Please download the MONTHLY MISSION STORY for your church bulletin or newsletter:
            December 2008: text only or pdf or espanol

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

Send a Prayer for Peace to Bethlehem:  Peace Prayers

Sign the letter to President-Elect Obama: Holy Land Peace Priority  

John Thomas and Sharon Watkins Sign Cuba Travel Policy Letter to Obama
"As leaders of Christian denominations, their agencies, and ecumenical organizations in the United States, we write to express appreciation for your statements indicating a new willingness to review and revise long-standing U.S. policy toward Cuba.  We have a long collective history of missionary and humanitarian activity in the nation of Cuba.  Our partnership with churches, denominations, and ecumenical organizations there goes back many years, and transcends political ideologies.  We urgently request you to change the Cuba policy of the United States in ways that will assist the churches in their work and benefit all Americans…" To read the entire letter, click here: John Thomas and Sharon Watkins Sign Cuba Travel Policy Letter to Obama 

A Statement by Sister Meena on the Violence in Orissa, India
"On 24th August, around 4:30pm, hearing the shouting of a large crowd, at the gate of Divyajyoti Pastoral Centre, I ran out through the back door and escaped to the forest along with others. We saw our house going up in flames. Around 8:30 pm we came out of the forest and went to the house of a Hindu gentleman who gave us shelter…" To read the rest of Sister Meena's statement, click here: Orissa Violence: Sister Meena's Statement

Inanda Seminary Scholarship Fund Announced by Rev. Daniel Lindley Hatch
"…I didn't know that a chance invitation of a friend to join him on a trip to South Africa would lead me to discover that, with the vision of Lucy Lindley, 140 years ago Reverend Daniel Lindley had established the Inanda Seminary, a school for Zulu girls, an active partner of Global Ministries of the UCC and DOC… By the grace of God I will be present at the 140th Anniversary Celebration on March 7, 2009, as a descendant of Daniel Lindley, and a representative of the UCC! In celebration of these graced events, I would like to present to Inanda Seminary a scholarship fund in honor of the ministry, vision, and mission of Lucy and Daniel Lindley and have worked with Global Ministries to set up the Lucy and Daniel Lindley Scholarship Fund in order to provide scholarship support for the girls and young women attending Inanda Seminary today…" To read the entire announcement, click here: What's in a Name?

A Report from the UCCSA on the Siyabathanda Children's Home in South Africa
"…Siyabathanda: a community-based organization in Kwazulu-Natal Province, that has grown into an orphanage for about 40 children, many of whom have lost parents to AIDS. Siyabathanda's children are supplied with food, clothing, and shelter and are taught life skills through activities that facilitate their healthy growth as individuals. Founded over ten years ago by the Noodsberg Congregational Church of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), an important Global Ministries church partner, the organization seeks to "improve the quality of life of AIDS orphans and local children." To read the entire report, click here: Siyabathanda Children's Home

Still looking for that right gift for someone you love? How about an Alternative Christmas
Gift through Global Ministries? Gifts can be made online or by sending a check using the directions found here.

If you are buying traditional gifts online, trywww.GoodShop.org and select "Global Ministries – Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ." Retailers will donate to Global Ministries when you shop with them!

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 28, 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

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
NM: January 1 – February 1, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: Laurie Lewis mvcc3501@earthlink.net
MO: January 5 – March 31, 2009, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (Botswana) Contact: Danny Stewart danny-ccma@socket.net
FL: January 17 – February 28, 2009, Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette Couper (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
FL: April 6-30, 2009, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: Jack Barnes tarajax1@yahoo.com
OR: May 1-2, 2009, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (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 (South Africa) Contact: Ruth Brandon ruthb@sonkaucc.org and Wayne Chasney pastorwayne@monroevilleuccorg
MO: July 19-26, 2009, Anil Henry (India) Contact: Danny Stewart danny-ccma@socket.net