July 13, 2010
Iowa Conference News
Bidwell Riverside Center has Urgent Needs
Bidwell Riverside Center in Des Moines experienced damages for the second time in two years when sewage backed up 6" into their lower level. The Center had undergone major renovation after the Storms of 2008 hit and had a state-of-the art kitchen which is a total loss. When the sewage back-up was occurring, people driving down Hartford in the Bidwell Riverside area witnessed manhole covers shooting 20 feet into the air from the pressure. All of the Center's child care equipment was lost, and minimum estimates are coming in at $8,000.00 to replace just the childcare equipment alone. Cots, toys, books, cupboards, equipment and toilets were lost, in addition to 2 computers that the backup fluids destroyed. Flyer is attached for the July concert event. More….
Mission Work Trip to St. Kitts
Tired of hot, sultry temperatures? Looking forward to Iowa’s winter months? Got a plan for volunteer work in January/February 2011? Consider travel to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts where a United Methodist volunteer team will work on repairs at the Dieppe Bay Methodist Manse, paint at Challengers Methodist Church Hall and hold VBS for church/neighborhood kids. Trip dates are Jan. 29 to Feb. 12, 2011. Only 12 seats available with cost of $1,450. Contact Beverly Nolte, 515 266 4186, e-mail: bnmedical@aol.com for more information and application form. All construction skills welcome with plenty of meaningful work available. Enjoy Caribbean hospitality while working for the Lord.
2011 United Methodist Program Calendar
How much time do you spend gathering all the necessary information for your planning sessions?
The official 2011 United Methodist Program Calendar (http://www.umcom.org/calendars) -- United Methodist Communications' top-selling resource -- is now available and it puts all the information you need at your fingertips. Hymns, biblical readings, and liturgical colors for every Sunday are part of the vital information included in this resource. Special Sunday information and celebrations¯what are they? When are they? What are they for? It also includes a planning checklist for every month and contact information for all boards and agencies.
The calendar is available in 10 designs, ranging from electronic to a pocket size that shows a week-at-a-glance. The most popular designs, known as the Standard (http://secure.umcom.org/store/product/2011-Standard-Official-Program-Calendar-Stapled,724,87.htm) and the Classic (http://secure.umcom.org/store/product/2011-Classic-Program-Calendar-Spiral,715,87.htm), measure 8.5-by-11 inches. The electronic calendar (http://secure.umcom.org/store/product/2011-Electronic-Calendar-pre-order,748,42.htm) offered -- is compatible with Outlook, Google calendar, iCalendar, and most calendar applications. A DVD with giving stories and stewardship help is included with the Standard and Classic calendars.
The 2011 calendar is themed around the church's four Areas of Focus (http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.4443111/k.D720/Four_Areas_of_Ministry_Focus.htm): combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally; engaging in ministry with the poor; creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations; and developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.
To place an order, visit www.umcom.org/calendars (http://www.umcom.org/calendars) or call toll free (888) 346-3862.
Thank You Note
Urban Plunge
Several Iowa UMC churches have taken the Urban Plunge in Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City and Sioux Falls. Below is a list of the recent churches that have participated. To date, over 2,500 people from over 200 churches have participated in a Plunge.
They spent a weekend in the inner-city visiting 9 different faith-based organizations that are working among the poor. They will hung out with homeless guys on the streets late at night; fed the homeless; went to jail; handed out clothes and discover what their passion and gifts were and how to use their passion/gifts to help back home.
Click here for more information.
Looking for a Longer-Term Investment for Your Church’s Endowment or Reserve Funds?
Are you trying to earn more interest than typical bank C.D.’s are offering but with lower risk and less volatility than the equity markets?
In November of 2009, the Iowa United Methodist Foundation began offering a conservative investment called The Bond Fund. By the end of May, it had earned 3.31% for 2010.
You can find out more by going to www.iumf.org and clicking on investments then investment options. If you prefer, you can e-mail us at info@iumf.org and we’ll be happy to send you fund information and our disclosure statement.
Did You Know That Charitable Gift Annuity Rates Increased on July 1, 2010?
