Hurricane Harvey: A Message from UMVIM, SEJ's Executive Director

Hurricane Harvey has left its mark on Louisiana and Texas.
Sadly, the disaster is on-going and more than likely will get worse
over the next few days.

Here are a couple of ways you can help right now:

- Give to the UMCOR Domestic Disaster Response Advance
#901670. The Advance is a great tool we have as United
Methodists to show our support. 100% of what you give will go
to the relief effort.
- If you are ERT trained and certified, put down your car keys
and organize with other ERT trained individuals in your local
church and community to be ready when the call comes for
teams. It may be weeks, or even months, before the request
for teams comes in. The pain and loss that victims feel will
continue long after the camera crews have left—and that’s
when we are needed most.

Here are a couple of things that are NOT helpful:

-Letting your need to help draw the attention away from the
needs of victims in the affected areas.
-Repeatedly calling or emailing the Rio Texas Conference or other
affected areas in the next few days and letting them know you
want to help. The disaster is on-going and their resources right
now should be focused on managing the disaster—not phone
calls of potential volunteers. They will let us know what they
need, I promise.
-Getting in your car and going to the affected areas, or donating
used clothes and other items that may not be needed.
We will be updating our website with new information as it comes
in.

The Rio Texas Conference has a webpage set up at riotexas.org/
harvey for you to stay informed.

Thank You,

Matt Lacey
Executive Director
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Southeastern Jurisdiction

UMVIM, SEJ Announces New Communications/Development Director

Recent University of Mississippi graduate, Billy Rainey, now serves as the Director of Communications and Development for UMVIM, SEJ. In this position, Rainey will develop and coordinate external communications for the office, while also cultivating relationships with local churches throughout the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. A lifelong United Methodist, Rainey brings with him a deep appreciation for what the connection of the UMC can do to help followers of Christ make a profound impact on the world. "The United Methodist Church has a long history of breaking down barriers for the sake of extending the love of Christ to a hurting world," Rainey said. "The connection that the UMC offers, through organizations such as UMVIM, SEJ, continues to enable the body of Christ to serve all around the world with efficiency and love."

Rainey recently moved to Birmingham from Oxford, MS, where he graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications in May of 2017. During his college years, Rainey served as a leader at the Ole Miss Wesley Foundation, an intern at Oxford-University UMC, a delegate on the Mississippi Conference’s Young Adult Delegation to South Korea, and as a Design Team member for SEJ’s Young People in Mission conference at Lake Junaluska, NC. Rainey also has a track record in the field of marketing and communications, having worked as a Marketing Assistant for the Ole Miss Department of Student Housing, a Public Relations Intern for the University of Mississippi Foundation, and having planned and implemented multiple communications campaigns while in college.

.

Rainey is excited to do his part to serve UMVIM, SEJ and its vision of transforming the world through "Christian love in action." "I thank God for the opportunity to tell the story of this movement that mobilizes Christians to make much of the name of Christ by serving the needs of this world," Rainey said. "Jesus tells us that we will be known as his disciples by how we love one another. UMVIM is working to help people follow this model, and it's an honor to be a part of that effort."


The UMVIM, SEJ staff and Board of Directors is excited to welcome Billy to the team. United Methodists can expect to see Rainey around the jurisdiction promoting UMVIM, SEJ and partnering with local congregations to strengthen the impact of mission work in the United Methodist Church. If you are interested in speaking with Rainey or having him visit your congregation, he would love to hear from you! He can be reached by emailing billy_rainey@umvim.org by calling 205.453.9480

Better, Not Best: A Reflection from Allen Doyle, 2017 Summer Intern

         

In life, I rarely seek input from others about a major decision. I like to think of myself as an individualistic and spontaneous person; yet on this March afternoon I found myself frantically seeking advice from any person that would listen. I was just offered an Internship from the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Southeastern Jurisdiction and despite any and all conscious efforts to make a decision independently, I needed help. Although I was unaware of it at the time, this indecision was a symptom of the internal challenges I wrestled with throughout the summer.

I met with my Chaplain, called my parents, sister, and grandfathers. I stopped random people on the streets of Birmingham (unbiased opinions are sometimes the most valuable), and still I couldn’t make a decision. Upon reflection at the end of this Internship program, I realize that this struggle was not of my desire to serve in this position or not but of a grander discourse involving my relationship with the church itself.

