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.
Leardership Training - The last Team Leader Training for Troy Conference was held at McKownville UMC in May. Eleven volunteers from Troy, Wyoming, and New England Conferences were trained. Contact Jay Dunkleberger at 518-371-7071 or jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com if you are interested in future VIM Leadership Training.
Future Teams - Contact Jay Dunkleberger at 518-371-7071 or jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com if you would like to list your VIM project at this site.
Salem, Maine Economic Ministries - July 11-17
Contact Vivian Melin at vmelin@aol.com or 518-563-1242 if you are interested in participating in this trip.
Cedar Rapids Flood Recovery Team - Sept. 25 to Oct. 3
Jack Hill will be leading this team to continue their efforts to assist in the "Block by Block" rebuilding of homes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
There is a $60 registration fee to cover, insurance, printing, and postage for all members. The estimated cost of the trip will be near $400 including transportation, hotels, and meals.
For further information, contact Jack Hill at vfhills@yahoo.com
Hinton Rural Life Center - Oct. 10-16
Jay and Cathie Dunkleberger will be leading a team to the Hinton Center in Hayesville, NC. It will be a mixed team for econonmic recovery and small church support . Activities will include construction and maintenance support at the Hinton Center as well as projects in the community. One of the community sites will be the Reach Thrift Store which helps to support the Reach Domestic Violence and Homeless shelters in the area. Other projects to help people in the community will be developed by the Hinton Center. The estimated cost of insurance, lodging, and food will be $250 (not including transportation to Hayesville, NC.) For information, contact Jay or Cathie Dunkleberger at jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com
Project Chacocente in Masaya, Nicaraqua - Feb. 12-20, 2011
Genesee Valley District is planning a mission trip to Project Chacocente in Masaya, Nicaraqua, February 12-20, 2011. The leader will be Ted Anderson. This project is a ministry which has moved and is moving families who have been living in the dump in Managua to the Chacocente community where they are educated and trained for a productive life and for the opportunity to live interdependently in thier own homes. Cost: $1,750/person includes all costs airfare,transportation, lodging, food, supplies,and materials, program costs and a financial gift to Project Chacocente. Airline tickets will be purchased by December 1. Please reserve a spot in this mission with a deposit or full payment by October 25 with a payment of $800 or more. Please call the Genesee District office at (585) 340-9525
Check the Northeast Jurisdiction website for other op portunities www.umvim.info
Haiti - Teams to Haiti are forming in other areas of upstate NY. If you wish to participate, please send contact infomation to Jay Dunkleberger at 518-371-7071 or jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com
Local VIM opportunities
The Reed Farm Project - Currently, Jack Hill is leading this local project in Pittstown, NY to help an elderly couple rehab their burned farm house. Contact Jack at vfhills@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping.
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.
Leadership Opportunities
Contact Dunklebergers jdunkleb@nycap.rr.com or (518) 371-7071, 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
GBGM Primetimers
Primetimers is an educational and mission service experience for people 50 years old and older. Teams are organized by the General Board of Global Ministries in New York City.
For more information about planned events or to register for a Primetimer experience, contact at (877) 882-4724 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 Shenendehowa 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 or (802) 862-2428, Jay and Cathie Dunkleberger or (518) 371-7071, and Jan and Pete Huston at or (518) 399-0919. Consider having some available at one of your meetings.