Updates and News

Update:

• Giving Tuesday results ... Valparaiso 1st individuals donated an extra $1,400.  One of the big ministries supported was the Scholarship fund  at UBL... where our own Margie Miller serves.
• In 2014 our congregation donated $12,481.50 to projects supported by the connectional church.  $5,000 of that comes from Valparaiso 1st UMC budget.   Sources of the other comes from the Mel Crisman bequest to National/International Missions, Monthly Mission Focus offerings, and personal donations to a project that is near and dear to the donor. 
• The 2014 Christmas Eve offering for the Indiana Conference Africa University Campaign was $4,475.  We also had $602 from the Monthly Mission Focus in December.  Jane Roberts estate designated $3,000 for the Africa University Campaign.   Total for 2013 and 2014 toward our goal of $29,000 is $13,209.   

News:

• A team of 18 persons (maybe 16) will be arriving in Baldwin, LA by January 25 to report for their volunteer week at Sager Brown.   Traveling prayers are in order for the team.
• Hilltop's Dessert fundraiser will be held February 17.   Tickets will be available from Sue Clemens. Dessert donations are being requested.  Details on UMW Blog.   Great evening and a wonderful outreach in our community. 

Upcoming Mission Experiences..

• Team members are being recruited for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (Chatham, IL) for March 9 - 12, 2015.   16 team members is the magic number.  Contact Mike Strayer or Karen Fritz for details.  (jstrayer@netnitco.net) or (kz8968@me.com) 
• Team members for the summer mission experience (June 13-21,2015) to visit the work of the Methodist Church in Dominican Republic with the help of Missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner.   A team of 10-15 team members is what is required for our experience.   The cost is $1,500 - $1,600 per person which includes air transportation, ground transportation, room, board, insurance and the cost of the project in Dominican Republic.   Please direct inquires to Mike Strayer (jstrayer@netnitco.net) or Bonnie Albert (bonnie@albertmail.com or bonkay@hotmail.com)