United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, September 21, 2005 (pdf version)

UMMA Gathering, October 9 to 11 by Norma Kehrberg, Chair
Prayer for the UMMA Gathering 2005 by Carolyn Belshe Cowen
Late Breaking News - The Rev. Dr. James A. Dwyer, Elected Chair
Agenda for the UMMA Gathering
Our Readers Write
Missionary Milestones
Missionary Reunions and Gatherings
United Methodist Missionary Association Membership/Renewal for 2005

1. UMMA Gathering, October 9 to 11 by Norma Kehrberg, Chair

STILL TIME TO REGISTER and meet at the Amsterdam Hotel, 19 Clark's Hill Avenue Stamford, Connecticut

Check out air fares (there are some bargains) and join your colleagues at the 2005 UMMA Gathering. The meeting will begin at 3 PM on October 9, 2005 at the Amsterdam Hotel. (formerly the Rodeway/Budget Hospitality Inn), 19 Clark's Hill Avenue, Stamford, Conn. The meeting will open with a presentation on the topic "Apostolic Missionary Service" by Dr. Jim Dwyer. This will stimulate as well as, I am sure, challenge our collective thinking as missionary colleagues.

This 2005 Gathering is an important meeting for UMMA as an organization. We want to look at how UMMA is organized as the result of changes in the missionary community and perhaps as the result of little change on substantial issues in relationship with GBGM during these past eight years. This year Rev. Wendy Rhodehamel, a GBGM director will represent GBGM at the Gathering. She will be with us from the opening day until the official start of the Board meeting on Monday, October 10 at 1:30pm. Register with Fred Price, UMMA Coordinator. Looking forward to seeing you in Stamford. Norma Kehrberg, Chair.

2. Prayer for the UMMA Gathering 2005 by Carolyn Belshe Cowen

May God's Grace sustain us as a collective group of called missionaries. May our expressions of missionary endeavors carry Peace and Solidarity with the suffering and toward planting God's strength in such time of need. Cleanse our spirits of ill effects from unhealthy memories. Empower us with the stamina of spiritual, physical, emotional and financial strength beyond human anticipation. For those among our missionary family who are struggling with life-issues, we beg courage and wellness for them.

For those who lead the agency of the Church where we live out our calling, we ask for Wisdom in their decision-makings. May the Joy of giving and sharing sustain us all. Amen

3. Late Breaking News

The Rev. Dr. James A. Dwyer has been elected by members of the Steering Committee to serve as the new chair of the United Methodist Missionary Association. This is the first time that UMMA will have an active missionary as its chair. We give thanks to God that Jim is willing to take on this extra assignment in addition to his present portfolio as pastor of the International United Methodist Church in Hamburg, Germany.

Brief background: The Rev. Dr. James A. Dwyer, or "Jim" to his UMMA colleagues, earned his Ph.D. in Religion from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary (GETS) and Northwesetern University. His "present portfolio" is as pastor of the "International United Methodist Church" in Hamburg, Germany. Although the church members are ecumenical in their background and their attitudes, the congregation is structured as a United Methodist congregation and is struggling to be acknowledged as a worthy part of the district and conference in Germany. Their church has just joined the AICEMEA - Association of International Churches in Europe and the Middle East and Africa. Jim has also been involved in networking United Methodist missionaries and international pastors in Europe. He is one of the charter members of UMMA and helped its formation in 1995-96. He was active as Vice Chair, Regional Representative and member of UMMA taskforce groups. Pastor Jim brings a lot of talent, energy, vision and hope to UMMA. He urges all missionaries to be more involved in UMMA. He likes the German saying, "What isn't yet, may yet be."

4. Agenda for the UMMA Gathering

United Methodist Missionary Association
October 9-11, 2005
Venue: Amsterdam Hotel and First United Methodist Church, Stamford, Conn.
Proposed Agenda

October 9, 2005, Venue: Amsterdam Hotel (former Rodeway/Budget Hospitality Inn)
3:00pm	Opening Devotions - Norma Kehrberg Call to Order/Introductions Approval of Agenda Approval of Minutes 2004
3:30pm	Presentation and Discussion: Dr. James Dwyer "Apostolic Missionary Service as a Vocation: Relic of the Past or Critical to the Future in the UMC"
4:30pm	Coordinator's Report followed by Finance Report
5:00pm	Affirmation of change in by-laws followed by election of officers
5:30pm	"Financial Development with assistance of missionaries" - Lynda Byrd, GBGM Director of Development
6:15pm	Adjourn for dinner on your own
MONDAY, October 10, 2005, Venue: First United Methodist Church, 4220 Cross Road, Stamford, Connecticut
8:30am	Depart Amsterdam Hotel to First UMC, Stamford
9:00am	Devotions - Richard Vreeland
9:15am	Introductions UMMA Chair Report
9:30am	Issues for this meeting (presentation and general discussion) - Howard Heiner GBGM Relations and Way Forward Medicare Plan B/Collins Health and Benefit Organizational issues of UMMA Steering Committee/by-laws/finances/membership Next Gathering Planning and Strategy
11:45am	Adjourn and lunch (on own)
1:30pm	GBGM Opening Plenary, Marriott Hotel President's address Treasurer's Report Dinner: (on own) Evening: GBGM Program Unit meetings
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
8:30am	Transfer to First UMC
9:00am	Opening Prayer
9:15am	CCW Report - Sally Ott
9:30am	Work in small groups on identified issues
11:30am	Report on work in plenary
12:00pm	Noon Lunch in area
1:30pm	Plenary Reports/ Decisions/Follow-up Actions
4:30pm	Closing Devotions - Howard Heiner
5:00pm	Adjournment followed by Evening Meal Together
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The UMMA Gathering officially closes in the evening on October 11, 2005. For those who are able to stay through part of the next day, participants can rejoin the GBGM sessions. Randy Day, the General Secretary is to present his address on this morning.

