Mission, Service, & Justice CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 or any day throughout the month of November may be observed by the local church as a call to action in recognition of, and a lifting up of those working within our church communities to improve access to quality food, particularly those with the fewest resources. It may also be observed as a day of service to the local community, arising from the abundance given to us by God the Creator, the Provider.
Harvest Sunday is a time to acknowledge that helping those in need is about responsibility, righteousness, and justice. See https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/14
Harvest Sunday is a time to acknowledge the 1 in 8 Texans (13%) currently experiencing food insecurity. See https://www.feedingtexas.org/learn/
Harvest Sunday is a time to acknowledge the 10% of our world’s population who are undernourished. See https://ourworldindata.org/hunger-and-undernourishment
As followers of Christ, we understand our calling is to respond with extravagant grace, to relieve suffering, and to bear one another’s burden. Harvest Sunday is our call to action as a time to reflect upon and respond to needs within our community.
Border Collaboration Network Monthly Webinar
(3rd Tuesdays/month)
Tuesday, February 18th at 2:30 pm Central via ZOOM
This monthly webinar seeks to connect persons, ministries, and organizations actively supporting asylum-seeking migrants and refugees. Webinar topics have emphasis on evolving humanitarian responses in the areas of hospitality and housing, accompaniment and sponsorship, legal services and policies, and advocacy.
2025 Webinar Dates: March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, and November 18
Follow TBCN Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FronterizadeTexas/.
New Teams are Invited! HOMEGROWN SHALOM CORE TRAINING
Participants in the Transforming Communities 9 month training will gain knowledge and hands-on experience in the application of the principles of asset-based community development [ABCD], facilitation techniques, action planning and application, identifying underlying contradictions and challenges within communities, and a theology of Shalom. The Transforming Communities Training is currently offered in an online format, and includes online instruction, reflection conversations, webinar presentations, and ongoing accompaniment from a member of the TCN team. Time between training sessions allows teams to complete assignments and put the tools they are acquiring to use in their unique context. Each team will work with its community to develop a strategy for transformation. Learning Session content is based on the biblical principles of SHALOM [Jeremiah 29:7] and the United Methodist Church’s Communities of SHALOM framework which seeks to apply long-term holistic and sustainable transformation through community development. Contact: bclark@riotx.org for more information!
Storytelling CAFÉ
Join the Transformational Communities Network & The New Wineskin Initiative for Storytelling & Celebration Around the Work of God Beyond Our Walls!
We will meet together to discover stories that vividly illustrate how God is actively shaping the world and influencing our daily lives, as recounted by members of our communities. See you there!
2025 Dates: To be announced
Congregations are invited to RETHINK POVERTY through organizing, hosting, and conducting a Poverty Simulation in your congregation and community. A poverty simulation kit is available for congregations to use via the conference office. The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) bridges that gap from misconception to understanding. It is an interactive immersion experience. It sensitizes community participants to the realities of poverty. Contact the Rio Texas Conference – Mission, Service, & Justice Ministries office at 210.408.4514 or nicolea@riotexas.org and / or avega@riotexas.org to discuss how to get started.
Religion & Race Learning Opportunities
Anti-Racism 101 online course. This course focuses on the differences between anti-racism & defending oneself against charges of racism.
Other courses also available.
In response to the killing of George Floyd, Bishop Schnase and conference leadership proclaimed commitment to the Covenant on Anti-Racism and the establishment of an Anti-Racism Working Group. This is long-term work requiring active dismantling of racism / systemic inequities existing within church and society. There are various partners available to facilitate this work: Religion and Race, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Transformational Communities Network, and congregations where conversations and on-going commitment to this work is occurring.
Disaster Response
Rio Texas Response Volunteer and Training Opportunities
Go to https://riotexasresponse.org/events to connect to volunteer and training opportunities.
560 Cleaning kits were delivered to the UMCOR warehouse at Sager Brown, from the Martinez warehouse in Kerrville. These kits are an essential first step in recovery. The Kerrville warehouse is now completely out of kits. We are requesting Church groups to help us resupply the stock. Instructions on preparing a "flood bucket" can be found on the website: https://riotexasresponse.org/projects .
Older Youth groups, Sunday School Classes or Individuals are all welcome. Hours qualify with NHS. If you have a larger group (10 or more), we would be glad to schedule another day if more convenient.
