December
A Ministry of Encouragement
This month's guest article is written by Rev Alastair Dickson, director of Encourage International. Alastair's article highlights the effect that encouragement can have on mission workers. It challenges all of us to consider encouragement as a ministry in itself, separate from any other form of support or partnership for mission. Whether we see ourselves as being givers of encouragement or needing to receive, this article is a reminder about the importance of this aspect of pastoral support.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/dickson.htm
All I Want for Christmas ...
If you haven't sorted all your Christmas presents yet, why not consider giving something that will not only surprise the recipient, but benefit others in need around the world? OSCAR has collected together a few links of alternative Christmas gifts which have all been set up by various mission organisations for the benefit of the people amongst whom they work. You can buy anything from a pig or a goat, to a mosquito net or a bed ... you can even 'buy a bog'!
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/3/336.html
Should I stay or should I go?
How does anyone decide to do mission work overseas? Is it a spiritual or practical decision (or a bit of both)? Interestingly, if someone offers for missionary service it's seen as a 'mostly spiritual' decision ... but if someone declines the chance to go, it's usually for practical reasons. So it's good for us to think through both the spiritual and practical implications of any decision to go overseas. The advice section on OSCAR's 'Just Looking' page can help you with this. There are links to organisations who can provide sound advice, both spiritual and practical, as well as some other useful resources including a 'Should I move?' list of questions to consider for anyone contemplating an overseas assignment. For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/training/prefield/justlooking.htm#advice
Make Someone Happy
Christmas is an important time for friends and family. However, it's not always easy for people to get together when they're scattered around the world doing God's work. That's why Christmas should also be a time for encouragement. If you know a mission worker or family who are on the field, away from 'home' for Christmas and have a telephone, why not give them a call during the holiday season and brighten up their day. You don't need any other reason, and you don't even need to know them that well. Just do it. They'll be so blessed and appreciative ... and it will probably cost you much less than you thought.
For more advice and to find the best international phone rates, see www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/communications/index.htm#Telephone
Ethnobotany Survey
It's good for us missionaries to remember to 'stop and smell the flowers' (more on that next month), but how often do we eat them?! That's what ethnobotany is all about ... the use of plants for food, medicine, clothes, shelter etc. An organisation called Maui Marketplace Ministries is conducting a survey amongst missionaries about their knowledge of ethnobotany. Now, before you say in a manuelian manner 'I know nothing', consider for a moment some of the local customs for using plants that you have adopted. We're not just talking about the banana leaf swimming costume you've made but haven't yet plucked up the courage to wear in public; we're also talking about the local vegetable dishes and herbal remedies that have become part of your daily lives. Why not add your wisdom to the survey?
If you want to take part for your local community, see www.churchofmaui.com/alliance.asp
November
The Ideal Supporter
This month's guest article is by Myles Wilson, who gives advice and training on communication, fundraising and raising personal support. Myles poses the question 'What is the ideal supporter like?'. If you are needing to raise your own personal support, or the finance for your project or organisation, this article will provide you with some insight into what to look for in potential supporters and how to cultivate the right support partner relationship. If you are a supporter yourself then this biblical pattern will give you something to aim at in being the best that you can be in your role. Feel free to comment in the OSCAR Forum on this topic after the article.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/wilson.htm
Where There's a Will ...
Making a will is one of those things that we know we should do, but many of us haven't yet got around to it.
If you're heading overseas, it's a good idea to make a will before you go. This means that should you be 'called home' sooner than expected, there will be no doubt about your desires in sorting out your earthly affairs.
If, as a mission worker or supporter, you feel passionately about a cause or ministry, you might also like to leave a legacy that will benefit that work when you 'move on'. Most mission organisations can advise on setting this up.
Contrary to popular belief, making a will is easier than you think. OSCAR has expanded its selection of sites and services that can help you with this. What's more, November 2004 is Will Aid month. This means that many solicitors across the UK are giving their services for FREE in exchange for a donation to a group of charities which includes Christian Aid.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/advisors.htm#wills or www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/finance/index.htm#wills
Beware of Spyware
Are you aware that someone could be watching every mouse-click and keystroke you make online? Spyware is software that monitors your computer's activity and reports it back to a server or individual, sometimes for marketing reasons ... sometimes for something more sinister. OSCAR has put together a few links to help you combat this invasion of privacy. From here you can learn how Spyware works, how you can detect it, and how you can protect yourself against this intrusion. Anti-Spyware measures should be an essential part of your online security armoury.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/internet/advice.htm#Internet Privacy
Insurance - Your Flexible Friend?
