Alaska
Rev. Dan Wilcox is working to set up Long Term Recovery Sites in Western Alaska following the Typhoon Merbok disaster in September 2022. If you are interested in being on a Long Term Recovery team during June, July, or September and would like to have more information complete the registration form.
The plan is for all teams to fly into Anchorage on a Saturday for a 5-day work schedule, with teams returning home Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. There will be additional travel expenses to the staging site on Sunday. Logistics and travel arrangements are being worked out and will be sent to those who are interested in serving this summer. As more information is finalized, it will be sent to you.
This is NOT a FEMA Invitational Recovery, so teams will need to pay for their own expenses, including travel expenses for this mission.
If you or your team is interested in the possibility of serving this summer in Alaska, register here or let Ronda Cordill, WJ UMVIM Coordinator, know at umvimwj@gmail.com.
Click here if you are interested in serving in Alaska.
California/Nevada
Annual Conference Coordinator Steve Elliott reports the following:
There is an UMVIM Team from Cal/Nev currently serving in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. They will be working at a retreat of Bishkek to continue and straighten our relationship with the churches. Please pray for this team to be successful in their work and for safe travels. Their team report will be in this newsletter upon their return.
A Mission Trip to Fiji – This is the regular annual trip to work at the Methodist Schools there. The mission will be in July. For more information contact Siteri Maravou at siterimaravou@gmail.com.
Pacific Northwest
Cheryl Reagan, ACC Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest is requesting teams to help with fencing projects this spring and summer in the Okanogan for the Long Term Recovery Organization. Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Aimee Bannwarth at ocltrgvac@gmail.com or call (605)941-2229. If you are interested in serving in The PNW, contact Cheryl at cherylreagan.umvim@gmail.com for more information.
Mission Volunteer Trainings for 2023
The Mission Volunteers Program has announced new training dates for 2023. The Mission Volunteer program is designed for individuals or couples (ages 18 and up) who seek long-term partnerships with communities around the world and fund themselves. Mission Volunteer opportunities are diverse and range from working with refugees, children and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director or health care professional. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years.
Plan to attend one of the Mission Volunteer Trainings in 2023:
- May 10-13, 2023, Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA
- Nov 8-11, 2023, Franciscan Center, Tampa FL
To learn more about the training events, visit www.missionvolunteers.org or email mv@umcmission.org.
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: Susan Harriss
- Cal/Nevada: Steve Elliott
- Mountain Sky: Rev. Jean Schwien
- 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.