Having been raised by United Methodist ministers, (both of which are also preacher’s kids), I have always been actively involved in the church and its various ministries. Whether it was in a local congregation, Annual Conferences, during my time at Lakeshore UMA, Carolina Cross Connection, Birmingham-Southern College or the myriad of Methodist organizations in which I have become affiliated, I think of them all as a blessing. These amazing experiences, and the persons I have met through the years, have shaped my identity, my faith, and the ways in which I interact with the world.

I was struggling with my relationship with the church. This stemmed not from a discontent for my past but from a desire to experience “other”, and so I ran away from it. Just as Jonah ran away from Nineveh, I was running away from God (unlike Jonah however, I had people waiting for me in Nineveh with open arms).

I accepted the internship, and soon my summer began at North Alabama Annual Conference gathering in Huntsville, Alabama. This time was spent hearing and sharing stories with old and new friends, family, and complete strangers. It allowed me an opportunity to center myself and focus my heart. During the ordination service I sensed a feeling I had been missing for sometime (but after an hour or so, I decided to pass it off as indigestion). The next morning I found myself sitting next to my grandfather, listening to the words spoken by the Bishop James R. King Jr. during his message entitled, “Better… Not the Best”. It resonated on many levels. I have always had struggles and frustrations as a perfectionist and held the constant misconception that I have to do everything by myself. These issues have only been exasperated by my time as an undergraduate. But in that moment surrounded by familiar faces of “beautiful people” I felt this weight lift off my shoulders. My fears and regrets, though still present, began to transition from stains on my heart into opportunities for growth.

I spent the next several days in Birmingham at the UMVIM, SEJ office, diving into its ministries, the organizational structures and beliefs of the United Methodist Church, and the details of the International and Domestic components of my internship, all the while delving into my own thoughts as to my future vocation and next steps after graduation.

I have always been drawn to environmental hazards and the disasters that they cause. The chaos and tragedies that occur create vulnerabilities, losses, and pains that we as Christians are called to relieve. After many conversations with the UMVIM, SEJ staff, it was decided that my time in this program would be focused upon faith based disaster recovery and relief. After going through UMCOR Early-Response Team Training, UMVIM Team leader training, and heading up to North Alabama Disaster Relief Warehouse, it was time for me to head out into the field.

I spent the first 3 weeks of the program traveling all over the coastal plains and inner banks of North Carolina, working with the North Carolina Conference Disaster Recovery program. Every day I found myself surrounded by people more knowledgeable, more dedicated, and more skilled than me. I spent my days learning as much as possible and being of as much use as possible. This journey was one of the most humbling yet empowering experiences. I went into this knowing I knew very little, and came out thinking I knew even less. But I left North Carolina thankful and praising God for the amazing people I met and all they meant to me. But even more importantly, I praised God for all they meant to everyone else.

I travelled and arrived at the Bahamas Methodist Habitat [BMH] for the next portion of my internship. I immediately got put to work in a familiar yet foreign context. The ‘camping ministry’ setting was familiar; yet the ‘international’ component was new to me. After coming off of my intensive crash course in faith-based disaster relief in North Carolina, I knew nothing about the environmental, political, and infrastructural conditions that contribute to the Bahamas’ unique needs and challenges experienced during a disaster. I struggled with this unfamiliarity, yet I was able to become fully immersed in the ministries of BMH. I was allowed to serve in many different capacities, getting to participate in all the various components of the organization. My specific task, however, was to work alongside the Executive Director and Board of Directors to create programming, policy, and procedures for BMH to more efficiently and effectively implement their mission as a disaster relief organization. At the end of three weeks, it was far from finished. But instead of being frustrated I began to thank God. I thanked God that the written policy is now “better”. I thanked God that my knowledge of NGO’s, international relief, and struggles of many Bahamians got “better”. And I pray that my work there can make persons affected by disaster a sense of comfort and relief so that they can begin the process of getting “better”.

This summer provided so many unique and diverse experiences that allowed for personal and vocational decantation. Although I am not any closer to determining what to do after graduation, I am not worried because I know that I am not alone. Am I over my obsessions with perfection? Not even close. But I have a renewed comfort in knowing and experiencing God’s prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. We are called to serve God in missions, not because we have everything figured out, but because we are called to be “better”… not the best.

Overflowing with Thankfulness

It’s difficult to think that I will no longer be working in the UMVIM, SEJ office - a place to which I love coming and to work that I love doing. As I walked through the office Friday, my last day before retirement, so many thoughts and memories came to me. I thought of the many places I have traveled and the people I have meant. How do I thank them for their hospitality and friendship?

