September: UMJC supporters gave financial aid and assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina, in an effort coordinated by our member Congregation Beth Messiah, Houston. Howard Silverman, my wife, Jane, and I conducted an intermarried couples' seminar as a successful outreach from Beth  Messiah Congregation, Columbus, Ohio.

October: Break for High Holy Days and Sukkot.

November: Publication of Post-missionary Messianic Judaism, by Dr. Mark Kinzer, president of Messianic Jewish Theological Institute (MJTI), the emerging seminary of the UMJC. The book explores the key role of the Messianic Jewish community in relationship to both Christianity and Judaism, and is gaining wide exposure among Jewish and Christian scholars. MJTI offers numerous top-level courses throughout the year. Details at www.mjti.org.

December: Educational retreat on strategic planning for all UMJC congregational leaders, as part of our unique Excellence in Ministry program.

January: UMJC participated in the third Road to Jerusalem conference on "bringing peace and reconciliation to Jews and Gentiles in Yeshua," which promoted the idea that Messianic Jews are essential to the reconciliation process. 

February: Jamie Cowen and I met in Jerusalem with the chairman of the Knesset Social Welfare Lobby, to discuss Messianic Jewish participation in humanitarian aid projects in Israel.

March: UMJC supporters contributed funds to provide Passover food supplies to 270 families and soldiers at a military base in Israel. The drive was so successful that we will participate again in September, before the High Holy Days, when Jamie Cowen will return to the military base to speak at a presentation to the families of soldiers.

April: UMJC Prayer Campaign, "Two Loaves-One Lineage," between Passover and Shavuot (April 13-June 2) brought together hundreds of supporters to pray for strength and fruitfulness for Messianic Jewish congregations worldwide and in Israel. It culminated in an offering to be shared with the Israeli Messianic Jewish community.

May: Northeast Regional Conference, "Back to the Future: A Celebration of Jewish Life," in Sturbridge, MA.

June: Young leaders' Shabbaton, an extended celebration of the holiday of Shavuot and of Shabbat, followed by the fifth annual Young Messianic Jewish Scholars Conference. Both events in New York City brought together Messianic Jewish young adults for a time of mutual encouragement and inspiration. (Read about it in the current issue of The Messianic Times.)

July: Here we are with another International Conference about to convene. "Enable, Encourage, Energize! emphasizes hands-on equipping to fulfill the UMJC vision of establishing, strengthening, and multiplying congregations for Yeshua within the House of Israel. Come be part of the vision!

Russ Resnik

Executive Director