UMNS Weekly Digest
March 2, 2007
Stories this week:
Georgia lay leader to address at General Conference {090}
U.S. religious leaders say Iranians want peace {091}
Consultation examines court ruling on pastoral authority {092}
Igniting Ministry ads reach Koreans in United States{093}
United Methodists help in Arkansas tornado relief{094}
Ministry commission hears survey results on report {095}
Church leaders seek U.S. intervention in Philippines {096}
United Methodists host Nets partners in Angola {097}
Coalition wants FDA authority over tobacco {098}
Mozambique struggles under flooding, cyclone {099}
Commentary: Philippine murders linked to military {100}
E-learning to enhance theology studies in Europe {101}
Plus:
Society of St. Andrew partners with Food Lion
Student Forum to focus on holy conferencing, not legislation
Native Americans to host urban ministry conference
Photo of New York church graces cover of Lamott book
News In Brief
ATLANTA (UMNS)--A Georgia woman has been tapped to deliver the Laity Address at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference. Lyn Powell, lay leader of the denomination's North Georgia Conference since 2004 and the first woman to hold that position, will speak when the church's top lawmaking body meets April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. The theme of her Laity Address will be "Disciples Transforming the World," in which Powell will emphasize the importance of clergy and laity sharing in ministry.
"As I have worked with laity and clergy in our conference and also across the denomination, several questions have begun to form in my mind," she said. "What is the nature of the calling of the laity, particularly as it relates to the calling of the clergy? How do the two callings intersect and intertwine? How can we live out our calling as laity? How does our profile differ today from our profile in the first 150 years of Methodism in this country? "My speech centers on these questions," she said. {090}
WASHINGTON (UMNS)--The Iranian people don't want war with the United States and say a sign of U.S. goodwill would go a long way toward preventing conflict, according to a United Methodist leader who just returned from Iran. "I am hopeful if our government would capitalize on that and offer to sit down and negotiate with the government of Iran, our conflicts could be resolved," said Jim Winkler, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination's social action agency. He was part of a 13-member delegation of U.S. religious leaders that visited Iran Feb. 17-25 and met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials and other Iranian people. The delegation, which included Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker and Mennonite traditions, released a statement on the trip during a Feb. 26 news conference in Washington.
"As Christian leaders from the United States, we traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time of increased tension, believing that it is possible to build bridges of understanding between our two countries. We believe military action is not the answer, and that God calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community," said the statement. {091}
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-A ruling about pastoral authority by the highest court of The United Methodist Church revealed conflicts over church membership criteria, ecclesiology and the authority given to appointed leaders. Those conflicts were explored as pastors, bishops, theologians, seminary deans and denominational staff members gathered Feb. 15-16 in a consultation over implications of Judicial Council Decision 1032 in the case of a Virginia pastor who blocked a homosexual man from church membership. The consultation was sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, which oversees the church's licensed and ordained leadership.
Specifically, the Judicial Council ruled that "the pastor in charge of a United Methodist Church or charge is solely responsible for making the determination of a person's readiness to receive the vows of membership." The word "solely" has especially generated emotionally and politically charged conversations throughout the church about pastoral authority and the power of United Methodist bishops. Florida Conference Bishop Timothy Whitaker said reactions to the ruling have exposed "weaknesses in the life of our church" and declared that "we have much work to do in examining and renewing our discipline of membership in the church." {092}
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)--God is speaking Korean to people from Hawaii to New York in television, radio and newspaper ads that welcome them to The United Methodist Church and reassure them of God's love. The ads are part of the denomination's national Igniting Ministry advertising campaign that began in 2001 and is coordinated by United Methodist Communications. The ads are available in English, Spanish and Korean, and the Korean-language ads began running in 2003.
