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

To download the WEEKLY PRAYER for Sunday Worship, click here: Israel & Palestine

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

Read the GM Spring Appeal letter: Spring Appeal

Assistance Needed for Conflict Displaced Persons in Sri Lanka
Global Ministries, in partnership with One Great Hour of Sharing and Week of Compassion, is working with local partners to assist large number of internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka.The Government of Sri Lanka has announced an end to war, for the first time since 1983. While for some this may sound like a victory, large numbers of civilians are in transition and without the necessities needed for their survival.Children, especially those under the age of 5 are most severely impacted and are suffering from undernourishment even if they and their families can reach the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Short term, immediate humanitarian support is needed to help IDPs survive until they can return home by the end of the year.  Of the 265,000 IDPs reported, approximately 80,000 are children. To read the entire report, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/assistance-sri-lanka-1.html  

UCCSA Synod of Mozambique Shares Annual Report with GM
"Despite financial limitations, the UCCSA-Mozambique is glad to report that the church is spiritually doing well." To read about the development, church establishment, evangelism, and Bible school projects, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/africa/synod-of-mozambique-report-to.html  

Pakistan's Displaced Population Grows – Disciples and UCC Respond
1.17 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Pakistan. Most severely impacted are the children. Global Ministries is working with local partners through Church World Service and Action by Churches Together (ACT) International to provide relief for displaced persons.  Initial gifts have been sent through UCC's One Great Hour of Sharing and Disciples Week of Compassion to provide food relief, shelter kits, cooking utensils, blankets, water, hygiene and healthcare. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report 1.17 million newly displaced refugees due to fighting in the North West Frontier Province and Federal Administered Tribal areas of Pakistan. To read the entire report, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/sasia/pakistans-displaced-2.html

UCC is Active at the Kirchentag in Bremen, Germany
This year the five-day event consisting of hundreds of  panel discussions, bible studies, lectures, concerts and worship services took place in the city of Bremen May 20 - 24 and was attended by over a hundred thousand participants of all ages. At the heart of the Kirchentag there is a huge marketplace where over 800 church groups, initiatives, projects and organizations present their activities in a "Market of Opportunities". Among them, for the first time, was the United Church of Christ from the USA with an exhibition of its God is still speaking campaign, various publications and general information about the denomination's beliefs and principles… A delegation of UCC pastors that had come to Bremen at the invitation of the German churches hosted an English language communion service and organized a successful spiritual concert with the UCC's Vision Choir from Michigan led by music director Dr. Geoff Stanton. To read more, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/mee/united-church-of-christ-is.html

Palestinian Christians Want a Peace Lamp in Every Church
"Its population may be dwindling, but the Palestinian village of Taybeh is striving to maintain normality in the midst of conflict, and hope in the midst of oppression… Its Peace Lamp initiative makes use of an abundant local product – olive oil – to promote peace and justice in the Holy Land. The lamps are produced in a workshop in Taybeh, providing jobs to 20 young men and women.
The goal is to place a Peace Lamp, with accompanying olive oil and a small candle, in every church in the world, and in this way, to encourage prayer and solidarity with the people of Palestine. All revenue from the sale of the lamps goes to charitable organizations like the Caritas medical centre and Beit Afram, Taybeh's home for senior citizens. To read the entire WCC article, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/mee/palestinian-christians-want-a.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 10am to 4pm @ 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, October 31, 2009 sponsored by the Pacific Southwest Region (DOC) and the Southern California-Nevada Conference (UCC) – For more info, contact Larry Hixon larryhixon@yahoo.com 
• Greensboro, North Carolina: Monday June 21 to Wednesday June 23, 2010 before the Disciples Women's Quadrennial Assembly. For details, visit: http://www.quadrennial.org/Pre_QA_Events.html

Find a Missionary Visit in your State:
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
GA & TN: 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
IL: June 8-25, 2009, Angola Delegation in Illinois Conference (Donna Dudley, GM Missionary in Angola, Luis Samacumbi, Executive for DASEP through the Evangelical Church in Angola, and Rev. Abias Cauto, Executive Secretary of IECA) Contact: Tom Norwalk tnorwalk@sbcglobal.net or ileastucc@comcast.net
MI: July 2, 2009, Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette Couper (UCCSA in South Africa) Contact: Scott Oberle scottoberle@portageucc.org
TX: July 19-24 and 26-30, 2009, Kevin Howe (CCD in Honduras) Contact: JoAnn Hoel at (254) 694-7981
TN: July 28-29, 2009, Martha Mensendiek (Japan) Contact: Ted Braun: tedbraun@citlink.net
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