e-Review archive
Global Connection
May 2004
 

2004 General Conference coverage

General Conference news releases and stores can be found here: http://www.flumc.org/genconf/update_index.htm full story

Church asks for new U.S. policy on Haitian asylum seekers

May. 13, 2004    News media contact:   Tim  Tanton * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {04203} United Methodist News Service PITTSBURGH (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church has asked the U.S. government to change its policy on Haitians seeking political asylum. The denomination's General Conference passed a resolution May 5 stating that the United States should end the practice of both blocking and detaining Haitian asylum seekers. The resolution cited the unstable and often violent conditions in the Caribbean nation. The church encouraged Washington to give Haitian asylum seekers full access to the process for seeking asylum and to increase resettlement opportunities in the United States. The United Methodists also asked the U.S. government to assist Haitian asylum seekers who have fled into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti. full story

Church leaders urge U.N. leadership in Iraq

May 25, 2004    News media contact:   Tim  Tanton * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {04216} United Methodist News Service NEW YORK (UMNS) — An international ecumenical delegation, including United Methodists, has met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to support that body's involvement in Iraq. On May 24, the same day as the 40-minute meeting between the religious leaders and Annan, the U.N. Security Council began discussing a new resolution defining the role of the United Nations in Iraq. A draft resolution introduced by the United States and Great Britain backed the proposal of U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi for transfer of power to a caretaker government on June 30, and endorsed a timetable for U.N.-planned elections for a national Iraqi assembly by the end of January, according to the New York Times. In a live televised address later that evening, President Bush said the U.S. government has a five-point plan for Iraq that includes the June 30 transfer of power, elections as early as January and encouragement of more international support. Organized by the National Council of Churches and led by the Rev. Robert Edgar, a United Methodist pastor and the agency's chief executive, the 11-member delegation advocated for U.N. leadership in Iraq. full story

Agency plans ways to promote Holy Communion statement

Mar. 17, 2005    News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {05161} United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Holy Communion should be seen as a "kingdom scene" in anticipation of what is to be, said the Rev. Daniel T. Benedict Jr., in a presentation to the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. "Holy Communion is not a funeral service; it is a time to remember all that Jesus did for us," said Benedict, a board staff executive. "It is body and blood, not milk and cookies. Diners beware!" When you partake of Holy Communion it should be done with an awareness of what you are going to do with the rest of your life, he said. Benedict presented a theological inquiry on Holy Communion and baptism for the agency board of directors' spring meeting, held March 9-12 in Nashville. full story

Bishop hits airwaves to campaign against casino in Minnesota

Apr. 19, 2005    United Methodist News Service MINNEAPOLIS — Bishop Sally Dyck has taken to the airwaves to fight a proposal backed by the state's governor, Tim Pawlenty, to establish a state-run casino in the Twin Cities. "Not only does gambling create more social problems, but its costs exceed its benefits," she says in a series of radio advertisements that started in five Minnesota markets April 11. The ads can be heard in Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Worthington, Rochester and New Ulm. Pawlenty's plan requires passage of a law that would, for the first time, allow casino gambling in the state. The proposal's proponents say it will benefit the state's general fund as well as the three tribal governments-Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake-invited to be partners with the state in a Twin Cities-area casino. Currently all tribal casinos are authorized under federal law. But Dyck, who leads the state's United Methodists, is warning Minnesotans of the hidden costs to what she calls a simplistic policy. The radio ads, produced by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, a statewide interfaith lobbying group, dispute the economic promises of legalized gambling. full story

Black Methodists to raise prophetic, spiritual leaders

Apr. 3, 2006      United Methodist News Service DALLAS — African-American United Methodists converged in Dallas in a week of prayer, praise and preaching that resembled an old fashioned revival. The 39th annual meeting of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal held March 21-25 was also a resource outlet and a family reunion for "the children of God." The focus for the 2006 meeting was "Pathways to Faithful Leadership," which was based on the story of Nehemiah who initially struggled with problems, but eventually accepted the task to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem that was destroyed. The caucus also struggles with issues and financial problems and also wants to "rebuild." full story

Women's Division addresses overspending issues

Apr. 4, 2006     News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {190} United Methodist News Service STAMFORD, Conn. — Addressing "a long-standing pattern of overspending," directors of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, approved major changes for the 2007 budget. Actions taken during the division's March 31-April 3 spring meeting will mean a reduction in both staff and programs. The division is the administrative arm of United Methodist Women. Currently, the division, based in New York, has about 100 paid staff. Specific cuts are yet to be determined. full story

United Methodist Women to explore immigrant rights

Apr. 4, 2006     News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {191} United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — As a national debate on immigration legislation continues, the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has decided to make immigrant and refugee rights a priority. The division will explore with its constituency, United Methodist Women, how best to pursue this priority, directors agreed during the division's March 31-April 3 spring meeting. full story

Bishop calls for immigration reform

Apr. 6, 2006     News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {197} United Methodist News Service United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño has asked Arizona lawmakers “to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows” and begin treating them fairly and justly in the variety of jobs they have assumed for society. Carcaño, bishop of the Arizona and Southern Nevada areas, made the plea April 4. She was joined by Bishop Gerald Kicana of the Roman Catholic Church in Tucson, Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Church in Arizona and other religious leaders in making a statement that urged state legislators “to lead us as one community in search of common good.” full story