Ninety-seven Korean American churches are using the ads with a goal of reaching almost 1 million people in 2007. "Our members are very proud of The United Methodist Church and they find it is easier to talk about the church and invite family and friends because of the ads," said the Rev. Seungwoo Cha, pastor of First Korean United Methodist Church of Indianapolis. {093}
DUMAS, Ark. (UMNS)-Residents in the rural Arkansas Delta community flattened by a powerful Feb. 24 tornado are sifting through what's left of homes and businesses as The United Methodist Church assists in relief efforts at the local, conference and denominational levels. The storm destroyed a third of the town's business district and left an estimated 800 jobless in the town of 5,300 people. Almost immediately after the tornado, members of First United Methodist Church gathered and began preparing food for displaced residents, most of whom are being housed at the local Baptist church. "They were doing this without lights. I just can't say enough about the people in this church," said the Rev. Glenn Pettus, pastor of the First United Methodist Church. "It has been an awesome thing to witness the outpouring of love and caring."
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is providing a $10,000 assistance grant to aid in the relief effort, said Martha Taylor, director of communications for the Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference. The conference is seeking donations of nonperishable food and bottled water. Mission teams and other volunteers are asked to contact Don Weeks, the conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator, at dweeks@arumc.org or (501) 681-2909. {094}
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-A report recommending "profound" changes to the ministerial leadership of The United Methodist Church was meant to spur conversations. It has done its job. "We've got the church talking," said the Rev. Thomas E. Frank, principal writer of the Study of Ministry Commission report. He reported on conversations and reactions to the eight recommended changes to the church's system of lay, licensed and ordained leadership during the commission meeting Feb. 22-24 in Nashville. The report was posted in January on the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Web site along with an online survey, which drew approximately 1,000 responses by its Feb. 26 deadline. A final report will be presented at the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's lawmaking body that meets every four years. For more information on the report, visit www.gbhem.org and click on Study of Ministry. {095}
NEW YORK (UMNS)-U.S. and Filipino church leaders are urging the U.S. Congress to address human rights violations and killings in the Philippines. Specifically, church leaders are asking Congress to hold a hearing or face-to-face meetings with a delegation from the Philippines scheduled to visit Washington March 12-14. United Methodist Bishop Solito Toquero of Manila is a delegation member.
During its Feb. 26-27 meeting in New York, the governing board of the National Council of Churches approved a resolution supporting a congressional hearing or "other meaningful measures that address the deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines." As noted in the council's resolution, political killings are on the rise in the Southeast Asian nation. "According to the churches in the Philippines, in the history of their country there has never been such a high incidence of clergy killings. There are indications of government complicity in these killings, which seem to be confirmed by the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of this violence."{096}
United Methodists host Nets partners in Angola
LUANDA, Angola (UMNS)-While visiting hospitals and clinics filled with mothers cradling sick and dying children, professional basketball star Ruth Riley saw "what the face of malaria looks like." Touring the African nation on a malaria observation trip hosted by the people of The United Methodist Church, the WNBA star urged people everywhere to support Nothing But Nets, a global campaign working to provide insecticide-treated bed nets to protect families against disease-carrying mosquitoes.
The nets cost $10 each, and 100 percent of each gift goes to the cost of buying and distributing them to families in underdeveloped nations such as Angola, where mosquitoes typically transmit malaria at night while people sleep. Health officials say the nets can reduce transmission by as much as 90 percent. "I can tell you that the need is so great, and the contribution is so small," said Riley, as part of a Jan. 27-31 tour with former NBA star Sam Perkins, NBA executive Brooks Meek, Elizabeth McKee of the United Nations Foundation and representatives of The United Methodist Church.
To send a net and save a life, visit Nothing But Nets (www.NothingButNets.net) or United Methodist Communications (www.umc.org). United Methodists also can give through their churches by designating their gift for Advance #982015.
{097}
WASHINGTON (UMNS)--A coalition of faith leaders that includes The United Methodist Church testified Feb. 27 at a Senate hearing in Washington in support of legislation to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco products.
