December
Newsletters
Just about everyone who embarks on Christian or mission work ends up writing about it to supporters and friends. It may be a near constant stream of news using every media possible, or it may be a once a year Christmas card insert. Either way, some people struggle with what to write and how to write it. This month's article has some tips from a person who receives over 350 newsletters per year!
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/frithc.htm
Christmas eCards & Gifts
'Black Friday' may be over but there's still plenty of time to sort out your Christmas cards and gifts, particularly if you are sending eCards or alternative Christmas gifts. OSCAR has collated a list of the various Christian and mission organisations who offer these.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/christmas
Twee Wise Men
It's great to see some innovative ideas around helping us prepare for Christmas. One that's receive much press is Natwivity, the familiar story told through social media. There's also an interactive online Advent retreat. However, one that caught our attention is 'Twee Wise Men', an advent calendar with a difference. Each day throughout advent they are offering followers a chance to win a gift for their favourite charity.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/christmas#other
Ask a Missionary
For a number of years there has been an American based website called 'Ask a missionary' where enquirers can ask any question and get a range of answers from those who have experience on the filed. Well, now there's a book collating many of these 'seasoned' answers and we have reviewed it.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/reviews/aam.htm
OSCAR's Annual Appeal
Have you found OSCAR useful through 2010? If so, would you consider donating a small amount to help keep OSCAR online? It costs around £5 per hour to keep OSCAR going. If you could consider contributing towards this cost, it would really help us to continue to provide this service. Thanks.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/donate
November
Finding the Best Airfares
Finding the best airfares is a regular pastime of many mission workers, and some have gained a measure of expertise in this. So why would you use a specialist travel agent? Andrew Hankin, from Diversity Travel, takes us through some of the reasons in his guest article for this month. It's so much more than just the bottom line.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/hankin.htm
Operation World goes Live
November sees the launch of the latest edition of Operation World. To mark the occasion, there is a launch event online on Tuesday 9th November at 6pm and again at 1am GMT (the following day). You can participate wherever you are in the world. Pre-orders for the book are rocketing ... if you're looking for your copy at the best price in the UK, try Bookbrain.
Go to http://oscaractive.ning.com/events/operation-world-goes-live
To buy the book, go to www.bookbrain.co.uk/pricesearch.aspx?isbn=1850788626
Christmas Cards
Now is the time to get your Christmas cards sorted. As in previous years, we have put together a list of organisations who sell cards for mission. Choosing your cards from these folks will not only give you a card with an 'appropriate' message, but will also raise funds for the valuable work that they are doing. If you know of others, inform us and we'll put them on the list.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/christmas
Will Aid
Do you need to write or update your will? It's a good idea to do this whenever your life circumstances change significantly (i.e. entering or leaving mission work!). Every November, Will Aid works with solicitors all over the UK to run National Make a Will month. During November, these solicitors will write a will or codicill for FREE in exchange for a donation to one of 9 charities, including Christian Aid. There's no time like the present!
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/finance/advisors.htm#wills
Website Sponsorship Scheme
We have had several new sponsors for different sections of the OSCAR website, including Pilgrims' Friend Society, InterHealth, Master Policy, Endsleigh & Diversity Travel. Our experience with Google shows that Google ads get around a 1% click through rate. Stats indicate an amazing 8% click through rate for OSCAR's sponsor ads! Fees for this remain very low for such targeted advertising. If you want to try it out, you can do it this month on our old prices before we re-calculate for next year.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/about/sitesponsor.htm
October
UK Lets for Missionaries
Finding a suitable place to stay in the UK whilst on home leave is often quite a challenge. This month we have a guest article written by Louise Morse from the Pilgrims' Friend Society talking about their newly expanded accommodation facilities all over the UK which are now available for missionaries on furlough or home assignment.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/morse.htm
Biblefresh & OSCAR
As part of OSCAR's partnership with Biblefresh, we are working towards getting a number of mission related Bible study resources on OSCAR. Already we have several mission focused devotional series available to download and a Discipleship group in OSCARactive for those who want to interact with others who are doing the various studies.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/pastoral/resources.htm#devotionalsmission
For the discussion group, go to http://oscaractive.ning.com/group/discipleship
Home Keeps Moving
Have you ever wondered what it's like growing up in different cultures? 'Home Keeps Moving' is the story of Heidi Sand-Hart and the experiences she had growing up as a 'Third Culture Kid'. It's a good read for anyone wanting to understand the unique opportunities and challenges for children who grow up 'on the mission field', whether you're someone living through it or wanting to support others who are. The book has been reviewed for OSCAR by Carol Kingston-Smith.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/reviews/hkm.htm
Emailing Newsletters
How do you send out your news or prayer letter? If you're looking for a better way to manage your contact list and send regular email updates, take a look at our list of email newsletter and list managers. Most of them offer a free trial and some of them, like MailChimp, are completely FREE up to a certain number of subscribers (1000 in MailChimp's case).