5. Our Readers Write

OThe first email is excerpted from Stan and Beryl Moore's invitation of the 26 retired U.M. missionaries at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, Cal. It exemplifies how UMMA is receiving input wherever two or three are gathered together. UMMA is listening. Please let us hear from you and your neighborhood group - democracy in action. - ed.

Dear Fellow Pilgrim Place UM Missionaries: October 9-11, the UMMA Steering Committee will be meeting, coinciding with the GBGM Board meeting in Stamford, CT. Those of the Steering Committee who will be attending are vitally interested in the input of the rest of us - for they are there representing us. We need to get together for an hour on the evening of Sept. 26th to pool our suggestions and concerns to pass on to them. The UMMA Steering Committee have given much of themselves during the 10 years since UMMA's founding. They will be facing critical issues and need our support. Ric and Caring Schwenk will join our meeting. See you "right soon"! - Stan and Beryl Moore, Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA

Hi Ric, I read Howard's important message. Sounds fine to me. He raises critical questions, indeed. I hope that there is a "younger" group, even if retirees, who will be willing to pick up the mantle that folks like you and others have so faithfully carried these past years. There needs to be a way for the missionary community to have input into the board. Throughout the years, that has been a major blind spot, it seems to me. That is one reason I have supported the work of UMMA, although not being so active. How can we continue without welcoming and providing structural ' organizational procedures for involvement in the decision making process Ð the very people who are most actively concerned. Of course, the partner churches need a strong voice, but so do the people our Board sends to work with the partner church. I will write no more. Thanks for all you have done to keep UMMA functioning creatively. UMMA UpDate has been a major contribution. - Elizabeth Clarke, Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA

Hi Ric, Many thanks for all the good work you are doing to keep us abreast of what is happening in the U. Methodist mission field (and what is not). I wish I could go to the UMMA Gathering, but I am not going anywhere this year. Attempting to adjust a fixed income to the new requirements of our wonderful Pilgrim Place here in Claremont, California is taking all I have at the moment Ð I'm hoping for better in the future. God bless you and all of those who work so hard to keep people informed. - Vivian Woodyard, 671 Leyden Lane, Claremont CA 91711

Thank you for continuing to send the newsletter. I will be unable to attend the October conference because of financial difficulties. I have continued to minister with Japanese l949 to present in Japan and California. Prayerfully yours, Emery Fleming-Hasegawa

Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your recent mailing. The Indonesian Methodist Church will be celebrating 100 years of Methodism in Jakarta in October this year. Fred and I have been invited to attend. We served there for 25 years in Sumatera 1968-1993. We would like you to keep us on your mailing list. We met Norma Kehrberg in Naperville when we were on leave from the field in the 70's. Our close friends, Elsie and Jim Pettibone served in Nepal. They often mentioned Norma's work there. Jim and Elsie live in Boulder and we visit one another. Fred and I send our warmest regards and wishes for a successful UMMA gathering in October. - Polly and Fred Ingold

Hi Richard, Thanks for your missal. It's always good to know what is going on! I read with interest your article on "phishing." I was just phished approximately two weeks ago. I had been away for several weeks and my Inbox was filled with hundreds of e-mails. In the process of trying to read and delete, there were two e-mails which I thought were from my bank. Since the bank had just updated its site and the e-mail was directed to all on-line customers, I thought it was authentic. The special bank logos were there! (I use the bank's online service for everything!) Not being cautious enough and determined to get through all of the mail, I answered one of the e-mails which I thought was from the bank - entered requested information and didn't give it another thought. Early the next morning, I received a call from my bank asking me if I had answered an e-mail from the bank and supplied certain personal information. ...I sure did! The bank associate told me that someone was trying to use my account in SPAIN! There was only one other small charge made but I was able to have it deleted. The associate reminded me that the bank would never request personal information online. I consider myself so very lucky and certainly do appreciate the bank's security. Phishing is very real!! - anon.

Dear Ric and Caring, Thanks for UMMA Update 34. Keep up the good work!! We're safely home from a very memorable, rewarding trip to Africa via Argentina, made possible by son Mark, but complicated by the South African Airlines' strike and the shortage of petrol in Zimbabwe. - Fred Brancel, 141 Shanto Lane, Monona, WI 53716

Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

6. Missionary Milestones

Mozambique Southern Conference recently renamed the Teles Children of War Orphanage in their Annual Conference - changing it to Carolina Belshe Orphanage in honor of GBGM missionary Carolyn Belshe [Cowen].

