GIving Tuesday ... December 3, 2013

 

What a great opportunity lies before us  ... to support the mission program of the United Methodist Church.    Our Advance program provides funds for ministries around the world and sends every penny we send to the ministry we select.   Often this is how our Monthly Mission Offerings are sent. 

But on Tuesday, December 3 we will not get 100% of our gift to our favorite Advance ministry...they will receive 200% of our gift.   Some large, very missional churches have donated $500,000 to be given to the various ministries of our church to be used as matching funds.  So... here are just 5 good suggestions.  Hundreds of other ministries are just as worthy but our National/International mission team has narrowed the gap for you.  These particular ministries have been selected because Valparaiso 1st Church has a close relationship with these programs.  It was really difficult to narrow it down to 5.   I hope that you will consider sharing a something with at least one of these ministries by making an online gift on Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2014.  

 

Liberia Operation Classroom – Project #3020494 – Upgrading education and healthcare, and training counselors in partnership with the Church

Sierra Leone Operation Classroom – Projects #12922A – Improving education in selected United Methodist schools through training and providing supplies

Children of Abraham, Inc. – Projects #3021427 – Sending surplus medical supplies and equipment to areas of need around the world.

Latin American Bible University Scholarships—#102478  Providing university scholarships for students of Latin America.  (where Margie Miller volunteers)

Strong Missions Loaves and Fishes  #3021552  Providing food and education for children in Costa Rica (where Rebecca Rusnak volunteers)

 

You might also want to consider
 Street Children's Ministry in Cambodia #14921A  which is under the care of Clara Biswas our missionary.

 Mission Guatemala  #3020494 which is the ministry our mission team served with in June of this year.  

http://vimeo.com/79137955. 
 

Here's a video about Giving Tuesday... http://vimeo.com/79137955  

 Now to donate just go to:   http://umcmission.org/give

Be blessed by giving out of the abundance that has been given to you.  

 

Midwest Mission Distribution Center responds to Tornados

In the wake of the recent disaster occurring areas in Illinois and the Philippines, I have been checking daily the Midwest Mission Distribution Center website ( www.midwestmissiondc.org ) for their participation in sending needed supplies.

November 19, MMDC reported the following: 

"This morning, MMDC staff have been on conference calls with the IGRC and UMCOR to discuss action in the disaster areas of the Midwest, as well as the Philippines."

"Currently MMDC is loading up three pallets of Personal Dignity Kits and four pallets of UMCOR Cleaning Buckets for Gifford, IL to be delivered today. There may be the addition of some school supplies, we are waiting for confirmation that this is a current need. More information will follow as it unfolds."

 

Would you like to see 1st hand what it takes to be ready to respond to disasters in short notice.   Consider being part of the annual March mission trip to Midwest Mission Distribution Center (located near Springfield, IL).

 

Our five day mission trip to MMDC in Chatham, IL is scheduled for Sunday, March 9, 2014 through Thursday, March 13, 2014. Our itinerary typically has the group leaving from the church at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 9, and returning to the church at 3:00 PM, Thursday, March 13. The cost for transportation, room and meals was $200 per participant last year. Karen Fritz and I will be determining trip details and cost in January. 

So mark your 2014 calendars. Questions, need more details or to reserve your spot,  Call me, Mike Strayer: 219-462-2354 or Karen Fritz : 219 -462-2949.

UMCOR is on the ground working...

 

Some people have asked about the UMCOR response to the Typhoon Haiyan that has slammed the Philippines. You've can't avoid seeing all the devastation via our news media and many want to help in some way.   As usual UMCOR is one of the NGO's on the ground trying to get supplies to the people.   

 

When our mission team goes Sager Brown (Baldwin, LA)  in early February, they will undoubtedly be working on replacing all the supplies that have been shipped out for relief to that part of the world. Basically the best way to support the work that is happening at this time is to send money.   UMCOR has already responded thanks to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.  This offering gives them funds to use for administrative costs and the ability to respond quickly to any disaster.  

 

Read UMCOR news story that was published today (11/11/13).   Support UMCOR’s work through International Disaster Response, Advance #982450. Be in prayer for the Philippines and share this video.

 

If you want to give support to the responding to the needs of those affected by the Typhoon, just write your check to the church with Advance #982450 on the memo line.   You can also make a donation online via the UMCOR website.  

Our Mission Focus in November

A team from Valparaiso 1st will be departing for Baldwin, LA to once again spend 5 days at the Sager Brown UMCOR depot volunteering.   Our congregation may not be able to join this team of 16 people for February 2 - 6, 2014 but many support this team in other ways.   One way is to provide the contents for a personal care kit or the funds to purchase those items.   It is during the month of November that the Sager Brown team provides all of us with a list of things needed in the personal care kit and an opportunity to give generously to support all that Sager Brown and its volunteers do year in and year out. 

Another way to support the team is through the November Mission offering.   All funds given will be taken to Sager Brown in February as our churches support for supplies.  

Approximately $4 million worth of relief supplies is sent out each year around the world using 3,000 volunteers to do the work in getting the supplies ready for shipping.  So you see, it takes more than volunteers to make an impact in areas of need.  Funds are needed to purchase supplies for the kits (and sending funds actually is better than purchasing the supplies and taking them to Baldwin because they can buy in bulk and make the money go further).  Thanks for supporting the mission team from our church and sharing your blessings with others who have serious needs often caused by a natural disaster.