Expert: The Rev. William E. Olewiler - 3/6/2008

Question
hi what are some missions in the methodist church you can tell me about in the bahamas?

Answer
Dear Norissa:

 Here are some of the mission activities listed at our United Methodist Web site, www.umc.org

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission
Christian Love in Action!

For assistance with any project listed,
contact your Jurisdictional and / or Annual Conference UMVIM Coordinator
BAHAMAS

Methodist Habitat Priority Project list

• Central Eleuthera - Camp Symonette - Staff Cottage.At the front entrance to the campsite is a two story structure that is used by the caretaker of the camp. The top portion is a two bedroom apartment that is used by our caretaker Mr. Martin Gaitor. The bottom portion has been used for storage. The intent is to convert the bottom area into a living space for interns, staff and other visitors to the campsite. The top portion is also in need of repairs. This will be used for as housing for a fulltime coordinator of Camp Symonette which we are in the process of acquiring.

• North Andros - North Andros. Parsonage repair (drywall, electrical, carpentry).

• South Eleuthera - Tarpum Bay Manse.The Tarpum Bay is ideally located on the Southern end of Eleuthera, thus providing an excellent staging area for Methodist Habitat activities on the Southern End of the island. It is located on the water front in beautiful Tarpum Bay. It has a two bedroom apartment upstairs, with an open meeting are below. There is also an office attached with access to a phone line. There is also a storage are attached to the back ideal for the storage of tools and materials.Tarpum Bay Methodist church has graciously allowed us to partner with them in the restoration and use of their manse. We have agreed to assist with restorations. In return we will be able to use the manse and office facilities for interns, staff, rentals and other activities.

• Central Eleuthera - Gaitor Residence, Camp Symonette.Martin has been living and working with his family at Camp Symonette for the past ten years. Martin has sometimes gone months without salary and has taken a personal interest in the protection of the camp. Martin is a committed employee and a great ambassador for the church and Methodist Habitat. We would like to assist Martin to move into his own home soon. Because the residence will also double as a commercial property, we would like to assist Martin in completing a portion of the unit.

• Abaco -Teams traveling to Abaco can fly directly into Marsh Harbour (MHB). Numerous airlines fly from South Florida into Marsh Harbour.During the summer months, there are opportunities for construction and VBS teams.

• Cat Island - Great Bethel Methodist Church.Carry out repairs to the Manse/Parsonage. There is need for painting, drywall and wood and masonry work.

• Central Eleuthera - Camp Symonette.There is a need for ongoing repairs at the Camp. We are in the process of getting quotes to upgrade electrical and plumbing services, repair water system, replace furnishings and linen, upgrade kitchen facilities and provide a reading room for clients.

• South Eleuthera - Methodist Habitat Administrative Building.A suitable place is being sought to develop a Disaster Response/Mission Centre in South Eleuthera. This center will also serve as the central administrative building for Methodist Habitat. Work is expected to begin in early spring.

• North Eleuthera - Bluff Community and Mission Center.The Bluff community is located on the northern end of Eleuthera. It is a growing community that is in need of more coordinated activities for its youth and young adults. Completion of the Bluff Community and Mission center will enable to church to be a more life changing force in the community. The center is currently has its roof on and will need some masonry and carpentry work to complete.

• Cat Island - Orange Creek Residence.Completion of a home for a senior citizen. This project already has its siding and part of its roof in place. Teams are needed to complete work here.

• Nassau - Coke Memorial Methodist Church.Coke Memorial Methodist Church is situated in an area of Nassau that is economically and socially challenged. However, the church is experiencing tremendous growth under the leadership of its Pastor and lay leaders. They are quickly outgrowing their facilities. This new facility will include a sanctuary for worship, youth meeting rooms and rooms for other social outreach such as soup kitchens, a clothes closet and church office. Because Nassau is a modern city built around tourism there are numerous banks and sightseeing facilities. Team will live in Nassau.