Missionaries are risky people! At least that's how many insurance providers view them. As insurance costs continuing to rise, many insurance providers are tightening up their policies and excluding those whose activities are a little 'out of the ordinary'. Your only choice is to either pay 'through the nose' for an individual tailor made policy or go without insurance (not advisable, even illegal in some cases). OSCAR continues to scan the insurance marketplace for products that are geared towards the needs of mission workers. One mission worker this last month wanted to insure her car so that others in the UK could use it whilst she was overseas. After an extensive search she only found one company who would do this.
To find out who and for other unique and tailored mission insurance solutions, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/insurance.htm
Elephant Races!
Personal websites of missionaries include all sorts of useful and interesting pieces of information. As missionaries start to use more of the technology available to them, these websites become little interactive windows through which we can get an insight into what it's like in their part of the world. One site that I came across recently has a number of interesting things to see and do, including a video about racing elephants in Thailand and some 'Magic Eye' images (see www.ecsahlberg.com/Stereo.html)! If you know of other good websites from individual missionaries, why not let OSCAR know and we'll put together a list for a future feature.
OSCAR would really like to encourage missionaries to use the web as a tool to inform and challenge others, as well as a support raising tool. We're working on a few resources that could help you do this, so watch this space. In the meantime why not take a look at some other mission workers who have their own personal web pages at www.oscar.org.uk/personnelpages
October
Friendship First - the Christian and the Muslim
Mission in multi-cultural Britain today involves many of the aspects traditionally found in cross-cultural, overseas work. Many folk would say that World Mission has come back home. One significant contributor to this is the growth of Muslim communities here in the UK. This month's guest writer is Steve Bell, the author of a new course designed to help ordinary Christians reach out to ordinary Muslims. The course is called 'friendshipfirst' and Steve gives us an insight into how it can enable us to engage in this aspect of mission, either here in the UK or around the world. For anyone within reach of South Yorkshire, Steve is also leading a seminar at Bawtry Hall later this month entitled 'ALPHA & the Muslim'.
To read Steve's article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/bell.htm
For more info on the 'ALPHA & the Muslim' seminar, see www.equiptraining.org.uk/courses/alphaandthemuslim.htm
Spam, Spam, Spam
Combating the deluge of Spam (unsolicited emails) is an ongoing issue for all of us. Those who send Spam seem to be one step ahead of those of us who are trying to block it. If you want to keep your email inbox as clear of junk as possible, you will probably need to install some anti-spam software or use a service that filters your emails. OSCAR has put together a list of software and solutions to help you see what's available.
For a list of anti-spam software and solutions, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/email/advice.htm#spam
Last month OSCAR asked a number of regular OSCAR users how they combat Spam and their responses can be found in a new discussion thread of the OSCAR Forum. Feel free to add your wisdom of what has worked for you in your war against Spam.
To see the discussion, go to
www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/4/317.html
Bringing Food into to the UK
Are you aware that it's illegal to bring many food items into the UK? Many of us know that pineapples, mangoes and bananas taste so much better from their countries of origin than they do from the UK supermarkets. However, bringing a bunch into the UK may be breaking the law and may provide you with an unpleasant surprise if stopped by British customs. To check which items you can or cannot bring into the UK and why, see www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/illegali/allow/allowances.htm
Take the Hassle out of Moving
Moving house is stressful enough for anyone, but all the more so if you move countries as well. A recently launched website, Helpiammoving.com , has some good advice on how to make the moving experience go smoothly. I particularly like some of their games, ideas and recommended books aimed at helping children cope with the move. If you have further hints and tips that can help someone else's move, why not share them in the OSCAR Forum and we'll incorporate them into our moving house page.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/paperwork/movinghouse.htm
To add your suggestions about moving, go to www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/57/316.html
Post Early for Christmas
Last month we were encouraging you to think about buying Christmas cards. This month it's time to think about last posting dates! If you plan to send parcels across the world by surface post and want them to reach their destination by Christmas, you may need to post them during October! If you're sending items from the UK, see www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/communications/index.htm#Post
If you're sending items to the UK, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/post/index.htm
September
What's Your Story?
