e-Review archive
Global Connection
March 2006
 

Amid diversity, WCC assembly brings show of unity

Mar. 1, 2006     United Methodist News Service PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — They came in the name of Christian unity. From Feb. 14-23, the campus of Catholic Pontifical University was transformed into a global village for the World Council of Churches 9th Assembly. The vitality of the ecumenical movement was evident as some 4,000 people prayed and sang together, engaged in dialogue and debate, and learned a little bit more about one another's cultures and religions — in five official languages. More than half of the participants — those attending the informal "mutirão" gatherings — came simply because they wanted to be a part of the event. Overall, the largest number of participants, 34 percent, came from Latin America, followed by Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Caribbean and the Pacific. Fifty-five percent of the participants were men, 45 percent women and 19 percent youth — people age 30 and younger. full story

Age poses no barrier for Katrina relief workers

Mar. 2, 2006      United Methodist News Service OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — Aubrey Smith laced up his work boots under a cloudy Mississippi sky. He could have been home enjoying his favorite pastimes, fishing or playing golf.  Instead, he traveled 400 miles to aid families whose homes were destroyed and whose lives were thrown into chaos by Hurricane Katrina. "They just need a lot of help," he said. At 85, Smith is still going strong and wanted to volunteer. full story

It's B.I.G.! Publishing House unveils Sunday school program

Mar. 3, 2006      United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If you are having problems getting children excited about Sunday school, maybe you should "Live B.I.G." It wouldn't hurt to sing, shout, laugh, act, dance, create, run, jump, fly and think, speak and relate to a belief in God either. "Live B.I.G." (Belief in God) is a new Sunday school curriculum being offered by the United Methodist Publishing House for use in churches this September. The interactive program has colorful characters, cool music and travel segments designed to use the three ways children learn — hearing, seeing and then living what they learn. "We want children to ask to go to Sunday school — to drag their parents out of bed to take them to church," said Marj Pon, director of children's resources. full story

Churches can meet needs through Tools & Blankets program

Mar. 6, 2006       United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — Last spring, the Rev. Bill Alvey from Park United Methodist Church and the Rev. Stephen Broache from Central Congregational United Church of Christ in Madison, Ohio, had a conversation. The two churches share a parking lot, and both congregations wanted to do something to help people in need. Familiar with the Church World Service Tools & Blankets program, the two pastors decided to "blanket" the parking lot. full story

Survey, still under way, shows satisfaction with orders of ministry

Mar. 6, 2006      United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Isolation, itinerancy, guaranteed appointments and the need for better evaluation of the effectiveness of pastors are among concerns lifted from a survey examining ministry in the United Methodist Church. More than 550 survey respondents indicate that although there are issues surrounding ministry, people are largely satisfied with the orders of ministry the denomination established in 1996. full story

Program helps interns like 'Captain Planet' make impact

Mar. 7, 2006 United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Erick Veliz - sometimes known as Captain Planet - doesn't look like a superhero at first glance. Talk to him for a while and you begin to believe he probably could save the world if given a little more time. After all, he's only 23. full story

Church leads effort for fairness in congressional representation

Mar. 8, 2006 United Methodist News Service WASHINGTON — For many years, Foundry United Methodist Church has helped lead an effort to establish a voting representative in Congress for District of Columbia citizens. Now there's something tangible to rally around: a bill that is being considered this spring on Capitol Hill. full story

Men's agency consecrates building, launches partnership

Mar. 8, 2006      United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The agency responsible for men's ministry in the United Methodist Church has consecrated its new headquarters and launched an effort to provide big brother relationships with sons of fathers who are incarcerated. full story

Mississippi-based church broadcast ministry expands scope

Mar. 9, 2006      United Methodist News Service JACKSON, Miss. — Methodism founder John Wesley said, "The world is my parish." The United Methodist Hour now has the same philosophy - literally. On Feb. 25, The United Methodist Hour's programming became available to anyone in the world through the Internet. The organization is working in conjunction with iSeeTV, a company of Continental Vista Broadcasting Group Inc. based in The Woodlands, Texas. full story

'Giving Hope' program empowers African orphans

Mar. 9, 2006      United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — When Iyakaremye's parents died, he sought work in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, leaving his two school-age sisters behind. But a program called "Giving Hope," which brings child-headed households together into working groups to help them build better lives, lured Iyakaremye back to his sisters. He is now in the process of realizing his dream to become a farmer. full story

Thousands rally on Capitol Hill to protest immigration bill

Mar. 9, 2006      United Methodist News Service WASHINGTON — United Methodists and others rallying against an immigration reform bill said they wouldn't let the threat of jail stop them from doing ministry with undocumented immigrants. "Yo no soy un criminal (I am not a criminal)," said the Rev. David Rocha, coordinator of Hispanic ministries at the Baltimore-Washington Conference and pastor of Camina Da Vida United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, Md. Rocha was reacting to a proposal working its way through Congress this month that could penalize people like him with hefty fines and jail time for working with undocumented immigrants. full story

