Exciting News for UMVIM!

Susquehanna Conference Volunteers in Mission provides supplemental accident insurance free of charge to our teams serving domestically. We contract with AIG through the Northeast Jurisdiction United Methodist VIM to offer you a medical and accident insurance policy with $50,000 coverage for domestic teams.

In order to receive this insurance for your domestic journey you simply submit a Team Roster. The Team Roster got an upgrade too! Click here for the NEW Team Roster. Simply complete the form and hit the submit button. Your form will be processed, and you will receive notification of your insurance from Susquehanna Conference VIM. 

For International Journeys, we ask that teams register with the new Team Roster and purchase low-cost supplemental insurance from UMVIM-NEJ.

The old Team Roster will no longer be accepted. 

For more information on the domestic and international insurance go to https://www.umvim.org/nej-insurance.

For questions about resources for our Susquehanna Conference VIM Teams, please contact Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator: vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

UMVIM: Allport-Bigler-Woodland Workcamp Bringing Hope in the Name of Jesus Christ

Michelle Schwartzman

VIM Coordinator

Email: vim@susumc.org

Web: www.susmb.org/vim/

Facebook

Many Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Teams are groups that have been meeting for years and helping in their community. This is the case for the Allport-Bigler-Woodland Workcamp. These volunteers build community as they spend a week in the Woodland, PA, area. This year the workcamp consisted of 40 volunteers. Even though it has been running for years, they welcomed 8 volunteers to their team that were new to missions. The volunteers and the individuals at the sites enrich each other’s lives so much. Thank you ABW Workcamp for your love in action! Thank you, Roger, for sharing your experience... -- Michelle Schwartzman

By Roger Walton

I had the distinct privilege of sharing my God-given gifts and talents, limited as they may be, with persons in need in the Allport-Bigler-Woodland area of Clearfield County, PA, June 19-24. I have been blessed to be able to participate for 9 of the 11 years of this workcamp. Our efforts are based on 1 Peter 4:10, which states “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”.

There were 33 individuals, families and/or institutions on the request list for this year’s workcamp. The projects ranged from straightforward items like yard work, interior cleaning, power washing, exterior painting and hauling/stacking firewood to more complex items like replacing a porch, installing fencing and building decks/wheelchair ramps. I haven’t seen the final report on all that was accomplished, but I know we made a difference in the lives of every person we interacted with during that week.

I spent the first three days of the workcamp as part of a team building a deck and wheelchair ramp. The husband was recently in the hospital and is now confined to a wheelchair. The problem was, he had no way of getting out of his house in case of an emergency or even to go to a doctor’s appointment. When he was released from the hospital, four individuals carried him up a steep set of stairs at the rear of the house and placed him in a wheelchair inside the home. That’s what his world consisted of when we arrived. In those three days, we built a 10x20 foot deck and the structure for the first phase of the much-needed wheelchair ramp. Unfortunately, we had to stop midway on this project after those three days, because my team leader had to return home. However, a group of people (most of whom had been part of the workcamp) came together after the workcamp to finish the ramp and give great hope to this family. 

On Thursday, I replaced two storm door latches, sanded, primed, and painted an exterior door of a large house for an elderly widow. Others power-washed the entire home and cleaned ceiling fans and lamp shades on the inside. On Friday, I helped dig six 36” deep holes in shale so that posts could be set for the building of a deck and cover to be attached to a trailer. The owner purchased the FEMA trailer and is making all the preparations to turn it into their home. They are currently serving overseas in the U.S. military but are soon due to return to life in Clearfield County. Every time we dug rocks out of the holes and got closer to the 36” depth, more rocks fell in making the process agonizingly slow. 

I can honestly say that I was physically drained by the time I drove home to Mechanicsburg on Friday afternoon, but I can also say that I was greatly blessed by the experience and look forward to “sharing my gifts” with the people of these Clearfield County communities in the future. 

Please be open to these types of mission opportunities, whether it be here at home, across the region and state, or wherever God calls you to serve. Let us all be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.