Committee examines ties with Latin American/Caribbean Methodists

Apr. 6, 2006     News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {199} United Methodist News Service United Methodists need to have stronger connections with independent Methodist churches in Latin America and the Caribbean. That’s the premise underlying a special committee created by the 2004 United Methodist General Conference to study the denomination’s relationship with autonomous churches in the region. Bishop Minerva Carcaño of Phoenix is the committee chairperson. “No one is satisfied with where the relationships are at the moment,” said the Rev. Sam Dixon, a Board of Global Ministries executive who serves as staff for the committee. The Rev. Aida Fernandez, a Board of Global Ministries director from Lawrence, Mass., serving on the committee, believes its efforts “may help to heal some broken relationships full story

United Methodists to recruit new missionaries

Apr. 7, 2006     United Methodist News Service STAMFORD, Conn. — The United Methodist Church needs at least 20 new international missionaries over two years. A recruitment effort-"The Next Missionary May be YOU"-was launched during the April 3-6 spring meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. "We are extremely pleased to be able to again actively recruit missionaries for international service," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the international mission agency. full story

United Methodists plan long-term work in Gulf region

Apr. 7, 2006      United Methodist News Service STAMFORD, Conn. — United Methodists expect to be involved in Gulf Coast Hurricane recovery work at least until 2012. An overview of that work was presented to directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries during the mission agency's April 3-6 meeting. As of Feb. 28, the denomination had raised $63.8 million, through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, in response to the 2005 hurricane season. In addition, $7.6 million of relief and emergency supplies were shipped from UMCOR's supply depot to the church's annual (regional) conferences in the Gulf region. UMCOR has nearly completed the relief phase of its operations on the Gulf Coast, reported Bishop Edward Paup of Seattle, president of the relief agency's board of directors. The long-term recovery phase will begin April 17 and is projected to continue to January 2012. full story

United Methodist mission agency rejects harsh laws against immigrants

Apr. 7, 2006      United Methodist News Service STAMFORD, Conn. — As the Senate considered a compromise on immigration legislation, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries called upon Congress to refrain from enacting harsh and intolerant laws against undocumented workers. That was one of the actions taken by directors during the board's April 3-6 meeting in Stamford, Conn. As noted by the statement adopted April 6, the United Methodist Church, including its mission agency, "has a long history of being in ministry with immigrants and supporting just immigration policies." Directors asked Congress "to refrain from passing laws relating to immigration that would divide families, make felons out of millions of workers now in the U.S. who are without green cards or visas, encourage mistreatment of immigrants or criminalize the efforts of the Christian church, other faith traditions and social service organizations to help people in need, regardless of their citizenship status." full story

Seminary prof says best-seller negates choice

April 7, 2006 United Methodist Reporter DALLAS — Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Life may have caused its more than 22 million readers to think more about their faith and less about themselves, but the best-seller has some fundamental flaws, says a seminary professor and author. The Rev. Frederick Schmidt, keynote speaker at Perkins' School of Theology's Laity Week in March, says Mr. Warren's blockbuster book has too much of a deterministic slant when it comes to human choice. Determinism, Dr. Schmidt said, is the view that "there's only one 'God's will,' and it's predetermined." "But we do make choices," he said, adding with a smile that it's not difficult to sell that concept to Methodists. full story

Commentary: Including all in God's grace

June 8, 2006     News media contact:   Tim  Tanton * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {341} United Methodist News Service On a recent Sunday, a new class of students was confirmed at the church I serve.  We ask the parents of the confirmands to stand with their daughters and sons. One young man was joined by the two women listed as his parents in the service materials. I was glad for this young man. He came to our church through our youth ministry and experienced a vibrant, new  faith in Christ through the confirmation preparation. I felt good that both his mothers had come to worship and participate in this joyful moment in their son's spiritual life. Yet, as one who supports our current stance on homosexuality, I also sensed that morning the depth of the controversy that grips us as United Methodists. full story

Students celebrate year of jubilee at annual event

June 15, 2007     United Methodist News Service TACOMA, Wash. — More than 400 students celebrated a year of jubilee during a national leadership forum that included a hunger banquet, worship services, workshops, service projects and holy conferencing on human sexuality. "We wanted to remember our purpose as an event that started as a leadership conference. I think we kind of brought Student Forum back to its roots," said Christine Seymour, chairperson of the United Methodist Student Movement Steering Committee. The committee organizes the event with staff assistance and financial support from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. With the theme of "Break forth, shine like the new day," from Isaiah 58:1-12, the forum took a year off from legislation — a year of jubilee. The May 24-27 event marked the 20th anniversary of the formation of the current United Methodist Student Movement. full story

Commentary: Respect others in election year

Oct. 10, 2008     United Methodist News Service TIMEOUT! It's a word I learned from my wife, a public school teacher for many years, used often with young children to bring order out of classroom chaos. In the political chaos of presidential election years in the United States, particularly this year, all of us who love this nation might do well to cry, "TIMEOUT." Regardless of our presidential choice, we seem too often to set aside reason, respect, rationality and responsibility. I wish all of us could remember Aretha Franklin's classic song "R-E-S-P-E-C-T"-and then put that verb into practice as we speak and write and campaign for our presidential choice. full story