| In this Issue: Opportunities for Mission and Disaster Response |
- Hurricane Dorian - Bahamas Update
- NYAC “Church to Church” – volunteers needed
- Disaster Response Forums - Fall 2019
- Puerto Rico Update
- Ecuador mission – next steps
- Youth Ambassadors Leadership Team
- Are you a church in mission?
- Remembering 9-11
| Hurricane Dorian - Bahamas Update |
UMCOR has been in contact with the leaders of the Methodist Church in the Bahamas. An initial “solidarity grant” has been provided to support the emergency response efforts and UMCOR will continue to work with church leadership. It will be months before volunteer teams will be able to be safely and effectively deployed. The NYAC Missions office has been asked to serve as a clearing house for all UMVIM teams seeking to serve in the Bahamas. Until that opportunity is available, they will be referred to other on-going efforts in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Puerto Rico. For more information click here.
| NYAC "Church to Church" - New Volunteer Opportunity |
NYAC “Church to Church” – new volunteer opportunity
The NYAC Missions office is piloting a concept called, Church to Church, in which volunteers from one local church would assist another church with repairs and other volunteer-friendly needs. This will allow our current ERTs and disaster volunteers some local hands-on work, provide for new volunteer opportunities, and offer cross-conference connections. Our first project will be at First Spanish UMC in Manhattan.
- Dates: Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14
- Location: 163 East 111 Street, New York
- Projects: painting, carpentry, flooring, minor masonry and electric
- On-line registration required – select one or both days
To register, please click here.
| Disaster Response Forums:
Fall 2019 - Hold the Dates
|
September is national Preparedness Month. In anticipation of this the NYAC Missions and Disaster Response office has scheduled three “Disaster Response Forums”:
- September 28: Prospect UMC, Bristol, CT
- October 19: St James UMC, Kingston, NY
- November 2: First UMC, Baldwin, NY
Workshops will include Early Response Team training (basic and recert), Disaster Care Teams, Team Leader training, CPR/First Aid, Connecting Neighbors, and other depending upon the location.
Additional information and a (required) on-line registration will be available September 11.
The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico will be recognizing the second anniversary of hurricane Maria on September 20. Tens of thousands of survivors remain in homes requiring permanent repairs. Tom and Wendy Vencuss have been invited to attend the services.
NYAC teams are scheduled for:
- September 25 to October 2 (Poughkeepsie UMC, NY)
- October 17 to 24 (CT District-based team)
Team leaders are needed for future teams. Individual volunteer cost is $650 which includes airfare. Financial assistance is available to qualified and experienced team leaders. Contact the NYAC Missions office for more information.
| Ecuador Follow Up - Task Force Being Developed |
The New York Conference has had a long and strong mission connection with Ecuador. Following our visit with the Youth Ambassadors this summer, Bishop Cevallos and Sara Flores, General Board missionary, requested that New York consider re-establishing that connection. If you are interested in exploring future possibilities for the NYAC and the Methodist Church of Ecuador contact the NYAC Mission office and we will schedule a first conference call.
Youth Ambassadors
Leadership Team |
Youth Ambassadors is one of our strongest conference youth missions. Recently we have relied upon persons to assist us in the development of the program. We would now like to formalize a YAM Leadership Team comprised of adult and youth who will further develop this mission, not only planning future trips, but other YAM-related activities throughout the year. This would include both former and future YAMs. We would like to have one person from each District identified. For more information please contact the Missions office.
| Are You a Church in Mission? |
While we have a formal process for engaging local churches in mission, there are a number of churches that send out mission teams to international or disaster response sites apart from the Conference. It is important that we know about these efforts – both for liability and reporting issues, and to understand the full breath of the work of NYAC churches. If you have deployed teams please let the mission office know.
In a short time will also be collating information about the local missions we engage in.
As we approach the 18th anniversary of September 11, 2001, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of those who were lost, the survivors who continue to be haunted by the events of the day, and the first responders who raced to the scene, especially those who have suffered illness and even death in the service of others. Jesus once said that there is no greater expression of love than to give up one’s life for another. To all who were there that day, and to those who spent days and months at their own risk, our heartfelt thanks and blessings. We will never forget.