People of faith unite against torture

March 10, 2006 United Methodist Reporter America is in a crisis over torture. Stories of abusive interrogation practices by some U.S. military personnel with detainees have come to light in the last two years. But recent admissions of abuse at Guantánamo Bay and still more degrading photographs from Abu Ghraib have prompted a national disgust over behavior that seems at odds with international torture bans. People of faith are now responding with a new organization to combat the practice. full story

GEN-X RISING: 'Pew potatoes' need rousing

March 10, 2006 United Methodist Reporter The missional emphasis of the Council of Bishops is bold, visionary and hopeful: "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World." That's just how a mission statement should be. But like most, it is also naturally short on details. Church mission statements are the ecclesiastical equivalents of sound bytes. They need to embody the church's vision in a way that's clear and concise. Lengthy outlines with Roman numerals and bulleted sub-points would lose the oomph. As a pastor in a local church, I find myself wanting to move beyond the mission statement and into the mission. I've been asking, "How are we equipping the saints to do the work of ministry?" Or even, "How do we get the pew potatoes to become active followers of Jesus?" full story

Native Americans raise awareness of sacred sites

Mar. 13, 2006     United Methodist News Service Around the United States this spring, Native Americans and others are holding marathons and other events to focus public attention on the ongoing threats to the sacred places of indigenous people. Native Americans throughout the United States are running in a relays and marathons to ancient sites and mounds to connect with their pasts. The runs have been under way since February, and United Methodist churches have been providing hospitality to the runners. In the process, congregations are learning about the plight of sacred sites, which are threatened by housing, commercial and transportation development. full story

Mother of al-Qaida conspirator struggles with son's fate

Mar. 14, 2006     United Methodist News Service That is how Aicha el-Wafi expressed her feelings. But she cannot be just a mother now because her son is Zacarias Moussaoui, an al-Qaida conspirator on trial in federal court in Virginia. During a March 12 gathering at the Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains, N.Y., el-Wafi spoke with a group of people who came to express their love and support for her as a mother experiencing great distress over the fate of her son. As the Rev. Joseph Agne, pastor of the White Plains church, noted, "I guess everything in the world is political, but this isn't a political gathering. This is a welcoming gathering." Those in attendance made it clear that his perception was correct. Sympathetic to her grieving and her pleading for understanding, they embraced her with their words and with their arms. full story

United Methodist board creates global education fund

Mar. 14, 2006      United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church's education agency is creating a global fund that will help Methodist schools around the world develop leaders and become more effective. The more than 720 Methodist educational institutions outside the United States are looking to the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the denomination's University Senate for assistance in collaborative programs and peer review. The board seeks to raise $3 million to $4 million over the next three years for the Methodist Global Education Fund to provide technical support and scholarship aid to those schools. The global education initiative was launched as an unfunded mandate by the 2004 General Conference and was designated as a World Service giving special of the denomination. full story

Schools association responds to Judicial Council decision

Mar. 14, 2006     United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A United Methodist association of schools has issued a resolution expressing "deep concern for the pain and alienation" of those affected by the Judicial Council decision reinstating a pastor who denied church membership to an openly gay man. The resolution, issued by the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church, was affirmed unanimously by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Division of Higher Education at the agency's spring board meeting March 11. full story

Older adults face growing threat of poverty, committee warns

Mar. 15, 2006     United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many working men and women will retire after a lifetime of service and come face to face with the shocking reality that the pension they thought would support them for the rest of their lives isn't worth the paper it is printed on. The United Methodist Committee on Older Adults recognizes that reality and is waving "a cautionary flag" before the church, asking that attention be paid to actions that will increase poverty among older Americans and their families. A resolution approved by the committee during its March 11-16 meeting in Nashville urges "widespread notice and study of the threat to pension benefits throughout the church." full story

Africa University, Clemson, work together on food production

Mar. 16, 2006     United Methodist News Service Africa University and Clemson (S.C.) University have joined hands to help small farmers in the region improve vegetable production, protect the environment and fight hunger. full story

Religious leaders protest new restrictions on Cuba travel

Mar. 17, 2006     United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — A delegation of religious leaders joined a March 15 meeting in Washington, called by members of Congress, to demand that U.S. government agencies cease attempts to curtail religious freedom by imposing restrictive regulations on travel by church agencies to Cuba. full story

