Helping Hands Scholarship

The Helping Hand Scholarship Fund Needs You!
Unfortunately this year, the global and young adult internship aspect of UMAC will be missing because there are no funds. We need your support and your financial commitment to continue our outreach and provide networking and new technological update opportunities to those communicators that have benefited from our past UMAC Annual Meetings.

The Global UMAC has been organized and is functioning well. As a religious organization and a mission focused ministry we (UMAC US) must continue to do our part to support our communications colleagues around the world. After you have made your personal contribution, please go to your local churches, conferences, general agencies and jurisdictions to solicit funds for this very important ministry work. All funds should go to:

UMAC Helping Hand Scholarship Fund
c/o Steve Hustedt, Treasurer
Desert Southwest Conference of the UMC
1550 E. Meadowbrook Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona 85014-4040

Help support the Helping Hand Scholarship and donate by clicking on the button below.

 

The following is the report from last year’s Central Conference Helping Hand Scholarship Recipient:

Report on UMAC 2008 Scholarship trip to the United States of America
by Robert Ksubi

 

The trip to the United Methodist Association of Communicators’ (UMAC) annual meeting at Hilton Hotel, Providence, R.I., was organized courtesy of the Helping Hand 2008 Scholarship of UMAC.

The trip provided me with an opportunity to meet practicing church communicators, network, and make long term friends. Indeed I was able to observe, listen, and learn from the rich experience of many participants at the meeting. The fun and calculated jokes especially at the awards ceremony were relaxing and comforting to a first time participant like me.

I am grateful to the UMAC team and other partners that facilitated my travel, accommodation, and meals for the entire trip. I appreciate the support and sacrifices made especially by Mr. David Malloy and Ms. Carolyn Dandridge. Apart from making the arrangements for the trip, they were ever available to ensure that I was comfortable, and at the airport to receive me and see me off.

The keynote address, by Leonard Sweet, was especially enriching regarding communications to the different segments of congregations. The realization that the perspectives of the older conservative church members have always prevailed upon the interests of the youths was especially useful to me. I was thrilled to learn that the current practice by most church leaders, including communicators, adversely affects active participation of youths in church programs. The need to listen to, and provide for, the specific interests of the youths and young adults, in church communications was a learning experience.

The interaction with colleagues during the week was a great networking opportunity. The inclusion of the Jurisdictional Dinner Cruise on the program was a great social event. I was able to chat with colleagues, among them the incoming UMAC President.

Overall, the scholarship reminded me that we are part of one big family, despite the differences in location and opportunities.

After the meeting, I had a successful visit in New York, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Tn., and St. Simons Island, Ga.
While in New York, I was blessed to spend the weekend with Rev. Kelvin Sauls, in Harlem.  Rev. Kelvin kindly guided me through the Sub-way and Times Square, NY.  We were able to visit the GBGM, on Monday morning, where I met staff in UMCOR, women division, and communications.  I received useful publications and information regarding agency work.

In Washington DC, I was hosted by GCORR, where Mr. John Coleman took care of and introduced me to church leaders and agency staff. I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Jeneane Jones, Associate General Secretary, and Ms. Michelle Brooks, Digital Communications Director at GBCS, who shared their work experiences regarding work at the commission and the church as a whole.

I am especially grateful to Mr. Coleman for the support, care and sacrifices; despite a busy work schedule, he was able to arrange for me a tour of the United States Capitol in Washington DC, and accompany me on the train ride to Baltimore BWI Airport.

In Nashville, I was hosted by UMCOM, where Mr. Tim Tanton and Rev. Tafadzwa Mudambanuki took care and guided me around. I spent the day with Rev. Tafadzwa, who graciously introduced me to most of the staff at the agency.  I had the opportunity of participating in a recording for the Radio Ministry program on Hunger with the manager, Rev. Mike Hickcox, and a video recording on the church in East Africa with Tim and Harry Leake. In Nashville, I was able to meet Rev. Tafadzwa’s family and share dinner with them.

I was expected to return home on Saturday Oct. 25, 2008, however my visit was extended to enable me meet our partners in South Georgia Conference, at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island. I took a flight to Jacksonville, Fl., where I was met by Rev. Denise Walton, Connectional Ministries, and driven to St. Simons Island for the meeting.
By the time left the United States for Uganda on Thursday Oct. 30, 2008, I was eager to meet my family which I was missing after three weeks.