November 25, 2008
Iowa Conference News
Every Church Should Have – An Endowment Committee
The Discipline of The United Methodist Church permits every church to create an Endowment Committee and every church should do so. An Endowment Committee accepts gifts that will be with the church in perpetuity. Only the income from the gift will be used to fund the donor’s specially chosen ministry. A few examples of the ministries that may be funded through these special endowment gifts are: missions, music program, Sunday School curriculum, scholarships, youth camping experiences, capital improvement to buildings, etc. These are gifts that can make a significant contribution to the church’s ministry. Donors also remain a part of the church in perpetuity through such a gift. Many times family members will continue to add to the endowment through generations. For assistance in establishing an Endowment Committee and program contact Dave Harner at 515-974-8928 or david.harner@iaumc.org.
Update your Interpreter subscription list!
United Methodist congregations are updating their lists of leaders receiving World Service Fund-paid subscriptions to Interpreter magazine. Each congregation is entitled to 10 subscriptions for their leaders (five print copies delivered to the recipients' mailbox, five delivered digitally via e-mail). Clergy will continue to receive the magazine automatically. Additional subscriptions to the print magazine may be ordered by the church for delivery to their leaders' homes for $8 each. If you need the list of leaders now receiving the magazine, help with on-line enrollment or any other assistance with the updating, please call Customer Service at United Methodist Communications, (888) 346-3862, or e-mail interpreter@umcom.org.
December 1 is Deadline for Young Adult Mission Applications
December 1 is the application deadline for the next classes of short-term young adult missionaries through the mission agency of The United Methodist Church.
The deadline applies to the US-2 and Mission Intern programs. The US-2 opportunity places young adults in two-year appointments in the United States. Mission Interns serve for three years, the first half in an international placement and the second in the US. All applicants should be between ages 20 and 30.
To see if these programs are for you visit these sites to learn about the programs, get applications, submit questions:
US-2’s: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mp/missionaries/youngadults/us2/
Mission Interns: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mp/missionaries/youngadults/interns/
Applications or questions can be directed to the executive director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Rev. Suzanne Field-Rabb, at sfrabb@gbgm-umc.org
Is Your Estate Plan Complete?
We urge everyone to have an up to date estate plan. What does that mean?
1) You have given thoughtful consideration to the distribution of your property. If you do not, the state will make those decisions for you.
2) Name your executor to administer your estate. Also name any guardians needed for children or disabled persons.
3) Create health care directives which make your wishes known on the question of health care treatment you would want maintained or withheld if you were seriously ill or injured with no hope of recovery.
4) A trust may be needed to provide practical security for those beneficiaries who are not capable to manage their inheritance.
5) Remember to keep life insurance and retirement beneficiary forms up to date. These items will go to those named on the beneficiary form regardless of what your will says. Jointly owned property may also pass independently of your will.
6) Have you provided a thoughtful bequest for your church?
For more information, contact Dave Harner, Iowa United Methodist Foundation, 515-967-8928 or david.harner@iaumc.org.
United Methodist and Other News
VIM Trip Planned to Philippines
A United Methodist Volunteer In Mission team to the Philippines is scheduled for Feb 16-27, 2009. The team will be working with the Tribal Missions Initiative of the Pampanga and Tarlac Districts of the United Methodist Church, Philippine Central Conference.
These two Districts have started several Mission programs among the Aeata tribe living at the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo for over 40 years. The Aeata Tribe is considered as one of the oldest existing aboriginal ethnic tribes in the Philippines. Through the help of the GBGM and friends in the United States they have established several ongoing mission projects and planted new churches.
This UMVIM team will rebuild a church devastated by recent typhoons. Work will include re-roofing, painting Sunday School rooms, and fencing the church yard. In addition there will be a medical-dental mission in two communities. The trip will also include visits to United Methodist related mission sites and church related institutions.
The cost of the trip is $2000, inclusive of round-trip airfare from Chicago, food and lodging for 10 days, ground transportation and a donation for the project expenses. For more information, contact Rev. Noah R. Panlilio, 815-838-1017, pstrnoah@comcast.net, Deadline for application in Dec 15, 2008.
Eyes to See
In 2008 funds were raised allowing for 107 free eye surgeries of which 74 were for cataract removal. Over 500 out patient consultations were done with 50 eye glasses dispensed. The Iowa nurses commented that the blind, the poorest of the poor living in the most disadvantaged societies received a touch of God’s love. Eyes were opened to see!
Dr. Gideon Avar says, “Let’s do it again…but in a different location.” He proposes that the eye care professionals travel to Gembu, in the eastern part of Taraba State. In this less populated area is Mambila Baptist Hospital which has equipment needed to do the surgeries. The plan is to do 75 eye operations, give away 50 reading glasses and see 300 out patients. The cost for the surgeries is approximately $100 per eye.
To do the delicate eye surgery, Crescent and Keratome knives are needed. These microsurgical instruments are available with costs ranging from $17 to $51 for a quantity of 6 blades.
In addition to the $100 per eye, we need to recruit health care professionals, especially those with eye care training, to travel with the medical work team in June 2009. Let’s see if we can help Nigerian eyes to see. We can do the Eye Camp again!
Money may be sent through the local church to the conference treasurer designated INP #230, Eye Camp or Eye surgery knives
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
