e-Review archive
Global Connection
May 2008
 

Interpreters assist General Conference delegates

May 1, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — A 140-member team of interpreters and technicians is making it possible for nearly 300 international delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference to participate in worship, committee discussions and floor debates. Interpreters for the April 23-May 2 legislative meeting are available for nine languages: American Sign Language, 3; French, 30; German, 6; Korean, 6; Mandarin Chinese, 4; Portuguese, 27; Russian, 10; Spanish, 10; and Swahili, 26. full story

United Methodist mission statement revised

May 1, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — United Methodist General Conference delegates have refined the denomination's mission statement to infuse a mission directive into the life and work of the church. The statement now reads, "The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." The latter phrase was added in the revision and will now appear in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the church's official law book. full story

United Methodists will pledge to ‘witness’

May 1, 2008                                                                                        United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — People who join United Methodist churches henceforth will promise to be faithful in “their witness” as well as in their “prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service.” The 2008 United Methodist General Conference voted April 30 to add the witness phrase to the liturgy the church uses when a person makes a profession of membership. The new phrase highlights the mission and evangelistic responsibility of church membership. full story

Gates thanks United Methodists for partnership

May 1, 2008                                                                            United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — United Methodists have decided to wipe out malaria because “brothers and sisters don’t sit back and let each other die,” said William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “I am here today to thank you,” he told the 2008 United Methodist General Conference on May 1, during its worldwide legislative meeting. “We are proud to be your partner in this campaign to end the world’s worst killer of children. We believe the campaign cannot succeed without you.” full story

United Methodists expand global health campaign

May 1, 2008                                                                                            United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — The United Methodist Church “ramped up” its commitment to fight malaria by agreeing to enter into a capital campaign to raise $75 million to $100 million for global health. “This is a milestone in the church’s long history of caring for the poor and the whole person,” said Bishop Janice Riggle Huie on May 1 in announcing the 2008 General Conference’s approval of the Global Health Initiative. Agencies and boards of the church will join with the United Nations Foundation and other organizations to combat the diseases of poverty: HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The initiative represents an expanded global partnership, Huie said. The hope is that the partnership, led by the people of The United Methodist Church and organized by the U.N. Foundation, will raise $200 million to fight malaria in Africa. Development of the partnership has received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. full story

Church supports people of Tibet, Sudan, Taiwan

May 1, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — United Methodists have officially affirmed support for “the people of Tibet and their struggle for independence and autonomy.” The action came May 1 as General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body, met at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The petition on Tibet was among the consent calendar items approved that day. full story

Wrap-up: Constitutional amendments, Gates speech

May 1, 2008                                                                          United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — Following an emotional day in which delegates debated issues related to homosexuality, Chicago Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung told The United Methodist Church’s legislative assembly that people on each side of the controversy are living out Christian values. He said both those who want the church to be more flexible — more open — and those who want the church to be clear about boundaries — more pure — embody biblical values, “and both are right.” Speaking at a May 1 worship service of the legislative arm of the 11.5 million-member denomination, Jung invited United Methodists “to live in the tension that is created by holding both values — holiness and hospitality — together at the same time.” full story

Demonstrators call church's ‘anti-gay’ policies sinful

May 1, 2008                                                                            United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — In an act of witness in front of delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, more than 200 people declared that the denomination's policies and practices against homosexuality are “sinful” and that “sexuality is a gift from God.” full story

‘Christian conferencing’ follows demonstration

May 1, 2008                                                    United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — Relationships established before the 2008 United Methodist General Conference began helped temper a May 1 response to that body’s decision not to change the denomination’s current positions on homosexuality, according to some participants. During a press conference after a “witness” was made on the General Conference floor by supporters of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered people, Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said he had a “deep sense of gratitude” for both how the witness was handled and how delegates and bishops responded. The 15-minute demonstration was in reaction to the April 30 decision to retain the denomination's decades-old proscription describing homosexual practice as “incompatible with Christian teaching.” One protester, Audrey Krumbach, read a statement declaring that the "anti-gay policies of The United Methodist Church are wrong and sinful in the sight of God." full story

