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: Syria
Zimbabwe Crisis Response Petition
Last year, the world watched Zimbabwe suffer through a botched and violent election. After months of bitter negotiations with President Robert Mugabe, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, forming a "unity government" that will attempt to move the country forward. It won't be easy. The African Union (AU) will serve as guarantor for this new government and it is critical that they take immediate action to ensure Zimbabwe's unity government takes steps in the right direction. Click here to sign the Zimbabwe crisis response petition to urge the African Union to act: Zimbabwe Crisis Response
GM Council of Theological Students Publishes Newsletter on Human Trafficking
The Global Ministries Council of Theological Students is gathered each year for the purpose of equipping diverse groups of ministerial students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective ministers in a global community by providing opportunities to
- reflect theologically on global mission
- engage in an ecumenical model of partnership between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ through Global Ministries
- Serve as a link between the Common Global Ministries Board and participating seminaries
- Learn about and advocate for global social justice concerns
- Network with other ministerial students and MMIs (Ministries and Mission Interpreters) and learn how to engage in mission interpretation on issues that impact the global church
- Engage in praxis-oriented education
To read more about the Council, click here: Seminarians
To read their Newsletter on Human Trafficking, click here: Christian Mission & Human Trafficking
Support Lifting of US Travel Ban to Cuba
The current priority in Cuba advocacy is ending the full travel ban for all Americans. Given the current Congress and Administration, the signs are encouraging that lifting the ban is possible. Already in the 111th Congress, both the House of Representatives and Senate have introduced legislation to end the ban on travel to Cuba. H.R. 874 was introduced by Rep. Delahunt (D-MA) and Rep. Flake (R-AZ), along with seven original co-sponsors. The Senate version, S. 428, was introduced by Senators Lugar (R-IN), Enzi (R-WY), and Dodd (D-CT). To read more and take action, click here: Support Lifting of US Travel Ban to Cuba
Windstorm Causes Damage in Mbandaka, DRC
The night of Saturday, 7 February, to Sunday, 8 February 2009, was a nightmare for the population of Mbandaka. In fact, a tropical windstorm swept across the city causing tremendous damage. This phenomenon lasted from 2 AM to about 4 AM followed by a hail storm that lasted until about 7 AM in the morning. To see photos and read more, click here: A New DISASTER
The Protestant University of Congo (PCU) Celebrates 50 Years
Go to EducationCongo and support Global Ministries partner, the Protestant University of Congo (PCU) in Kinshasa. Profits from the sale of mugs, pins, ties, and other useful products will help deserving students with scholarship support to attend PCU, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009.
New Endowment Fund for the Asia Rural Institute (ARI)
Global Ministries is pleased to announce the establishment the Reverend Homer and Lorraine K. Yearick Endowment Fund, a new permanent fund of Wider Church Ministries. The Yearick Fund, established at the request of the family, will be used to support the work of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Japan. The mission of the Asian Rural Institute is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. Gifts may be made to the principal of this Fund through Wider Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.
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
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
ND: June 5-7, Jim and Jayanthi Wilson (Kgolagano Theological College in Botswana) Contact: Wade Schemmel
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
IA: September 1 – October 11 and October 17-31, 2009, John Campbell-Nelson (Indonesia) Contact: Hal and Donna Rusk h.rusk@mchsi.com