Dates for Verification:
1st Saturday of each Month * 9am-12pm
Next warehouse assembly day: Saturday, December 7th
Email Eugene Hileman at aehileman@riotexas.org to Volunteer at the Martinez Warehouse. He can also be reached at (210) 557-8698.
UMCOR DISASTER RESPONSE
Connect to https://umcmission.org/response-page/ to learn how we can respond to disasters occurring internationally and in the U.S. such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, the floods in Tennessee, and the wildfires in California.
U.S. UMCOR Partners with 54 Annual Conferences supporting their disaster relief and recovery efforts through grants, training and logistical support.
More information can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/915222986.
UMCOR – Support for Ukraine United Methodist Global Ministries Advance #982450
GBGM Ukraine Update https://www.umvim.org/blog/ukraine-update
UMNS Article https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-in-and-near-ukraine-help-refugees
Videos https://vimeo.com/683911680 + https://vimeo.com/683935963
By Phone: Credit card gifts can be accepted by phone. Call toll free: 888-252-6174 to make your gift.
By Mail: A check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to: GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068; Global Ministries/UMCOR, or given at or through any United Methodist church
UMCOR RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY AND SYRIA. Support relief and recovery efforts for this and other international disasters by donating to Advance # 982450.
TO HELP REFUGEES WITHIN UKRAINE Through In Mission Together:
Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee to oversee all the foreign support that is coming in through the Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova”. https://umcmission.org/advance-project/14053a/ The money channeled through this Advance will arrive on the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this would be used, will be taken by this crisis committee that includes some pastors as well as lay leaders. Weekly reports will be made to Ullas Tankler who is the Global Ministries representative for Europe, Eurasia, and North Africa. This gives us confidence to work through the Advance directly with Ukraine.
Churches provide solace in tornado-ravaged Mississippi Delta. Give to UMCOR U.S. DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY - Advance #901670
U.S. Disaster Response – opportunities to respond to disasters within the U.S. such as the wildfires in Maui. Go to https://umcmission.org/umcor-us-latest-responses/. https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670
Global Ministries Opportunities
We are excited to invite you to join us for #StillInMission Episode 72 on December 5th at 12 PM ET. You can find more information about these missionaries on our website.
#StillInMission Event
December 5, 2024 | 11:00 AM CST
To register, click here. Registration is required. Join us as we explore the transforming work of United Methodist missionaries serving around the world. You will have the opportunity to meet in a small group to hear a presentation from a single missionary during the call. Find out more about these missionaries below, or at www.umcmission.org.
Amanda Kirkscey serves as a Mission Advocate for Young Adult Mission Service with the General Board of Global Ministries in the United States.
Michael LeahAnne Gable serves as a Youth & Senior Services Associate with Bethanien Diakonissen-Stiftung in Germany.
Genilma Boehler serves as Faculty and Theological Researcher with the Theological Community of Mexico.
United Methodist Missionaries are #stillinmission and we hope that you will join us to learn more! You will get a confirmation email once your registration is accepted. If the limit is reached, you will get priority for future events.
As always, if you have any questions at all or if you want promotional materials for your church or small group, please let us know! If you’d like to view recordings of previous missionary presentations, you can find them on our Vimeo.
Sincerely,
Erica Oliveira (she, her, hers) on behalf of the Itineration Team
Is your church supporting a missionary? The Itineration Team is ready to walk with your church or small group as you discern developing a relationship with a missionary sent by the United Methodist Church through Global Ministries.
List of Active Advance and Missionary Projects
Go to https://umcmission.org/ to learn about United Methodist missions around the world.
GLOBAL MISSION FELLOWS
Global Mission Fellows are young adults, ages 20-30, who commit to two years of mission service to engage with local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. Global Mission Fellows engage in justice work, become ambassadors for mission, both internationally and domestically, and join a movement of young adults committed to mission and systemic change.
INTERESTED IN BEING A GLOBAL MISSION FELLOW?
INTERNATIONAL TRACK – APPLY NOW
Info Sheet for more information.
Go to https://umcmission.org/global-mission-fellows/ for application and more information.
The Mustard Seed Migration Grant program is designed to encourage local United Methodist churches to engage in ministry to migrants in their midst. UMCOR will award grants of $2,000 USD to up to 100 United Methodist local churches in the U.S. to engage in new, one-time community-based service projects and ministries focused on migrants and refugees.
Submit a completed, signed application via email to mustardseed@umcor.org.