Volunteers in Mission HAITI Team dates

Interested in attending a Mission to Haiti in October? 

The FUMC Pasadena is preparing for our October 22-30, 2012, Mission Trip to Haiti with several key training events in September.

The team’s next Prep Session covering Cultural Sensitivity and Traveling Abroad will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 7pm in the Church Lounge. If you are interested in how we are preparing for our journey, please join us!

On September 23 at 4pm, ANYONE who is interested in being trained to work with UMVIM, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, is invited to attend a special training with Heather Wilson, our Western Jurisdiction UMVIM Trainer.  

For more information on any of the activities above or how you can interact with UMVIM, please contact Jessica Ardo, the FUMC Pasadena Missions Peace and Justice Committee Chair by email at jessardo@gmail.com.

Mission to Haiti

From Rev. Allison Mark -

Hello all interested Missioners to Haiti! If you're interested and ready to learn more about the relief work we will be doing in Haiti this Fall, we are gearing up up for our UMVIM Haiti Training Sessions, and this post is for you!

The next mandatory meeting for all interested Missioners will be held on 7/22 at 4:00 pm in the Church Lounge at FUMC and will be an UMVIM Certification Training with Heather Wilson. All those who are considering coming on the trip to Haiti in October must attend.

Please email Allison or Jessica if you want to go to Haiti but are unable to attend the 7/22 Training.

Also - remember to heck your passports now and  make sure they are not expired.  If you don't have one NOW is the time to apply for one!

Finally, here is a list of our following training sessions in
August, September, and October:

• Fundraising (Sunday, 8/5)
• History and Geography of Haiti (Wednesday, 8/22)
• Cultural Sensitivity & Traveling Abroad (Wednesday, 9/12)
• Mission Work 101: Do's and Don'ts and our Spiritual Calling (Wednesday, 9/19
• Health Preparedness (Sunday, 9/23)
• Optional Fundraising CHECK-IN Meeting (Sunday, 9/30)
• Our Work: Construction 101, VBS teams (Sunday, 10/7)
• Team Building & Spiritual Disciplines (Sunday, 10/14)

 Once we roll into August, the dates we are looking at alternating Sunday evenings from 4-6pm and Wednesday sessions from 7-9pm to give some flexibility with different schedules. We would like EVERYONE to fully participate in being a part of the UMVIM Team that we are building.

We'd like to have some team leadership for these trainings so if you feel called to help lead (or lead yourself) please let Allison or Jessica know. Whether it is leading a session or helping to plan for our Worship/Devotional Times, we need your help!

Please contact Rev. Allison Mark or Missions, Peace & Justice Chair, Jessica Ardo if you are interested and would like to be an official UMVIM Team Member. Let us know if you are also interested in fundraising, working towards a fellowship-grant, or will raise your own funds for the Trip.

Start letting folks know what you're doing and if they are interested, forward this email to them for more information!

Mission Team to Haiti update!

Many at First Church have been asking about our Haiti Mission trip.  For those who have been waiting so pariently for more information on the UMVIM Team to Haiti. Join us for our NEXT meeting on 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 7:00 PM, in the Church Lounge of FUMC Pasadena.

During the meeting we will be discussing:

Possible travel dates. We may possibly be sending several small teams, as UMVIM (UM Volunteers in Mission) encourage smaller work teams. We are looking at an OCTOBER 22-30 FUMC Team Trip. (note date change)

Leadership: We still need a TEAM leader. If you are interested in joining another team either this summer or early fall and returning to take the OCTOBER Team that would be most helpful to our team, as UMVIM stipulates that churches may not send teams to Haiti without an experienced member who has BEEN to Haiti prior.

Training: In July, we will have an UMVIM training session for ALL members planning on committing to the team. This meeting will be led by Heather Wilson, our Western Jurisdiction UMVIM Coordinator. The date of the training will be announced at the meeting. We will also be requiring several mandatory meetings to give important needed logistical information and also building team fellowship.

Costs & Fundraising: We know this trip will be costly, as we are also expected to pay for tools and rebuilding costs (which benefits the locals). We will be discussing different fundraising opportunities and finding funding support for individuals and the group.

And any other further questions you need answered!

If you have any further questions or would like to be a Team Leader, please contact Rev. Allison Mark, or Missions, Peace & Justice Chair, Jessica Ardo.