Roy Lee, Arkansas Conference Coordinator of UMVIM and Disaster Response, and Shelley Lee, Central District Disaster Response Coordinator, attended the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Connect event in Chicago last week, hosted by Wespath.
The event highlighted projects around the world that United Methodists can sign up for: construction projects in Central America, education projects in Europe, repair projects in Africa. Speakers also focused on UMVIM projects in the U.S., such as Sager Brown UMCOR Depot in Baldwin LA.
UMVIM Coordinators from the South Central Jurisdiction met as a group to brainstorm about how best to advertise the many projects in the SCJ and how best to support the volunteers who serve. The Arkansas Conference has seven projects listed on the UMVIM website, such as Heifer Project and Ozark Mission Project. Go to umvim.org to learn more.
“It was eye opening for me,” said Roy. “We have been so focused on Disaster Response in the Arkansas Conference that I needed to learn more about the other half of the volunteer story.”
Shelley will contact the seven projects listed for Arkansas to see what assistance those project leaders may need.
If you are interested in participating in an UMVIM project, go to the website and search for the location and type of project in which your group is interested. Email disaster@arumc.org for more information.