Blogs

As Diane Miller and her mission study team conclude their travel to connect with and learn about the Roma people in Eastern Europe, she reflects on the strength of the United Methodist Connection and the graciousness and hospitality of those they have met along the way.

 Preparing to travel to Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, with her mission team focusing on the Roma people,  Diane Miller writes; "As we struggle to understand the Roma “situation,” different in each country, and even in each neighborhood, that “situation” resides within a mix of country boundaries, languages, and recent history.

 Mission Coordinator Diane Miller and her study team celebrated Orthodox Easter at Jakula United Methodist Church in Padina, Serbia, on their trip to connect with and learn about the Roma people. 

 Diane Miller's team stopped in Padina, where they had time to share impressions as they prepare to wrap up their journey of discovery, learning about the Roma people in Eastern Europe and United Methodist ministries among them.

 The van carrying Diane Miller's patient group of travelers in Eastern Europe broke down in Bulgaria, delaying their arrival in Servbia as they continue to connect and learn about the Roma people. 

 Leading a study group getting to know the Roma people in Eastern Europe, Diane Miller is reminded that in a different culture, it's hard to get more than a surface understanding of complex situations.

Diane Miller, the Western PA Conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator, is leading a mission trip to Eastern Europe to experience the ministries of the church to and with the Roma people.  It will help prepare those who will teach others about the history, needs, and ministries to and with the Roma people.  The Roma, sometimes referred to derogatorily as gypsies, are the study emphasis of the United Methodist Women for the next two years.  

Diane Miller, the Western PA Conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator, is leading a mission trip to Eastern Europe to experience the ministries of the church to and with the Roma people.  It will help prepare those who will teach others about the history, needs, and ministries to and with the Roma people.  The Roma, sometimes referred to derogatorily as gypsies, are the study emphasis of the United Methodist Women for the next two years. 

Diane Miller, the Western PA Conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator, is leading a mission trip to Eastern Europe to experience the ministries of the church to and with the Roma people.  It will help prepare those who will teach others about the history, needs, and ministries to and with the Roma people.  The Roma, sometimes referred to derogatorily as gypsies, are the study emphasis of the United Methodist Women for the next two years.

Conference Volunteers in Mission Coordinator Diane Miller is leading a mission study team to learn and work with the Roma people in Eastern Europe.  She's sending back daily reports. The Roma, a displaced people sometimes referred to as gypsies, will be the subject of studies at 2013 Schools of Mission and the Western PA Conference's Mission u in July. 

Diane Miller, the Western PA Conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator is leading a mission trip to Eastern Europe to experience the ministries of the church to and with the Roma people.  It will help prepare those who will teach others about the history, needs, and ministries to and with the Roma people.  The Roma, sometimes referred to derogatorily as gypsies, are the study emphasis of the United Methodist Women for the next two years.

The Rev. Debbie Hills, a deacon serving the West Springfield and Cranesville UM churches in the Erie-Meadville District, went to El Salvador in mid-February 2013 on a mission to provide and fit wheelchairs, crutches, etc. for children with disabilities and to train Salvadorian therapists.  Rev. Hills, who chairs the Western PA Disabilities Awareness Ministry Team, is a trained therapist and has been involved with the mission in El Salvador for several years. The team spent some time in San Miguel and then San Salvador. Her mission team consists of therapists and mechanics. She reports on the experience in these blog posts.  

The Rev. Debbie Hills,  a deacon serving the West Springfield and Cranesville UM churches in the Erie-Meadville District, went to San Miguel, El Salvador in mid-February 2013 on a mission to provide those with disabilities with wheelchairs, crutches, etc. and to train Salvadorian therapists.  Rev. Hills, who chairs the Western PA Disabilities Awareness Ministry Team, is a trained therapist and has been involved with the mission in El Salvador for several years. Her mission team consists of therapists and mechanics. She reports on the experience in these blog posts. 

The Rev. Debbie Hills,  a deacon serving the West Springfield and Cranesville UM churches in the Erie-Meadville District, went to San Miguel, El Salvador in mid-February 2013 on a mission to provide those with disabilities with wheelchairs, crutches, etc. and to train Salvadorian therapists.  Rev. Hills, who chairs the Western PA Disabilities Awareness Ministry Team, is a trained therapist and has been involved with the mission in El Salvador for several years. Her mission team consists of therapists and mechanics. She reports on the experience in these blog posts.  

 On the final day of work in New Jersey, the Western PA went to a new location and helped a woman removed damaged appliances, clean muck out of her home and yard and pull up floorboard.

 On the second day of working in Sea Bright, Western Pennsylvania's Early Response Team got to know the owners of the homes where they worked a little better. It helped them understand the deep connections to the area and appreciate some random acts of kindness by persons unknown. 

 Day 2 for the Western PA Early Response Team was spent working and hearing the stories of residents of Sea Bright, NJ. Diane Miller relates a few in her blog post. See photo gallery.

 The first Early Response Team of volunteers from the Western PA Conference arrived in New Jersey Tuesday to help with clean-up after Superstorm Sandy. Volunteers in Mission Coordinator Diane Miller, who is leading the team, reports on their trip and arrival. They're staying at Red Bank UM Church and will be able to shower at the local Y each night. 

June 8 - Michael Beightley's first blog, after finishing his training as a Global Justice Volunteer in the Philippines. He will now head for China to volunteer for three months teaching English.