No. 1 Fan Favorite Distinctive Destination in America for 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

During this Primetimers Event, talks and explorations will center on the activities and issues of an area whose lifeblood is navigable rivers. Highlights include a visit to Reelfoot Rural Ministries in Northwest Tennessee and an overnight visit to New Harmony, Indiana. New Harmony is located on the Wabash River and was home to two utopian societies.

Many other activities have been scheduled including visits to Fort Massac, Land Between the Lakes, Tilghman Civil War Museum, National Quilt Museum, River Discovery Museum, Hotel Metropolitan, and Lower Town Arts District. Afternoon options are a class with one of the Lower Town artists in her/his studio or a trip to visit Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site.

Service opportunities are plentiful and varied, including assisting the food bank of Paducah Cooperative Ministries and helping with various needs of Reelfoot Rural Ministries.

Participants can expect to gain a new understanding and appreciation of how inland waterways have been central to the development of our nation and how the people of heartland America are continuing to cherish and live out their heritage of faith, water, and the land. The Rev. Gregory Waldrop and Ann Fraley are waiting to share this place with Primetimers.

COME TO THE WATER

Event Code CW12

Event Host:
Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church 300 Fountain Avenue Paducah, KY 42001

Event Date:
October 12-20, 2012

Cost Per Person:
$1,000 – includes housing, meals, local transportation, supplemental accident insurance, entrance fees, and Global Ministries administrative fee. Participants are responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from the event.

Housing/Meals:
Rooms will be shared double rooms with private bath in a local hotel. The first meal will be dinner October 12, and last meal is breakfast October 20.

Transportation:
Persons flying to this event have the option of Barkley Regional Airport, Paducah (PAH) or Nashville International Airport (BNA). Hosts will meet all arrivals at Barkley Airport. Church bus transportation will be available from Nashville (140 miles) for an additional $50 roundtrip per person. Participants should not make travel plans until instructed to do so by the coordinator. Arrival at the event site or Nashville airport should be between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. October 12, 2012. Departure will be between noon and 4:00 p.m. October 20, 2012.

Estimated Physical Demands:
Participants should be able to walk short to medium distances and get into and out of a regular bus and/or van. No major stairways are expected.

Registration:
The registration deadline for this event is July 15, 2012. Please send completed registration form and non-refundable (unless event is cancelled by Global Ministries) deposit of $100 to:
Primetimers – Mission Volunteers 
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Room 320
New York, NY 10115

Registration minimum will be 12 persons and maximum 20 persons.

Event Coordinator:               Rev. Gregory Waldrup 270-210-8470 pastor@fountainavenuechurch.com

Event Shepherd: Ann Fraley 270-210-8479 annfraley@hotmail.com

 

Download the Complete Primetimers Missions Document & Registration forms.

May 5-13, 2012

“WILLIAM AND JOHN - AN UNLIKELY PAIR”

Primetimers have been asking for an England Event for several years and here we have a wonderful combination that focuses on both William Shakespeare and John Wesley. Dr. Duane Cady is the leader and comes with several years experience leading student groups to England from Hamline University. He has just retired  after teaching aesthetics for many years including “Theater and Dramatic Arts  in England.”

During the week, there will be three theater performances, including two in London and one in Stratford. Primetimers will visit the John Wesley Chapel and Home in London, Oxford University in Oxford (where Wesley was educated), and a local Methodist church in Oxfordshire for a service project.

The itinerary will have three days in London then travel to Stratford-Upon-Avon for one day, to Oxford for two days, and return to London for the balance of the time. All overnight accommodations will be in mid-range hotels. Travel outside of London will be by motor coach.

The blending of emphases on the lives and heritage of Shakespeare and Wesley offers a unique opportunity for a new understanding and appreciation of these two men of history. The English theater and the historic Methodist church will have a new relevance for those Primetimers who take advantage of this experience.

LONDON, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, AND OXFORD, ENGLAND

Event Code LSO12

Event Host:
Dr. Duane Cady
Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104

Event Date:
May 5-13, 2012

Cost Per Person:
$1,900 – includes housing, breakfast and dinner meals, out-of-London transportation, supplemental accident insurance, entrance fees, theater tickets, and Global Ministries administrative fee. Participants are responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from England and for local transportation (subway, taxi, etc.), and noon meals.

Housing/Meals:
All housing will be in local, mid-range hotels with double occupancy. Single room occupancy is available for an extra cost. The first meal will be dinner May 5, and the last meal will be dinner May 12.

Transportation:
Flights may be into either Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport. Participants are responsible for getting themselves to the hotel using subway, airport limousine, bus, or taxi. Arrival at the hotel should be mid-afternoon May 5 and departure by mid-morning May 13. Travel arrangements should not be made until instructed to do so by the event coordinator.

Estimated Physical Demands:
Participants should be able to walk several blocks at one time and get on and off a van and motor coach with little or no assistance. Stairs may be sometimes necessary, although there will be elevators in hotels and theaters. Luggage assistance may not always be available.