Contact Linda Wooster for more information.

Volunteers in Mission

In case you missed it, VIM has a new website under the Conference Board of Global Ministries (CBGM). Go to www.susmb.org/vim to check it out! You can find what VIM is all about, see photos of teams from the past year, find a project to work on or a training that would suit you, and Mission resources. These pages are constantly being updated with new materials and projects so check it out regularly.

Keep an eye out for upcoming VIM Training, sessions are scheduled regularly or by request. VIM Training prepares us to have a positive impact in mission whether it is a few hours or weeks; local, national, or global. It is open to those who have led teams and those who have never served on a project. Taking this training does not require you to lead a trip but equips you for service. Topics covered include Best Practices, Cultural Awareness, Health & Safety, Team Orientations, Useful Forms, Insurance and Fundraising. If you, your mission committee, or mission team are interested in the VIM Training, contact Michelle at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

A gem that the Susquehanna Conference VIM provide is supplemental accident insurance for your teams FREE of charge. If you’re serving in your local community or sending teams out further into Pennsylvania, other states, or other countries, contact Michelle for information on how to acquire this insurance. It’s another way we care for our teams and all the work you do.

What to look for in 2022??? 

Right now, the Susquehanna Conference VIM offers a grant for VIM team’s material costs. Check it out at https://susmb.org/resources/. We’re creating a new grant that will debut later this year to help the journey costs of new missioners. But we can’t continue to offer these grants without the help of generous donors! You know that it all adds up and any amount donated helps tremendously! The grants come from United Methodist Advances and that means that 100% of the money donated is used for the grants, not administrative fees! 

Please consider a donation to VIM, here’s how to donate to our VIM Advances

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Advance Special (#4055)

VIM is a grassroots movement of United Methodists who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action.” VIM offers a connectional framework through which disciples can engage in short-term mission journeys locally, nationally, and globally. VIM provides training, resources, insurance, and support to our VIM teams.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Materials Advance Special (#7010)

This ministry helps with the costs of materials for VIM work including local mission, domestic and international VIM Journeys.

Make checks payable and send to:

“Susquehanna Conference UMC” - Memo line: Advance and number
303 Mulberry Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

VIM is the short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action”. I celebrate all our Conference Missioners and those who support us with your prayers, monetary gifts, and relationship. I’ll leave you with one of our core values from John Wesley: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.

Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator 

vim@susumc.org  •  717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

Volunteers In Mission is for All Churches in Mission!

 

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is the short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church. An UMVIM volunteer is any United Methodist who engages in outreach as a member of a United Methodist Church in service of their neighbors near and far.

Any local church serving in missions is eligible for additional accident insurance through United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (VIM) free of charge. 

All VIM teams should carry travel insurance. This insurance is a supplement to each team member’s personal insurance.

If your church is serving the neighborhood, out of state, or out of the country contact Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator, for more information. 

You can submit a volunteer roster in order to receive the insurance card and information for your time of service with others. 

Michelle can be reached at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105. More info on the insurance can be found at www.susmb.org/insurance/. You can download the volunteer roster here: Volunteer Roster. 

VIM offers training and connections to opportunities too. Check it out at www.susmb.org/vim/

VIM Guidelines for US Project Sites and Team Leaders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

From www.umvim.org*

Our first General Rule as United Methodists is to “do no harm.” This extends to our mission relationships. We want to “do no harm” to our volunteers or the ones they serve. Our goal as UMVIM is to minimize infections spread by UM activity. 

The UMVIM leadership understands that many project sites rely on teams to assist in serving the community. Each individual situation will be different. One of the worst unintended effects of mission work throughout the ages has been the spread of infectious disease. Remember that we bring other things with us when we bring the Gospel. We must be careful.

The federal disaster declaration includes every state and territory with most states restricting large gatherings and promoting social distancing guidelines. These guidelines are designed to assist teams and hosts in determining when and how to prepare the site for future teams. All sites should adhere to public health and safety protocols to protect employees, homeowners, and missioners. 

