March 2004 - Tower - Page 7
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The Virginia Conference School of Christian Mission offers a wonderful opportunity for the whole congregation to come alive to mission by participating in a weekend or week "school" held each year at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone, Va. It is a cooperative school jointly sponsored by the Virginia Conference United Methodist Women and the Missions Education and Cultivation Division of the Conference Board of Global Ministries.
It is an excellent "mission trip" for youth. They have a fun time together as they learn about what United Methodists are doing around the world to alleviate suffering and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. They participate in hands-on mission projects, ranging from gleaning to work in a battered women's shelter.
There is also an intergenerational study for adults and children (ages 7-12). Study through hands-on learning activities makes mission become real for the children, parents, and grandparents who attend this intergenerational study.
There are also classes for adults where men and women (young and old alike) come to learn and become involved in mission groups through one of the three courses from which they choose.
Each year there is a Spiritual Growth, a Geographic, and a General issues course offered. Each course helps us understand God's work in our world, how we are involved as United Methodists and challenges us as individuals in our personal life and local congregations. Meeting and sharing with United Methodist missionaries is also a highlight of the school.
For registration forms or additional information contact Gerry at the church office, 595-0383.
First Church has been notified that Daniel and Lisa Godwin will no longer require missionary support as of September 1, 2004. Therefore, First Church will be supporting John Elmore, missionary to Chile.
John H. Elmore is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to the United Methodist Church of Chile. Based in Iquique, his responsibilities include coordination of work teams and construction projects in the northern part of the country.
Previously a self-employed carpenter in Alabama, Mr. Elmore responded to God's call to mission service in 1995 and served as a Volunteer in Mission in the Dominican Republic where he was instrumental in constructing a hospital/clinic. Following completion of the hospital, he served for 2 ½ years in Chile as a construction and work team coordinator.
"For the past five years, my mission has been in the form of construction," he says. "I have come to learn that it's not what we do, but it is what God does through us. I may be a carpenter and I may be able to organize work teams, and I may be able to solicit funds and people to work on projects, but it is not me who is doing the work. I am just the vessel through which God can work." Of his ministry, Mr. Elmore concludes, "God puts me in situations that are unfamiliar to me, but somehow he gives me the tools to not only do the job, but allows the job to get done in spite of myself."
A native of Richmond, Virginia , he and his family lived for seven years in Panama. Mr. Elmore graduated from Woodson High School in Fairfax in 1971. He is a member of Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Of his return to Chile as a GBGM missionary, Mr. Elmore says, "I feel very honored that the Methodist Church of Chile has invited me to come to their country and perform my ministry: through my construction, I am able to reach spiritually to those who don't often meet Christians. I love my ministry," he concludes. "God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things."
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If you have any comments on any of these pages, please email me: Robert W.(Bob) McKitrick, thanks.
Last update: March 7, 2004