Registration:
The registration deadline for this event is March 1, 2012. Please send completed registration form and non-refundable (except in event of cancellation by Global Ministries) deposit of $100 to:
Primetimers – Mission Volunteers 
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Room 320
New York, NY 10115

Registration minimum will be 15 persons and maximum 25 persons.

Event Coordinator:                Dr. Duane Cady 651-483-0326 dcady@gw.hamline.edu

Event Shepherd: Sandra Cady 651-483-0326 sidlcady@centurylink.com

 

Download the Complete Primetimers Missions Document & Registration forms.

UMCOR West Office and Depot
September 8-15, 2012

“BEING METHODIST IN A MORMON PLACE”

A unique opportunity awaits Primetimers who join the Rev. Brian Diggs at  UMCOR West in September. Rev. Diggs and the staff of the new UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah, will host the group, lead the service time there, and share the history of United Methodism in Utah and a new understanding of the interfaith relationship between United Methodists and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

The week spent in Salt Lake City will also offer opportunities to visit the Great Salt Lake, Temple Square (headquarters for the LDS Church), “This is the Place State Park” (a historic Mormon park), and Crossroads Urban Center (a United Methodist National Mission Institution since 1966).

Rev. Diggs is the co-author of “Sacramental Faithfulness,” a paper presenting The United Methodist Church’s position on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will bring to the Primetimers group the background and research for this work. LDS representatives will also make presentations.

Service time will be spent at the new UMCOR West Depot where Primetimers will assemble disaster relief kits. There is also the possibility of some service work at Crossroads Urban Center. Worship will be at First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City.

Come and experience a week of much diversity, new service opportunities, and a better understanding of being Methodist in a Mormon place.

 

METHODISTS, MORMONS, AND UMCOR

Event Code BMMP12

Event Host:
UMCOR West Office and Depot 1479 South 700 West Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Event Date:
September 8-15, 2012

Cost Per Person:
$900 – includes housing, meals, local transportation, supplemental accident insurance, entrance fees, and Global Ministries administrative fee. Participants are responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from the event.

Housing/Meals:
Participants will be housed at the Episcopal Church Center of Utah. Rooms will be shared double occupancy with bath. Single rooms are available for extra fee of $24 per night. Meals will be divided between the Episcopal Center and the UMCOR Depot. Some meals will be in local restaurants as the schedule requires. The first meal will be lunch September 8, and the last meal will be breakfast September 15.

Transportation:
Flights should be into Salt Lake International Airport (SLC). Transportation to and from the airport will be provided with an UMCOR van. Participants should not make travel arrangements until instructed to do so by the coordinator. Arrival should be mid-morning September 8 and departure will be mid-morning September 15.

Estimated Physical Demands:
Primetimers will need to be able to travel in a shuttle/van – getting on and off with little or no assistance. Walking will be a maximum of one hour per day with few stairs. Help with luggage will be available. Salt Lake City sits at 4,500 feet above sea level. Altitude sickness is a possibility.

Registration:
The registration deadline for this event is June 1, 2012. Please send completed registration form and non-refundable (except in event of cancellation by Global Ministries) deposit of $100 to:
Primetimers – Mission Volunteers 
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Room 320
New York, NY 10115

Registration minimum will be 10 persons and maximum 20 persons.

Event Coordinator:                  Rev. Brian Diggs Salt Lake City, Utah 801-973-7250 bdiggs@umcor.org

Event Shepherd: Maika Tutuafu Salt Lake City Utah 801-973-7250 mtukuafu@umcor.org

 

Download the Complete Primetimers Missions Document & Registration forms.

Methodist Border Friendship Commission 

McAllen, Texas

March 18-25, 2012

“WALKING THE STATIONS AND REMEMBERING”

During the 2012 season of Lent, Primetimers will join together in the event “The Way of the Cross” and remember the story of who we are as God’s people. In both the Old and New Testaments, God’s people are called to remember. We are called to remember events, not for the sake of the event, but for what it means in our lives, as part of who we are and who we are to become. This event will allow Primetimers to explore and participate in this story as a living story that has not yet ended.

During our time together, we will (physically) walk the Stations of the Cross and remember. We will experience God’s mission on the US-Mexico border as we look at the significance of the events of each of the stations Jesus endured during the last hours of his life. In this journey on the border we will visit places and ministries of struggles, triumphs, injustices, justice, service, faith, hope, and forgiveness. We will:

• Work with immigrants
• Learn about issues of our border demographics, economics, education, health, way of life, and much more
• Look at issues facing our brothers and sisters in Mexico and hear from the
  Methodist Church of Mexico about its ministries and the issues it faces
• Work with and learn about ministries of justice, mercy, faith, and hope
• Experience the wonderful culture of the border area

To join this Primetimers Event during the season of Lent will surely be an opportunity for renewal of hope and perhaps new understanding as we walk the Stations of the Cross and remember.

