Openings Available for August 17-25, 2010 UMVIM Trip to Haiti
There are openings on a scheduled August 17-25, 2010 UMVIM Team to Haiti, coordinated by the Alabama-West Florida Conference. The team will be led by Rev. John Fox, Auburn UMC, Auburn, Alabama, who has extended experience in Haiti. If you know of someone, particularly a potential team leader, who is looking for a team, please have them contact Glenn Glover ASAP.
The cost will be $655 per person plus airfare (currently $595 from Atlanta to Port au Prince), plus we ask that your church provide $350 towards the required $3500 project costs required for each team. UMCOR is matching the $3500 donation, so that $7000 will actually be available for use in Haiti.
The team plans to purchase individual airline tickets (as opposed to group tickets). Once the team is set and the airline schedule is determined, you will be responsible for purchasing your airline ticket to match the airline schedule for the AWF team, if possible (AWF team will fly from Atlanta to Miami to Port au Prince -- hopefully on the same day). If not possible, or substantially cheaper, you must plan to arrive in/depart from Haiti on the same day as the AWF team to accommodate transportation in Haiti. Some flight schedules require an overnight stay in Miami or if we leave early, you may want to overnight in Atlanta.
Please email Glenn Glover at
umvim@awfumc.org if you are interested in participating or have questions. Once an open slot is confirmed, you will be e-mailed an application form to complete. A $500 deposit will be required with the application.
UMVIM, SEJ, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Purpose of the Mission Branch
To reach beyond Mt. Pisgah UMC
to serve the least, the last, and the lost and to encourage others
to do the same in the name of Jesus Christ.
Please pray about where you
can best serve God.
May God bless you and those
you serve as you put your
faith into action!
Local Mission Opportunities
Berryman Center for Community Ministries
A unique inner city outreach ministry in South Richmond includes:
*BEAR (Baby Emergency Assistance in Richmond) program: Help new mothers by donating diapers, formula, and clothing. (Ongoing)
*Taste & See Coffee House: Join the community in fellowship, worship and enjoy a meal together. Donated food is always needed. (Every Thursday at 7PM)
CARITAS—Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter (One week annually)
Shelter, food, and fellowship are offered to homeless families. Volunteers are needed to prepare meals, donate supplies, work overnight or evening shifts, read to the children, or just listen to the guests.
Christmas Families (November- December)
Mt. Pisgah helps brighten Christmas for needy families and foster kids by purchasing gifts. Wish lists are provided as guidelines.
Church Food Pantry (Ongoing)
Those that come to our church in need of food appreciate our well stocked food pantry. Donations are also periodically made to the Central Virginia Food Bank.
Friends of the Homeless
(First Monday of each month)
Lunch is served with God’s love once a month for the homeless. Members prepare, transport, and serve the meal at Bromfield CME Church in Richmond.
Friends in JB (April & September/October)
Housing and hospitality is provided for men working temporarily in Richmond to fund their respective Christian recovery programs.
Habitat for Humanity (Annually)
Mt. Pisgah partners with other congregations to help build a modest home for a low income family. Members provide labor, funding, meals for the workers, and prayer.
Prison Ministry
The good news of God's love and forgiveness is shared with incarcerated young men.
A monthly Bible study is held at the Beaumont Juvenile Detention Center in Goochland. (Third Thursday of each month)
Kairos and Epiphany volunteers share God’s unconditional love with the incarcerated youth at Beaumont and the men at Greenville Correctional Center during a short 3-day course in Christianity.
Thanksgiving Baskets (October-November)
Needy families enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving meal. Food is collected and distributed to families through CCHASM (Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry).
Tools for Schools (July-August)
Students start the year off right with a backpack filled with much needed school supplies. Donations are distributed by the Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Department of Social Services.
Veteran Recognition (December & February)
Christmas gifts are collected to brighten the spirits of the VA Hospital patients and the veterans are invited to a potluck dinner.