Faith United Against Tobacco, a coalition of clergy and lay members, supports legislation that would give the FDA power to reduce nicotine levels, require more information on tobacco product labels and restrict marketing to children and teenagers. "Candy-flavored cigarettes are obviously designed to appeal to people who don't like the taste of cigarettes, and who would that be but people who haven't tried them before-usually young people," said the Rev. Cynthia Abrams with the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the church's social action agency. {098}
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE (UMNS)--"We think God is testing our stillness," said United Methodist Bishop Joao Somane Machado in response to continued flooding and a cyclone that have plagued Mozambique since January. Heavy rains and severe flooding from the Zambezi River have deluged the northern section of Mozambique, and a Feb. 22 cyclone with 270kph winds assaulted the country's southern region, worsening existing humanitarian problems. The flooding also has impacted the African country's central region. According to news reports and officials of The United Methodist Church of Mozambique, at least 45 people have died and more than 250,000 are displaced by the severe weather. More rain is forecast. "We would like to ask for your urgent assistance to address this issue which is beyond our financial capacity. Your prayers and answers of hope will be much appreciated in this moment of our darkest and desperate situation," Machado said.
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has established UMCOR Advance #156500 to provide emergency relief to Mozambique. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR at P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, with the words "UMCOR Advance #156500, Mozambique Emergency" written on the memo line. Credit card donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583. Donations are being accepted at http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/advance/donate.cfm?code=156500&id=3018386. {099)
("The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries joins with church leaders in the Philippines in the hope that its government will take seriously a report indicating that military personnel are responsible for a wave of political murders in recent years. The matter of human rights in the Philippines is of broad concern within the United Methodist family. We previously have joined with United Methodist and other Christians in the Philippines in calling for a government investigation and action to stop the killings," writes the Rev. Randy Day, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.) {100}
REUTLINGEN, Germany (UMNS)-United Methodist pastors and seminary students will be able to receive basic theological education though "e-learning" under a new long-term strategy for pastoral education in Europe. The online courses are to be available in German and English beginning in 2008. Bishops and representatives of seminaries and annual conferences mapped out a three-year plan during a landmark summit Feb. 10-11 in Reutlingen. The group is working to strengthen clergy and lay leadership development in the European Central Conferences.
"The summit was a big step forward, as we agreed to share resources and to build up a platform for e-learning," said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany. E-learning, or electronic learning, uses computers, the World Wide Web and other technologies to provide wider access, flexibility and enhanced learning through a combination of methods. {101}
United Methodists respond to Alabama tornadoes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (UMNS)-One United Methodist died and St. Luke United Methodist Church in Enterprise, Ala., suffered extensive damage when tornadoes bounced across Alabama and Georgia on March 1. Disaster recovery coordinators with the Alabama-West Florida Annual (regional) Conference were surveying the damage on March 2, and representatives of the United Methodist Committee on Relief are scheduled to visit the site as well. Killed was Cliff Gaston, a member of the Camden (Ala.) United Methodist Church. At the St. Luke church, one wall was demolished and the roof damaged on the church sanctuary. St. Luke is located near the high school where eight people were killed as a result of the storms. St. Luke's parsonage also is damaged, according to conference reports. First United Methodist Church of Enterprise is serving as a Red Cross relief center, and First United Methodist Church of Abbeville, Ala., is serving as a Red Cross shelter.
Anyone wishing to send a work team to help should call the conference at (866) 340-1956 or e-mail disaster@awfumc.org.
Society of St. Andrew partners with Food Lion
BIG ISLAND, Va. (UMNS)--United Methodists are urged by the Society of St. Andrew to register their Food Lion MVP card to raise money for the hunger relief organization to help eradicate hunger. Every time the card is scanned when making a purchase at the grocery store, a portion of the total purchase is donated to the society. To register the card, go to https://www.foodlion.com/IntheCommunity/ShopandShare/secure/add.asp. After clicking the "Select Organization" button, select Virginia for the state and Big Island for the city, and then select Society of St. Andrew.
Student Forum to focus on holy conferencing, not legislation
TACOMA, Wash. (UMNS)--April 24 is the registration deadline for Student Forum 2007, the national leadership conference of the United Methodist Student Movement. Sponsored by the Campus Ministry Section of United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the student-led gathering is set for May 24-27 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and will focus on holy conferencing and the General Conference process. Online registration is available at www.umsm.org/studentforum.