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/email.htm#newsletters
More Opportunities on OSCAR
Last month we were offering 50% off our job advertising packages for the rest of 2010. As a result we have quite a few new organisations signed up to our Gold package (unlimited opportunities), so you should start to see a lot more vacancies posted on our website. We currently have over 500 different opportunities.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/vacancies
September
What's Your Promise?
This month we're highlighting the role of Micah Challenge, of which OSCAR is a member organisation. Andy Clasper, their UK Director, tells us about their current 'What's Your Promise?' campaign and how you can be a part of this global movement against poverty, wherever you are in the world.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/clasper.htm
Pakistan Flood Appeals
If you want to help the flood relief effort in Pakistan but want to give through a Christian organisation, we are collating a list of Christian organisations who are responding to the crisis and in need of your support.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/der.htm
Guest Houses
There are hundreds of Christian and mission guest houses all over the world but how do you get to find out about them? Well, OSCAR can help. We have a growing page that lists guest houses and hospitality networks, like the newly added 'La Dolce Vita' network list which highlights guest houses around the Mediterranean for overnights and vacations that are comfy, affordable and accessible for ex-pat workers.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/logistics.htm
Look After Yourself
How are you doing? Are you thriving or are you stressed and burnt out? How can you even tell when you're in the thick of it? Headington Institute provides a series of self-assessment tools for aid workers about stress, burnout, trauma and coping. They're not designed to replace a human assessment but can help you determine whether you're fine or whether you need to change your lifestyle and/or seek further help. Don't let things get too bad before you catch them.
Go to www.headington-institute.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1379
Cross-cultural Recipe Ideas
We've created a new group in OSCARactive for you to share your favourite 'global' recipes. It may be something you have learnt from the field or something from your home culture that you think everyone else should know about. You can also include any other tips for cooking or food generally that you think may help others, particularly those new to the field.
Go to http://oscaractive.ning.com/group/recipeideas
August
Long Way Up: Overland Advice
OSCAR is always trying to encourage the flow of information and advice between mission workers. Our monthly article for August reflects this as Jen te Velde, our guest writer, tells us about her 8 month overland trip from Cape Town to London and gives some sound advice for anyone organising something similar. There are actually some valuable things to learn for anyone embarking on a mission trip, short or long term.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/tevelde.htm
Gap Year Help
One of the best sites that we have come across for advice in organising and taking a gap year, for people of all ages, is gapadvice.org . Whatever your reason for taking a year out, this site walks you through the process right from the early consideration stages through to after you return home.
Go to www.gapadvice.org
Sending Newsletters from Abroad
If you're looking for a new and easier way to send your news/prayerletter whilst overseas, take a peek at our list of post related services. These include some companies who will print and post bulk letters within the UK for the cost of a second class stamp.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/post.htm
Travelling by Road?
It's a well known fact that car accidents kill more missionaries than anything else. InterHealth have put together an information sheet giving advice on Avoiding and Preventing Car Crashes. Download your copy and see if you're doing all that you can to safeguard yourself and those who travel with you.
Go to www.interhealth.org.uk/news-preventing-car-crashes.html
MK Tales
For a bit of lighthearted, mission-focused humour ... take a look at the blog of Ardin Beech, started just earlier this year. Ardin recalls various events in his life growing up as a missionary kid between cultures, with a humourous narrative and a healthy portion of 'laughing at oneself'.
Go to www.mktales.com
July
What's the Difference between Evangelism and Mission?
