Volunteers-in-Mission

Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) are one way United Methodists offer their skills and talents for Christian Service at home or abroad on short-term assignments in areas affected by disasters and hardships. A missionary movement of the United Methodist Church, VIM sends short term volunteer teams into areas of need to work on construction and spiritual formation projects. 

Save the dates!!        November  6 and 7, 2009

•   VIM Team Leader Training will probably be in  late Seotember, 2009.  Contact Jay Dunkleberger at jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com or at 518-371-7071 to get your name on the list of those interested in the training.  The date, time, and location will be established to best suit those participating. 
• Potluck supper with Dr. Belinda Forbes, United Methodist Missionary and Dentist to Nicaragua -First United Methodist Church, 603 State St., Schenectady, NY on Saturday, September. 26 at 6pm.  Bring a dish to share and $1 per person to cover costs.  There will be an opportunity to give financial donations to help the TAC VIM team to purchase medicines and building supplies in Nicaragua in Feb. 2010.  Contact the church secretary at 518-374-4403 or Jan and Pete Huston at hustonjp@sprynet.com or 518-399-0919.
•  Certification Training for Early Responders - November 6, 2009 at Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park.  This certification will permit those trained to assist in the early response stages of a disaster.  There May be a nominal charge to cover the cost of materials and lunch.  There are 10 people registered as of the end of May, and there is a maximum of 30, so please contact Jay Dunkleberger soon at jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com or at 518-371-7071 
• VIM Rally -   Mark November 7 on your calendar for a Troy Conference VIM Rally celebrating all the wonderful work that our Volunteer in Missions teams have done over the years. It will be held at Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park from about 9:30 until late afternoon. In addition, there will be some introductory training on Safe Sanctuaries and Diversity as they apply to VIM teams. There will be plenty of time to share with others who have been on National, International and local projects. This is a great opportunity to learn about what is involved in being a Volunteer in Mission, to talk to those who have done it, and to learn about future opportunities to join a team.

Future Troy Conference Teams (open to new members)

• Nicaragua 2010 - a Troy Conference VIM Team  Jan and Pete Huston will be leading a team to Nicaragua early in Feb. 2010 for 2 weeks.  Details are not firm yet, but the expectation is that the group will go to the northeastern region of the country.  The team will work with Nicaraguan people to provide health care and health education and to do construction.  Cost will be approximately $2,000, but as more details are known, this might change.  THe size of the group will be limited to 12-15 people.  If interested,contact the leaders, Jan and Pete Huston (hustonjp@sprynet.com or 518-399-0919) by July 1, 2009 to receive an application.  More information will be available after specifics are determined.
• Beaumont, Texas - October, 2009   Tony Lamb, CHarlie Magill, and Ken Stone We are planning another trip to the Gulf Coast.  This time to the Beaumont, Texas area to work on damage from  Hurricane Ike.  We are planning two weeks Oct. 18-24 and Oct. 25-31.  The first week is Teacher Convention week, a short week for school and the trip is suitable for youth.  The cost is estimated at $500, including air fare.  Contact Tony Lamb, 802-878-1251 alamb@alamblaw.com for details.  Charlie Magill and Ken Stone will help lead the work parties.   There is also an approtunity in Van Cleave, MS  October 11-15.

•   Cedar Rapids, Iowa  October 10-18, 2009 Jack Hill will  lead another large team to continue working on recovery from the severe flooding. The estimated cost is $250-$300, including land transportation, meals, and lodging.  No experience is needed.  On the job training is provided. Contact Jack Hill at vfhills@yahoo.com  or 518-753-4779 to reserve a place on his team.

• There are Local Projects that need teams for one to several day periods.  Emmaus Church in Albany is one of these that has had extensive help, and more is being scheduled.  Contact Pete Huston if you are able to help here at hustonjp@sprynet.com or 518-399-0919.

• Several other projects are in the pipeline for which work is being defined and priorities set.  Teams are needed.  If you have some time and are interested in a short term effort, contact Jay Dunkleberger at jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com or 518-371-7071, and a leader will be identified and a team formed.

• Contact Dunklebergers jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com, if you can consider leading a team.  We'll provide leadership training and help you find team members and a place to serve.  There are needs that swamp our ability to field teams to address them.  Teams are going many places from the other 3 Upper New York conferences with which we are merging. Now is a good time to start making connections. Contact us if you would like to form a combined team or be a part of one.

Upcoming Troy Conference projects (currently teams are full) - none at this time

Check the Northeast Jurisdiction website for other op portunities www.umvim.info

GBGM Primetimers  

• For more information about  planned events or to register for a Primetimer experience, contact at (877) 882-4724 or by e-mail, or visit the GBGM web site.  

Meet the Conference Volunteers-in-Mission Coordinators

Jay and Cathie Dunkleberger have participated in VIM projects nationally, and within Troy Conference. They are active members of Shenedehowa United Methodist Church in Clifton Park, N.Y. Jay is a retired nuclear engineer and Cathie is a retired nurse. For information about VIM projects, contact the Dunklebergers by e-mail or phone (518) 371-7071.

Nomads - Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service

Nomads are usually retired or close to retirement, usually with an RV, looking for a purpose and personal mission, want to share their faith, and enjoy using their skills to help others.  They work for 3 weeks, 4 days a week at various sites.  If you are interested, contact them at 1-800-406-6237, or get more information at www.nomadsumc.org.  You can also contact Ernie and Vivian Melin, who have participated in Nomads for a number of years at eamelin@aol.com.

Troy Conference VIM Cookbooks

Troy Conference Volunteers in Mission have put together a cookbook entitled Cooking for Mission. Recipes include some that were collected by our volunteers from their hosts in other parts of the world.  Other recipes were used by our own cooks when they were cooking for their teams.  In addition, there are numerous helpful hints and more recipes.  The collection was compiled by Margaret Welch of First UMC, Burlington, VT.  She has participated in many VIM teams both nationally and internationally.  This cookbook costs only $5.00!  Any profits will be put toward a VIM project.  The book can be obtained from Margaret Welch at tapwelch@aol.com or 802-862-2428, Jay and Cathie Dunkleberger jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com  or 518-371-7071, and Jan and Pete Huston at hustonjp@sprynet.com or 518-399-0919.  Consider having some available at one of your  meetings.