Volunteer Ministries. Wider Church Ministries United Church of Christ

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1 Wider Church Ministries United Church of Christ Volunteer Ministries Volume 5, Issue 2 April/May, 2009 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Keep On Planting 1 Annual Gathering of Long-Term Partners in Service volunteers Along the Way News from Volunteers Balazs Szucs First Congregational UCC, Appleton, WI Pam Small 2 3 Keep On Planting. Rev. John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, preached in the Amistad Chapel at the UCC national offices on Earth Day, April 22, One of the stories he told was of Joseph Sittler, theologian at the University of Chicago, who in the 1960s and beyond wrote of environmental theology. Dr. Sittler would comment that he didn t believe the turmoils of the world would go away any time soon. There would continue to be disruptions, and environmental catastrophes, and struggle. But, he would add, I just can t help myself but go around the campus planting trees. UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities T-Shirts Available for UCC Disaster Recovery Mission Trips Church World Service Ecumenical Build Neighborhood: New Orleans Alumni on the Move...Where Are They Now? Thank You for your Service Welcome New & Returning Volunteers You, as volunteers, are engaged in just that kind of tree planting each in your own area of service. Yes, there are still struggles. And, no, your role is not to fix things. But you are present and engaged with people in those struggles. And you are out there planting those trees even when there is no resolution in sight because without the involvement of committed people, there is no resolution in sight. Your acts of faith make a difference in the lives of the people you serve. Your willingness to Commit your life and Live your Commitments offer the opportunity to learn and grow yourself. Thank you for your service. And keep on planting trees. Mary

2 PARTNERS IN SERVICE LONG-TERM VOLUNTEERS GATHER February 8-13, 2009 Charleston, South Carolina Integral to the experience of a Partners in Service volunteer experience for those serving long-term is the annual Volunteer Gathering. For the second year we gathered in near Charleston, South Carolina on the Isle of Palms. Twenty-four of us gathered. Some from various parts of Europe, some from the United States Young adults and baby boomers Serving in disaster recovery, refugee resettlement, children s programs, LGBT advocacy, homeless shelters and emergency social services, transitional housing, sustainable agriculture & hunger education, mental illness networks, border & immigration ministries, with senior adult services, drug & alcohol addiction rehabilitation, mission trip groups and community ministries. Volunteers of all ages and languages inspired each other. We each found that we were not alone in many of the joys and challenges we face and that are faced by the people with whom we serve. We ate together. Sat together and had time just for fun. There was even a little beach time for the hearty.

3 ALONG THE WAY NEWS FROM VOLUNTEERS More stories of volunteer experiences and reflections at under Resources. From SNIPPETS April 13, 2009 SOUTHWEST OHIO NORTHERN KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OHIO CONFERENCE, UCC Pastor from Hungary volunteering at Washington UCC Balazs Szucs, a Hungarian Reformed Church pastor from Budapest, is currently volunteering at Washington UCC in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati. "Bali," as he invites everyone to call him, arrived a few weeks ago and will serve at Washington UCC for the next six months. The 27-year-old brings with him experience as a copastor, marriage and family counselor, retreat leader, and youth and young adult leader, as well as a deep desire to build bridges between cultures using the common bond of faith in Jesus. A graduate of Karoli Gaspar Reformed Seminary, Bali has worked with HIV/AIDS patients and the homeless, and has been inspired by the tolerance and radical welcome of the United Church of Church. He is here in our association region through the UCC's Partners in Volunteering Program. The Hungarian Reformed Church is one of the UCC's partners, and Washington UCC is one of the UCC's mission sites. Long Term Disaster Recovery 2008 Floods in the Midwest USA First Congregational U.C.C. of Appleton, Wisconsin recently returned from a disaster recovery mission trip in Cedar Rapids, Iowa helping people reclaim their homes and lives after floods of Deb Burich, leader of Appleton group wrote a note to Pam Small, Volunteer Registrar for UCC participation in Midwest 2008 Flood Recovery. Pam herself is serving as a Partners in Service volunteer. They gave me permission to share their correspondence. Pam, Just got back from Iowa late last night. We had 9 folks and had a wonderful experience. Some did sheetrock, some taped and mudded, some mudded walls, some painted walls. And most had had little experience prior but jumped right in and were amazed at themselves! They also all took time to get to know other folks VISTA workers, other volunteers, the homeowner. Hope UCC [host congregation in Hiawatha near Cedar Rapids] was very welcoming and we really appreciated them spending time with us on Sunday eve have 2 folks tell us of their personal experience with the floods and rebuilding their homes. Our members were very touched by hearing their stories - it connected them personally to the difficulties, the bureaucracy & frustrations as well as the resiliency and courage, the stamina and strength. There was talk of future trips. Deb Good Morning Deb, How exciting it is to know that your trip went so well. Thank you for your note.i am so glad that there was such a good relationship between you all and the folk from that area. It is so interesting to hear of other lives, and to be able to connect with them. You really feel a part of what you are there to do. I always come home and just thank God for my home, family, and all that there is here for us to enjoy. In a moment s notice, it can all be taken away. But, as you said, these people have more FAITH than anyone I have ever seen. God gets them through the tough times, that's for sure. Pam Note on Disaster Recovery Mission Trips: To participate as volunteers in long-term disaster recovery from 2008 floods in Indiana and Iowa, the UCC partners with local community-based Long Term Recovery Committees. The UCC Volunteer Ministries Office has been able to connect groups with Long Term Recovery Committees prepared to receive and utilize volunteer groups. A one-stop registration place at allows us to connect your group with a local volunteer coordinator, project supervisor and host church housing. Groups are currently scheduled through the summer to serve with these community agencies in Clarksville, Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and with Wabash Valley Recovery in Terre Haute, Indiana. At this point, we know of opportunities to serve in these locations through fall, 2009.