I thought about the pioneers of UMVIM who gave so much to make this grassroots movement an organized ministry of the United Methodist Church. How do I thank them for their efforts in creating a way for hundreds of thousands to serve God by serving others?

I thought about those involved in UMVIM before me but especially those who served as the Executive Director for UMVIM, SEJ. How do I thank them for the foundation they built that has allowed me to engage in a ministry that I love and am so passionate about?

I thought about all the UMVIM, SEJ board members who have provided vision and oversight to continue the work of this ministry. I especially thought of each board member who has served since I became Executive Director. How do I thank them for their support and encouragement?

I thought about the Conference UMVIM Coordinators who with little or no pay offer assistant and guidance to their local churches and team leaders. How do I thank them for the leadership they have provided their annual conferences?

I thought about our partner church and project leaders and the struggles and hardships they face daily. How do I thank them for hosting the countless volunteers that they house and feed?

I thought about team leaders who agreed to accept the responsibility and challenge of preparing their teams to serve. How do I thank them for providing the vital connection between their team, the host, and UMVIM?

I thought about the volunteers who God has called to use their gifts, talents, and resources in serving a broken, hurting world. How do I thank them for the sacrifices they have made to be able to go and serve?

I thought about those UMVIM, SEJ employees who willingly worked for less pay and benefits then they would have received somewhere else. How do I thank them for the dedication and integrity with which they preformed their jobs?

I thought about God and the ultimate sacrifice that He made for me and for all of us. How do I thank Him for all He has done?

Thank you – these words are not enough to express the appreciation I feel. These words from Colossians 2:7 hopefully express my feelings better: “Rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”. Yes, I am overflowing with thankfulness for UMVIM!  

2017 Summer Intern

A rising senior at Birmingham Southern College studying Urban Environmental Studies and Asian Studies, Allen Doyle, will serve as the 2017 UMVIM, SEJ Summer Intern. From the Tennessee Annual Conference, he has dedicated thousands of hours to organizations in the Southern Jurisdiction becoming fully immersed in inner-city and rural communities. Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville, NC was one of the ministries with which Allen served. For three months, not only did he work alongside persons experiencing homelessness, but he also lived on the streets with them. “A person can stand behind a counter at a soup kitchen, and that is great,” he said. “Personally, however, I know that there are more meaningful ways to do service - by building relationships and tearing down societal constructs.  It takes living on the streets with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to even begin to understand what their experience is all about. But even then, I will never truly understand their experiences, for my time with them was still from a place of privilege.”

Allen admits that he was wary of “mission trips” because of the numerous needs he saw and encountered in his local community and surrounding areas.  Another issue that Allen had was a fear of developing a “savior complex”. So why travel? His experience has shaped him drastically in seeing dynamic cultural and theological sensitivities necessary in new contexts so when he had an opportunity to go to Cuba with Birmingham-Southern College in January, he was hesitant. It was also his first time outside of the United States. Allen soon discovered that people of faith across Cuba were extremely passionate, accepting and loving. Perhaps because he spoke little Spanish and also because of the unique way in which he was able to be in Cuba when so many from the United States have been unable to travel there due to the embargo, he felt invasive. As he played soccer, shared meals, worshiped together and had conversations about mutual interests, friendships were formed. Before long, these acquaintances felt like life-long friends and the churches began to feel like home. “The cultural differences are vast, but the common thread of faith ties us all together, as one family in Christ.  Our ability to dig dirt was not special; the relationships we built along the way, as we worked together, were,” he recalls. “The Holy Spirit was present as we worshipped together. These were our gift to share.”

Allen has completed his orientation time at the UMVIM, SEJ office where he completed Team Leader training, competed Early Response Team training, learned about the organization of the United Methodist Church and its connectional structure, and assisted with some of the daily responsibilities.  In addition, he attended the North Alabama annual conference June 4-6 where he also represented UMVIM, SEJ at its mission display.

Over the next three weeks, Allen will serve with the North Carolina Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry under the supervision of Ann Huffman, North Carolina Conference Call Center Volunteer Coordinator and Disaster Readiness Coordinator.  While there, he will be learning all aspects of how an annual conference responds following a disaster; as well as, working with volunteer teams coming to serve.  He will also have the opportunity to visit Robeson County Community Center, a conference UMVIM project and learn how they were affected and what they are doing in disaster recovery.