Right now is a good time to make a gift to your local church, a favorite ministry or mission, or any other United Methodist agency while guaranteeing income for your lifetime.
With these new rates a 60 year old participant can receive 5.2% annually on their gift annuity; a 65 year old receives 5.5%, and a 75 year old would receive 6.4%.
If you are looking for a way to receive guaranteed income for life while eventually making a gift to your church or favorite United Methodist organization, e-mail us at info@iumf.org for more personalized information about charitable gift annuities and an illustration. (Please include your birth date.)
The Iowa United Methodist Foundation is a charitable gift annuity registrant with the State of Iowa Insurance Division (http://www.iid.state.ia.us/about_us/ProductReg/LifeHealth/cga.asp)
Individual Volunteers from Iowa off to Tanzania
Pam and Mark Travis, Maxwell, IA are off to serve at Angel House Orphanage in Tanzania. Pam will be starting a health office and teaching some health to the school children. Mark is going to help with the building and be an all around fix it guy. We leave August 1 and have a 27 hour lay over in Amsterdam. So we should get into Tanzania on the 3. You can follow their mission service on their newly created blog: http://tanzaniabymarkandpam.blogspot.com/
Mark and Pam did their Individual Volunteer training weekend in Minnesota in April! To learn about this program visit the Individual Volunteer website!
July School Teachers for Nigeria
The four Nigerian students at Africa University are all employed by the school during their vacation period. They work in the library, at the farm and in the dorm to earn meal and housing credit.
Their GPA and CGPAs ranged from 2.7 to 3.55 for Cletus David the highest scorer. We can be proud that they try so hard and are rewarded with good grades. Cletus is currently waiting for his internship to fall into place allowing him to go to Nairobi, Kenya next semester. In the meantime, he is working with the American Friends Service Committee in Harare.
While in Nigeria, we learned that four potential students could be nominated to attend Africa University and would be partially funded from AU Development’s office. Two of these students, Martins David (brother to Cletus and Doris) and Kenneth Thomas Yerima, came to the guesthouse to meet us, tell of their plans for getting a Zimbabwe visa and of their request that we/Iowans help them get a one way ticket from Nigeria to Zimbabwe. We have agreed to do this for them since they have been accepted and will be partially funded by AU. The cost per traveler is $890 USD.
It started with graduates, staff and invited dignitaries, garbed in choir robes from Iowa, marching in slow step down a hill onto the center of the “stage” surrounded on three sides by chairs placed under tents where guests were seated. This procession was accompanied by drumming and clapping at the Kakulu Theological Seminary graduation. Bishop Kulah and Bishop Trimble were present to make speeches congratulating the students who had completed a two year course allowing them to be lay pastors or lay evangelists to serve in rural, remote areas of the UMC of Nigeria. As each graduate was called to the stage to receive their diploma from Bishop Trimble and Beverly Nolte, family members would come up to the person with a wad of small naira bills which were thrown at them as a way to honor them. Sometimes they tried to stick the money to the graduate’s clothing or head. This was followed by typical African cheering or warbling. The thrown money was quickly collected by members of the Girls and Boys Brigade to be given to the school. Throwing money away…no! Simply a way of congratulating the new graduate African style.
Our group also attended the graduation at the Beverly Nolte Communication Center at Bambur. This event was held out under tents with the centrally located podium under the Nigerian sun. Students who had studied computer programming for a year with Mr. Davidson Adams were presented certificates by Bishop Trimble and myself as their name was called. Clad in neon yellow shirts and matching caps, they were plainly visible. Our Iowa team was presented Nigerian garments and the hot yellow shirts. Thanks to donations of 11 Iowa laptops the school received a shot in the arm allowing for an increase of students in the upcoming year because of the donated laptops (carried in our luggage). Several speakers commented that at BNCC both Christians and Muslims study side by side in complete harmony.