Better reporting system needed for post-disaster illnesses

March 17, 2006 United Methodist Reporter BALTIMORE, Md. — Responders are weighing whether post-disaster illnesses need to be better tracked. If people get sick after visiting or returning to a disaster area, health officials recommend they see their doctor, then report the illness to their local or state health department. Ideally, states lift significant ailment trends up to the Centers for Disease Control. For workers who get sick in a disaster zone, illness and injury data is collected on a national level by the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA). But those data checkpoints are not the same as a national reporting system dedicated to a specific disaster, pointed out Roger Boe, consultant for the United Methodist Fellowship of Health Care Volunteers. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Boe reported that several United Methodist volunteers returning from the Gulf Coast contracted cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues. "Some cases have been severe," he said. full story

Conference focuses on HIV prevention among native youth

Mar. 21, 2006     United Methodist News Service Native American young people will gather April 6-8 in Oklahoma City for what is believed to be the first national conference for native youth on AIDS and HIV awareness and prevention. Called "Native P.R.O.U.D.," the conference will focus on prevention, responsibility, ownership, understanding and determination as keys to helping native young people make wise decisions regarding risky behavior. The event is sponsored by the United Methodist Native American International Caucus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. full story

U.S. churches face crisis, discipleship leaders say

Mar. 21, 2006     United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE,  Tenn. — The fact that 43 percent of United Methodist churches in America did not receive a member by profession of faith in 2004 is an indicator that congregations are in trouble, say leaders of the denomination's discipleship agency. Both the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, and Bishop Michael Coyner, board president, cited that statistic during addresses at the March 14-18 board meeting. full story

Church World Service urges senate to develop compassionate immigration reform

March 21, 2006     News media contact: CWS_News_Distribution@churchworldservice.org Church World Service   WASHINGTON — U.S.-headquartered humanitarian and refugee assistance agency Church World Service has requested that the Senate develop compassionate comprehensive immigration reform that will permit faith-based and humanitarian agencies to continue responding to persons in need by offering hospitality and sanctuary, without regard to an individual's immigration status. full story

Commentary: Finding humanity in our 'brave new world'

Mar. 22, 2006      United Methodist News Service For 150 years, Birmingham-Southern College has been dedicated to the highest and most noble purposes of our human societies. It has prepared talented young men and women to assume their rightful places around the globe as leaders of significant intellectual and moral fiber with a commitment to advancing the dignity of others throughout the world. This was true in the 19th and 20th centuries — and it is true today in the 21st century. Yet, the differences between each of these centuries are dramatic. And the events that surrounded the damage or destruction of nine Alabama churches further dramatize a significant and ironic twist in the evolving nature of contemporary community. full story

United Methodist church has historic link to Scrabble

Mar. 23, 2006     United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — Can you spell "birthplace?" Scrabble, the popular word game, has a historic link to a United Methodist congregation. Among the first players of the game were members of Community United Methodist Church in the borough of Queens in New York City, according to the Rev. Austin Armitstead, who served as pastor there from 1974-95. The game's acknowledged inventor, Alfred M. Butts, had always liked anagrams and word games. In 1931, unable to find work as an architect because of the Depression, he created a word-construction game by analyzing the English language. It was first called by several names, including "Criss Cross." The most enthusiastic player of Criss Cross was his wife, Nina, who introduced the game to her friends at Community Church, which is in the Jackson Heights neighborhood. She became very skilled at the game, causing her husband to reportedly remark, "She beat me at my own game." full story

Higher education foundation "triples" scholarship dollars

Mar. 23, 2006      United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The new "Triple Your Dollars for Scholars" program is extending the relationship already established between local churches and the United Methodist Foundation for Higher Education. The program will now include select institutions that have chosen to participate in the matching scholarship assistance program, said the foundation's board of trustees during a March 2-4 meeting. According to Cheryl Davis, the foundation's vice president, the scholarships "strengthen the United Methodist ties that lie in all of us" and encourages students to attend one of the 123 church-related schools, colleges and universities. As in the past, the Double Your Dollars for Scholars program matched the $1,000 provided by churches for student members, for a total award of $2,000. With the new "triple" portion, 68 United Methodist schools, colleges, and seminaries will match applicants with an additional $1,000, for a total award of $3,000. full story

UMC seeking more young clergy candidates

March 24, 2006 United Methodist Reporter Rocio Del Carmen Ramirez sported green hair and a punk look when she played piano at her inner-city Chicago church — a style that rubbed many older church members the wrong way. "The pastor always said God wanted her to give me time. I'm grateful for the compassion of that pastor," says the 26-year-old Pfeiffer University student, adding that the support gave her time to hear and accept her own call to ministry. That makes her unusual in a different way. At a time when just 13 percent of United Methodist clergy in the United States are under age 40, Ms. Ramirez is studying for a B.A. in youth ministry, with plans to attend seminary and seek ordination as an elder. With half of all ordained United Methodist clergy older than 50, church leaders are looking for more candidates like Ms. Ramirez. full story