Afterwards, Allen will travel to Eleuthera Island to serve with Bahamas Methodist Habitat, a disaster outreach ministry of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church.  An UMVIM project, BHM, is also dealing with disaster recovery following Hurricane Matthew October, 2016. When not responding to disaster, BMH organizes and facilitates about 500 volunteers annually. Volunteer teams serve on projects that address substandard housing and promote community. Alicia Sands, the new BHM Executive Director, indicated that he would also be serving with teams coming during July at Camp Symonette, the base of BMH operations.  Allen will serve on home repair projects with these teams but will also have community building opportunities.

Following his domestic and international assignments, Allen will return to the UMVIM, SEJ office for debriefing and evaluation. “The United Methodist Church and its missions have simultaneously served as the anchor and the inspiration forward in my life.  I believe it is our mission to serve in the world with each other, not for each other.”

Gray Miller Named UMVIM, SEJ Assistant Director

Gray Miller now serves as the UMVIM, SEJ Assistant Director.  As the Assistant Director, Gray will assume more administrative duties for the ministry including team registrations.  She would also assume the position of interim Director if needed.  One of the major reasons that Gray enjoys working at UMVIM, SEJ is the connectional nature of the United Methodist Church.  “I enjoy the relationships and connections that I have been able to make over my time working here, whether it is a new team leader excited about taking their first team, a person calling looking for a place to serve in disaster response, those that work in the Annual Conferences. It is so funny to me how large the United Methodist Church is but how “small world” it can be when you see the Connection that is the UMC,” she indicated.

Since October 2, 2014, Gray has been the Disaster Liaison, a role she will continue, serving as the contact between SEJ Conference Disaster Response Coordinators and UMVIM, SEJ.  Her role is primarily communicating the need for volunteers in disaster affected area and as part of the planning team for the annual SEJ Disaster Academy. Gray shares the importance of the SEJ Disaster Academy, “The SEJ Disaster Academy is not just for those who have already involved in disaster response. It is for anyone who has an interest in serving after a disaster and long into recovery. We forget sometimes that a disaster can effect a community long after the actual event is over, and the Disaster Academy is a great place to start learning about how the UMC is involved in disaster response and where you can fit it. It is also a training tool for those who are already involved. The Disaster world is changing, and we are always working to make our responses better. This is a great academy for any and every one to attend.”

She is an Early Response Team Trainer and at times assists UMCOR with SEJ ERT Trainer evaluations.  She is also responsible for making Early Response Team badges.  Gray began a quarterly SEJ Disaster Newsletter last Fall and attended the last two National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) meetings.

As a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies, Gray utilized her studies as well as her passion for mission to go through Individual Volunteer training (now known as Mission Volunteers).  She lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during 2011-2013 teaching English as a Second Language.  Gray attended St. James UMC in Montgomery, AL and is now attends First United Methodist Church, Birmingham, AL.  She is also on the UAB Wesley Foundation Board of Directors.

The UMVIM, SEJ Board is proud to have Gray move into this leadership role allowing her to interact more closely with team leaders and church members.    She puts it bests herself, “I wish that everyone knew what a resource UMVIM, SEJ can be for local churches and volunteers. I believe our office and our staff really are a hub of information that can be so beneficial when planning a team or trying to get your church involved in missions.”

Reading and Sunglasses for Your Mission

Reading glasses can be one of the easiest, most  inexpensive ways of making people more productive (our estimate is 20% greater income capacity) and promoting economic growth in the developing world. RestoringVision is a nonprofit dedicated to distributing new reading glasses and sunglasses to groups and organizations helping those in need. Since 2003, we have built a network of partners that have collectively served over 5 million people around the world. We offer a simple solution to one of the greatest global health problems. 

RestoringVision series, “Stories of Hope from Around the World,” raises awareness about the need for and impact that reading glasses and sunglasses have on people’s lives by featuring the work of our partners. Restoring Vision is the largest non-profit provider of new, brand name readers and sunglasses(not for resale). Please take a look at the following video:

It is amazing how many people benefit from a simple pair of reading glasses which restores their ability to focus close up. This can make the difference between holding a job and being a fully functioning member of a family or community. The problem is massive (500 million worldwide) but the solution is easy. 

Some additional benefits include:

• Easy to implement for the novice, student, spouse-we provide dispensing tips and tools to make experience easy and rewarding.  Our readers are sorted by power in 25 pair bags, a standard box would contain 400 low, medium, and high powers. However, we provide anything from 100 to tens of thousands of glasses to various partners.

• Minimal Cost-these not for resale new, brand name glasses that we provide for 35-50 cents per pair.

For more information, go to the RestoringVision website or contact Steven Hancock at stevehancock@gmail.com