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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Promoting Sing a New Song in your communities

It is not too early to be thinking about how to get people excited about Sing a New Song (SANS)! At Drew Theological School last week, Drew students involved in RMN and MFSA put together a chapel service with Rev. Tanya Bennett and Mark Miller, worship leaders for SANS. Heidi Tierney, Drew alum involved in the Greater New Jersey conference RMN who is also helping with worship, preached on Romans 12:1-2. This is the service we put together using RMN's liturgy resource Shaping Sanctuary and the Companion Litany for the Social Creed.

After the service we had a lunch discussion with Rev. Steve Clunn, Coalition Coordinator for MFSA, RMN, and Affirmation, about organizing for General Conference. The whole day was an excellent opportunity to connect and share about how we at Drew can work for justice in The United Methodist Church. If you are looking for a way to motivate your church or faith community to go to Sing a New Song, worship services and lunches are great ways to get the word out! Check out ours for ideas.

Opening Worship


Sermon


Closing (including when Rev. Clunn gives Dr. Graybeal the MFSA Good Community Award)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Apply Now-- AGAPE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM 2011

Greetings OnFire Blog Followers. Be sure to check out this exciting new opportunity. Blessings!



AGAPE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM 2011 - scholarships
Agape provides scholarships for people who want to take part in the international camps at Agape. In particular we would like to offer scholarships to people from the Southern Hemisphere and Eastern Europe to further their participation in our international camps. We can reimburse some travel expenses and fund the cost of staying at Agape. Regretfully, we are not able to meet every request for financial aid since the demand is greater than the funds that we have available. All applications will be considered carefully.

In particular, Agape appreciates applications from people who would like to take part in a camp and stay longer as a workcamp volunteer. CRITERIA Scholarships are awarded to applicants according to the following criteria. It is very important that you refer to these points when completing the application. Priority will be given to applicants:

- who have never attended a camp at Agape
- who show interest in Agape's activities and are motivated to come to Agape
- who are willing to participate in other Agape activities (2-4 weeks of workcamp, other international camp)
- who belong to a group that is already a part of Agape's existing network or a group that wishes to build links with Agape
- who can provide a letter of support from an organization (church, association etc.) which supports their application and participation in the camp
- whose expenses are in part covered by their organization / local groups
- who will share their experience with other people once they return to their community
- who will stay in Agape also as a workcamp volunteer


WHAT TO APPLY FOR

In completing the scholarship application form, please tell us how much of your travel fare you will need reimbursed. We suggest that you apply for between 50% - 90% of travel costs and for the cost of staying at Agape. We also encourage you to apply within your organization for some financial assistance. External financial support will help us to make camp scholarships available to a greater number of participants in need of assistance. PLEASE FILL THE FOLLOWING: 1.Fill out the application form a href="http://AGAPE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM 2011 - scholarships Agape provides scholarships for people who want to take part in the international camps at Agape. In particular we would like to offer scholarships to people from the Southern Hemisphere and Eastern Europe to further their participation in our international camps. We can reimburse some travel expenses and fund the cost of staying at Agape. Regretfully, we are not able to meet every request for financial aid since the demand is greater than the funds that we have available. All applications will be considered carefully. In particular, Agape appreciates applications from people who would like to take part in a camp and stay longer as a workcamp volunteer. CRITERIA Scholarships are awarded to applicants according to the following criteria. It is very important that you refer to these points when completing the application. Priority will be given to applicants: - who have never attended a camp at Agape - who show interest in Agape's activities and are motivated to come to Agape - who are willing to participate in other Agape activities (2-4 weeks of workcamp, other international camp) - who belong to a group that is already a part of Agape's existing network or a group that wishes to build links with Agape - who can provide a letter of support from an organization (church, association etc.) which supports their application and participation in the camp - whose expenses are in part covered by their organization / local groups - who will share their experience with other people once they return to their community - who will stay in Agape also as a workcamp volunteer

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
We will let you know the status of your application as quickly as possible. Once you receive a letter of acceptance, please fill out the second form on our website: the definitive booking which includes all travel details. During May the office can also help participants find the most economical travel rates and send the necessary invitations and documents for visas.

