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

To download the WEEKLY PRAYER for Sunday Worship, click here: Haiti http://globalministries.org/prayer/15feb09.html

To view a Study Resource, click here: From War to Peace: Iraq and the Church's Voice

To Support Global Ministries, click here: Special Giving Opportunities

Letter to President Obama About Violence in Sri Lanka
Heads of both the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Co-E-xecutives of Global Ministries have signed a letter written this week to President Obama and other key leaders. The letter begins, "We write with great concern about the escalation of violence and humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka has been pressing its assault against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), hoping to eradicate the last of their forces. However, an estimated 250,000 civilians or more are caught in an ever shrinking space in the Wanni Region." To read the entire letter click here: Letter to President Obama About Violence in Sri Lanka  Disciples World news magazine has prepared and posted a related article here: Do something about Sri Lanka civilian deaths  To send your own advocacy letter, go to JPANet

Follow the Travelers on Their Mission Pilgrimage to Latin America
Twelve Disciples regional ministers and two Global Ministries staff members have just arrived in the Dominican Republic for a pilgrimage with our church partners through Global Ministries. They will spend this week in the Dominican Republic and next week in Haiti. The group is sending regular electronic updates of their journey which you can follow, click here: Global Ministries:  Be A Global Mission Region

A Letter to Congress Regarding the Human Rights Crisis in the Philippines
Speaking in support of a letter sent this week by an advocacy coalition urging Congress to do more to stop attacks on church leaders and others in the Philippines, Cally Rogers-Witte, Co-Executive of Global Ministries, said, "I met privately with the widow of a Conference Minister of our partner church in the Philippines, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. She told the tragic story of her husband's assassination. I wish I could speak face-to-face personally with every member of Congress.  Our government can play a key role in encouraging the government of the Philippines to bring to justice the people involved in these assassinations and disappearances." To read more about the letter: Global Ministries joins coalition calling for action in Philippines  Learn more at: Phillipines

Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington D.C.
The 7th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) will explore ways to bring about a world with Enough for All Creation. Participants will hear about the connections between climate change, migration and poverty in the U.S. and around the world.  Advocacy Days will culminate on Monday, March 16 with participants meeting with their Congressional offices to advocate for effective legislation to address climate change. With a new President and Congress, this is a vital time to make the voices of the churches heard in Washington! The preferred rate for hotel accommodations is nearly here – February 11 is the cutoff for the $109 rate! To learn more and to register click here:  Ecumenical Advocacy Days  If you're planning to attend, contact Derek Duncan, duncand@ucc.org

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:

Kansas City, Missouri: February 28th  2009 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Country Club Christian Church – 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO, cost: $12, to register contact Greater Kansas City Region office at 913-432-1414 or Karen Yount at 816-322-0576

Westchester, Illinois: Saturday, March 14th 2009at Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester, Blvd. Westchester, Ill. Led by Jan Aerie aeriej@ucc.org Registration is $15.00 for the first person from a local church and $10.00 for each additional person. (Includes lunch.) Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event closes at 4:30 p.m. Send registration to: Eastern Association of the ILL. Conference of the UCC 104 South Thelma Street Manhattan, Ill. 60442 For additional info Contact: Don Schmidt schmidtbd@msn.com

Bloomington, Illinois: Saturday, March 21st 2009 at St Luke Union Church, 2101 Washington St. Bloomington, Ill. Led by Bob Shebeck bshebeck@dom.disciples.org Registration is $15.00 for the first person from a local church and $10.00 for each additional person. (Includes lunch.) Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event closes at 4:30 p.m. Send registration to: Eastern Association of the ILL. Conference of the UCC 104 South Thelma Street Manhattan, Ill. 60442 For additional info Contact: Don Schmidt schmidtbd@msn.com

(Tentative) Indianapolis, Indiana: October 9-11, 2009 (dates and place will be confirmed soon)

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
AZ: January 1 – April 1, 2009, Cathy Nichols (Sabeel in Jerusalem) Contact: Lea Nessmith lnessmith@arizonadisciplescom
MO: January 5 – March 31, 2009, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (Kgolagano Theological College in Botswana) Contact: Jim Wilson jrjswilson@yahoo.com
MT: January 11 – February 8, 2009, Paul Jacquay (Friendship Mission in Paraguay) Contact: Michael Obenauer michael@mnwc-ucc.org
FL: January 17 – February 28, 2009, Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette Couper (UCCSA in South Africa) UCC Contact: Candy Younglove cyounglove@uccfla.org and Disciples contact: Jack Barnes tarajax1@yahoo.com
TX: February 1-28, 2008, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: Ken Hall khall@ccsw.org
Penn SE: April 5 to May 31, 2009, Martha Mensendiek (Japan) Contact: Geneva Butz butz@psec.org
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
UT: May 3, 2009, Bruce Van Voorhis (Hong Kong) Contact: Ron Holdsworth
MO: July 19-26, 2009, Anil Henry (India) Contact: Danny Stewart danny-ccma@socket.net
TX: July 19-24 and 26-30, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: JoAnn Hoel Johoel@Txun.net