Training for Action: UMVIM & ERT Classes Coming in March
by Vance Morton*
For those of you ready, willing and eager to turn your missional focus into missional action, your first opportunities of the year to join in United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader Training and/or Early Response Team (ERT) trainings are coming March 24 & 31.
UMVIM Trainings
If you plan to lead a mission team, be a part of mission team, just in the “getting interested” phase of missions to places like Rwanda, Haiti or Joplin, Missouri, or even if you are just very fond of the word “missions” then UMVIM training is for you. For those of you with UMVIM diplomas already on your wall, please be aware that if you have not gone through a training class in the last five years, you need to attend a class before you can be certified to serve.
Since the Central Texas Conference covers some vast Texas territory, we are attempting to make it as convenient as possible for you to attend one of the trainings by offering two different training locations. Of course, don’t let regional or county lines deter you as all are welcome to either of the trainings. To sign up for one of the upcoming trainings, please see the Mission Experience/Volunteers in Mission page. There are also training classes planned for this fall. Details for those are also available on the Volunteers in Mission page.
Here are the details of the upcoming spring UMVIM trainings:
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday March 24, Oak Park UMC (5505 S. 31st St. Temple, TX 76502) with Rev. Johnny Miller.The registration deadline for this training is Wednesday, March 21.
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday March 31, First UMC Mansfield (777 N. Walnut Creek Dr. Mansfield, TX 76063) with Teresa Sherwood. The registration deadline for this training is Wednesday, March 28.
ERT Trainings
One of the primary ways the Central Texas Conference responds to disastersisvia our Early Response Team (ERT).Our CTC ERTs respond to disasters within the conference, as well as other areas of the country facing disasters. The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring 
presence in the aftermath of a disaster, under very specific guidelines that enables a team to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community.
presence in the aftermath of a disaster, under very specific guidelines that enables a team to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community. If you are called to service as a member of the CTC ERT, you must register for and participate in one of the trainings taught by “authorized” UMCOR trainers. The next scheduled training for the Central Texas Conference is 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, March 24, at the Tarleton State Wesley Foundation. While there will be other trainings in 2012, none have been officially scheduled as of yet. Visit the CTC Disaster Response page to register, download a brochure and/or learn more about being an ERT and the CTC’s Disaster Response Ministry.
For more information on UMVIM or CTC Disaster Response Ministry, contact Rev. Kyland Dobbins. For questions specific to ERT Training, please contact Rev. Laraine Waughtal.
*Vance serves the CTC as the director of Communications & IT and is a regular contributor to ctcumc.org.