All missioners are strongly advised to get a COVID vaccine when it is available. Project sites or annual conferences may require each missioner to get a vaccine.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, please visit https://www.cdc.gov. Pay particular attention to the CDC’s travel guidelines.

Responsibility for adhering to these guidelines is shared by the Team Leader and the Project Site. This requires frequent communication and cooperation between both parties. 

General Guidance for International Service

The State Department issues travel advisories based on health and safety concerns. Travel to countries at a Level 4 travel advisory is prohibited. Team insurance is not available for mission service in these countries. Travelers may be required to quarantine before or after travel to countries with advisories at Level 3 and below.

General Guidance for US Project Service

Suspending teams 

• Make this decision based on the guidance of your governor, bishop, and state, municipal, county, and tribal health authorities. Pay attention to directions about school closure, stay-at-home orders, and the size of gatherings that are allowed.
• Make this decision with the guidance of your board of directors or other governing body.

Hosting teams

• Know the quarantine rules. Some states require travelers to quarantine before or after arrival. Have a plan to ensure compliance. 
• Follow CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting your facilities. 
• Post reminders for hand washing, awareness of symptoms, etc.
• Improve air circulation in all common areas. 
• Provide prevention supplies:
• hand sanitizer
• disposable facemasks
• eye protection
• cleaners and disinfectants
• Gloves for food preparation and cleaning
• Other considerations
• Avoid buffet-style meal service. Have kitchen crews prepare dishes. This includes sack lunch preparation.
• If the dishwasher does not meet standards for sanitation, consider asking teams to bring paper products (not Styrofoam) to be discarded after each meal. Provide adequate trash receptacles.
• All touch surfaces should be thoroughly wiped down when the team arrives and as they prepare to leave with approved cleaners. 
• Work should be done on exterior projects only. Make accommodations for port-a-potties so teams do not have to enter a home.
• Consider ways to assure safe distancing on the work sight, in the dorm, dining area, and meeting space.
• If possible, provide washer and dryer facilities for laundering expectations.
• Screening protocol on arrival
• Take temperature 
• Ask about general health
• Ask if missioner has been in contact with anyone who had COVID-19
• Wipe down all surfaces prior to welcoming teams.
• Childrens’ ministry (VBS, etc) should be suspended until more guidance from CDC and the local officials is available.
• Have a plan in place to safely transport a team member who develops symptoms of COVID-19.
• Provide space for isolation if someone reports symptoms.
• The team member exhibiting symptoms should contact their health care provider as soon as possible.

Leading Teams

• Follow the guidelines of the CDC for travel both inside and outside the U.S.
• Follow your local guidelines from your governor, bishop, and state, municipal, county, and tribal health authorities. Also make sure you know the local guidelines in the place where you intend to serve. Where guidance from different authorities conflict, follow the more restrictive protocols.
• If it is determined that it is safe and lawful to serve, continue to plan for proper social distancing and PPE for team members, and sanitize surfaces/equipment wherever you go. 
• Each team member will sign the Medical and Emergency Form. 
• Know the health infrastructure in the area where the team intends to serve and the location of the nearest hospital. 
• Have a plan for canceling the journey or sending team members home if any team members are uncomfortable with the enforcement of safety protocols.
• Consider donations to the partner organization and organizing a virtual mission if it is not appropriate to physically travel to the project site.

Even though vaccines may be available to the public soon, going “back to normal” may be a few months away. We expect to continue taking measures to interrupt transmission of the virus for the protection of our volunteers and those we serve, even if (1) antibodies are proven to protect against re-infection, (2) tests are widely available to the general public and all team members have recently tested negative, or (3) vaccines are widely available, and all team members have been vaccinated.

*Revised November 2020. 

www.umvim.org/blog/guidelines-for-us-project-sites-during-covid-19-revised-1120

Questions? Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator 
vim@susumc.org     
717-766-7441 ext. 3105