January 2019 Mission Update
January 2019 Mission Update
In this issue – Opportunities for Mission and Disaster Response
Hurricane Michael Recovery Team
Done in a Day – Far Rockaway
Dental Team – Haiti
Puerto Rico Recovery Team
Youth Ambassadors to Ecuador
District Training Events
NYAC Recovery Team Forming for Hurricane Michael Response
Dates: February 16 to 23
Location: Florida Panhandle
Team Leaders: Ross Porter and Tom Vencuss
Cost: $500, includes airfare and all team-project expenses
(deadline for application: January 19)
Contact the NYAC Missions office tvencuss@nyac.com for more information and an application.
“Done in a Day” – Sandy Recovery, Far Rockaway
Within the greater New York area, six-plus years out, homeowners are still recovering from the effects of Superstorm Sandy. We recently received a request from the Saint Bernard Project (SBP), one of our Sandy recovery partners, to assist in the completion of repairs for a home in Far Rockaway.
If you are interested to assist as part of a Done in a Day project please contact Tom Vencuss.
Dental Personnel sought for Haiti Mission Team
March 24 to 31, 2019
NYAC Mountains of Hope for Haiti is joining with New Hope UMC in Maryland to send a dental team to the mountain village of Furcy. We are looking for dentists and hygienists. For more information contact Wendy Vencuss, wvencuss@gmail.com.
NYAC Recovery Team to Puerto Rico
April 4 to April 11
Team Leader: Craig Fitzsimmons
Cost: $650
Contact NYAC Missions office (tvencuss@nyac.com) for more information and application
Youth Ambassadors Mission Journey: Ecuador
July 20 to 27, 2019
Cost: $2,000
Our host will be Sara Flores, General Board Missionary
Youth Ambassadors is an outreach of the New York Conference for persons 15 to 19.
Cost is shared by the Youth Ambassador, his or her family, the local church and the district.
We are limited to 15 youth participants. We will accept persons on a “first-application and deposit” basis. A priority will be given to first-time YAMs. Deadlines for names and $200 deposit is March 1.
More information and updates will be available on the NYAC website or by contacting Tom Vencuss (tvencuss@nyac.com) or Alexa Ojeda (aojeda@nyac.com) at the NYAC Missions office.
Engaging Communities in Mission
We are looking for churches to host the following workshops/training events:
- Disaster Early Response Teams (ERTs, Basic or Recertification) (contact Art Mellor art12561@gmail.com)
- VIM Team Leader Training
- Abundant Health – Hulapalooza (contact Wendy Vencuss wvencuss@gmail.com)
- Engaging Communities in Mission
- Connecting Neighbors
- Done in a Day
Persons are also available for Sunday worship or other mission-related events.
District Training Events
Catskill/Hudson
Waking up “Abundant Health” in the Catskill/Hudson District
An “Abundant Health” overview with Wendy Vencuss
February 2 from 1PM to 3 PM – location to be determined
February 9 from 1PM to 4 PM – location to be determined
Contact: Margaret Howe confsecy@nyac.com
Connecticut
District Resource Days
January 19: North Canton UMC, 9 Am to noon
January 27: Community UMC, New Fairfield, 2 PM to 5 PM
Contact: Maggie Carr jcarr01@snet.net
LI East
Disciple to Disciple training (D2D)
February 2: Hampton Bays
February 9: Port Washington
Contact: David Collins david.collins@nyac-umc.com
LI West
District Lay Leadership Training
February 9: St Francis de Sales, School for the Deaf (Brooklyn), 8:30 to 3:30
Registrations are received from Pastors and Lay Leaders
Metropolitan
January 26: St Paul and St Andrew, Manhattan, 9 AM to 3 PM
Contact: District office, 914-615-2227
NY/CT
Leader to Leader Training sessions
February 2: New Canaan UMC, 9AM – 1PM.
February 10: Fishkill UMC, 3PM-7PM.
Contact: District office, 014-615-2233
Global Health
What does global health look like in the United Methodist Church? A team of experts at Global Ministries is working on Health issues in communities all over the world. The vision promotes physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Global Health aims to “create abundant health in economically vulnerable communities by protecting children and disadvantaged adults from preventable causes of death and disease.” To achieve this we partner with thousands of communities and health workers through our community-based health programs. United Methodists are extending health interventions to one million children by 2020 in partnership with the United Nations. To learn how you can participate in this individually or as a church or district, contact: Rev. Wendy Vencuss, wvencuss@me.com.
Team Leaders Needed
One key to an effective disaster response effort is quality and experienced leadership. There is a great deal of organization and responsibility that goes into leading and coordinating both a disaster response and mission team. We will continue to try to provide opportunities for Leadership Training.
We will also be willing to assist qualified and experienced Team Leaders with finances if needed. The NYAC has had a long and strong history of responding to both emergency and long-term needs both domestically and internationally. It is our hope and intent to continue that support. For more information contact Tom Vencuss at the NYAC Missions office (tvencuss@nyac.com).
“Assets Coordinator” Wanted
The Missions office is looking for someone to serve in the capacity as “Assets Coordinator” for its disaster response ministry. The role of the Coordinator will be to serve as a link between the Missions office and our Disaster Response HUBs as well as those churches currently housing and managing our disaster response trailers. This is a volunteer position.