Kidnappers free Upper Room editor in India

Mar. 20, 2006     United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After two months of captivity, an international editor of the Upper Room has been released. The Upper Room received word March 18 that the Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim, the editor of the Kuki (in India) edition of the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, has been released by a group of rebels called the Kuki Liberation Army. According to http://www.gospelbroadcastingmission.com, a Web site that has been providing updates about Lunkim, he was released around 2 p.m. India time. He was described as stable and strong. full story

United Methodist elders under the age of 35 declining

March 27, 2006 United Methodist News Service United Methodist clergy are getting older than the population the denomination is trying to reach, according to a report examining clergy age trends for the past 20 years. The average age of elders in the church has increased by five years over that time period, the report found. In 1985, the average age of ordained elders was 46.8 years, compared to the 51.5 years in 2005. The research was conducted by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at United Methodist-related Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Evanston, Ill. Although the denomination seeks to reach new members in their 20s and 30s, the age of clergy is growing in the other direction. The denomination is not attracting clergy from the younger population, the report said. full story

U.S. church opens arms to Iraqi girl with birth defect

Mar. 28, 2006    News media contact:   Fran  Coode Walsh * (615) 742-5458*  Nashville {178} United Methodist News Service MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Ghofran Alyass traveled from Iraq to Tennessee for surgery she hopes will give her more years with her family. Along the way, she found her family growing as she developed a special bond with a new "sister." full story

Commentary: News stories under-represent women

Mar. 28, 2006    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {177} United Methodist News Service Got a story? That should be good enough. Then why bother to probe a news story with a set of questions such as "who speaks?" "Who listens?" "Who is left out?" and "Who profits?" These questions themselves form story lines of their own. A story line of advocacy brought together women worldwide last year, as volunteers monitored the role, image and representation of women in newspapers, television and radio. The data they collected is now available. Sponsored by the World Association for Christian Communication, the purpose of the event was advocacy on behalf of women. For the United Methodist Women members, monitoring the image and role of women in media is a faith-based advocacy effort in which they have participated ever since 1976. Identifying the gender deficit in news coverage and advocating for gender balance were the twin goals for the 76 countries participating in the Global Media Monitoring event, held Feb. 16, 2005. The women worked on media monitoring alongside students of the Department of Language, Literature and Communication at Augusta (Ga.) State University. full story

United Methodist makes business successful using the Bible

Mar. 29, 2006    News media contact:   Linda  Green * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {179} United Methodist News Service He began by teaching a Sunday school class how to apply biblical principles to create a blueprint for success in life. The concept evolved into a book that has been recommended as required reading for chief executive officers across the country. David L. Steward, the chief executive officer of St. Louis-based World Wide Technology, was overheard one day talking about using the Bible as a map for a fulfilled life. He was asked to teach a Sunday school class on those principles at Union Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Louis. "I said, 'Gosh, how am I going to do that, when I have a difficult enough time getting to church on time?' But busy people always find time to do what's right, (and) my wife and I decided that we would agree to teach a Sunday school class every week." Those lessons eventually became Doing Business by the Good Book: 52 Lessons Straight from the Bible. The idea for the book was "not about making money," according to Steward, whose company is reported to be one of the largest African-American-owned enterprises in the country, but "about sharing the word of God." full story

Students will hone leadership skills at annual forum

Mar. 29, 2006    News media contact:   Linda  Green * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {180} United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Student Forum will not explode overnight, but the chairwoman of the denomination's student movement believes the event will grow each year now that the annual gathering is not limited to conference delegations. And letting more students explore and hone their leadership skills is a good thing, said Ana Kelsey-Powell, chairwoman of the United Methodist Student Movement steering committee. "I think exposing people to different points of view is always good," said Kelsey-Powell, 23. "Student Forum is one of the places that we can disagree without being disagreeable. That's a lesson the larger church could learn," she added. The steering committee plans and organizes the annual gathering, set for May 25-28 at Adrian (Mich.) College. Although registration is now open to everyone, each annual conference must still identify three voting student delegates and six alternate student delegates to the annual Student Forum. full story

Publishing House ‘leans into future’ despite low sales

Mar. 30, 2006    News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {184} United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House continues to see decreases in sales in a world where “the ability to point, click and send is disrupting every aspect of our business,” said President Neil M. Alexander. The Publishing House marked a 5 percent decrease in sales for the six months ended Jan. 31 compared with the same period the previous year. Overall sales have been declining for the last three years. Traditional approaches in publishing are being shaken up by new technologies and changes in church practices, Alexander told the board of directors during its spring meeting March 27-29. full story

United Methodist panel addresses church property issues

Mar. 31, 2006    News media contact:   Linda  Green * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {185} United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Do the property rights of a local congregation ever supersede the rights of the denomination? That is one of the questions U.S. civil courts are answering in the affirmative, and denominational questions related to property issues are on the rise. As a result — and in light of secular legal and regulatory changes — the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration has created a panel to work on challenges facing the denomination with regard to corporate, property and trust issues. full story