TRAVEL TO AGAPE AND REIMBOURSEMENT
Travel costs will be reimbursed at the beginning of the camp in Euros (not in dollars or other denominations). We do not usually provide funding before the camp begins. Please arrive in Turin airport. Arriving at Milano Malpensa airport is suggested only if travel costs are significantly lower (more than 80 Euros). Please check your application before leaving your country, and present all your travel receipts upon arrival at Agape. Without receipts you will receive no reimbursement. In case of electronic ticket, please provide with the receipt the total amount of reimbursement you require. Participants are expected to arrange their own travel to Agape. You should plan to arrive at the airport in the morning of the first day so that you will be able to arrive at Agape between 4 pm and 8 pm on the evening of the camp's start date.

ATTENDANCE AT THE CAMP

All scholarship recipients are expected to attend 100% of the camp/conference and join all activities. No late arrival is possible. You should plan to leave only on the last day of the camp, usually in the morning, unless you are staying on to volunteer for work camp. In case of late arrival or early departure, scholarship reimbursement will not be released. Please contact us if you need further information: direzione@agapecentroecumenico.org or vicedirezione@agapecentroecumenico.org Tel. (++39) 0121-807514 Fax: (++39) 0121-807690 -- Agape Centro Ecumenico Borgata Agape 1 10060 Prali (To) tel. +39 0121 807514 fax +39 0121 807690 vicedirezione@agapecentroecumenico.org www.agapecentroecumenico.org "> on our web site at http://www.agapecentroecumenico.org/sito/index.php?name=EZCMS&menu=80502&page_id=204 2.Send a support letter to:
by post: AGAPE CENTRO ECUMENICO, borgata Agape 1, 10060 Prali TO, ITALIA
by fax: (++39) 0121 80 76 90
or by email: direzione@agapecentroecumenico.org or vicedirezione@agapecentroecumenico.org This application for 2011 must be submitted no later than April 30, 2011. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT We will let you know the status of your application as quickly as possible. Once you receive a letter of acceptance, please fill out the second form on our website: the definitive booking which includes all travel details. During May the office can also help participants find the most economical travel rates and send the necessary invitations and documents for visas.



Please contact us if you need further information:

direzione@agapecentroecumenico.org or vicedirezione@agapecentroecumenico.org
Tel. (++39) 0121-807514
Fax: (++39) 0121-807690 -- Agape Centro Ecumenico Borgata Agape 1 10060 Prali (To) tel. +39 0121 807514 fax +39 0121 807690 vicedirezione@agapecentroecumenico.org www.agapecentroecumenico.org

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Apply Now for Mission: Reconciliation

Greetings OnFire members! Check out this great opportunity from the United Methodist Women!

APPLY NOW FOR MISSION: RECONCILIATION

United Methodist Women is an organization whose purpose is to know God, experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ and to expand concepts of mission. In keeping with those long-held traditions, the National Seminar is a social justice leadership development event held every four years. It is an opportunity to explore current realities in the world and to dialogue about how we must respond. The 2011 National Seminar will be about enriching our understanding of the ministry of reconciliation. In a gathering that reflects our rich diversity of race, ethnicity, age and geographic makeup, the National Seminar will engage participants in:
  • Bible study and spiritual reflection.
  • Dialogue about current social, political and economic realities of our time.
  • Critical analysis of the domestic and global issues that affect women, children and youth.
  • Celebration of the extraordinary work that God is accomplishing through the witness of United Methodist Women.
  • Equipping ourselves for the many works of justice—service, advocacy, caring and hospitality.
  • Developing new tools to strengthen the witness of UMW conferences, districts, local units and other groups.

The National Seminar will be held August 13–18, 2011. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday August 13. The seminar will begin on Saturday evening, August 13, and end the evening of Wednesday August 17, with departure on Thursday August 18. The location will be Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, 2101 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd., North, Birmingham, Ala. 35203 (http://www.sheraton.com/birmingham).

Participation in the National Seminar includes United Methodist Women conference officers, district officers, selected jurisdictional representatives and Green Team members. This year, for the first time, we are conducting an open application for 25 additional women. They must reside in the United States (preferably five per jurisdiction) and must not have participated in any past National Seminar. These women must be connected to United Methodist Women through local or district units, United Methodist Women online social network or other United Methodist Women networks and are willing to be active with United Methodist Women, but do not serve in offices beyond the local or district units. Women’s Division will cover reasonable expenses of travel, registration and meals.

Space is limited and the application deadline is April 1, 2011.

To apply, go to:
https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/RegistrationForm.jsp?ActivityID=5974&ItemID=22157