Please download the MONTHLY MISSION STORY for your church bulletin or newsletter:  
            April 2009: text only or pdf or espanol
            May 2009:  text only or pdf or espanol

To download the WEEKLY PRAYER for Sunday Worship, click here: India

Is your mission committee looking for a special project to support?  GM Special Giving

Check out Global Ministries at General Synod and General Assembly:
            GM at General Synod
            GM at General Assembly

Summer Internships Available at UCC National Office of WCM/GM
The UCC national office of Wider Church Ministries and Global Ministries is seeking strong candidates for two summer 2009 internships. The first is to enhance Global Ministries' web presence through social networking and to research materials for creation of resources for the 200th anniversary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission. To view the job description and application process, click here: Internship 1 The second is to work with Volunteer Ministries at General Synod as well as the Child Sponsorship program. To view the job description and application process, click here: Internship 2 The deadline for applications is 5.00 P.M. (Eastern), Friday, May 1, 2009. 

Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits Issues Bangkok Declaration"We came together as almost 100 participants, the great majority from churches and Christian bodies across the world, with advisers from other faith communities, to address the largest systemic violation of human rights in today's world, caste-based discrimination (CBD)… At the opening worship, it was said, "Today, regardless of where we come from, which church we represent, we all become Dalits. Not only for today and during this conference, but also for our life until Dalits are liberated, we all become Dalits." To read the entire Bangkok Declaration, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/global-ecumenical.html

UCC and Disciples Invited to Take Action on Cuba Travel Policy
For half a century, United States citizens have been prohibited from traveling to Cuba and the United States have enforced failed embargos against Cuba.  The ban on travel to Cuba has been enforced through Executive Orders and regulations rather than by statute. Cuba is the only country that U.S. citizens are not allowed to freely visit. Click here to read other resources on Cuba and to take action: http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/cuba/

Churches for Middle East Peace to Hold Advocacy Conference June 7-9 in DC
"This year's conference theme, "Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Hope for Things Unseen" is inspired by Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  The conference is an occasion to reflect on the challenging and complex situation in the Holy Land.  The facts on the ground are discouraging and give few reasons for optimism.  In fact many doubt the possibility of peace.  But faith leads us to a hope that perceives a reality beyond optimism.  Faith affirms our role as advocates for a just and lasting peace--two states living side by side with dignity and security for all the peoples of the region. To view the Conference details and to register, click here: http://globalministries.org/calendar/cmep-2009-advocacy.html

US Jubilee Network Announces Victory in Haiti Debt Cancellation
"Thanks to your tireless advocacy over the past several years, the Obama Administration pledged $20 million yesterday to cover Haiti's remaining debt payments to the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank. In a speech yesterday at the Haiti Donors Conference, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced: "We will provide 20 million to help Haiti's debt service obligations and to free up other resources." The $20 million pledge should cover all of Haiti's remaining debt payments for 2009.  Before the end of this year, Haiti is expected to achieve permanent cancellation of most of its debts by reaching "completion point" in the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program…" To read the entire press release, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/lac/drop-the-dept.html

If you would like to receive directly to your inbox these weekly Global Ministries updates, please send your name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number, and home church to: bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

Upcoming Ministries and Mission Interpreters (MMI) Training Events:
Austin, Texas: Friday, June 5, 2009 from 9am to 3pm @ United Christian Church, 3500 W. Parmer Ln. Austin, TX 78727 For more info and to register, contact: 512-218-8110 or admin-assistant@uccaustin.org
Cleveland, Ohio: October 9-11, 2009 beginning with dinner on Friday and going through Sunday at noon. Radisson Gateway, Cleveland, OH.
Southern California: Saturday, November 14, 2009 sponsored by the Pacific Southwest Region (DOC) and the Southern California-Nevada Conference (UCC) – more info coming

Find a Missionary Visit in your State:
CT: September 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009, Tim Rose (Reformed Church of France) Contact: Cecile Gilson cecileg@ctucc.org
MO, Penn NE, Penn SE, IN, CT& KS: April 5 - May 14, 2009, Mrs. Vatsala Vijayakumar (Principal of the King's Matriculation at School Family Village Farm, Vellore, India) Contact:  Beth Miller (317) 713-2570 or bmiller@dom.disciples.org
Penn SE: April 5 - May 31, 2009, Martha Mensendiek (Japan) Contact: Geneva Butz butz@psec.org
WA, MT, OR, ID: April 6-29, 2009, Nidia Castellanos' Northwest speaking tour: "Women Resisting War in Colombia." Nidia is a single mother of three children and the secretary general of the Arauca Peasant Association (ACA). Contact: Scott Nicholson cheleescot@hotmail.com
FL: April 6-30, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: Jack Barnes tarajax1@yahoo.com
VT: April 26, 2009, Bruce Van Voorhis (Hong Kong) Contact: David Vanderlinde-Abernathy
OR: May 1-2, 2009, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (Kgolagano Theological College in Botswana) Contact: Cathy Wirt cdwirt@aol.com
NC: May 1 – June 30, 2009, Tim Rose (Reformed Church of France) Contact: Janelle Bunn janellebunn@soc-ucc.org
OH: May 1 – June 30, 2009, Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette Couper (UCCSA in South Africa) Contact: Ruth Brandon ruthb@sonkaucc.org and Wayne Chasney pastorwayne@monroevilleuccorg
MO: May 1 – June 15 and July 19-25, 2009, Anil Henry (India) Contact: Danny Stewart danny-ccma@socket.net
MT, WY, UT, & CO: May 4-31, 2009, Bruce Van Voorhis (Hong Kong) Contact: Beth Miller (317) 713-2570 or bmiller@dom.disciples.org
WA: May 16-17, 2009, Doug and Liz Searles (Poland) Contact: Marvin Eckfeldt marveck@comcast.net
GA: May 18 – June 14, 2009 Phyllis Byrd (Kenya) Contact: Ray Miles ray@gadisciples.org
ND: June 5-7, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (Kgolagano Theological College in Botswana) Contact: Wade Schemmel schemmel@npcucc.org
TX: July 19-24 and 26-30, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: JoAnn Hoel at (254) 694-7981
HI: August 1-31, 2009, Martha Mensendiek (Japan) Contact: Charles Buck cbuck@hcucc.org
IA: September 1 – October 11 and October 17-31, 2009, John Campbell-Nelson (Indonesia) Contact: Hal and Donna Rusk h.rusk@mchsi.com