United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, September 3, 2001

UMMA Steering Committee Updated
Email Correspondence
Collins Pension Issues Addressed
Other Retirees' Correspondence
UMMA Membership Made Easy

UMMA Steering Committee Updated

Gilbert Bascom (gbascom1467) AC, UMMA Coordinator
Don Cobb (dcobb@echonet.org), AC, Treasurer
Martha Collier (mcollier@netcomsa.com), AC, TF Coordinator
Dakin Cook (dakin@ceibo.entelnet.bo)
James Dwyer (james.dwyer@planet-interkom.de),AC, V. Chair

Safiyah Fosua (desertmother51@aol.com), MIR, AC
Gordon Greathouse (areskagg@gold.com.br)
Howard Heiner (heiner@jeffnet.org), AC, TF and UMMA Chair
Jeff Hoover (jehoover@maf.org)
Norma Kehrberg (dykw@aol.com), AC, TF Chair

Gene Matthews (genematt@home.com), AC, TF Chair
Nan McCurdy (nanmig@earthlink.net)
Ron Ray (ray@maf.or.ke)
Ruth Ann Robinson (rar11pl@txcr.net
Richard Schwenk (ricschwemk@earthlink.com), AC, UpDate Editor

Carol and Kevin Seckel (carjsecjek@aol.com), AC
Sonia Strawn (srstrawn@shinbiro.com)
Joe Stroud (jstroud@dokidoki.net.jp)
Cherie White (velwhite@terra.com.mx, AC, Secretary
Philip Wingeier-Rayo (pwingeier@yahoo.com

*AC = Administrative Council of UMMA
*TF = Task Force

UMMA Area Representatives (AreaReps)

Africa, Sub-Sahara: Jeff Hoover and Ron Ray
Asia/Pacific Islands: Joe Stroud and Sonia Strawn
Europe/Mid-East/Med. Africa/South Asia: Jim Dwyer and Carol Seckel
N. America-West/Mexico: Cherie White and Philip Wingeier-Rayo
N. America-East/Caribbean/Guyana/Central Am.: Don Cobb and Nan McCurdy
S. America: Dakin Cook and Gordon Greathouse
Retirees: Ruth Ann Robinson and Howard Heiner

Email Correspondence

NOTICE: Letters to the editor of UMMA UpDate may be abridged to fit space limitations. Real names will be used unless the author requests a "Pen Name." If you don't want your email printed, let me know. - rls

To: Shimba Mulunda, Kenya, Africa
Dear Mrs. Mulunda,
...We are seeking to link as many of our GBGM persons in mission, both actives and retirees together across the world in order to develop a feeling of fellowship and support in whatever situation we find ourselves.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

Shalom, Gilbert Bascom, UMMA Coordinator

Thank you for sending me your most interesting newsletter. I'm afraid this is the first I've heard of the UMMA; thank you for the work you are doing on our behalf.

I have been working in Zambia for a little over two years as a Missioner of Hope for the Children of Africa...I am working to alleviate the suffering and provide care for the many children living in the streets of Kitwe. The task is great and the workers are few.

I will mail my membership application form when I am in the US. I appreciate that the membership fee is covered until the end of next year. This will help with my already overstretched budget.

God bless you in your work. Humbly in His service, Ms. Dru Smith, Missioner of Hope, Kitwe, Zambia Africa

Thank you very much, Ric... Many of us appreciate your efforts on behalf of the community. By the way, in Korea we don't have any short-term missionaries. Only 8 missionaries in all and one may be soon leaving.

Sonia Reid Strawn, Seoul, Korea, an Area Rep. for Asia/Pacific

...My husband Lahi and I are missionaries of GBGM serving in Kenya under the Methodist Church in Kenya. We are seconded to Kenya Methodist University in Meru, Kenya...just completing our third term and coming for home assignment.

Lahi teaches mathematics and heads the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the university. I teach part time at the university and coordinate HIV/AIDS program in Meru where we are located....I also conduct seminars for women and youth.

We are members of UMMA. We very much appreciate reading your messages and updates on matters concerning missionaries. We thank you for the work you do and the Lord indeed will continue to guide you.

Shalom, Lahi and Yema Luhahi, Meru, Kenya

What a great job on Update. That is probably the only way many missionaries can stay up to date...It really is great that you are getting such positive results and feedback on Update/new members... Letters included cover most of UMMA's concerns so it is a very innovative way to repeat the concerns. Thanks so much for doing it on behalf of so many of us around the world... God bless.

Bud and Millie Carroll, Hong Kong, China

I will be joining UMMA. I am in solidarity with UMMA's objectives. May God strengthen you, Howard, Gil and others in your vital leadership roles. Grace and peace, "Betanam-Betupi"

Ric, the full names of the two new missionary pastors serving in Germany are Kwasi Owusu-Acheaw in Hamburg and Rev. Clarence Antwi- Boasiakoh in Dusseldorf. Clarence is from Ghana. His wife's name is Sandra. Kwasi's last name is Owusu-Acheaw, and his wife's name is Comfort. Their churches worship in one or more of the Ghanaian languages--Gha, Twee, Akan, Fanti. Both are new UMMA members.

