United Methodist Volunteers in Mission - Western Jurisdiction
Equipping Volunteers, Empowering Partnerships
January 29, 2020
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 In This Issue:
New Opportunities for 2020
Why UMVIM...
Team Spotlight - Guatemala
International Site Updates
Teams Needed in the WJ
UMVIM and Early Response Training Opportunities
Mission Volunteers Needed / Training Date for April
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NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN 2020
When the UMVIM WJ Board of Directors met last fall, we identified several priorities for 2020. Those priorities included:
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UMVIM Teams using 'Leading" or "Best" Practices"' including Registration and getting Team Insurances.
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More team leaders trained and connecting to vetted UMVIM sites
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More UMVIM Sites in the Jurisdiction.
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UMVIM WJ to sponsor at least one Immigration Immersion in Tucson.
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UMVIM WJ to sponsor a Jurisdictional Young Adult mission journey focusing on leadership called Discover...Mission (More details soon.)
Follow this UMVIM Newsletter and the UMVIM Website at www.umvimwj.com.
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Why UMVIM...What We Believe
Our Core Values
God Is In Charge of Our Mission. Our God is a missional God. There is nowhere we can go where the grace of Jesus Christ has not already preceded us or where the Holy Spirit is not at Work. It has been said that rather than God's church having a mission in the world, God's mission has a church in the world. We take no credit and claim not glory. We simply rejoice at being able to witness and participate in God's great plan of redemption.
Radical Discipleship. Like Jesus, our mission relationships are meant to be:
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Incarnational
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Relational 
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Humble
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Based in Service
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Justice-Seeking
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Intentionally and Radically Inclusive
Partnership. We expect mutual, respect, dignity and equity in each relationship. We are called to be in ministry WITH one another, not FOR or TO one another. UMVIM Teams never go anywhere without an invitation from the host church or resident bishop.
People over Projects. Projects are secondary. Relationships are primary. Mission relationships are built over time by accompaniment. As we share life with one another, listen to one another, and learn about one another, we also discover how to serve along with dignity, respect, and mutual accountability.
Intercultural Competency. In mission, we recognize that God's image is reflected in our diversity. As we honestly engage and respect and create space for this diversity, we honor God.
Self-Awareness. Every act of mission - local, national, or international - is cross-cultural because it brings us into relationship with others who see the world differently than we do. To understand ourselves and the ways we affect (and are affected by) others requires time for reflection, prayer, and honest conversation.
Do No Harm. Do Good. Stay in Love With God. These "Three Simple rules" of John Wesley remind us to root out the sin with ourselves and the social systems in which we live; to constantly move on toward perfection in our relationships and behaviors; and to stay rooted in the love of God from whom all blessings flow.
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Team Spotlight: Cal/Nevada in Guatemala
Changing Lives In Guatemala:
by Steve Elliot
Steve Elliot the Cal/Nev UMVIM Team Leader Trainer tells about the Wheelchair Ministry that he and others from Cal/Nev just returned from Guatemala.
Imagine, if you will, never having walked due to a birth deformity; losing a leg to diabetes or other health challenge; or  being disabled in a tragic accident, and suddenly the gift of mobility comes into your life. That was the blessing we offered during our wheelchair mission to Guatemala in January 2020.
Through the generosity of the Asbury, Lynnewood and San Ramon Valley United Methodist churches, our team traveled to Guatemala to deliver 260 wheelchairs in partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation.
This was a remarkable opportunity to engage with families that had no means to purchase a wheelchair. They carried, carted or hobble-walked a family member everywhere. Our recipients included disabled and mobility challenged children, adults and seniors.
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International Site Update and Alerts
Puerto Rico:
Since December 28th, more than 500 earthquakes of magnitude 2 or greater have rattled Puerto Rico with 32 of these earthquakes were magnitude 4 or more. News reports indicate that the Jan. 7 deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake — the strongest of the series of quakes — left a man dead and injured at least eight others, caused dozens of homes and structures to crumble and cut power and water service to large swaths of the island.
The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has opened the parking lots of its churches in Ponce and Jayuya to families in need of a place to sleep.
 Two UMVIM teams traveled to Puerto Rico to continue to work on the Long Term Recovery from Hurricane Maria but were sent home due to the continuing aftershocks and concern for the teams safety. The rest of the UMVIM teams scheduled for January were cancelled.