• Central Andros - Camp Makepeace.Andros is the biggest island in the Bahamas. Camp Makepeace is located in Central Andros. The site is a five-acre beach and creek front property that has a church and Mission center already onsite. Work has already begun on the expansion of the site. (There are two fulltime missionaries living at the site).This site will become a retreat and mission centre. It will be the headquarters for Habitat work on Andros. There are dormitory style sleeping quarters here and also kitchen facilities. Teams will live work and swim on site. There is also opportunity to visit blue holes, the batik factory and the barrier reef. Majority of materials will have to be shipped in ahead of time as hardware stores have limited supplies.

• Central Andros - Mastic Point.Completion of the Mission Centre in Mastic Point. This center is a 1500 square feet manse/parsonage that will house mission teams and other church groups. After the site is complete, work teams will begin to work on homes in the surrounding communities of North Andros.

• Disaster Relief Centers -The church is working to establish such centers throughout the islands. Teams are sought for construction and to train disaster volunteers.

All of the BCMC projects are contingent on the support received for them. While the goal is to eradicate substandard housing in the Bahamas, be aware that disasters do arise that call for immediate attention. Until November, you will also have to be cognizant of the fact that this is the active hurricane season.

Members of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church have met with the new Government Minister of Social Services and have expressed confidence that the government is interested in partnering with us, especially in cases of inner city projects and aid to senior citizens. All projects are carried out in consultation with the Department of Social Services.

UMCOR highlights several initiatives to support World Food Day October 16. Teams from UMCOR will assess storm damage in Haiti, Grenada and the Caymans this week. UMCOR has sent grants to the church in the Bahamas, Cuba and Haiti, and to international partners in Grenada. In the southeastern United States, long-term case management plans for hurricane survivors have resumed. UMCOR issues urgent call for flood buckets and Medicine Boxes. In Liberia, school and health kits are needed.
Source: UMCOR

Date posted: Sep 28, 2004
arrow icon.   UMCOR Hotline, September 21, 2004
UMCOR is responding to hurricanes, storms, and floods in the USA and the Caribbean. More than 700 people have died in Haiti from flooding and mudslides. UMCOR emergency field staff plan to assess damage in Grenada and Jamaica. Hurricane Ivan lashed densely populated beach areas of Pensacola, Florida.
Source: UMCOR

Date posted: Sep 19, 2004
arrow icon.   UMCOR Powers Hurricane Response With Grants, Volunteers  
Recovery from the multiple hurricanes of this season moves forward. Already UMCOR and the Florida Annual Conference have assisted more than 80,000 Floridians. Powering the response are equipment, volunteers, and monetary grants.
Source: UMCOR
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Date posted: Sep 15, 2004
arrow icon.   UMCOR Hotline, September 14, 2004
Medicine Boxes are urgently needed for the Caucasus. UMCOR is responding to Hurricanes Ivan, Frances, and Charley. UMCOR needs school and health kits for Liberia and Beslan, Russia. UMCOR is responding to recent devastating floods in Liberia.
Source: UMCOR

Date posted: Sep 14, 2004
arrow icon.   Letter from UMCOR: Ready to Respond to Triple Hurricanes
As people in the Caribbean and on Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts clear away debris from the one-two punch of hurricanes Frances and Charley, a third large storm, Ivan, is bearing down on those very areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief will be ready to respond.
Source: UMCOR

Date posted: Sep 10, 2004
arrow icon.   UMCOR Hotline Special Update: Hurricane Frances
UMCOR workers this week redeployed satellite telephones and generators from southwest to central Florida as Hurricane Frances powers up in Atlantic waters. The growing menace of Frances, barreling toward the Bahamas, has put millions on Florida's heavily populated east coast on alert. UMCOR has issued another urgent call for flood buckets, the supplies volunteers use in post- hurricane cleanups.
Source: UMCOR


Peace and grace,

Bill Olewiler
United Methodist Pastor
Virginia