National and International Mission Opportunities
Chilean Exchange Program (December-February)
The youth from Mt. Pisgah and the youth from the Iquique English College (a Chilean Methodist school) have an opportunity to explore life in Chile and the US. The two-month stay provides a valuable glimpse into local customs and worship traditions while fostering an appreciation for diversity. Scholarship recipients must meet academic and church-involvement criteria.
Emergency Relief Kits (Ongoing)
Emergency health, birthing, baby layette, and school kits are prepared in advance for a variety of needs at home and around the world. A list of kit contents is available on the United Methodist Women bulletin board in the Gathering Room.
Missionary Support (Ongoing)
Mt. Pisgah provides financial support to Becky Harrell, our missionary currently serving in Costa Rica. Becky works at the Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana and serves as the coordinator of work/study teams and as an information manager.
Stop Hunger Now Meal Packing Event (Biennial) Click here to view pictures of the May 2010 Event (pdf)
In May 2010, members of Mt. Pisgah packaged 55,124 meals which breaks down as follows: 5,329 lbs. of rice; 2,343 lbs. of soy; 276 lbs. of dehydrated vegetables; 135 lbs. of fortified vitamin powder (seasoning); 255 boxes filled (and one partially filled) with 9,187 total bags (36 bags p/box x 9,187 bags = 55,122 meals)
This church-wide effort focuses on educating the congregation on the alarming statistics of hunger and working toward the alleviation of hunger. Meals are prepared for crisis-burdened areas and school feeding programs around the world. Thousands of dollars are needed to purchase the ingredients and hundreds of volunteers are needed to pack the meals.
Contact Information for Stop Hunger Now:
Dominic Alexander, Program Coordinator, Stop Hunger Now
5022 Byrd Industrial Dr., Richmond, VA, 23231
www.stophungernow.org
dalexander@stophungernow.org
(w) 804-381-6503 (c) 928-499-7222
National and International Mission Trips
Team Mission Trips
International and U.S. mission trips bring much needed workers, supplies, and smiling faces to our brothers and sisters around the world. Trips are often medical, construction and
educational (Vacation Bible School).
Trips planned for 2010 include:
Romania: Vacation Bible School (FULL)
Red Bird Mission in Kentucky: Home Repair
If you are interested in any of the planned trips, contact the church office. If you would like to lead or participate in a mission trip to a different location, we will help you plan it!
Individual/Couple Mission Trips
Are you 50+ with an eagerness to learn and serve? The Primetimers program offers educational and
mission service opportunities around the world for adults 50 years and older. If you love to travel the country in your RV, the Nomads
program will match you with a project in the U.S.
Are you looking for a way to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday? The United Methodist Church can help you plan a mission trip for your family or small group.
Are you a recent graduate with little luck finding a job? Do you and your spouse need some special time away to focus on God? The Individual Volunteers Program has a global mission project that is right for you—from 2 months to 2 years!
For information on any of the programs listed above, go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mv/programs. Click on the desired program and search the world for opportunities to serve.
The United Methodist Church and Mission
Connectionalism is an important and unique concept within the United Methodist Church. It allows churches to work together, bringing strength and unity to a variety of worthy causes. Each church contributes a portion of its operating budget, called an apportionment, to the conference.
These pooled financial resources from all of the United Methodist churches now make a significant impact on the world. Local,
national, and international mission receive part of the apportionment funds.
In 2009, approximately $31,000 (or 23%) of Mt. Pisgah’s apportionments were designated for mission. Thus, when each member of our congregation gives money to Mt. Pisgah, each person is directly involved in contributing to worldwide mission outreach.
Click here to download all the information above in brochure form (pdf)
More information is also available at:
General Board of Global Ministries www.gbgm-umc.org
United Methodist Committee on Relief www.umcor.org
To donate toward a specific mission go to: www.AdvancingHope.org
Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church: www.vaumc.org
For additional Mission Opportunities Information
Please visit the church’s website (
www.mtpisgahva.org) for information about mission opportunities sponsored by other ministries at the church – youth, women, and men.
Also, you may want to visit these websites for additional information on missions:
www.vaumc.org (Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church)
