Growing up in Kenya: the personal impact of malaria

Pastor Alice Koech grew up in Kenya, and has several personal experiences of malaria that drive her enthusiasm for the United Methodist Church's response through Imagine No Malaria. Hear her story in her own words:

Leadership Transition: Campaign contacts going forward

Rev. Kerry Greenhill,
Field Coordinator

As we previously announced, Rev. Kerry Greenhill will complete her term as Field Coordinator on February 25. Should you have questions, need materials, or want to request a volunteer Ambassador to give a presentation after that time, please contact one of the following people:

If you...

• Need handouts or other materials: Please check the Resources page on this blog, or at ImagineNoMalaria.org, first; if you can't find what you need, contact Rev. Youngsook Kang's office, dmmassistant@rmcumc.com or 303-389-9466
• Want to request a speaker: Robin Ball, Steering Committee Co-Chair, nanas91@yahoo.com
• Need financial information (about your own giving or your church): Kristi Kinnison, Director@rm-umf.org
• Have questions about Imagine No Malaria in general: Rev. Youngsook Kang's office (she may refer you to a District Organizer), dmmassistant@rmcumc.com or 303-389-9466
• Want to share your church's story or photos from an event: Rev. Youngsook Kang's office, dmmassistant@rmcumc.com or 303-389-9466
• Are a pastor seeking tips on raising funds within your congregation: Rev. Mike Dent, Steering Committee Co-Chair, mdent@trinityumc.org or 303-839-1493
• Have questions about the science of malaria, its prevention or treatment: Becky Buxton, rebecca.buxton@path.utah.edu or 801-581-4880
• Would like to volunteer as a District Organizer (supporting churches behind the scenes), or help with social media (Facebook and Twitter): Rev. Youngsook Kang's office, dmmassistant@rmcumc.com or 303-389-9466
• Would like to volunteer as an Ambassador (giving presentations): Robin Ball, nanas91@yahoo.com

Several members of the RMC-INM Steering Committee
took part in the net distribution mission trip to
Angola in October 2012, including Rev. Mike Dent,
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, Kunle Taiwo, and Robin Ball

Thank you to all who have taken part as leaders, volunteers, donors, cheerleaders, fundraisers, inviters, organizers, ambassadors, servants, teachers, exhorters, inspirers, or other kinds of ministers in this extraordinary effort to end deaths from malaria in Africa! Together, we are saving and transforming lives!

Steamboat Springs surpasses their goal by 50%!

We know that Imagine No Malaria is just one of many important causes that churches are asked to support, and that each congregation faces unique circumstances and challenges that affect their ability to raise the suggested $20 per member toward our Rocky Mountain Conference goal of $1.2 million. And so we are grateful when a church takes on that baseline goal with commitment and conviction, and thrilled when they surpass it by more than 50%!

Here's how Steamboat Springs UMC did it, submitted by member Dorothy Lindahl:

Just wanted to let you know what the Steamboat Springs UMC has been doing to support the Imagine No Malaria Campaign.  Our mission team set a goal of raising $8000 (approximately $20 per member as was suggested). 

On July 4th we set up a booth which included a bednet on the lawn of the church following the parade to let others know about the project.  We had a donation jar and literature and mosquitoes.  Next we advertised and showed the "Killer in the Dark" movie at the town library, with the children selling mosquitoes they had made in Sunday School.  At the UMW Fall Fare we offered a few items left from an Estate Sale. 

We have been taking coins in buckets on the third Sundays of the month called "Change for Change." We have a portable basketball hoop which is moved place to place in the church with a bucket for coins. A challenge was made to parents and kids to make a donation for every score made as they played sports. (Nets for Nets). At Christmas we offered cards for honor donations.

I don't have the exact figure we have collected but know it is more that $13,000. United Methodist Women gave $500 raised for mission work to the fund. This has been a joint project of the Mission Team and United Methodist Women. 

Congratulations and thanks to all who took part in these efforts, and praise God for an abundant return on your faithful work!

What has your church done so far to support the cause? What exciting plans do you have for the next several months? Please send stories and photos to kerry@rmcumc.com! 

Campaign Transitions & Final Webinar

Campaign Update & Transition

Imagine No Malaria in the Rocky Mountain Conference continues to make progress toward our goal of saving 120,000 lives - we are now about 60% of the way there!

I wanted to let you know about some upcoming changes. My role as Field Coordinator will end on February 25, both because the position was always short-term and much of the work is now done, and because my husband and I are preparing to welcome a new addition to our family next month!

I have greatly enjoyed this opportunity to use my gifts to support such a meaningful and life-giving ministry, and I feel confident about leaving the campaign in the competent and trustworthy hands of the Steering Committee, supported by the office of the Director of Mission and Ministry (Rev. Dr. Youngsook Kang), and many wonderful volunteers.

I will post more details next week about whom to contact with questions or requests for speakers after February 25.

Webinar

We will be offering one more webinar training on Thursday, February 20, at 11am for those who weren't able to attend a training last year. See below for more details, or register here. The webinar will be recorded and posted online afterwards for those who can't attend the live event.

Imagine No Malaria - Make It Happen! 

Join us for a Webinar on February 20 

District Superintendent Melanie Rosa receives a check from
the children's ministry at First UMC of Colorado Springs

Did your church set a goal to save lives from malaria? Great!

Now what?

Rev. Kerry Greenhill will provide detailed information about what you can do to engage your church, and your community, to meet the goals you set. She will give real examples of what some churches are doing to raise money and make a difference in the world. You will also get in-depth information about the fight against this deadly disease that you can take back to your church and communities to generate excitement about this extraordinary effort. Put your faith into action and join us as we seek to end deaths from malaria in Africa.

Title:    Imagine No Malaria - Make It Happen!
Date:    Thursday, February 20, 2014
Time:    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MST 

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer

Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

A Prayer for Christmastide

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Yes, the one big day of gifts and feasting is over for most of us, but in the Christian calendar, Christmas lasts for 12 days, until we celebrate the arrival of the wise ones with Epiphany on January 6.

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to check out this great brief video created by Imagine No Malaria staff in Iowa, Missouri, and Holston Conferences - consider showing it in worship this Sunday or next! As we keep our hearts and minds focused on the gifts of Christmas in the coming days, I offer this Prayer for Christmastide:   

God of blazing galaxies and blades of grass,
     Creator of worlds and healer of wounds,
we give you thanks once more for the gifts of Christmas:
     For Jesus, the baby who grew up to proclaim your blessing on the poor
          and your boundary-breaking plan to redeem all people by love;
     for Mary and Joseph, who risked security and social standing
          to say yes to your invitation to parent that Holy Child;
     for the shepherds, and all who work and watch by night,
          who were awake to hear the angels’ chorus
          and were willing to go and see what they had been told;
     for the Magi, who were wise in the ways of heaven and earth,
          paying attention, bearing gifts and returning home by another way.
Open our ears to hear your voice
     proclaiming wonders and new worlds being birthed;
open our eyes to see your signs
     blazing brightly overhead or quietly resting in mother’s arms;
open our hearts to new ways of loving, new ways of living
     that continue the gift of the Incarnation
     by letting your Word of Love become flesh in us once more;
open our hands to reach out in generosity and care,
     to work for justice and to touch with compassion,
that the world may know you are still Emmanuel,
     God-with-us,
     living within and among us
     in this time and place.
In the name of the babe in the manger,
     our Friend and Teacher,
     Healer and Savior,
     Jesus the Christ,
     we pray.
Amen.

Rev. Kerry Greenhill ©2013

May Christ be born anew in your life this year!