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Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives requests nominations for awards

Mission Relationships

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Governor's Service Awards are Indiana's most prestigious awards celebrating the accomplishments of dedicated volunteers and practitioners from across the state. Nominations are currently being accepted for individuals who have displayed exemplary service through volunteering in the categories of Communities of Service, Corporate Service, Youth Service, National Service, Community Service, Faith-Based Service, Volunteerism and Lifetime Achievement. The awards are presented annually at the Governor's Conference for Service and Nonprofit Capacity Building. In 2012, the awardees will be recognized at a special event to be held at the Governor's residence.

As in previous years, the goal of the conference will be to provide a forum where Indiana nonprofit leaders, volunteer coordinators, national service members and service-learning participants can engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange best practices, receive training, establish partnerships, and celebrate accomplishments. Individuals can go to the OFBCI website at http://www.in.gov/ofbci/2389.htm to learn more about the 2012 conference, as well as the Government Grant Symposiums that will lead up to it.

To nominate an individual, a group or yourself, download the nomination form from the website at http://www.in.gov/ofbci/2390.htm. Once the form is completed, it can be submitted electronically or by mail. The OFBCI requests that all nominations be submitted by July 12, 2012.

For more information regarding the regional conferences or the service awards please contact conference coordinator, Mariann Bernlohr at mbernlohr@ofbci.in.gov.

Fletcher Place Community Center needs volunteers to serve meals

Ongoing

INDIANAPOLIS – There is a unique opportunity at United Methodist-related Fletcher Place Community Center, especially for those wanting to help serve a meal. The second Wednesday of each month is available through the 2012 calendar year beginning Wednesday, Feb. 8. This is a great opportunity for families, co-workers and church groups. The dinner meal is typically served from 3 to 5 p.m. You could choose one or all of the available Wednesdays. If you are interested please contact Karen at 317-636-3466, ext. 4 or by e-mail karen@fletcherplacecc.org to discuss details and so that she will know which dates will be taken care of and that Fletcher Place neighbors will look forward to a meal.

United Methodist Habitat build in Indianapolis seeks more support

Ongoing

The Greater Indianapolis United Methodist Habitat for Humanity build scheduled for this summer seeks more local church support. So far 14 United Methodist congregations, UM Metro Ministries and the Salin Bank have signed on. To date $57,300 has been pledged to this $70,000 project. As soon as the cost to build the home has been raised, the volunteer coordinator will reach out to all partnering churches for work schedules. For more information or if your church has not yet pledged but wishes to participate in this build, contact Lisa Morris (lmorris@indymetroumc.org) at Metro Ministries.

Foreclosure help partners seeking volunteers, help in spreading word

Education

Hoosiers facing hard times need assistance from their fellow Hoosiers. As a partner in the Foreclosure Prevention Network, Bonnie Wolferd needs your help with helping them at a foreclosure prevention event in Indianapolis. It is no secret that community organizations and faith-based groups are closest to the Hoosiers who have needs and that these organizations' members work and volunteer to meet those needs every day. It is because of that vocational ethic that the OFBCI is asking you to donate staff or volunteers to a shift at an event that can help Hoosiers with foreclosure prevention assistance. Here is more information on the event to be held on Wednesday, April 25, from 1 to 8 p.m. ET at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street in Indianapolis. The two shifts are from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Volunteers are critical to the success of the day and this event will require 40 volunteers per shift to help with registration, exit surveys, directional guidance and additional assistance. Volunteers will be fed, provided with an event T-shirt, and will receive free parking. Please contact Bonnie Wolferd at bonnie@wolferdconsulting to help.

2012 Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair coming April 28 in Speedway

Education

The 2012 Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair will be held Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th St. (16th and Winton). This event is sponsored by Applied Behavior Center for Autism and Fresh Perspectives. Come visit with more than 50 disability service organizations and find services to help you and your loved one at this free (7th annual) special needs fair. Use free child care while you visit the booths. Take kids to the mini carnival with free games, face painting and bounce house. Enjoy a low-cost lunch. Register for free prizes, which include $50 gift cards. Spanish language interpreters are also available. Find so many services to help -all in one day and in one convenient location. For more information, visit www.speedway-umc.org, call 317-971-2619 or e-mail dehoff5@att.net.