What is it that keeps missionaries on the field or sends them home early? How can we be better prepared and equipped to survive the mission experience? This month's guest article is written by Rob Hay and highlights a research project into the many experiences of mission workers, and points towards some of the ways you can improve your chances of a successful and fulfilling mission experience. It's a 'must read' for those considering mission work. For those of you already involved in mission, your participation in the study is invited, so why not tell 'Your Story'. Rob is also speaking at the 'Healed Enough ... Well Enough?' conference later this month.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/articles/hay.htm
Education Resources for Children
If you're on the field and have children of school age, you'll know all about the tough choices involved in your child's education options. What you may not know is the variety of services that are now available to parents in remote places. Our Children's Education section has grown extensively over the last few years as the Internet gives better access to resources that can vastly improve schooling options. We have everything from online Christian schools to those who can offer advice on higher education and universities.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/children/education.htm
Preparing for Emergencies
Over the summer, a new government leaflet with this title was posted to all UK households. It's also available to read online. Today's world security situation means that we all need to be prepared for what 'could' happen and make contingency plans. For many workers in situations overseas, this has always been the case. Although this leaflet is aimed at the general UK public, it has some important advice about security wherever you may be.
For more info, see www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk
For other more specific advice for overseas workers, see OSCAR's Crisis Management section at www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/crisis/index.htm
Tax Return Due?
For many, September is the time that the tax return becomes due. This is, of course, if you want the Inland Revenue to calculate your tax for you. If you have to fill in a tax return and are a bit lost as to how your situation as an overseas and/or full-time Christian worker affects your tax status, there are people who specialise in advising on these areas. OSCAR's Tax page can point you in the right direction. Some of them will even do your tax return for you!
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/tax.htm
Order Your Christmas Cards Now!
Yes, I know this sounds ridiculous, but if you want to get your Christmas cards and presents in the post in time for Christmas last posting, now is the time to start thinking about it. This is especially true with the revamped UK Post Office struggling to meet its service targets. Who knows what the Christmas post will be like?
Gospel Cards, etc has built up a service that provides Christmas cards to Christians by mail order. Packs of cards are sent by UK post or air mail at a very reasonable cost and all include an appropriate Christian message and verse. What's more, 20% of the net proceeds of these cards is donated to mission causes, of which OSCAR is one :-)
For more info, see www.gospelcardsetc.com
August
Mission E-zine Launch
August sees the launch of a new mission e-zine in the UK, co-edited by Jonathan Ingleby, Head of Mission Studies at Redcliffe College, and Robin Hay, Director of Generating Change. Their introduction comments on the lack of discussion about mission issues in the UK and explains that this new e-zine aims to provide a platform for discussion on some of the 'big issues' in mission. In the first issue, Jonathan puts the 'people groups' approach to mission under scrutiny. There is a discussion board so you can voice your comments and respond to some of the controversial points raised in his article. It would be great if some OSCAR users could participate and, to encourage you to do so, we are treating this as our guest article for August. Oh, and whilst you're there ... why not have a browse around Redcliffe's brand new website.
For more info, see www.redcliffe.org/mission
If it moves ... Review it!
The Book Review section of the OSCAR Forum now includes nearly 20 reviews of different mission related books. However, we'd like to open up this topic to include not just book reviews, but reviews of software, websites, products, gadgets for mission, whatever. There's so much good information and knowledge locked away in 'mission-minded' heads ... this is one way for you to share what you've discovered with other OSCAR users and mission workers.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/4/4.html
Supporter Management Software
There are a variety of software packages designed to help you manage your support base and donors. Such a package can streamline anything from sending mailings to keeping a log of donations. Some of these are specifically written for the individual, some for the organisation, and some work for both. The clever thing about these programmes is that each of the tasks they perform are integrated and they can significantly reduce the time you need to spend on keeping track of your supporters. We've collated a list of some of the programmes available. If you use one of these, please write a short review and submit it to the OSCAR Forum under the new 'Review' topic.
