News In Brief - Sept. 25, 2009

Brief items for use in local church newsletters
Prepared by United Methodist News Service

Nearly nine in 10 elders and deacons ordained in 2008 were trained at denominationally approved seminaries. Barely more than 5 percent of the 464 newly ordained elders and deacons went to a seminary unaffiliated with The United Methodist Church, according to a survey by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “That’s better than we thought,” said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, executive with the ministry agency. “We thought half went to one of the 13 schools of theology.”

More United Methodist women in the Philippines are in church leadership positions. But they remain underrepresented as clergy in a church and society challenged by a “culture of silence” in the face of violence against women and children. Chita Millan of Pangasinan, Philippines, told the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women Sept. 18 that women in the Philippines need greater church support in cases of domestic and sexual violence. “We are taught not to tell family secrets and women are discouraged from reporting violence by their husbands or other male family members and friends,” she explained.

Some nights, they stand outside bars offering free hamburgers and soft drinks. At other times, they can be found changing the oil on cars or having neighborhood block parties. They are members of The Remedy, a church that stresses community service projects and often uses unconventional means to reach out to those ages 18 to 35. “We have to approach it as missionaries, and two things missionaries do when they go into a culture is they learn the language, they learn the culture,” says the Rev. Jeremy Laduke.

Less than two weeks after the Rev. Edward W. Paup resigned as top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, his bishop acknowledged that her office is investigating a complaint that he “had violated the sacred trust of ordination.” Denver Area Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky disclosed the investigation in a letter posted on the Rocky Mountain Annual (regional) Conference’s Web site. She said it was clear there was a growing awareness of the allegations, and she wanted to share information about the process “rather than letting rumor and misinformation go unchecked.”

Faith communities across the U.S. are using all their gifts – from prayer to potluck dinners—to try to change the way the nation thinks about immigrants. The Center for American Progress released a report saying more than 25,000 people gathered in houses of worship to call for immigration reform in the first six months of the year. The report, “Love Thy Neighbor,” chronicles efforts by a wide range of faith groups as they advocate for undocumented workers and their families. Two United Methodist pastors spoke about efforts in Texas and Iowa during a press conference.

The New York Yankees have made headlines for highly paid players and a colossal new stadium with record ticket costs. But the Yankees have another bit of news. After 85 years, the franchise is offering food to struggling neighbors. Through the organization Rock and Wrap it Up, leftover concessions go straight from the ballpark to nearby soup kitchens like the one at Woodycrest United Methodist Church in the Bronx. From bratwurst and burgers to sushi, recipients say the food is a special treat. UMTV's "Yankees’ Homerun for Hungry" is available to view at http://www.umtv.org/archives/yankees_homerun_for_hungry.htm.

Don’t call it a church. Members of The Remedy prefer to call it a movement. This “come as you are” gathering caters to the 18-35 crowd. Services are held on Sunday afternoons; a rock band has replaced the choir; and members wear T-shirts that say “No Perfect People Allowed.”  During the rest of the week, members offer free ice cream, oil changes, and even give burgers to late night bar patrons as a way to get the word out. The Remedy is a ministry of Fairview United Methodist Church. UMTV's "Remedy for Unchurched" is available to view at http://www.umtv.org/archives/remedy_for_unchurched.htm.

Barbara Boigegrain, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, is one of 181 investors who signed a policy statement calling for “a strong and binding international treaty to reduce pollution and catalyze massive global investments in low-carbon technologies.” The statement emerged from a Sept. 16 International Investor Forum on Climate Change in New York. “As the largest faith-based investor in the U.S., the general board’s advocacy for responsible environmental, social and governance practices is an important element of our socially responsible investment philosophy,” Boigegrain said. The policy statement can be read at 2009 Investor Statement on the Urgent Need for a Global Agreement on Climate Change.

A search is underway for a new top executive for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries to replace the Rev. Edward Paup, who resigned Sept. 1 for health reasons. The 13-member search committee is led by West Ohio Bishop Bruce Ough, board president, and Maggie Jackson of Cleveland, who heads the agency's personnel committee. With responsibility for a core staff of 288 and a missionary community of some 400, the new leader must be able to "articulate the vision, values, and work of the board, and to follow through with a recent operational restructure.” Inquiries, nominations, and resumes with cover letters may be e-mailed to Joyce Lapenn at jslapenn@aol.com.

The fourth Wesley Pilgrimage to England will be May 11-21. The Rev. Steve Manskar hopes the trip exploring the roots of The United Methodist Church will be a spiritual and theological experience that will build enough enthusiasm to become an annual event. Manskar, director of Wesleyan Leadership in Discipleship Ministries, United Methodist Board of Discipleship, urges both ordained and lay leaders to consider this pilgrimage as an important step in learning about their church and its mission. Further information is available at www.gbod.org/wesleypilgrimage.

With a sense of purpose, 403 Jews, Muslims and Christians from 16 states and four countries gathered at the Lake Junaluska Peace Conference Sept. 20-22. Participants discussed how to implement interfaith peace-building techniques once they return to their communities. Atif Mahmood, a Muslim Duke University student, said the conference “reinvigorated me to go out in my community and encourage interfaith communication.” Further information is available at  www.lakejunaluska.com/peace.aspx.