"This year we are announcing a year of Jubilee from legislation. Instead of receiving and debating new legislation, students will have the opportunity to engage in holy conferencing with one another in order to better listen to and understand issues that are important to the church today," said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, director of Student Ministries at the board. "We hope this year's format will encourage people to attend who may not be interested in the legislation process and who are looking for productive ways to engage other students in discussion, prayer and service."
Native Americans to host urban ministry conference
OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS)--The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is sponsoring "Our Intentions for Native American Urban Ministry," a March 9-11 training event for annual conferences interested in establishing Native American urban ministries and for those wishing to revitalize urban ministries. Statistics suggest about 65-70 percent of the Native American population in this country live in urban areas. While many reservations, tribal areas and towns have Native American churches, many cities across the country have no intentional ministry, fellowships or churches for Native American people.
Leadership for the urban ministry training event in Norman, Okla., will involve clergy and laity from the Okalahoma Indian Missionary who have been actively involved in Native American urban ministry. Keynote presenters include Ray Buckley, director of connectional ministries and Native discipleship for the Alaska Missionary Conference, and Dennis Zotigh, director for the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington. For more information, contact the Rev. David Wilson, conference superintendent, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, at dwilson@oimc.org or call (405) 632-2006.
Photo of New York church graces cover of Lamott book
MALDEN BRIDGE, N.Y. (UMNS)--A photograph of Wesley United Methodist Church in Malden Bridge, N.Y., was chosen as the cover of Grace, Eventually, a book by Anne Lamott, scheduled to be published March 20. Photographer Joshua Sheldon scouted upstate New York for "a simple country church" for the cover, and searched "specifically for a wooden church that looked welcoming."
When Lamott and the publishing company's art department saw the photo of Wesley United Methodist Church, they knew it was just the right look. "It has this sense of beauty, but also of simplicity," Lamott said. "There was nothing ornate. It was a pretty, simple, white church and the foliage [that surrounded it] is so lovely, peaceful and really beautiful. … There's something welcoming about it. It says it would be OK to come into this place."
News in Brief
Forty-five United Methodists from Guinea, stranded in Liberia when the borders of Guinea were closed following the imposition of martial law in mid-February, returned home safely Feb. 26. The group had been in Liberia attending the annual conference of the United Methodist Church of Liberia, which concluded on Feb. 19. Guinea is a mission of the Liberian conference, the oldest in Africa.
The Rev. Gregory S. Clapper, a professor of philosophy and religion at United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis, has been honored by the U.S. Air Force for his 2006 work ministering to the wounded at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a military hospital in Germany, treating U.S. military personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The pastor and chaplain lieutenant colonial for the Indiana Air National Guard was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for providing spiritual counseling to patients and their families at the hospital's inpatient psychiatric ward and intensive care unit.
"TheoEcology"-the Interdenominational Theological Center focused on being the spiritual and physical embodiment of a new "Eden" where all people are welcome--launches March 9-10 in Atlanta. Theologians, scholars and environmentalists from across the world will join representatives of the center, which includes United Methodist-related Gammon Theological Seminary, for the first of two brainstorming sessions called "TheoEcology' Charettes." With support from an anonymous donor, this first charette officially begins the center's exploration of "TheoEcology," creating the processes by which "TheoEcology" will be grounded in the center's curriculum and shared with the world.
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and HarperSanFrancisco announced the launch of the "Go-Anywhere Bible." This new collection of Bibles is published in a convenient size and attractive design intended to make the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible more accessible to today's readers. The NRSV is the translation approved as the standard for United Methodist curriculum by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
The Women's Division of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries has expanded its search for a new chief executive to replace Jan Love, who became dean of Candler School of Theology on Jan. 1. More information, including a full position description, is available at www.umwmission.org. E-mail resumes or nominations to jslapenn@aol.com or amiller@imsearch.com.