To view the list of supporter management software, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/support.htm#software
To submit a review or view other submissions, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/4/4.html
Medical Insurance Goes Global
Most of us know that travel insurance costs are increasing at an alarming rate. There is no doubt that this is related to the increasing risks and demands associated with the security and vulnerability of expat workers in many different situations. Those that have provided insurance products to this sector have been working hard to make sure that their policies cover all that is required but remain within the budget of your average aid worker. Companies like Talent Trust Consultants have recently developed schemes that provide 'total' coverage whether a worker is 'at home', 'on the field' or somewhere in between. Make sure that you're properly covered wherever you are and whatever you're doing.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/insurance.htm
Healed Enough - Well Enough?
This is the unusual title of a conference this September in Edinburgh. The 48 hour conference is part of a series looking at caring for the missionary in the 21st century. Membercare, as this is called, is concerned with the welfare and development of mission workers and is now recognised by most mission organisations as being of prime importance. This conference, as with other membercare focused events and resources, is all about learning from the mistakes of the past and applying best practice to care for mission personnel today. This is not only close to God's heart, it's close to OSCAR's too and is a must for any church or organisation involved in sending or supporting mission workers.
For more info, see www.eihc.org/conference1.htm
July
Stewardship
From July 1st, two well known Christian stewardship organisations, Stewardship Services and Sovereign Giving, are merging to form one new financial support services charity called 'Stewardship'. There's a new website being launched that explains the new format of their giving accounts and their services to Christian workers, charities and supporters. One of the most interesting developments that's almost ready to roll out is their new online giving system. Through this, Christian workers and supporters will be able to manage their tax efficient* support and giving accounts from wherever they are in the world.
For more info, see www.stewardship.org.uk
* To calculate how much Gift Aid can increase any donation amount, see our new Gift Aid Calculator at www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/tax.htm#giftaid
Please Send Me a Wife!
This month's guest article is in the form of an interview with the director of Mission Supplies Limited, Gerry Slessenger. I wanted to ask Gerry about some of the things he had experienced and learnt in his many years of running a mission purchasing and shipping service. You'll be surprised by some of the requests he's had! You might also be amazed at the crucial role this ministry plays in the overall mission effort.
To read the interview, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/slessenger.htm
Bible Studies for Short-term Mission
It's about this time of year when the leaders of summer mission teams start to panic at all the arrangements that need to be made. One of the most challenging parts of being a leader is offering spiritual guidance on a day to day basis. Don't worry, there are a set of group bible study notes that have been written precisely for this purpose. They're called 'Time Out' and they're only available online through OSCAR. Written by Tony Horsfall, these notes will help you take your team through 15 daily studies covering the most important things that can be learnt during short-term mission trips. For a small cost, they can relieve you of a lot of planning. Why re-invent the wheel?
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/timeout.htm
It's a Wind Up (not)
One of the most important ways to keep in touch with what's going on in the outside world is by radio. Long before the Web came along, people in remote places were listening to the radio. One mission, The Spring Project, has a unique role of providing FREE windup radios for missionaries or church pastors in remote places. If you fall into either of these categories, you might qualify for a FREE radio. Also, if you're visiting someone or a location in a remote place, they can supply a FREE radio for you to take as a gift. To date they have given away around 250 radios to 30 or so different countries.
For more info, see www.springproject.org.uk
Become an OSCAR Partner
Following the success of our Website Sponsorship Scheme, we're launching a similar scheme for individuals to become 'OSCAR Partners'. It costs roughly £24 a day (£1 an hour) to keep the OSCAR website online. And each day, around 200 people are helped by OSCAR's services. You can make a difference by sponsoring the OSCAR website for a day. Each 'OSCAR Partner' will receive a certificate, a set of statistics detailing how many people accessed the website that day, and a subscription to the OSCAR Update. It's a unique way to support mission work and expand the Kingdom of God through the Internet at the same time. You can even buy a day of sponsorship as a unique birthday or anniversary gift!