James Dwyer, Pastor, Peace Church-U. Methodist, Munich, Germany
James.Dwyer@Planet-Interkom.de
Jim is UMMA's V.Chair and AreaRep.

Collins Pension Issues Addressed

From: Neal Nosowitz (nnosowit@gbgm-umc.org)
To: heiner@jeffnet.org (heiner@jeffnet.org)
Date: Monday, August 06, 2001 10:33am
Subject: Re: Collins Pension Plan

Dear Mr. Heiner,
A surviving spouse will receive 100% of the combined pensions for three months. After that period, the survivor will continue to receive pension at the rate of 70% of the combined pensions. Then her/his pension continues for the rest of her/his life.

Mr. Nosowitz:
Thank you for these data. Is it printed out by GBGM that I could refer other retired missionaries to for their information and files?

I appreciate your help. Howard Heiner

Ans.: The handbook is in the process of being revised. If you have any further questions you can contact Betty J. Edwards at 212.870.3616 or email BEdwards@gbgm-umc.org.

Additional Collins Task Force Questions by Howard Heiner, Chair

Questions on the financial mismanagement of the GBGM budget and overspending of $39 million adds to my concern about the financial condition of the Collins Programs.

It is now known that they expanded the number of GBGM missionaries without adequately providing for long-term financial support. What security do we retirees have that the same mistake has not been made about future pension benefits?

Therefore, I feel UMMA should continue to pressure for an open and transparent process with full financial and legal disclosure of the Collins Programs.

Other Retirees' Correspondence

Happy Reunion to Brazil Missionaries Meeting in Lake Junaluska!

Greetings Richard: THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your willingness to monitor the activities and policies of the BOGM. I have a deep love and appreciation for the Board from my twelve years (60-72) of service in Brazil... I appreciate your insistence on an open door policy with decision making and truthfulness in reporting. I'm sure your actions will be a subject of discussion during the Brazilian missionary reunion at Lake Junaluska this Labor Day weekend.

I have long thought the Collins Pension Fund need better monitoring from the beneficiaries of the retirement and health program. Thank you for helping put pressure to get us a raise in retirement benefits. I would like to know something about the investment and benefits policy of the directors of the Collins Pension Fund.

Keep up the good work and do not be discouraged by anxious peacemakers.

Burrell Dinkins, Oviedo, FL, retired from serving in Brazil

Thanks for the good work UMMA is doing on our behalf. You spoke to some of the issues that concern us as retired UM missionaries. We have several concerns about the Collins Health Plan but find it difficult to get any response to letters of inquiry sent to 475 Riverside. We worked with the Board of Global Ministries here in Brazil from 1957 on. We opted to return to live in Brazil and continued to work in the Brazilian Church until this year. Since Jo has Parkinson and I am diabetic (two things requiring a lot of expensive medicines) we would like to know what provisions are being made, if one reaches the cap for each person. We are glad to see that this is on your list of issues.

I plan to share the salary correction quote with some conference mission secretaries in areas where I know the original report gave a lot of concern.

Grace, Peace, and mercy, Jim and Jo Goodwin, Brazil

Thank you for the news from UMMA. Keep up the good work.

Peg and Dick Vreeland
354-A Watford Drive Ballwin, MO 63011-3783, retired from India and former treasurer of the World Division and for UMCOR.

Beryl and I were missionaries in Chile for some 40 years....Beryl spent 3 years as a "short-termer" in Zimbabwe before we met, married and went to Chile.

Stan Moore, short termer and long termer in Chile
UMMA Contact Person (CP), Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA

Editor's note: More CPs, like Stan, are needed in other retirement communities. Let me know if you would like to help out? -rls

Thanks for your informative e-mail re: mission affairs. Your leadership in this, as in so many other matters, is much appreciated. Joanne and I completed editing The Encyclopedia of Iban Studies, and the printer assures me that copies will be ready for mailing within the next month or so....Joanne and I were in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak for about a month...

Vince Sutlive, Professor of Anthropology, William and Mary College who taught at the Methodist Theological School, Sarawak, Malaysia

Thanks for the UMMA email edition of the newsletter. Sorry that I have been no more than a paying member for the past several years. But I hope to become more involved. I had a good visit with Hugh and Betty Frazer at our recent Congo Missionaries Reunion and got a good feel for what you are trying to do. They gave you a good push at the Reunion.

David L. Allen, Louisville, KY, retired from Zaire

UMMA Membership Made Easy

Membership is open to active, inactive or retired missionaries of the GBGM or its predecessors. Current dues for the financial year (January 1 - December 31) are $25 for full membership or $15 for an Affiliate membership without voting privileges.

Make checks payable to UMMA and send with the completed application blank to:

Gilbert Bascom, Coordinator
6229-B N. Park Way
Tacoma WA 98407-2204

If you are joining for the first time, you are paid-up from now until the end of the year 2002. This is a special for those who join after the July UMMA Gathering. By the way, my tax consultant told me I could deduct these as, "Professional Membership Dues."

Gil Bascom may also be contacted as follows:
Tel: 1.253.879.8484
Fax: 1.253.752.4484
Email: gbascom1467@earthlink.net

Join UMMA now so your mission concerns can be articulated and attended to!

We welcome your comments:
gbascom1467@earthlink.net