4 UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities To Engage young adults with human need & Expansion of spiritual reflection, while Encompassed in communal living Embraced by the church UCC Host Congregations provide intentional community settings Young Adult volunteers serve in an agency focusing on service/ justice advocacy Share in congregational life & leadership Network with volunteers in UCC Companion Communities Update: Volunteers have now been selected and offered invitations to serve in the pilot congregations hosting UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities. Volunteers, ages 21-30, will serve June 8-August 15, 2009 in Sahuarita, Arizona, hosted by the Good Shepherd UCC and September 8, June 30, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by Church of the Beatitudes UCC. They join volunteers serving with the Westmoreland Volunteer Corps of Bethesda, Maryland which has hosted young adult volunteers for 23 years. Are you planning a disaster recovery mission trip? T-Shirt now available to help identify your group and build awareness. Order from United Church of Christ Resources or under Buy it Cost of T-shirt: $ Shipping & Handling.

5 MARCH 27, Source: Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La., Nov 21, Author: Lynne Jensen, Staff writer, Page B, 1:3. NEW ORLEANS--One of the still-neglected tragedies of Hurricane Katrina, the historic lakefront community of Little Woods in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, will get a rebuilding boost starting in April, thanks to a first-ofits-kind network of national volunteers spearheaded by humanitarian agency Church World Service. With a one-neighborhood-at-a-time focus, the "Neighborhood: New Orleans" project will repair or rebuild an initial 12 homes on property owned by current or displaced Little Woods residents during a four-week effort beginning Sunday, April 19, and ending Saturday, May 16. More than 500 volunteers representing ten different Christian denominations from across the United States have signed up so far to help rebuild the one-time bustling "fishing camp" lakefront community. "Many Christian denominations and other faith groups have individually helped survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita since 2005," said Bonnie Vollmering, Church World Service Associate Director for Domestic Emergency Response. "This project is truly an effort with denominational groups collaborating the first such post-katrina ecumenical rebuild effort on a national level." Global agency CWS will work in partnership with the local New Orleans long-term recovery organization, the Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort (CARE), and with volunteer teams coordinated by Church World Service member denominations and partners who are providing the labor. Virtually decimated by Katrina and, before it, significantly damaged by Hurricane George in 1998, Little Woods faces the east bank of Lake Ponchartrain. The formerly vibrant, working class community, and its lakefront lined with fishing camps, restaurants and music clubs, had been nominated by the New Orleans Landmarks Commission in 1999 as an historic landmark. But nearly four years after Katrina, lot after lot still lies untouched and unrecovered. The Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, Church World Service and participating national faith groups are hoping this initial rebuild project will be the spark that brings the long-time lake community back together, and that ignites other groups to help continue with Little Woods' recovery. Church World Service, which provides emergency and recovery assistance following disasters in the U.S. and internationally, domestically specializes in helping faith-based and other community groups establish long-term recovery organizations that serve disaster survivors whose needs aren't met through other means. Church World Service has established a specific website for the project, National denomination groups coordinating the Little Woods volunteer teams include: American Baptist Churches USA, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries, Lutheran Disaster Response, Mennonite Disaster Service, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America Global Mission, the United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Committee on Relief.

6 Elsa Peters and Kasey Lussier served with F.A.S.T. mission trips in Martin, Kentucky in Elsa is now an ordained pastor serving First Congregational Church UCC in South Portland, ME. This month (May, 2009) Elsa will officiate at Kasey s wedding in Wisconsin. Susan Valiquette and Scott Couper met while volunteers at Jubilee Partners in Comer, Georgia. They now serve as Global Ministries missionaries in South Africa and are currently on home assignment in the U.S. Thanks to Partners in Service Volunteers Recently Completing Service (February March 2009) Sylvia & Bill Dalke, ME at Ryder Memorial Hospital, Puerto Rico Marilyn DeTizio, VT at Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS Grace & John Drescher, CT at Ryder Memorial Hospital, Puerto Rico Tracy Hughes, OH at Su Casa Catholic Worker, Chicago, IL Ken Nelson, IL at Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS Betty Mae Shear, OH at Abernethy Center, Newton, NC Jean & George Siddall, OH at Texas City/Galveston, TX Kevin Waltz, WI at Old First Reformed Church, Philadelphia, PA Frank Zahn, IA at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA Welcome New & Returning Partners in Service Volunteers Jim Ditzler, OH at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA for Church World Service Build Tom Gorham, SD at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA Judy Moore, LA at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery with Long-Term Recovery Committee Marie Nouis, France at United Church Aids Network (UCAN), New York City, NY Jennifer & Tim Rowles, OH at Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS Mary & William Ruth, NC at Silver Lake Conference Center, CT John Small, IN at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA for Church World Service Build Balazs Szucs, Hungary at Washington UCC, Cincinnati, OH Betzi Yungclas, TX at South Central Conference Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA

7 UCC VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES Office of Volunteer Ministries United Church of Christ 700 Prospect Ave. Cleveland, OH For over 50 years, Volunteer Ministries has provided opportunities for people to share their gifts of service and witness to others. Through the act of foot washing, Jesus makes clear God s call to serve others. We are invited to ministries of service that reflect God s love by responding to the needs of the world and involving ourselves in efforts to challenge injustices. The logo of the towel and basin remind us of God s call to serve. Mary Schaller Blaufuss Executive for Volunteer Ministries blaufusm@ucc.org Toll free: ext Tonya Pettigrew Administrative Assistant for Program pettigrewt@ucc.org Toll free: ext Always a new look on the website! Mission Trips PARTNERS IN SERVICE UCC Companion Communities Service days