This is a question often asked of those involved in mission, and the response is often given in terms of where it happens. On this occassion, the question landed on the desk of Paul Adams, senior pastor of Banstead Baptist Church. Paul tells us how he responded and what, in his mind, are the real Biblical definitions to be grappled with.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/adams.htm
Discipleship Studies
Being involved in mission is an important part of discipleship. But it's also important for mission workers to receive ongoing discipleship. OSCAR already has two bible study series for mission workers online: 'Time Out' - for short-termers, and 'Steps on the Missionary Road' - for those new to the mission field. This month we're launching 'Living in Community' - a series of 7 studies for those working in teams, written by Tony Horsfall. We're also launching a 'Discipleship group' in OSCARactive, for anyone who is using any of the studies and wants to discuss the issues with others.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/pastoral/resources.htm#devotionalsmission
New Groups on Singleness, Marriage and Families in Mission
We have created three new 'Thinking' groups in OSCARactive for these three categories. The idea is that these groups can be used to discuss issues specific to that category. For instance, for 'Thinking: Singleness' we want to provide a place where anyone can discuss what it means to be single in mission. Some are called to stay single, some struggle with their singleness, others are just waiting to find the right person. These private groups can help you explore, share and learn with each other.
To join, go to http://oscaractive.ning.com/groups
Book Review: In His Image - Understanding and Embracing the Poor
Debbie Hawker writes a short review of this book by Andy Matheson. She says "This book is highly relevant to everyone whose work involves reaching out to the poor, and working for justice." She also tells us how we can get a discount on bulk orders. Perhaps a book for your team to read over the summer?
Read the review at www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/reviews/ihi.htm
Edinburgh 2010 Common Call
One of the most significant things to come out of the Edinburgh 2010 world missionary conference last month was the 'Common Call' to mission. This 9 point document gives a good measure of the mission thinking that was common to the many church leaders who attended the conference. It's stirring stuff and provides a helpful summary of what the world Church feels is important for us to take forward as we embark on the next century of mission.
Go to www.edinburgh2010.org
June
Practical Help
With the finances of organisations getting tighter by the month, it's often the practical support of mission workers that gets squeezed. This month's guest writer, Tim Herbert of Syzygy, shares his heart with us on this topic and shows us how we all can make a difference to what happens on the frontline.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/herbert.htm
Job Cards at Summer Conferences
If you're looking to recruit mission workers, gap year students, support staff, volunteers, church reps or trustees ... OSCAR can help get your opportunity infront of over 30,000 Christian's this summer. We are hosting job boards at three major Christian events and have a special deal for OSCAR users. Bookings are now open, just fill in our online form.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/about/exhibitions.htm
LOCATE
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office are encouraging all British nationals travelling and living abroad to register with them using their LOCATE service, even for short trips. This then enables their embassy and crisis staff to give you better assistance should an emergency arise. The FCO website also has a wealth of up to date, country specific information including travel, health and security advice ... with the latest alerts available by email, Facebook or Twitter.
Go to www.fco.gov.uk/locate
World Cup Prayer
The Church of England has published three prayers for the world cup, including one for those who really don't care! More extensive prayers have been written by The Ultimate Goal, a football focused ministry based in the host nation, South Africa. There are also those who use such a high profile international event as a launch pad to pray for the nations taking part. If you're looking for prayer items for any of the nations taking part, you can search through OSCAR's 'Locations - Christian info' section and find all the fuel you need.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/christianinfo.htm
24 Mission Resource Sheets Updated
We have updated our mission resource sheets ready for the various events that OSCAR is involved in over the summer. You can download and print any of these sheets yourself to pass on to others or display in your church. We can even provide you with a directory of all 24 sheets for a modest cost.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/about/mrstand.htm
May
Learning Styles
Are you facing big choices for your children's education? Do you want to give them the best opportunities wherever you are? Understanding how children learn is the first step to making the right choices for them in their education. This month's guest writer, Margaret Stockwell, takes us through the various learning styles to help us with this process. It's not only for when you're making those big choices, but also for any time when you want to supplement their education with some learning that will really help them.
Go to http://www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/stockwell.htm
Facebook and Privacy
If you're a mission worker and on Facebook, what are the issues that you should consider when posting your details online? Should someone working in a 'sensitive' area of the world be on Facebook at all? This topic is being re-visited with a new discussion in OSCARactive. If you have some advice to give or if you want to explore the issues with other mission workers, please come and join us.