District Disaster Response Coordinator training at Danville April 28

Training

The Indiana District Disaster Response Coordinators will have a training session at the Danville United Methodist Church, 820 West Mill Street in Danville on Saturday, April 28. Each of the ten District Response Coordinators are encourage to attend or send a proxy to this all-day session that will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by late afternoon. For more information or if you would like an ERT training event in your district, contract the Rev. David Powell, Indiana Conference Disaster Response Coordinator at david.powell@inumc.org or call the church at 317-745-4330.

OC Ingathering to be held during Annual Conference Briefings in May

Operation Classroom

The Indiana Conference-related Operation Classroom mission to schools and medical providers in Sierra Leone and Liberia will have an Ingathering of supplies during the Conference Briefings this coming May. Churches donating supplies are encouraged to bring them to the briefings. There will be no Operation Classroom Ingathering during the Indiana Annual Conference session in Indianapolis in June. Operation Classroom will be collecting supplies at Annual Conference Briefings. Click here for more information. Thank you for your contributions.

Mission Team co-sponsoring 5K Run/Walk/Stroll for Imagine NO Malaria

Mission Relationships

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Conference Mission and Advocacy Team, the West District of the Indiana Conference and Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church of Greencastle are sponsoring an Imagine NO Malaria “Change the World” 5K Run/Walk/Stroll on the Downtown Canal in Indianapolis, Thursday, June 7, from 7 to 11 a.m. being held immediately before the Indiana Annual Conference session. All are welcome to join the 5K Run/Walk/Stroll to benefit Imagine No Malaria. If you wish to register for this event, please download the 5K Run/Walk/Stroll registration form here and for the 5K Run/Walk/Stroll sponsor sheet here. Questions about this event can be directed to Ann Newton at annknewton@cinergymetro.net. For more information about the United Methodist Imagine NO Malaria campaign, visit www.imaginenomalaria.org.

Volunteers are needed immediately in advance of the 5K Run date and also on the date of the run. Each District has a Mission Volunteer Liaison to help register people for specific times and jobs. We have a contact person in each District that was or is the Mission representative or can put you in contact with that person. Or call your District Center to get that person's name. The names presently on the roster are: West: Bob Kumpf (rmkumpf@msn.com); East: David Neckers (east.district@inumc.org); North: Ed Geleske (ed.geleske@inumc.org); South: Glenda Riggs (riggsgk@aol.com); North Central: Jeffrey Newton (jeffrey.newton@inumc.org); Southwest: John Windell (windelljohn@yahoo.com); Central: Lisa Morris (lmorris@indymetroumc.org); Northeast: Milt Ashby (ramcorp15@aol.com); Northwest: Kate (northwest.district@inumc.org); Southeast: Bill Helms (southeast.district@inumc.org). For more information, contact Ann Newton at annknewton@cinergymetro.net or call 765-653-3856.

Friends of Africa University to gather Friday during Annual Conference session

Mission Relationships

Friends of Africa University will have a breakfast gathering during Annual Conference on Friday, June 8 at 7 a.m. in the Convention Center at Indianapolis. Be sure to sign up for it when you register for the conference. If you will not be attending all of Annual Conference, you can still come to the breakfast. You can sign up by going to the Conference website at www.inumc.org/AC2012 and clicking on Registration. (That is free for a guest.) You then sign up and pay for the breakfast online also. No tickets will be available on the day of the luncheon and/or onsite of the conference, so get yours early. If you want a paper registration, call 317-924-1321 and request one. Members of the team who visited Africa University in the fall with Bonnie Albert will share their experiences on the campus and tell about some of the students whom they met. You won't want to miss that. See you there. If you have questions, write to Ruth Ellen Stone at ruthellen1@juno.com.

Nurses needed this summer for Camp REYOAD at Epworth Forest in North Webster

Work Team

Epworth Forest Conference Center, (North Webster, IN) is looking for nurses to volunteer at Camp REYOAD by being Medical Support Staff during the week of camp this summer, June 10-15, 2012. Camp REYOAD is a unique camp experience for over 100 adults with physical and mental disabilities. For more information about volunteering, please contact Ryan Gernand at (574) 834.2212 or rgernand@impact2818.com.

Epworth Forest Conference Center is one of the seven camp sites that comprise Impact 2818, the outdoor ministry of the Indiana Conference United Methodist Church.