Michelle Schwartzman, Director of Volunteers in Mission and Outreach
Where you will find Volunteers in Mission? In the local church, helping those down the block, at our church camps, in other towns in Pennsylvania, around the United States, in countries all over the world!!!
From January to May, 2019, VIM Teams have been to Sierra Leone, Haiti, Mexico, Costa Rica, Uganda, Florida, Rwanda, Honduras, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and right here in Pennsylvania.
As your Volunteer in Mission Director I gather information to celebrate the work that’s being done by our local congregations. It’s my goal to increase the connections in our Conference in order to build up our web of volunteers. I would love to come and speak at your church about what Volunteers in Mission is about. I know a lot of mission is happening in the local congregations that we don’t know about, I’d like to change that.
You can join me at the Pre-Conference Workshops “Navigate Expeditions”. My workshop, “When Helping Hurts” is Wednesday, May 29 from 1-2:30pm. You can register online at https://susumc.org/navigate-expeditions-2019 We will explore how our helping can help and how it can hurt. Mission and outreach programs are built on the best of intentions. What happens when those good intentions have negative long-term impacts on the community we are trying to help? What are the best practices for making sure our mission work has the desired outcomes and long-term success?
Beginning in June, I will be leading one VIM Team Leader Training in each District. See page 20 for information and dates; visit www.susmb.org/index.php/vim/training; or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SusquehannaConferenceUmcVolunteersInMission.
Those of you looking for volunteer opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact me and check out our site at www.susmb.org/index.php/vim/vim-trips.
We envision creating a culture of mission throughout our conference because that is what Jesus calls us to. Contact me at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105. “Like” us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SusquehannaConferenceUmcVolunteersInMission where we specifically celebrate our mission teams.