Go to http://oscaractive.ning.com/forum/topics/facebook-1
Bright Ideas for Children about Mission
Looking for some inspiration to help your children, class or Sunday School group get engaged with mission? We have a whole section of resources to help. This includes Wycliffe Bible Translators who have a great collection of fun, interactive lessons, from simulations to stories, ethnic meals to hilarious games, slight-of-hand stunts to crafts to linguistic problem-solving.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/children/resources.htm
Crisis, what crisis?
The volcano has taught us, once again, about contingency planning and being prepared for the unexpected. It was interesting to see the range of responses of those who found themselves 'stuck' in a situation beyond their control. What would you do if you found yourself in a crisis? That's what our crisis management section is all about. There are some simple things you can do that will help you when the next crisis comes your way. For example, check out safety24's emergency response system should you find yourself in an accident.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/crisis
Global Negotiation Skills
What are your cross-cultural negotiation skills like? Why not test them by taking this short quiz. Twenty questions cover all aspects of the negotiation process, from proper preparation to relationship building, from information gathering to bargaining, and from decision-making to agreement and closure. Great for anyone involved with international business and mission.
Go to www.globalnegotiationresources.com/resources/quiz
April
Prophetic Mission
What role is there for prophecy in the normal life of a missionary? That's the question tackled by our guest article this month. Chas Woods is involved in ministry that provides edification, encouragement and comfort to mission workers. He explains how prophecy is crucial to those who often lack such input when working in remote situations.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/woods.htm
Beyond Empire
A new book being launched this month tackles the topic of postcolonialism and mission. 'Beyond Empire' written by Jonathan Ingleby delves into some of the hard realities that colonialism has left in our world, making it a challenging and disturbing read. The book has been reviewed by Eddie Arthur, Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators UK.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/reviews/beyondempire.htm
Voting in the General Election
The UK general election has to happen by 3 June, possibly even on 6 May when local elections are due to take place. If you want to exercise your right to vote in either of these, you must make sure that you're registered to do so. Then you have the choice of voting in person, by post or by proxy, depending on whether you're in the UK or overseas.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/documents/voting.htm
Short-Term Disciples?
Trekking Deeper is a devotional discipleship course written by Phil Grasham. Phil has worked in church-planting and Bible teaching overseas in several different countries, and was originally a short-term worker himself. This course is written specifically for short-term volunteers to use during their placements. It comprises of nine pdf booklets which are downloadable free of charge.
Go to www.wec-int.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2592&Itemid=411
Re-entry Camps for TCKs
If you're on furlough this summer and have children, there are three different TCK holiday camps to choose from that cater for ages 6-18. Reports from youngsters who have attended previous camps have been uniformly positive. It's a great chance for them to join with others who are in similar circumstances, help each other and have fun at the same time. All are listed in our events list under the title of Rekonnect.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/newsevents/events.htm#ukaug
March
OSCAR's 10th Birthday
March 1st 2010 was OSCAR's 10th birthday and we celebrated by having a Virtual Coffee Party online. If you missed it, you can still take part in some of the activities. You will need to register in the OSCARactive online community. That will then give you access to the interactive activities, including a chance to meet and chat with other OSCAR users, take our birthday quiz and have a go at some of the games.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/party
New OSCAR Coasters
Would you like one of our newly designed OSCAR coasters for your desk? We are giving away a FREE coaster to the first 50 people who request one in the OSCARactive online community this month. To receive your coaster, you will need to be registered in the community, then just click on the party tab and follow the instructions. We are willing to post them overseas, but we do ask that in these cases you cover postage costs (50p for Europe, £1 for Rest of World).
Join at www.oscaractive.net
New Mission-minded Church Directory
We're launching a new online UK mission-minded church directory. After months of research, we have categorised hundreds of churches on their mission-mindedness. Our initial directory contains the top 200 or so mission-minded churches across the UK, most of whom have significant connections or involvement in world mission. If you're looking for such a church to attend, either permanently or just to visit, this is the place to start. As with our other directories, you can search the list using any terms you want (town, county, name etc). If you think your church needs to be in the directory, get in touch.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/churches
Stewardship roll out Online Giving
Stewardship have begun to invite existing account holders to join their new online giving facility. OSCAR has had an exclusive look inside the new system and can report that it's both sophisticated and easy to use. It will be a great asset to those who want to manage their own Christian giving or receiving in a tax efficient manner.