Jennifer Lee Kelley, 34, the daughter of Sandra and the Rev. Cecil Lackore, died Feb. 20. Sandra Lackore is the top executive of the United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration. The funeral service was held Feb. 25 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Pawtucket, R.I. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the United Methodist Foundation of New England, 10 Bricketts Mill Road, Suite 5, Hampstead, NH 03841, for the benefit of Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, R.I.
United Methodist-related West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va., will offer two scholarship programs to entering students who are members of The United Methodist Church. The programs include the Wesleyan United Methodist Partnership Scholarship and the United Methodist Ministerial Dependent Grant. Under the partnership scholarship, any United Methodist Church can provide assistance for a new student who wishes to attend Wesleyan. The college will match a church contribution up to $750 each year the student is enrolled. The Ministerial Dependent Grant provides half of all of Wesleyan's direct costs to students who are dependents of United Methodist clergy. Students can obtain scholarship applications by contacting the Wesleyan admissions office at (800) 722-9933.
People of faith from across the nation will gather in Washington March 9-12 for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. The theme of "And How Are the Children?" will guide key parts of the conference, including worship and workshops. For information, visit www.advocacydays.org.
Beginning the first week of March, the Office of Creative Ministries of the Missouri Annual Conference will launch a weekly v-log called "MissionCast," a two- to three-minute view of news from the conference at htpp://MOMissionCast.com.
Wesley Paulson is the new chief finance officer for the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in Washington. Paulson received his bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in finance from University of Maryland University College. In 1998, he attended the Harvard Institute for Educational Management. Prior to accepting the position at the board, Paulson was employed as finance director for Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. Paulson is married to the Rev. Connie Paulson, pastor at Millian Memorial United Methodist Church in Rockville.
United Methodist-related McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, participated March 1 in the National Eating Disorders Screening Day. McMurry's Counseling Center aims to use the experience to get a baseline view of the problem on campus, identify those needing help and put counteractive programs in place.
Cynthia Abrams, United Methodist Board of Church and Society director for Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health Care, was one of the red carpet stars Feb. 27 at the debut party and signing for Lobbyists, a new book by Nazraeli Press. The project began as an article in Aperture, the national magazine award-winning photography journal, then expanded into a book to be published late this year. The photographs suggest that, contrary to today's negative perception of lobbying and lobbyists, the practice is an essential part of our democratic process and embraces every imaginable viewpoint and segment of our society.
Watching Over One Another in Love: A Wesleyan Model for Ministry Assessment, a new book published by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, offers guidance in holding support and accountability together in the practice of ministry. It is written by the Rev. Gwen Purushotham, director of clergy supervision and accountability in the board's Division of Ordained Ministry. Drawing on Wesleyan themes of grace and responsibility, Purushotham provides step-by-step guidance for creating a covenant-based ministry assessment process that holds people accountable for fruit-bearing faith while enabling the experience of ministry assessment to be edifying for both the church and the pastor. The book (ISBN 978-0-938162-93-3) is available for purchase for $11.95 through Cokebury at www.cokesbury.com, or by calling (800) 672-1789.
The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at United Methodist-related Emory University in Atlanta has received two new grants totaling nearly $900,000 for a project on international human rights and for continuing research on Protestantism. The Henry Luce Foundation Inc. has awarded $480,000 for a new, three-year project on "Law, Religion, and Human Rights in International Perspective," and the Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded $400,000 to continue research on "Law, Religion and the Protestant Tradition." The two awards bring the center's total new grant funding in the past year to $2.5 million.
"Caring for Creation: Eco-Justice for the Environment and People" will be held April 12-15 at the Lake Junaluska (N.C.) Conference and Retreat Center. Event participants will learn how the faith community can be involved in environmental care and how the lack of care impacts the environment and community health. The event is sponsored by the center, the Southeastern Jurisdiction Ministry Team and United Methodist Women of the Southeastern Jurisdiction. For a brochure, visit www.sejumc.org and click on "Events Calendar" or call (828) 452-2881.
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