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/support.htm
June
Mobilising Young People
This last month you may have seen or read about the sad demise of TEMA, the organisation behind the Mission Congress for mobilising young people into mission that has been held in Europe every two years. This will leave quite a hole in the European mission scene. Stepping into this breach here in the UK is a new initiative launching on 29th June called motiv8. Dave Barker, who has been involved in the motiv8 vision from the beginning, is our guest writer this month and explains to us just what motiv8 is all about and how it plans to encourage more young people to engage in world mission.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/articles/barker.htm
Make your Vote Count
The presence of numerous party political broadcasts on the TV remind me that European and Local Council elections are happening in the UK on June 10th. If you're from the UK but based overseas, you can vote by post but only if you have previously registered to do this. If you haven't registered, I'm afraid it's too late to complete the process for this set of elections, but with a general election possibly less than a year away, you can register to be included in any future elections. Whether you vote or not, you might be interested in the results which are now collated and posted online.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/paperwork/voting.htm
OSCAR Forum Registration
From June 1st, participation in the OSCAR Forum will require a password obtainable by registering. This was the case just over a year ago and any password issued before now is still valid. We are returning to the registration system to provide better security and moderating for forum users. Registration is a very simple affair and is open to all, so please continue to use the OSCAR Forum for your messages and discussion, just remember that you'll need to register first.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus
I'm a missionary ... get me out of here!
If you need to leave your mission location in a hurry ... who do you call? Well, hopefully you would have done some contingency planning beforehand which would mean that you already have a plan that you can follow. You should already have some idea what you would do in a medical emergency or if there is civil or military unrest. If you need help with contingency planning, OSCAR's Crisis Management page is a good place to start. If you need evacuating due to a medical emergency, we have a special page for medical evacuations (medevacs).
For crisis planning, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/crisis/index.htm
For medevacs, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/medical/onthefield/medevac.htm
Retail Philanthropy? Part 2
Since we featured this topic back in March we've added two more shopping affiliate schemes to the OSCAR website. It's a great way of making a contribution to mission work without it costing you anything (you even save money by using some of these!). All you need to do is remember to use one of these facilities each time you buy something online. With online shopping set to boom in the coming months, don't let this vital opportunity to support mission work pass you by.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/support.htm#shopping
May
Access All Areas?
This last month, the UK Disability Rights Commission revealed that it's investigation into website accessibility concluded that 81% of websites failed to meet minimum standards for web access by disabled people, e.g. those who are partially/poor sighted or those not able to operate a mouse (see www.drc-gb.org/newsroom/latest.asp). As one in seven of the UK population has some kind of disability, this means that thousands of people could be missing out on many services that the web has to offer. It's a challenge to all of us who use the web to reach and resource people. Does your organisation's or project's website meet current accessibility criteria?
The detailed accessibility recommendations are found at www.w3.org/TR/1999/WAI-WEBCONTENT-19990505
Mission Accessible
As a follow on from the last feature, it's also worth noting that there are further important accessibility issues for websites providing world mission information and resources. Our 'Open Discussion' this month focuses on what's important to make a website more accessible to mission workers around the world. We've started with a few suggestions but would like your input, whether you're a user
or a webmaster.
To join the discussion, go to www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/57/246.html
Virtual Church
As the UK church seeks to be relevant in the rapidly changing culture and society of 21st century Britain, a huge amount of exploration is going on into different models of Church. Out of this exploration have sprung several online ventures, some of which have already come and gone. Others, however, are alive and well and presenting an opportunity for potential congregation members to become part of their community wherever they are around the world. This has interesting implications for mission workers based overseas who want to be part of UK church life ... albeit virtually. There's i-church, set up by the Anglican Diocese of Oxford, providing an online Christian community. Webchurch is Scotland's first virtual church, which includes an intriguing feature entitled 'The Star Trek Gospels'. For something a little different, take a look at the 'Church of Fools' launching on May 11th. You'll be amazed at what's happening to the Church in Cyberspace!
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/pastoral/onthefield/index.htm#Online Church
Financial Health Check
Are you responsible for any of the financial aspects of your mission or project? If so, you might like to see how well you're doing with managing the finances. Mango, who provide tools and guides for NGO financial management, have got a handy online tool to see how you're doing. Your answers to 50 simple statements will tell you if your financial management is healthy or sick - and whether you need to call a doctor!