Carolyn served as Chicuque Rural Hospital administrator in the early 90's. The main objective of her assignment was to train a national person to manage the Methodist Hospital. Jeremias Franca was identified as the prospective trainee. He and his family were then sponsored through six years of university studies in San Marcos, TX. The Franca family has won the hearts of many around the world. Jeremias is making great strides in leadership of the health care system of the church for all of Mozambique. While serving as administrator Carolyn saw too many orphans of the civil war coming to the hospital and no one to care for them. Their physical health was being restored but with no life ahead of them. She adopted three when her help around the house began to explain that she could not adopt all of the needing children, so she began working with the Bishop's wife, Nocia Mucambe Machado, to organize an orphanage for the kids she had grown to love like her own.

She used her personal funds to hire workers to rebuild former housing for the lepers who no longer needed isolation since their medicine provides them mainline living in community. A mother who had lost her family in the war was hired to care for four children who had lost their family. Then, another unit was established, and another. The church of Sweden, of Germany, and various sponsorships from the United States began supporting the home for kids to have hope for their health and their future. Milford, Conn. UMC and delegations from Texas and Missouri have recently rebuilt the home and relocated it to Cambine Mission station for improved living conditions for the kids.

Carolyn's life changed again in '01 when she and a schoolmate of 50 years ago married. He is Jack Cowen who later flew to Africa to bring home to Oklahoma two of the three children she had adopted 8 years earlier. She was disabled due to manifestation of a muscle disease and could not get medical clearance to return to the land of her soul - so she calls Africa -- but life did not stop. She continues to live for the kids through these two in the U.S. as well as correspondence, speaking, and writing on behalf of the kids of Mozambique who have lost their family to war and now to the war against AIDS. In asking how she feels about having an orphanage named for her, she says that it is humbling then she began to think of the responsibility of such a namesake and it makes her shudder - standing in the need of prayer.

7. Register for UMMA Gathering 2005 by Fred Price, Coordinator

The UMMA Gathering is scheduled to be held from October 9-11 at the Amsterdam Hotel (formerly Rodeway Inn and Budget Hospitality Inn) to coincide with the GBGM board of directors meeting in a nearby hotel. UMMA will make the reservation to be sure you get the best group rate. The hotel has complimentary breakfast. All other meals will be at your own expense.

Please fill a d return the following form to Fred Price (his address below) or email () as soon as possible to assure your room reservations and official name tags for GBGM meetings.

- - - - - - - Please fill in the form below and send your registration now - - - - - - -

Rev. Fred Price, UMMA Coordinator ()
165 Grandview Avenue
Pitman, NJ 08071

Hi Fred,
Please reserve a place for (your name(s)) for the nights of (state which) 9th 10th 11th for persons in room(s).

[ ] I will inform you of my flight number _____ with arrival and departure times and airport as soon as I know those details so information can be shared with others attending for possible pooling of transportation from the airport to Stamford, Connecticut.

Airline tip: LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in NYC seems to have the lowest fares and most direct flights at this time from O'Hare Field (ORD). Compare on the Internet from your airport.

[ ] I/We will be arriving by plane at approximately (time) ________ and (date) ______ October.

[ ] I/We will be arriving by car at approximately (time) __________ and (date) _______ October.

8. Missionary Reunions and Gatherings

October 9-11, 2005

UMMA Gathering 2005 Stamford, Connecticut. Plan now to join the UMMA Gathering. Join the fellowship and help in planning the future of United Methodist mission.

This year, GBGM is expected to name a director to participate in the UMMA Gathering as per the action taken by the Directors from last quadrennium. This may be the start of a more meaningful way to communicate with GBGM. Mark your calendars and try to squeeze in a trip to the Northeast. Your presence is needed. Please tell Fred Price and Norma Kehrberg of your interest in joining the Gathering. An advance list will help gather more participants.

2006 Reunions

March 27-30, 2006

The River Plate Argentina and Uruguay Missionary Group Reunion at the Florida Conference Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg, Florida. Contact: Valene Long (), 941.748.7520. Reservations due November 15, 2005.

June 23-26, 2006

Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia Reunion. Notify before December 2005 re: extra day. Contact: Ernest Heard (), in Nashville with cc to Phil Wilson (), the new chair.

July 28-30, 2006

Biennial Servants of Sierra Leone Reunion, Holiday Inn Select, Naperville, IL. 60563, near I-88. Email: Marilyn Kopp (), 309.444.2136.

August 4-7, 2006

Philippine Missionary Reunion Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center - Lambuth Building, Lake Junaluska, NC. Contact: Claudia Webster () by June 1, 2005 (this year) send $40 (per adult) deposit check to Claudia L Webster, 7619 SW Surfland Street, South Beach, OR 97366.

September 15-18, 2006

Chile Reunion for Missionaries and Chileans living in the USA, Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone, VA. Contact: Walt Whitehurst () or Stan Moore ().

We welcome your comments: