2012 Rx Consultation 

"Preparing for your next Medical Mission"

Highland United Methodist Church

680 W. Livingston Rd.
Highland, MI 48357
248-887-1311

Every year, on the first weekend of May, as spring takes fully over, the Rx Steering Committee of the North Central Jurisdiction offers a training / learning event called the Rx Consultation. It is typically hosted by a United Methodist Church actively engaged in mission. Over the past 8 years, we have moved it around the Jurisdiction trying to get as much exposure as possible in all of our 11 Conferences. Last year we were in Northern Illinois, next year we will be in Wisconsin and in 2014 we are slated for the West Ohio Conference.

We will be adding more pictures and information on speakers and workshops as it comes available!

Plenary Speakers

Shannon Trilli, newly appointed head of UMCOR Health, has agreed to come and be with us.  She will present her talk on Friday evening.  Shannon has been working with UMCOR Health in the areas of Malaria Prevention and Community Based Primary Health Care.

Dr. Roger Boe, pediatrician, a long time participant in the Rx Consultation will present his experience as an Individual Volunteer at Maua Hospital in Kenya.  Roger and his wife are from Pocatello, ID and spent several months in Kenya last spring.

Molly Cook, Individual Volunteer, will present information on the United Methodist Colonia Outreach Community Based Health Care Project at Pharr, TX and how medical teams can serve there.  She has been involved with hosting teams at the Strong Mission site in Costa Rica.  Her home church is St Andrews UMC in Plano,  Texas with the North Texas Conference. Here is a picture of Molly where the promotaras are training and testing her blood sugar.

Pharr, Texas is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, about 6 miles from the Mexican border.  Although many folks here are bilingual, about 80% of the adults say they do not speak English at all or don't speak it very well.   We are in Hidalgo County, the poorest county in the United States. We pretty much function on a shoe-string budget most of the time.  The Colonia (Rural) project (CBH) is one of three major programs that our project offers to low income families.  The other two programs are Project Ignite (ESL, GED, Job Readiness Training, and Small or Home Based Business Start Ups); Cultural Arts and Community Theater.   These two programs are offered in the downtown area of Pharr, although some of our students also come from rural areas to attend the classes.  Although we receive a lot of our support from the United Methodist Church, we are also a Community of Shalom--so we partner with other denominations and faiths as well as organizations and community agencies to bring about systemic change in the community and encourage & support personal empowerment for our students so they can break the bonds of poverty, become employable and financially self-sufficient. 

~Elva Michals

Travelogue Presenters - Friday Evening

Dr. Sang Lee, Detroit Conference, will present his recent medical mission and experiences to Bangladesh and Mongolia.

Teresa Miller, West Michigan, veteran leader, will present unique ideas she implemented on her recent medical mission to Nicaragua.

Jody Pratt, West Michigan, and Judy Bruun, Wisconsin, on their medical mission to Peru.

A word about UMVIM Team Leadership Training

The team training helps ensure that :

1.  Teams will go where invited

2.  Teams will have leaders that are trained in and will convey to their teams aspects of cultural sensitivity, spiritual growth, personal relationships

3.  Teams will abide by Safe Sanctuary guidelines

4.  Teams will act out the three simple rules : Do no harm, Do good and Love God

The training will be held Saturday PM.  You may attend this training only.  Register for the event and pick this option.  Arrive at the chuch 12:45 to get to your room. 

Hotel Reservations

 Rx Consultation Contract price under Group Name: United Methodist Volunteers

Deadline to reserve a room at this price is April 13th

Please make your own reservation.  Call the Holiday Inn Express at the number below before April 13th to get the discounted price for May 4 and 5, 2012.  It is ~20 minutes from the church and includes: continental breakfast, hi speed internet and indoor pool.

Holiday Inn Express, 8285 Movie Drive, Brighton, MI 48116 : 1-810-225-4300

Group CODE: EG3

Group Name: United Methodist Volunteers

Name of Hotel:  Holiday Inn Express, Brighton

Date of Arrival: May 4, 2012.

15 rooms are reserved from May 4-6, 2012:

 4 Standard King ($81.70 + 8% tax = $88.24),

 11 Standard Queen ($86.00 + 8% tax = $92.88)

Deadline for this price is April 13^th

For those who like Bed and Breakfasts, here are two alternative lodging suggestions:

1.    Farmstead B & B, 248-887-6086 (~10 minutes from church) 19th Century decor, full country breakfast, 5 rooms (3 private baths - all queen size, 1 with sitting area and fireplace), 2 bed share a bath, one full, one queen) from $75 to $125 per night 

2.    Milford Guest House B&B, 248-684-5800, http://www.milfordguesthousebnb.com/ (~15 minutes from church) 2 Queen rooms $90 and 1 King $110, all with private baths.