For more info, see www.mango.org.uk/resources/healthcheck.asp
Losing Loved Ones
'How would you cope if a family member passed away and you're on the other side of the world?' That's one of the questions we were asked before going overseas. Even though it may be uncomfortable to think about those situations, it's important to have some idea of how you would deal with them, should they happen. Of course, everyone has to grieve, and if you're not able to be with others who would normally share your grieving, there are some web resources that can help you work through those difficult times. OSCAR's Pastoral Resources section has a few suggestions should you find yourself in this position.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/pastoral/onthefield/index.htm#Counseling Help & Resources
April
Mel Gibson, the Missionary
If your definition of being a missionary is about sharing Christ across cultures, then Mel Gibson will surely have attained that title. His film, recently released in the UK, entitled 'The Passion of the Christ' is sending shockwaves around the world as Christians and non-Christians alike experience this visually graphic depiction of the last hours of Christ on the big screen. The film is being seen by many from the church in the UK as one of the best opportunities to talk about Christ we've had in a long time. Churches and church members are making themselves available for discussion and questions that might arise in those who attend. How might you seize this opportunity for sharing Christ with others? One of OSCAR's users, Kenneth Wes, has put together a web page with some of the best Passion of the Christ film links at www.christianvideos.org/passion_of_Christ.html
Web Evangelism
This month's guest article is written by Tony Whittaker, Director of SOON Ministries and the man behind the Web Evangelism Guide. Tony helps us understand the potential there is in using the Internet for primary evangelism and inspires us to be Virtual Missionaries in a mission field that spans the globe and 'reaches many parts other missions cannot reach'. Opportunities for outreach exist through the Internet that just weren't there 20 years ago. The phrase 'Carpe Dium' comes to mind (Seize the Day). Feel free to join the discussion after Tony's article ...maybe you have comments or suggestions to make or maybe you know of some good evangelistic websites, why not share them with other OSCAR users?
To see Tony's article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/pirolo.htm
Re-entry Courses
As many folk return to the UK over the next few months, we thought you should know about some of the Re-entry events coming up. Firstly, there are re-entry courses happening at Bawtry Hall (27-29 Apr, 22-24 Oct) and Redcliffe College (13-15 Aug). There are retreats and holidays planned for the children of missionaries at All Nations (3-6 Apr, 24-27 Aug) and Hebden Bridge (2-6 Aug, 12-16 Aug). There is also a refresher course and retreat for those returning overseas taking place at All Nations (5-9 Jul, 12-16 Jul) and a refresher course for medical professionals working overseas at Oak Hill College (5-16 July).
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/training/postfield/index.htm and www.oscar.org.uk/service/pastoral/postfield/index.htm
OSCAR's Website Sponsorship Scheme
This scheme has been running for just over a year now and has just been reviewed and revised. It's an opportunity for you to help support OSCAR and keep its information FREE for all to use. For a small monthly fee, you can sponsor any one of 17 sections of the OSCAR website and help keep it online. For the duration of your sponsorship, you will receive an acknowledgement at the top of each page in 'your' section and a link to your own website, should you wish. Some of those who have sponsored OSCAR in recent months have been pleasantly surprised by the number of referrals they have had from their sponsor link on OSCAR:
'The two links from your site consistently come up as generating the most visitors of any of our reciprocal linkages'
Steve Fouch, Director, MMA HealthServe.
For more information on the scheme, see www.oscar.org.uk/sitesponsor.htm
Charitable Giving through the UK Self Assessment Tax Return
From this month, self-assessment taxpayers will be able to nominate a charity to receive all or part of any tax rebate owed to them. The Inland Revenue website will provide a search facility giving details of all UK charities and similar bodies registered with the Inland Revenue to accept the donation of a tax repayment via the Self-Assessment tax return. This will provide a unique code for each charity participating in the scheme (OSCAR's code is CAL89CG). SA Tax Returns will also include a Gift Aid declaration and, if completed, the Inland Revenue will automatically add the extra amount to your donation.
For more info, see www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/charities/sa_tax_return.htm
March
Supporting Missionaries
This month's guest article is by Neal Pirolo, author and founder of Emmaus Road International, a member care ministry based in California, USA. Neal wrote one of the most significant mission books of the last decade, entitled 'Serving As Senders'. SAS is still regarded in many mission circles worldwide as the definitive guide to supporting missionaries. More recently, a sequel to this book has been published called 'The Re-entry Team' which focuses on supporting missionaries when they return from the field. 'Serving As Senders' is now out of print in the UK and 'The Re-entry Team' hasn't yet been published this side of the pond but we have sourced a number of copies of each, available through OSCAR.
