Ministries in Action ~ United Methodist Ministries-Missouri River District

About Our Ministries

United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District is here to help you! We are the risk-taking mission and justice arm of the the Missouri River District and a resource for local missions.
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UMM Executive Director, the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, is pictured with the award.

United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District honored with Nonprofit Innovation Award

United Methodist Ministries (UMM)—Missouri River District has been awarded the 2008 Nonprofit Innovation Award by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. The award was presented at the conclusion of the annual Midlands Nonprofit Summit held in LaVista on Oct. 30. Accepting the award was UMM Executive Director, the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede.

The award is given annually to a nonprofit organization for extraordinary innovation in mission and planning, human resources, financial management and stewardship, fundraising, or information management. Over 200 member organizations from three states vied for the award.

United Methodist Ministries has been doing social justice work in the areas of hunger, poverty and racism for a number of years. The Big Garden project, a three-year old initiative of UMM, was singled out as an example of innovative strategy by a nonprofit. The Big Garden, a network of community vegetable gardens, addresses food security issues in economically distressed areas through the use of creative partnerships with a number of community organizations and churches.

UMM was recognized at an awards reception and received $1,500 and an original engraved sculpture crafted by local artist John Prouty. Also recognized with smaller awards were the Lincoln Literacy Council and Financial Stability Partnership of Omaha.
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It's time for the Missouri River District Holiday Food Challenge!

The Missouri River District is once again issuing the Holiday Food Challenge. In 2007, over 4,000 pounds of food and $18,000 collected for local food pantries!

Churches and groups from the conference are encouraged to collect food items and money for the local food pantries during the months of November and December. The Holiday Food Challenge starts on Nov. 1, and continues through Dec. 31. To participate, collect items and then count the number of items and money collected for local agencies during that time and report those efforts to United Methodist Ministries.

For more information, please see the flyer below.
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Mission of the Month Series

The mission of the month series features local, conference and international missions along with recommended readings and needs from our agencies. The Mission of the Month series is intended as an educational opportunity to learn more about ways to get involved in the field of risk-taking mission and justice work.

Local congregations and church organizations have incorporated the series into their monthly newsletter, purchased books for their church libraries or started personal and group studies or used the resource as a way to educate the local church on what agencies the United Methodist Church supports locally and globally.

More resources about the featured missions and activities are available through the United Methodist Ministries office at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

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Discover the World of Food and Faith

Interested in learning more about Food and Faith? United Methodist Ministries has compiled resources for you and your church to utilize as the Nebraska Annual Conference explores this theme at the 2008 Annual Conference meeting in June.
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United Methodist Ministries Speakers Bureau

Do you have a meeting or event coming up but do not have a speaker? United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District can help! We have compiled a list of speakers who are available to talk about various risk-taking mission and justice issues. These speakers are available for UMW and UMM meetings, youth groups, mission committees or all church meetings!
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Play In Our Dirt—The Big Garden

One of the initiatives of United Methodist Ministries is The Big Garden. The Big Garden is a series of community gardens located in the metro-Omaha area focused on empowering neighbors to grow nutritious food, build community partnerships, improve their health and start small businesses. Each community garden site is specifically designed for the needs of the neighborhood. Programming at each garden sites focuses on the garden as a centerpiece for not only growing fresh food but for building communities, creating safe neighborhood spaces and development of a healthy lifestyle. New programs to be launched in Summer 2008 will include garden yoga classes, health and nutrition classes, public art displays and literacy and art events.

For more information about The Big Garden contact Jessica Mews, The Big Garden, Coordinator, 402-650-0426, jmews@bigmuddyumc.org.
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Be Hands On with Local Missions—Take A VIM Trip

That's right we said local! United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District is VIM mission site and it is now possible to teach your church about local missions in a hands-on and interactive way. Participants will learn about how to create community change by working with local mission agencies, develop an understanding about how to get involved with justice work and empower their inner leadership skills.

Mission experience packages are available for one day, 3 days, 5 days or one week. Packages can include: meals for kitchens for food preparation, lodging, visits to local attractions and recreational activities. Your mission package can be personalized for youth, adult and intergenerational. Total cost of experience is dependent on package size. For more information or to schedule a VIM trip, contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

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