UMNS Weekly Digest
Nov. 6, 2009
NOTE: This is a digest of news features provided by United Methodist Communications for Nov. 2-6. It includes summaries of stories, UMTV video reports and additional briefs from United Methodist News Service. Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at http://umns.umc.org.
Stories this week:
Plus:
Judicial Council voids sexuality statement
DURHAM, N.C. (UMNS)—There is an official position in The United Methodist Church on gay and lesbian sexuality, and that states the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. The Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court, in a ruling released Nov. 2 said that the Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference went too far in adopting its own statement declaring “a more authentic and truthful representation of The United Methodist Church” is that “we disagree” on gay and lesbian issues. “The effect of the Baltimore-Washington resolution is to negate the church’s clearly stated position as reflected in current disciplinary language,” the council wrote. {424}
Top court rules on financial, clergy issues
DURHAM, N.C. (UMNS)—Local United Methodist churches cannot arbitrarily choose which general church programs to support financially, according to the church’s top court. The Judicial Council has upheld the decision by Bishop Larry Goodpaster that the Western North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference’s “Choice Empowerment” plan is a violation of Paragraph 247.14 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. That case was one of 21 docket items considered by the nine-member council when it met Oct. 27-31. Among other issues, the council addressed questions on the participation of retired clergy in local churches, pension and health insurance plans and representation to the church’s legislative body. The full decisions are available at http://archives.umc.org/interior_judicial.asp?mid=263. {425}
United Methodist bishops urged to do soul check
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)—Soul matters. As the United Methodist Council of Bishops gathered for their fall meeting, church officials were reminded to pay attention to the “soulful” qualities of Christian leadership. “Never forget we traffic in hope,” Bishop Gregory Palmer said in his presidential address. “Our mission doesn’t depend completely on us. God is relentless in God’s purpose.” {426}
United Methodists hold line on gay issues
NEW YORK (UMNS)—Ten years ago, the Rev. Greg Dell was put on trial by The United Methodist Church for performing a same-sex union ceremony. Since then, a few states have legalized gay marriage and some mainline Protestant denominations, including the Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, now accept non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy. The United Methodist Church, however, has remained firm in upholding its traditional stance that homosexual practice “is incompatible with Christian teaching.” {427}
Bishops’ letter pledges to protect God’s creation
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)—Pandemic poverty and disease, environmental degradation and a world full of weapons and violence are the wages of our sins against God’s creation. But there is hope if we change our ways, the 69 active United Methodist bishops said in a pastoral letter that will be read in churches during Advent. The bishops at their fall meeting unanimously approved “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,” a document that was started by the 2004 United Methodist General Conference. More than 5,400 United Methodists around the world had input into the final document. {428}
Goodpaster, Wenner win election to lead bishops
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)—Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster of Western North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference will be the next president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. The council at its fall meeting Nov. 4 elected Goodpaster president and Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany president-elect by a “staggering” majority, announced Bishop Gregory Palmer, current council president. Goodpaster will take over leadership of the worldwide council May 6, 2010. Wenner will serve as president in 2012. The bishops serve for two-year terms. {429}
Bishops seek younger church membership by 2019
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)—United Methodist leaders are seeking to lower the average age of church members by a decade in a decade. At its fall meeting, the Council of Bishops approved a plan that emphasizes mission work and leadership development among young people to help reverse declines in the U.S. church, which is aging and shrinking in membership. “It is critical to the survival of the denomination to lower the age of United Methodist Christians by a decade in a decade,” said Bishop Larry Goodpaster, president-elect of the council. The average age of United Methodists in the pews is 57, he said. {430}
Congolese president visits Africa University
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)—Singing and applause from Congolese students greeted the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a visit to Africa University. In return, Joseph Kabila paid tribute to the United Methodist-related institution for its confidence and belief in the future of his country. “I am thankful for the high interest this academic institution is demonstrating towards my country,” Kabila said. “If anything, it shows your faith in the future of the DRC, which was on the brink of total collapse a few years ago but is hailed today for being on a promising road to recovery.” {431}
USS New York becomes symbol of healing
NEW YORK (UMNS)—The long lines for public tours of the USS New York, berthed on the West Side of Manhattan, are the first clue that this is no ordinary Navy vessel. Many touched by the tragedy of 9/11 – from first responders to family members of those killed in the terrorist attacks to average New Yorkers – have been drawn to the Navy's newest amphibious warship, which has seven and a half tons of Twin Towers steel welded into her bow. Command Chaplain Laura Bender, a United Methodist pastor, realizes the ship is a symbol of healing. “All week long, the whole crew has been hearing these stories,” she says. “Everybody who comes on board has a story to tell.” {432}
Churches reach out in response to Fort Hood shootings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)—First United Methodist Church in Killeen, Texas, immediately opened its chapels for prayer after a gunman opened fire at nearby Fort Hood Nov. 5, killing more than a dozen people. Throughout the region, United Methodists were offering prayers and counseling and raising funds in the aftermath of the shooting at the military post, home to some 70,000 soldiers and their families. Bishop John Michael Lowry of the Central Texas Annual (regional) Conference is asking Fort Worth-area congregations to include a special time of prayer on Sunday for those affected by the shootings. {433}
Committee on Faith and Order tackles theology
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)—Some claim that The United Methodist Church has no theology, or has fuzzy theology. “Not so,” says the Rev. Russell Richey, former dean of Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. “From the beginning we have had a vibrant, practiced theology that, while not systematic or confessional, works for us.” Richey is part of the denomination’s Committee on Faith and Order, which is working to articulate United Methodist theology. The committee met Oct. 30-31 for the second time. The next meeting is March 15-17 in Nashville.
Publishing House reports profit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)—Sales were lower than expected, but the United Methodist Publishing House ended the August-July fiscal year with net operating revenue of $704,000. Neil Alexander, president and publisher, reported that cuts in expenses allowed the house to absorb a 5.2 percent sales shortfall. “We never lose sight of our primary calling to help more people in more places come to know God through Jesus Christ, learn to love God and choose to serve God and neighbor,” Alexander said.
UMTV: Airport Angels for Soldiers
ATLANTA, GA (UMTV)—Soldiers deployed for more than a year look forward to their 14 days of annual time at home. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is a hub for soldiers returning to or taking leave from assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Volunteers from Marietta’s Mount Bethel United Methodist Church work to make sure returning heroes receive a warm welcome as they step off the plane and to offer moral support for those heading back into the field. UMTV’s “Airport Angels for Soldiers” is available to view at http://www.umtv.org/archives/airport_angels_for_soldiers.htm. Find this and other UMTV stories on YouTube, Tangle and GoogleVideo by typing "UMTV" in the keyword search. | 
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