To see Neal's article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/articles/pirolo.htm
To order copies of either book, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/resources/missbooks.htm#sending
A day course based on the material of 'Serving As Senders' is run by EQUIP, a UK based Christian training ministry. If your church needs some help and inspiration in supporting your mission partners, then this course is for you. EQUIP are taking the course 'on the road' and would be interested to hear from any church or organisation who would like to host a SAS day in their locality. The next Serving As Senders day at Bawtry Hall, EQUIP's base in South Yorkshire, is planned for 24th April.
To enquire about the Serving As Senders course, go to www.equiptraining.org.uk
'Jobs Wanted' section for OSCAR Forum
Following the success of our Job Opportunities posting facility, this month we are launching a 'Jobs Wanted' section in the OSCAR Forum. This section is for individuals who are looking for an opportunity or placement in mission work. It can be long or short-term, UK or overseas based. A web site like OSCAR is the perfect place to post your details, so organisations and projects around the world can see what you're looking for and contact you if they have an opportunity that fits your profile.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/207/207.html
The Big Read ... for World Mission
Read a good mission book lately? Why not let other OSCAR users know about your new-found inspiration by adding a book review to the OSCAR Forum? If it's a book already listed or not, your insight can help others decide which books might be good for them to read and why.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/4/4.html
Retail Philanthropy?
One way of raising funds for mission is to go through a mission's affiliate link each time you shop online. With online shopping set to increase dramatically here in the UK over the next year, it's good to get in the habit of using one of these services each time you buy something over the Internet. You don't pay any extra (sometimes even less!) but the chosen mission will receive a small percentage of the amount you pay, making it a potentially significant source of income for missions. OSCAR has a couple of examples of these affiliate shops and most major online shopping services are represented.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/support.htm#shopping
OSCAR becomes member of Global Connections
OSCAR has had a long association with Global Connections who were instrumental in encouraging OSCAR in our early days and getting the word out about the OSCAR website to the UK world mission community. After four years of being live on the Internet (yes, this month it's our birthday!), OSCAR has officially became a member of the GC network. This is also a significant time for GC as, at the end of this month, Martin Lee joins them as the new Executive Director. We hope and pray that Martin will settle into his new role quickly and that Stanley Davies, Martin's predecessor, will enjoy a well earned and fulfilling retirement.
To visit the Global Connections website, see www.globalconnections.co.uk
February
Time Out
February sees the start of a new feature on OSCAR ... the guest article. This month it is written by Tony Horsfall, a church leader, author and ex-missionary who also has an article in this month's 'Christianity & Renewal' magazine. His article for OSCAR is about 'Pastoral Resources for Short-Term Mission' and follows the development of a new bible study series called 'Time Out' aimed at those on short-term mission. You are invited to give your feedback following Tony's article in the Open Discussion Group of the OSCAR Forum. The 'Time Out' studies are now available to purchase and download online exclusively through OSCAR, so you can access them instantly from wherever you are. A sample study is even provided for FREE!
To view the article and join the discussion, see www.oscar.org.uk/articles/horsfall.htm
To sample, purchase and download the 'Time Out' studies, see www.oscar.org.uk/timeout.htm
World Mission Consultancy Launch
This month also sees the launch of a new service closely related to OSCAR. World Mission Consultancy has been set up by OSCAR's Director, Mike Frith, to provide consultancy and training services to the UK world mission community. WMC is based on the breadth of knowledge and insight that working with OSCAR has provided. Consultancy and training is available for many aspects of world mission, as well as some topics related to information technology. It's not just a service to organisations and businesses, it's also available to any church or individual wanting face-to-face impartial help and assistance on any practical, mission related issue.
For more info, see the WMC website at www.worldmission.co.uk
Just the Job
The new job vacancies section in the OSCAR Forum has generated a lot of interest. If you would like to advertise a vacancy on a site with a world mission focus ... this is the place! There are a number of vacancies already posted and from now on we will include each month's new vacancies in the OSCAR Update email. If you don't yet receive this email each month, it's FREE and all you need to do is sign up. If you want to receive these vacancies sooner, just register in the OSCAR Forum and they will be emailed to you as they are posted.