Agency focuses on centennial, health initiatives

May 2, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — Leaders of the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits told the 2008 General Conference about 100 years of accomplishments and pledged to focus on the health of clergy and lay workers in the future. The agency’s history is a “legacy of care and concern for the welfare of those who are called to serve--clergy and lay workers alike,” said Bishop Ben R. Chamness, chairman of the agency’s board of directors. The Board of Pension and Health Benefits, one of the top 100 pension funds in the United States, cares for more than 74,000 participants. It has grown from managing $200,000 in assets to managing $16 billion today. It also has become the largest denominational investor in affordable housing in the United States, with commitments of more than $1 billion. The centennial celebration came the same week that General Conference approved a series of health-related petitions sponsored by the Board of Pension and Health Benefits. full story

Commentary: Deliberating under the influence (of too little sleep) at GC 2008

May 2, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — As we reach the end of the 2008 General Conference, some of us delegates are feeling a little like the 87-year-old John Wesley, who, as he neared death, wrote to a friend, “I am half blind and half lame; but by the help of God, I creep on still.” General Conference delegates have done their very best while deliberating under the influence of too little sleep and too few breaks. And we, like Wesley, creep on still. General Conference sessions are always tiring and long, but this year was the worst, according to many experienced delegates. The organizers of General Conference, in a praiseworthy effort to save money, cut two days from the General Conference calendar. And with the addition of some new events and speeches, we were left with even less time for legislative committee deliberations. And it showed. full story

United Methodists reject divestment from Israel

May 2, 2008                                                    United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — United Methodists have rejected attempts to have the denomination endorse divestment from Israel as a way of addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict. The actions occurred during General Conference, the church’s top legislative body, meeting April 23-May 2 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. A number of petitions, including five from U.S. annual (regional) conferences, were folded into one petition on “divestment” that called on the denomination’s pension board and finance agency “to review and identify companies that profit from sales of products or services that cause harm to Palestinians and Israelis and begin phased selective divestment from these companies.” That petition was rejected May 2 by General Conference delegates as they voted on a special consent calendar. full story

Church supports justice for migrants

May 2, 2008                                                                                                 United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas —The United Methodist Church is urging justice for migrants worldwide and reform of U.S. immigration laws. Delegates to the denomination's top legislative body, meeting April 23-May 2, adopted resolutions covering both global migration and immigration issues in the United States. full story

Church tackles difficult subject of abortion

May 2, 2008                                                                                                 United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas —The United Methodist Church will continue to “sit at the table” and retain its 35-year membership with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. In a May 2 vote of 416-384, the 2008 General Conference affirmed continued membership of the denomination’s Board of Church and Society and the Women’s Division of the Board of Global Ministries in the organization. Fourteen denominations including the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalism, Conservative Judaism and others are also full members of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. full story

Assembly approves $642 million churchwide budget

May 2, 2008                                                                                       United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — Following a declaration that “the budget defines who we are and what we believe” as the church, the 2008 United Methodist General Conference approved a $642 million denominational spending plan for the next four years built around four areas of mission and ministry. “(The budget) is our mission statement of what God is calling us as people of The United Methodist Church to be about in the world,” said Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, president of the church’s finance agency, in presenting the proposed budget on May 2, the final day of the 10-day legislative assembly. With minimal discussion, the delegates approved the budget by a vote of 750-28 and later approved the “apportionment formula” by which it is funded through money requested of the church’s 63 U.S. annual (regional) conferences and their local congregations. Less than 2 percent of the money placed in local church offering plates goes to fund denominational ministries and administration. full story

Justice petitions address welfare, hate, torture

May 2, 2008                                                                United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — New resolutions adopted by United Methodists touch on a variety of social justice issues, including a living wage, hate crimes and the use of torture. The resolutions were among the consent calendar items approved by the denomination’s General Conference during its April 23-May 2 legislative event at the Fort Worth Convention Center. full story