Go to www.stewardship.org.uk/online
Care for your Missionary
If you support a missionary but wonder what else you can do to offer the right help at the right time, Wycliffe have put together a wonderful list of suggestions of things you might consider before, during and after their time on the field.
Go to www.wycliffe.org.uk/live/forchurches/careforyourmissionary.html
February
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Our prayers are with all those affected by the situation in Haiti, victims and helpers. Following a number of enquiries from people wanting to help with the Haiti earthquake relief effort, we have put together a Disaster Emergency Relief page. This lists the various Christian organisations that are either running appeals or are involved in the relief effort. If you want to help, these are the people to get in touch with.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/der.htm
Mission Training Online
Does mission training online work? That's the big question being asked by many individuals and organisations. One of the main reasons to undertake training at one of the mission training establishments is to join with others in cross-cultural community which enhances and helps apply the learning process. So can it be done online? Read how allnations has done it.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/thomas.htm
Working from a Place of Rest
This is the title of a new book by Tony Horsfall launched last month. It addresses the issue of over-work amongst those in Christian ministry. All too often our norm is to be busy and to never stop to rest properly. The book explores the principle that it's from a place of rest that our most fruitful ministry can occur. Sue Ingleby has reviewed the book for us.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/reviews/wfapor.htm
New Missionary Discussion Group
If you are new to the mission field or are in your first term overseas, you might be interested in joining our 'Steps on the Missionary Road' discussion group. The group uses a set of devotional reflections to raise various issues and spark discussion, whilst putting you in touch with others who are facing those issues too. Claudia Smith, the author of the reflections, is also part of the group.
Go to oscaractive.ning.com/group/stepsonthemissionaryroad
OSCAR's 10th Birthday
March 1st is OSCAR's 10th birthday and we will be celebrating by having a Virtual Coffee Party online. All OSCAR users are invited! To participate fully, you will need to register in the OSCARactive online community. That will then give you access to the interactive activities that we have planned for the big day. Please put the date in your diary and drop into the party at some point during the day ... you never know who you will meet!
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/party
January
Lausanne Global Conversation
2010 promises to be a big year for global mission conferences with both Edinburgh 2010 and Cape Town 2010. Cape Town 2010 is to be the Lausanne Movement's Third Congress on World Evangelisation. Julia Cameron, External Relations Director for Cape Town 2010, tells us a bit about the focus of this major event and invites us all to take part, no matter where we are
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/cameron.htm
OSCAR's Promotional Packages
Start the year by putting your ministry on the virtual map. OSCAR provides several different promotional packages for mission organisations and support ministries, designed to help you publicise your work and advertise your opportunities. Each of these packages provide you with your own account so you can have complete control of your own info. Prices are the same as last year (Bronze package is still FREE!), but traffic has increased, making this a good time to sign up. Let us help you 'get out there'.
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/about/packages.htm
Site Sponsorship
Our website sponsorship scheme is another way that you can raise the profile of your organisation whilst supporting OSCAR. Most of those who sponsor have now done so for several years, which tells you how much they value it. Why don't you give it a try? Many sections are now just £10 per month and, if you sign up for 6 months, we'll give you one FREE!
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/about/sitesponsor.htm
Smart Search
The observant ones amongst you will have noticed that our main site search engine has changed. This now utilises Google's customised site search engine which searches through the whole of OSCAR's main website (including organisation directories and vacancies) as well as the OSCARactive social network. Basically, if it's on any of our sites, this should find it!
Try it at the top right of this page
Mission Events 2010
If you want to keep up with mission related events happening both in the UK and around the world, just ask OSCAR. On the main website we maintain a list of general events. These are normally open to anyone and usually appeal to people across all organisations. In OSCARactive, we have a list which can include single agency events and activities, many of which are added directly by those organisations. If you are involved in running any mission related events, or know of events happening that would benefit other mission-minded folk, why not add your events to OSCAR?
Go to www.oscar.org.uk/newsevents/events.htm & http://oscaractive.ning.com/events