For the job vacancies, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus/messages/176/176.html
To join the OSCAR Update monthly email list, see Contact OSCAR
To register in the OSCAR Forum, see www.oscar.org.uk/registration.htm
Second-Hand Mission Books
The Internet has provided a fantastic platform for buying and selling second-hand items. This includes books and even Christian and mission books. This is useful if you're trying to get hold of something that's out of print, or just want to save money on those Christian classics. OSCAR has a list of book sources that includes these sites. Some of these services even donate a percentage of their takings to mission projects. One service, Liberty Books, goes one step further and allows you to sell your books through their website, enabling you to clear your shelves and raise funds for your chosen mission cause at the same time.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/resources/missbooks.htm#sources
Keeping up with the News, part 2
If you like to read your news in print rather than on a screen, check out what's available for expats in the form of weekly UK newspapers. There's a weekly version of the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Express. The Guardian will even send you a trial copy FREE! There's also a publication called 'The Week' which is, as their website says, 'a unique digest which distils the best of the British and foreign press into just 44 succinct pages'. We've received copies of them all in recent years and think they're a great way to keep up with the news.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/miscellaneous.htm#newspapers
January
Find a New Job ... through OSCAR
As of Jan 1st, there is a new OSCAR Forum section for listing Individual mission opportunities and vacancies in world mission work. OSCAR already has a page of links to other sites that list job vacancies, but many folk have asked about having a place on the OSCAR site where they can post Individual mission opportunities ... and here it is! For a small fee, mission organisations, projects or churches with mission opportunities can advertise them individually on OSCAR. They can be UK or overseas based, short or long term. With OSCAR gaining such a high ranking on Internet search engines and having such a mission focus, there's really no better place on the web than OSCAR for reaching potential mission enquirers.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/discus or www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/vacancies
Plan & Book a Holiday
January is traditionally the month that most people book their holidays. Not wanting to break with tradition, it seems like a good opportunity to highlight some of the holiday sections of the OSCAR website.
For those who are in the UK at sometime during the year, we have a comprehensive list of anything from holiday accommodation-finding services to individual places to stay. There are extensive listings of Christian festivals and bible weeks, retreat centres and many other 'holiday' destinations. Many of them offer something special (often including reduced rates) for mission workers. There are even special holidays organised specifically for the children of mission workers. For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/homeleave/holidays.htm
For those who are looking for a holiday destination whilst remaining overseas, try our logistics page in the locations section. There's a growing list of mission guest houses, ministries and holiday venues all offering some 'time out' for those mission workers wishing to stay in those areas. For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/logistics.htm
If you don't find what you want, or if you have or know of a place that other mission workers might be interested in, why not post a message in the OSCAR Forum or contact OSCAR directly and we'll see what we can do.
Keep up with the News
Many of you have said how much you appreciate the UK news column on OSCAR's front page. Those observant ones amongst you will have noticed that we've recently also added a Christian News column just underneath the UK news. This is a news feed provided by Ekklesia.co.uk . There are other Christian news sources that we could have linked to but we felt that this was the most appropriate for our UK oriented users. Let us know what you think. For more Christian news for different areas of the world, see our full Christian Information page at www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/christianinfo.htm
Stay Healthy
Cross-cultural workers are exposed to a whole range of illnesses, ailments and stresses that your average GP might find it hard to deal with. That's why there's a need for suitably trained, experienced and qualified healthcare professionals who understand the ups and downs of a mission worker's experience. OSCAR's medical section lists many sites and services offering such specialised help. This help can come through email consultations, or by visiting a place like Edinburgh International Health Centre or Interhealth both before and after any time spent overseas.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/medical
Be Inspired Towards Mission
A former youth leader told the story of how she tried to get her youth group to open up in worship. She prayed about it and tried various things that she thought would help, but there seemed to be a barrier between the way that they did things and the abandonment to worship that she hoped would transform their experience of God's presence. She then took them to Spring Harvest. When they returned, the worship was transformed!
There's something inspiring and motivating about joining with others in an event or experience. This is true for mission as well. If you want to be inspired towards mission involvement (or if you want this for your pastor ☺) then get along to one of the global focused events coming up in the next few months. There's 'Go Global' happening in Plymouth in January, 'Global Passion 2' happening in Liverpool in February and 'Global Interface' at Swanwick (Derbyshire) in May.
For details of these, and other mission-motivating events, see www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/events