News

February 1, 2012

Hershey is one of the largest producers of chocolate in North America; most of the chocolate consumed in the US comes from several areas in West Africa where millions of children work for little or no pay, and face illnesses and abuses without recourse; and, many cocoa farmers are held in poverty, unable to organize for better working conditions. Despite Hershey's claims of attempts to end child labor, labor trafficking, and the horrible working conditions on cocoa farms, the company has done little to engage in or to help ensure independent certification for its cocoa. Some of Hershey’s competitors, including Mars and Nestle, have committed to start sourcing cocoa that is independently certified to comply with labor rights standards.  (Source: Carol Barton)

Join United Methodist Ministries, The United Methodist Church, and United Methodist Women in the fight for justice and labor rights. Cocoa and its productions are one of the areas where labor abuse and exploitation most blatantly occur. Hershey's use of cocoa gleaned through injustices committed against our brothers and sisters cannot be supported. Use these advocacy cards to sign and send your desire for change to Hershey's.

Chocolate_Advocacy_Cards-PDF.pdf

January 24, 2012

“One being, being one” is the call to action of the General Board of Global Ministries’ B1 program. B1 invites groups to hold a fast that enables them to be in solidarity with the poor and raise money to give to one of the six selected Advance projects of the year.

The Advance is the designated-giving arm of the United Methodist Church. It connects local church members with a multitude of local and international missionaries and projects that are working to serve the poor.

Through the process of fasting and fundraising, groups are called to reflect on the Advance projects they choose and to learn about the issues and challenges affecting their brothers and sisters around the world. This allows the groups to come to a deeper understanding of their own place in the church’s call for justice and action, as well as connecting them with the theology of our need to be “one being, being one.”

The 2012 B1 campaign features the Nebraska Conference’s Lisa Maupin, who serves as a Church and Community Worker at United Methodist Ministries in Omaha, Nebraska. Groups participating in B1 can choose Lisa as a recipient of their fundraising and learn about her work as they prepare to fast. Lisa’s Advance number is 3021274.

“We were already huge fans of B1 and the opportunities it presents for youth to be involved in meaningful giving and stewardship, so having Lisa's work at United Methodist Ministries included in this year's materials just puts B1 over the top!” said Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, executive director of United Methodist Ministries. “We look forward to working with youth to unpack root causes of hunger and discover ways they can participate in advocacy, systemic justice, and alleviation of hunger.”

Although not a 2012 B1 project, The Big Garden is also an Advance project that focuses on issues of hunger and poverty. Congregations that want to support The Big Garden can use the Advance number 3021107.

For more information you can download the B1 brochure and program resources for free at www.fasttodaychangetomorrow.org. To participate, each youth needs a pledge form and booklet. T-shirts, posters, flyers, water bottles and an online planning guide are also available.

January 19, 2012

On February 3rd, United Methodist Ministries will hold its second annual Breakfast Awakening event.  The aim of the event is to bring friends and community partners together to raise awareness about the work and mission of United Methodist Ministries.  In addition, this year's event will feature a keynote talk by Executive Director Stephanie Ahlschwede outlining a vision of community-based ministry that is neighborhood-based instead of neighborhood-placed.

United Methodist Ministries is seeking sponsors and underwriters for its Breakfast Awakening event.  All sponsors and underwriters will receive complimentary tickets, website recognition, and program recognition.  Individuals, congregations, non-profits, community partners, and others are invited to consider becoming event sponsors.  Sponsorship details are as follows:

• Name and logo in program, signage at event, promotional materials at tables, name with logo and link on our website, 8 tickets to event.

Latte Sponsor $500

• Name and logo in program and on website, signage at event, 8 tickets to event.

Chai Tea Sponsor $250

• Name in program and on website, 4 tickets to event.

Hot Chocolate Sponsor $100

• Name in program and on website, 2 tickets to event.

If your church or organization is interested in sponsoring the event contact the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Current Sponsors Include:

Page Moore

First United Methodist Church, Plattsmouth

Bo Gebbie

St. Paul United Methodist Church, Benson

William & Margrethe Ahlschwede

First United Methodist Church, Springfield

Soul Desires Bookstore

Rockbrook United Methodist Church

Click here for more information about A Breakfast Awakening 2.

January 5, 2012

December 21, 2011

It's time again for a breakfast flavored with freshly brewed Fair Trade coffee, tasty nibbles, and spirited inspiration. Join United Methodist Ministries February 3rd, 2012, as we share our vision of community-based ministry and reflect on the difference between being neighborhood-based and neighborhood-placed. Tickets are $15.

Click here to register online.

A Breakfast Awakening 2:

Friday February 3rd, 2012

7am Gathering & breakfast

7:30-8:30am Program

Metropolitan Community College Culinary Arts Institute at 32nd & Sorensen Parkway in Omaha

For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If your church or organization is interested in sponsoring the event contact the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Event Sponsors:

Page Moore

First United Methodist Church, Plattsmouth

Bo Gebbie

St. Paul United Methodist Church, Benson

William & Margrethe Ahlschwede

First United Methodist Church, Springfield

Soul Desires Bookstore

Rockbrook United Methodist Church

December 13, 2011

As a part of United Methodist Ministries’ educational mission and outreach, we regularly host mission teams and volunteers of all ages.  United Methodist Ministries is connected to the larger United Methodist Church’s Volunteers in Mission program and we are an accredited VIM site.

We are looking to summer 2012 as we spread the word about the potential for mission teams, confirmation groups and other mission-minded groups to come and serve with us for anywhere from a day to a week.

UMM offers mission experiences that are uniquely created for each team and allow participants to see and participate in a variety of different ministry and mission work throughout the Omaha area.

We arrange housing for overnight trips, as well as schedule work projects in conjunction with community organizations and non-profits, including our own community gardening project The Big Garden.

Most of our groups are middle school and high school-aged teams, but we also offer mission experiences for adult teams, multi-generational family teams, as well as one focused on learning about food security. New variations on our traditional mission experiences are also being developed for the coming summer.

Interested teams can contact Volunteer Coordinator Lisa Maupin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or go to our website for more information (www.bigmuddyumc.org)