Beginning with Feb. 1, 2020 all of the scheduled teams will return to service on the Long Term Recovery effort. A small UMCOR team are completing their assessment and an update will be sent as plans are finalized.
For more information please contact Tymera Jackson, Puerto Rico Volunteer Coordinator - Stateside at puertoricovols@umcor.org
Haiti:
The situation in Haiti has calmed down and life is almost back to normal. Banks have reopened, many stores are open for business and schools are now in full attendance. Projects can be found at the Eglise Methodiste d' Haiti website
Hubei Province, China:
The Centers for Disease Control has issued an alert and recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to that area due to the Novel (new) Coronavirus. If you would like more information go to the CDC website
Australia:
In response to the severe and unrelenting wildfires in Australia, UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief is working with partner organizations to assess current damage and analyze the best route for support.
If you would like to support relief and recovery efforts to address the needs of people who have been affected by this disaster as well as other disasters worldwide, please give to the International Disaster Response Advance #982450: https://advance.umcor.org/p-641-umcor-international-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx
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Around the Jurisdiction -
Sites Needing Teams
Cal/Nev: Contact Shari Sandoval for more information
Alaska: Contact Don Olson for more information.
Other Great Sites in the Western Jurisdiction
LAST - Learning and Serving Together: Portland
L.A.S.T. is a service-learning project that links small groups of youth and adults with service opportunities. We don’t stop at service; youth and adults are encouraged to think through what they are doing from a biblical perspective. We also study together the root causes of poverty and examine ways in which we all can be a part of the greater solution. This is a great site for youth teams and weeks are opened for the Summer 2020.
Contact the director of L.A.S.T. Rev Jeff Lowery at Directoroflast@gmail.com or by phone 541-654-1878
BUMP - Blackfeet United Methodist Parish: Browning, MT
 The mission of Blackfeet United Methodist parish is to develop a Christ centered community for creating disciples to serve all people. They are inviting to partner with us to fulfill the mission of personal and social holiness on the Blackfeet Nation. You can support this mission through prayer, by sowing a financial seed, and by sending a mission or ministry team to Blackfeet United Methodist Parish. We are located in the northwest corner of Montana, minutes from Glacier National Park.Please contact us for more information. Check out our website:at www.bumpmission.com
Rev. Calvin and Sheri Hill 406.338.3900 BumpRanch@gmail.comfacebook.com/BUMPMission
UMCOR Depot West: Salt Lake City
UMCOR Depot West is located in Salt Lake City and provides an opportunity for volunteerism with the UMCOR kit  ministry. At the Depot, volunteers make and verify the contents of kits, and work closely with Crossroads, an ecumenical organization that provides community support to those in need; Latter Day Saints; Habitat for Humanity; UMC Thrift Store; and Family Promise.
UMVIM Team Leader Training
Calling ALL VIM Volunteers!
The California-Nevada Annual Conference will offer United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training on APRIL 4, 2020 in West Sacramento, CA.
Designed for prospective team leaders and experienced team leaders alike, the session will include the 2019 conference’s team leader guidelines. Case examples of recent local, national, and international mission trips will be a part of the discussion, and time will be devoted to new and improved mission team practices and materials. Steve Elliott, one of the most experienced team leaders in the conference, will be the trainer.
The training session will be held from: 
Saturday, April 4, 2020
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at California-Nevada Annual Conference
1350 Halyard Drive West Sacramento, CA 95691
Cost is $35, which covers training materials, missions book, snacks, and lunch.
Click here to register. More details will be sent to registered participants.
Download flyer here.
Shari Sandoval at 916-374-1528 or sharis@calnevumc.org,
Steve Elliott at 925-640-9797 or sae612@msn.com.
"It's THEIR Mission"
To all leaders of Youth Teams!
UMVIMNCJ is hosting a two-hour webinar for all leaders of Youth Mission teams on February 29, 2020 at 10:30 am (Eastern).
"It's Their Mission" is a youth mission model created by Rev. Dr. Jan Yandell with step-by-step instructions for a youth designed/youth owned work mission program. The youth make the decisions and do the planning for mission journeys  that change lives, both of the people they help and the youth themselves.