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Event Code WC12

Event Host:
Methodist Border Friendship Commission
c/o First United Methodist Church
4200 N. McColl
McAllen, TX 78504

Event Date:
March 18-25, 2012

Cost Per Person:
$1,000 – includes housing, meals, local transportation, supplemental accident insurance, project fee, and Global Ministries administrative fee. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event.

Housing/Meals:
Rooms and meals will be at San Juan United Methodist Church. The rooms are dormitory style but all beds are lower bunks. The first meal will be dinner Sunday, March 18, and the last meal will be breakfast Sunday, March 25.

Transportation:
Flights into McAllen International Airport (MFE) are preferred, and all major airlines fly into McAllen. Transportation will be provided to and from the airport and San Juan United Methodist Church. Participants should not make travel arrangements until instructed to do so by the coordinator.

Estimated Physical Demands:
Primetimers will need to be able to travel by van – getting on and off with little or no assistance. The ability to walk 3/4 mile will be required as we will be walking the “Stations of the Cross” at least twice.

Registration:
The registration deadline for this event is January 15, 2012. Please send completed registration form and nonrefundable (except in event of cancellation by Global Ministries) deposit of $100 to:
Primetimers – Mission Volunteers 
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Room 320
New York, NY 10115

Registration minimum will be 10 persons and maximum 12 persons.

Event Coordinator:                    Susan Hellums 956-661-977 shellums@mcfirst.com

Event Shepherd: Rev. Carol Lahti

 

Download the Complete Primetimers Missions Document & Registration forms.

Epworth by the Sea – St. Simons Island, Georgia
November 11-16, 2012

“HEAR THE SHOUTIN' – LISTEN FOR THE FOOTSTEPS”

A unique experience awaits those Primetimers attending this event at St. Simons Island, Georgia. The site itself is a beautiful, serene place and filled with Methodist history. Epworth-by-the Sea is named for the English boyhood home of John and Charles Wesley, and they both actually lived in Georgia in 1737. Time will be spent revisiting our Methodist heritage as tours and lectures are presented during these days.

The remainder of our time will be spent learning about an almost forgotten culture – the Gullah Geechee community of Sapelo Island. The Gullah people are descendants of former slaves of the 19th century on the island. We will travel to Hog Hammock by bus/ferry and visit the community of some 70 Gullah – having a typical lunch at Lulu’s Kitchen. A tour of Reynolds Mansion is also on the agenda.

The service portion of this Primetimers Event will also take place on Sapelo Island with University of Georgia Marine Institute. This will involve general upkeep of the grounds and facilities.

Finally a visit to Riceboro, Georgia, and a “Journey Into the Geechee Soul” will be the Thursday agenda. This is an opportunity to experience sweetgrass basket-making demonstrations, a performance of The Ring Shout, living history exhibits, and a Geechee Fry Lunch.

Perhaps it seems an unlikely combination of the Wesleys and the Gullah Geechee community, but they are equally part of the history and heritage influencing who we are today. Donna Chisholm and Cynthia Doehring are waiting to share this and much more with Primetimers in November 2012.

REMEMBERING, UNDERSTANDING, AND HONORING THE GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURE

Event Code GGC12

Event Host:
Epworth by the Sea 
100 Arthur J. Moore Drive 
St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Event Date:
November 11-16, 2012

Cost Per Person:
$800 – includes housing, meals, local transportation, supplemental accident insurance, entrance fees, and Global Ministries administrative fee. Participants are responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from the event.

Housing/Meals:
Participants will be housed in Pitts-Booth (in the center of the Epworth by the Sea campus – near the dining room). An elevator is available. Rooms may be single or double occupancy with private bath. The first meal will be dinner November 11 and the last meal will be lunch November 16.

Transportation:
Flights may be into Brunswick/Golden Isles Airport or Jacksonville, Florida Airport. Transportation to and from the airport will be the responsibility of the participant. Travel arrangements should not be made until instructed to do so by the event coordinator. Arrival should be mid-afternoon November 11 and departure from the event site after 1 p.m. November 16.

Estimated Physical Demands:
Participants will need to be able to travel on a bus, ferry, and boat – getting on and off with little or no assistance. Walking will be a maximum of 1 1/2 hours per day and terrain is flat island. Assistance with luggage is available if needed.

Registration:
The registration deadline for this event is September 15, 2012. Please send completed registration form and nonrefundable (except in event of cancellation by Global Ministries) deposit of $100 to:
Primetimers – Mission Volunteers 
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Room 320

New York, NY 10115

Registration minimum will be 25 persons and maximum 35 persons.

Event Coordinator: Donna J. Chisholm 912-638-1302 dchisholm@epworthbythesea.org

Event Shepherd: Cynthia Doehring 912-638-1302 cynthiald@comcast.net

 

Download the Complete Primetimers Missions Document & Registration forms.