As a member of the Iowa work team LeMars resident Barb Johnson’s assignment was to work with the Nursery/Primary (N/P) School staff in Jalingo as renovations were undertaken on one of the three classroom “blocks”. The building were the first built 20 years ago and had developed structural problems, leaking roofs and droopy ceilings…a sad sight! With Iowa funds the entire roof was removed from one of the three classrooms, replaced, new ceiling installed with Barb coming along to paint the interior and exterior complete with pictures and the lettering of Bible verses. Emily Brown and Chelsea Albus picked up paint brushes to help paint pictures, signs and symbols as well as play with the kids. With a suitcase full of educational materials, games, songs, crafts and her boundless energy, Barb provided in-service training which motivated teachers and offered encouragement to them.
The Ronald and Meriele Wilmot Library, with shelves filled with elementary books gathered at the InGathering, was dedicated on June 23rd. The ribbon cutting was done by both Iowans and school staff. This special event was attended by our Iowa team, government dignitaries, parents, Bishops Kulah and Trimble, and former students who have formed an alumni association to help upgrade the school. The kids entertained us with music and a playlet! What fun!
Funds are needed to help provide tuition funds for the Africa University students as well as teacher stipends at all of the UM Church schools including the N/P in Jalingo. Monetary gifts may be sent through your local church to the conference treasurer designated INP #230 and the designation. As Doris David says, “I appreciate all the efforts of Iowans to support my education and I continue to pray I will be worthy of your support.” Education is a forever commodity, something learned is retained forever!
United Methodist and Other News
Aug. 10 is deadline to apply for ethnic grant
Aug. 10 is the deadline to apply for an Ethnic Local Church Grant from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Grant recipients must be programs initiated by or developed in partnership with one or more United Methodist ethnic minority local churches to address chronic social problems or concerns. Two funding periods are available for consideration: Aug. 10 is the deadline for the October cycle and Jan. 10 is the deadline for the March cycle. More information is available at www.umc-gbcs.org.
Youth gathering draws from 32 countries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The future of The United Methodist Church will be represented in Berlin, Germany, next month when the Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly brings together young United Methodists from around the world to share their life experiences, struggles, gifts and realities. About 350 youth and young people representing 32 countries — from Angola to Zimbabwe — are registered for the July 21-26 event, which is sponsored by Young People’s Ministries, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. Of those, 144 young people and adults are attending as voting delegates in the Legislative Assembly, which is designed to give young people a voice in the church through the legislative process. Further information is available online at www.globalyoungpeople.org.
Haiti: Relief – Six months after the Quake
During the half-year since an earthquake unleashed massive destruction in Haiti, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has been devoted to both providing immediate assistance to survivors and laying the groundwork for a large-scale, long-term recovery effort.
The Methodist Church of Haiti and the annual conferences and congregations of The United Methodist Church in the US are UMCOR’s chief partners in this endeavor. The organization re-opened a field office in Port-au-Prince in February and dug in its heels for long-term recovery work in coordination with United Nations efforts.
In addition, UMCOR has made significant grants to partners with long experience in Haiti, including Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance. In response to pressing needs, UMCOR Health will support the development of a physical therapy unit at Grace Children’s Hospital in the Haitian capital. Read more.
Haiti Resources Available
The six-month milestone in Haiti relief and recovery offers an opportune moment to share with congregations and communities gospel lessons of solidarity and to invite participation in the unfolding labor of love in Haiti.
Visit UMCOR’s Haiti resource page and download slideshows, a poster, and worship materials. Learn about volunteering and about how to send relief kits to meet specific needs. Read blog entries at UMCOR Notebook.
Support
Generous United Methodists and other people of goodwill have so far given more than $40 million to earthquake relief in Haiti through UMCOR. The outpouring of support for rebuilding has been humbling.
Please continue to keep the Haitian people in your prayers as the work of clearing away debris and rebuilding homes, schools, places of worship, small businesses—and lives—gets underway. Your ongoing financial commitment to this endeavor is much needed and appreciated.
Kits promote cybersafety for families
A new training CD developed by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship is available to help churches and community groups protect children and youth from perils in the digital world of cell phones and cyberspace. The CyberSafety for Families Training Kit, which costs $35, includes a section on “what you need to know first,” a planning guide, teaching plans with schedule options, handouts and a slide presentation. Subjects include safety on computers, cell phones, video games and social-networking sites. The training kit is available online at both The Upper Room and Cokesbury, and at Cokesbury bookstores nationwide.
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