Jan has taken youth on 31 trips to 30 different sites. She has used the "It's Their Mission" model with as few as eight and as many as 98 youth on a mission experience.
The manual is easy to follow and provides the answers to who, what, where, why and how to beginning or growing a mission program for your young people.
Participation is limited to 20 people. There will time to engage in discussion and questions and each participant will receive the It’s Their Mission leadership manual.
Registration is limited to 20 participants! Signup today!
Early Response and Connecting Neighbors Training
Participants will choose between ERT Training and Connecting Neighbors. Each class is an 8-hour class so participants can only attend one.
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ERT Class: Class instructors are Sheldon Haase and Ken Ellis, from the California-Pacific Conference (subject to change). Early Response Teams (ERTs) to fill specific needs in the early days after a disaster,  such as cleaning out flood-damaged homes, removing debris, placing tarps on homes and otherwise helping to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence. To be eligible for an ERT team, participants must take the 8 hour ERT Class. After completion, participants will receive an ERT identification card which is valid for three years. A Renewal Class of 4 hours is required every 3 years. A background check (conducted through UMCOR’s Sterling Volunteers program) is required in order to receive an ERT identification card and participate on a team. Additional Materials for the ERT class: Participants owning a laptop or WiFi-enabled tablet are encouraged to bring one, in order to efficiently process paperwork related to certification. Laptops and tablets are not required, but helpful. Participants must have an individual email account for personal use.
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Connecting Neighbors: Class instructor is Linda Smith, from the California-Pacific Conference. The 8-hour class is designed to equip and empower individuals and local churches to be a presence in their community (and beyond) in the event of a natural or man-made catastrophic event.
TIME: (Saturday) 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: First UMC of Escondido, 341 S Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025
ORGANIZER Disaster Response Task Force
Registration is $40. Registration cost includes light lunch and manuals.
Registration Deadline: Registration and payment are due by Monday, February 17, 2020.
For questions, contact Judy Lewis, Cal-Pac UMVIM/Disaster Response Coordinator, at DFJKLewis@aol.com or 909.731.8248.
The PNW United Methodist Church Disaster Response team is hosting the
4th Annual Early Response Team
"Spring Training"
May 8 and 9
at Lazy F Camp & Retreat Center
Attendees will learn how to safely provide relief to families affected by floods, fires, destructive winds and more from United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) trained and experienced instructors.
Beginning Friday early afternoon, the Spring Training team will offer a full schedule of events followed by Saturday's Basic  and Advanced/Renewal interactive courses taught by UMCOR-certified instructors. The ERT Basic Training is offered for first-time participants along with Refresher and Advanced ERT classes for those currently in the program. Guest speakers and disaster response-related demonstrations will also take place. There'll be fellowship time around the Lazy F campfire pit. All of the training wraps up by 5:00pm on Saturday.
$50 includes classes and materials, one-night bunkhouse-style lodging and three wonderful meals in the Lazy F's new state-of-the-art dining hall.
Check out the camp at: https://lazyfcamp.org/
Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to attend.
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Mission Volunteers
Mission Volunteer Placement Promotion January 2020
2020 Mission Volunteer Training Dates
Next Training: April 22-25, 2020
Lake Williamson Christian Center Carlinville, IL
For more information to the the Mission Volunteers Website at https://www.umcmission.org/serve-with-us/mission-volunteers
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Contacts:
Western Jurisdictional Coordinator
Ronda Cordill
Email: umvimwj@gmail.com
Phone: (509) 993-6753 (Cell) or (509) 235-5466 (Home)
Address: 20116 W. Sterling; Rd Cheney, WA 99004
ANNUAL CONFERENCE UMVIM COORDINATORS
Alaska: Don Olson
Cal/Pacific: Doug & Judy Lewis
Cal/Nevada: Shari Sandoval
Mountain Sky Debbie Irby
Desert Southwest: Mike & Lorraine Eyer
Oregon/Idaho: Louise Kienzle
Pacific Northwest: Cheryl Reagan
Your UMVIM WJ Conference Coordinators are there to assist and support you as you answer your call to serve as a short-term mission volunteer. If you are already scheduled to serve on a mission journey, let us know about it, so that we can share your story. Please feel free to contact them for information or connection to other VIM Resources.
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