Mission Mosaic
The Mission & Justice Newsletter of The West Ohio Conference
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Greetings!
In this edition of Mission Mosaic, we'll take a look at just a few of the many ways the people and congregations of The West Ohio Conference are in mission here and throughout the world. Read about West Ohio's medical mission teams' return to Mexico. Consider the connections between natural disasters and climate change - and what you can do about it. Discover the great things happening at two of West Ohio's CDF Freedom Schools. Learn about the Sign of HOPE for Good Works' ministry to the homeless in southeast Ohio. Meet a retiring Church & Community Worker who has helped countless families find homes on the south side of Columbus. And find Bible study resources for your church, small group, or Sunday School to learn what the UMC says about environmental sustainability. If you are feeling called to be involved in the work of mission and justice in West Ohio, please email me at dstickley@wocumc.org.
Together in Mission & Ministry,
Dee Stickley-Miner
Director of Connectional Ministries
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Two West Ohio medical mission teams have traveled to Rio Bravo, Mexico, in 2021 – the first two teams to do so since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, West Ohio sends six medical mission teams each year, but because of COVID, most teams were forced to cancel last year. The May team, led by West Ohio Coordinator for Medical Mission Chad Stoltz, was also the first hosted by the Manos Juntas Medical Clinic since the start of the pandemic. A second team, led by Stephen Sandlund, traveled to Mexico at the end of July.
Working with Manos Juntas, West Ohio medical teams run a free medical clinic in areas around Rio Bravo, providing care to the community and sharing the love of Christ. Despite the concerns around COVID and the uncertainty of being in another country, these teams stepped up and answered the call.
During the first two days, the May team saw more than 70 patients, providing dental, medical and vision care, in addition to toys for the kids to play with as they waited. On the third day, the team went to a rural community outside of Rio Bravo and was the first medical team to ever visit the area. They again offered free medical care to the community as well as a dentist, optometrist, and free haircuts.
The July medical team treated diabetes, hypertension, GERD, and coughs and colds. They also handed out toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with Spanish Bibles, to further the physical and spiritual health of the Mexican people. “For half of our team, this was the first time they had served in a developing country,” Stephen said. “For the other half, they came to Mexico again to provide consistent, quality healthcare. Our team was moved by the poverty level just across our borders. But their kindness and thankfulness calmed our anxieties and fueled our hearts and minds for the days to come.”
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So far in 2021, many of the natural disasters that have occurred in the U.S. - floods, droughts, wildfires - have been related to climate change and the warming of our planet. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. government, 2020 was the second warmest year ever recorded, and surface temperatures have warmed more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the industrial revolution. While that may not seem like much, "it means a significant increase in accumulated heat. That extra heat is driving regional and seasonal temperature extremes, reducing snow cover and sea ice, intensifying heavy rainfall, and changing habitat ranges for plants and animals—expanding some and shrinking others" (Climate Change: Global Temperature, climate.gov). All of that adds up to a greater number of more intense natural disasters.
Through UMCOR, The United Methodist Church has a long history of assisting communities and individuals that experience disaster. In West Ohio, churches and individuals consistently give more financial donations to disaster response than to any other program or project. And West Ohio has a robust Early Response Training program, with more than 150 current ERT's and 5 ERT trainers. Recently, many general agencies within the UMC pledged to go net-zero, balancing out their carbon emissions by the year 2050 (click here to read more).
As followers of Jesus who are called to care for our neighbors and for God's creation, we who are passionate about disaster response also need to focus on lessening the impact of natural disasters by doing our part to combat climate change. At a personal level, that generally means living more sustainably and considering the environment, community, and economy in your decisions, including what you buy and how it was made, shipped, and sold. Here are a few places with information about how you and your church can better care for God's earth:
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Each summer, churches across West Ohio host Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools to encourage children to love learning. Now more than ever, children are in need of extra help after so much classroom time was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Toledo, Monroe Street Freedom School stepped up while implementing health and safety measures such as masking and social distancing. Even Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz - pictured above with Monroe Street Neighborhood Center Director Clara Petty - stopped by to read to the children!
Lima Area Freedom School had some challenges but did their best to adapt and have a great summer for their scholars. Because the schools could not host this year, Lima Trinity UMC worked to create space and welcome 30 scholars into the church each day. "Our scholars impressed the community with a closing program that allowed them each to shine by sharing their gifts with us," said Rev. Megan Croy. "Parents were so appreciative to know that their children were being empowered in a safe and uplifting environment."
For more information on CDF Freedom Schools, click here.
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Hospitality is a central paradigm for the way Good Works welcomes people without homes. Located in Athens, OH, Good Works has been offering shelter to men, women, and families since 1981. In 2019, they broke ground on a new house, called Sign of HOPE, which will provide overflow accommodations when Timothy House (the main shelter) is full. The plan was to have volunteers do much of the exterior work in the summer of 2020, but then the pandemic hit. With virtually no volunteers, only the basement walls and retaining wall were finished in 2020. In March of 2021, volunteer groups returned and quickly framed the first floor. By this time, however, the cost of building materials had doubled or tripled, and the initial money raised for the project would no longer cover the construction costs. This summer, volunteers were able to get the house under roof and windows installed so that inside work can begin when the weather turns cold. Volunteers are still needed - especially licensed plumbers and electricians - and can contact Paul Richard at 740-594-3336. For updates and more information on Sign of HOPE, visit https://good-works.net/sign-of-hope/.
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Margaret Madison, a United Methodist missionary who served as a Church and Community Worker at Community Development for All People (CD4AP) in Columbus, retired on June 30, 2021. Margaret was a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries for 26 years, previously serving in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before coming to West Ohio in 2006.
Margaret served as the Housing Specialist at CD4AP, overseeing the development of $100 million of affordable housing on the South Side of Columbus. “It has been amazing to be a part of not only developing the housing we have done, but to see us go from a staff of six located at the laundromat, to more than 30 located at four sites,” Margaret said. “What a journey it has been!”
Margaret also managed hundreds of Volunteers in Mission teams, introducing them to the joy of working in solidarity with neighborhood residents. In addition, her leadership in cultivating community gardens has sown beauty across the South Side of Columbus. “In so many ways, Margaret Madison is a true missionary, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus,” says Rev. John Edgar, director of CD4AP. “She is a caring person who authentically incarnates of the love of Christ in all of her ministry.” Margaret retired to Alpena, MI, to live near her children and grandchildren.
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Climate change is often in the news these days, but many people feel helpless when it comes to doing things that can actually make a difference. Living a more sustainable life can be a good place to start, which is the focus of a new Bible study available from the West Ohio Conference. Called The Footprint of the Foothills, this video-based study looks at environmental sustainability from a Wesleyan point of view, including scripture, United Methodist tradition, experience, and reason. The four-week study also includes a sustainability guide and highlights organizations and individuals from southeast Ohio. To learn more, click here or email mgrace@wocumc.org.
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Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression. - Isaiah 1:17a |
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Volunteers in Mission Teams
November 3-7, 2021
October 18-22, 2021
Visit our Mission Partnerships Virtually!
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Upcoming Events
Basic Class & Recertification
Saturday, September 18
Aley UMC in Beavercreek
2021 Community Experience
October 14-16, 2021
Online FREE Event
September 18-20, 2021
Tuesday, September 21
Wednesdays, Aug. 25, Sept. 1 & 8
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