Delegates reject petitions on evaluation of ineffective clergy

May 2, 2008                                                               United Methodist News Service   FORT WORTH, Texas — Delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference rejected two petitions dealing with clergy ineffectiveness and guaranteed appointments. The delegates followed the recommendations of the ministry and higher education legislative committee and voted 824-25 to not amend paragraph 334.1 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. The petitions asked that bishops appoint an ineffective pastor to less than full-time service. full story

Church focuses on poverty, leadership

May 3, 2008 United Methodist Reporter FORT WORTH, Texas—Do United Methodists really want to welcome the poor and downtrodden? Or do they prefer those sitting in the pews to “look just like us?” Bishop Felton May posed that question to General Conference delegates during an April 24 presentation on four areas of focus that will guide the future work of the denomination’s general agencies. “Somehow, in our 40 years, poverty became acceptable to us,” he told the legislative gathering. “But here, at our 40-year anniversary, for the love of God, the United Methodist Church declares, no more!” full story

Commentary: Seeking balance at General Conference

May 8, 2008      United Methodist News Service When the 2008 General Conference was over, I headed to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport with my eyes barely open. As I checked my luggage, a couple of delegates standing next to me asked, "So, what is the order of the day?" We laughed. On the plane to Denver, another group of United Methodists asked, "What calendar items are you going to present?" We were all happy there were none left to deliberate! The underlying issue we faced was a basic daily scheduling structure. Delegates felt pressured with each day's tight schedule, which began at 8 a.m. and ended at around 11 p.m., with two less days to work than at previous General Conference meetings. full story

Teens help homeless with fashion show

May 8, 2008      United Methodist News Service WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — At first glance, they appear to have little in common-students modeling the latest fashions and, just a few miles away, dozens of homeless men and women walking the streets. But the high school and college students walking down the runway are more than friends of fashion. The youth group from Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem is raising money for the Love Thy Neighbor ministry, which holds block parties for the homeless. "We began calling it Love Thy Neighbor out of the Matthew passage that says, 'love your neighbor as yourself,'" explains Lisa Waugh, 18, a high school senior in charge of the second annual Friends for Fashion show held at a local country club. The shows raise about $10,000 a year for the outreach. full story

Myanmar bishop monitors situation at home

May 8, 2008      United Methodist News Service As the nation of Myanmar began to assess the damage following a catastrophic cyclone, the Methodist bishop for the area was in Virginia, working the phones to organize relief efforts and preparing to return to his devastated country. Bishop Zothan Mawia will participate in the May 9 baccalaureate service at Shenandoah University, a United Methodist-related school in Winchester, Va., where his daughter is a freshman, before returning home. He is the episcopal leader of the Methodist Church of the Union of Myanmar (Lower Myanmar). Mawia came to the United States in April to attend a meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting and then General Conference, the denomination's top legislative gathering, in Fort Worth, Texas. He then saw his elder daughter graduate from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., another United Methodist-related school. "I am sorry I am here instead of at home," the bishop said during a May 7 interview with UMNS, "but I know God has a plan, and I am hoping something good comes out of it. Here I can better contact people, to reach out and help and encourage people in America to do what they can to help us. My heart is there, but I know God has a purpose for me being here." full story

CWS relief coordinator to arrive in Myanmar

May 8, 2008 United Methodist News Service A coordinator for Church World Service is expected to arrive in Myanmar on May 9 to begin preparations for cyclone relief efforts there. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is partnering with CWS on emergency relief for the nearly one million people that the United Nations estimates were left homeless after Cyclone Nargis struck the Southeast Asia nation May 3. Up to 100,000 people may have died and tens of thousands are missing. full story

Faith groups work toward Myanmar relief

May 13, 2008    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {198} United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — As aid trickles in to cyclone survivors in Myanmar, United Methodists and other faith-based groups are cooperating on relief efforts. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with partners in the Action by Churches Together network, including Church World Service. Local partners have distributed water purification tablets, food and materials for shelter reconstruction, according to the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive. About 1.5 million people are thought to be at risk following the May 3 cyclone in the Southeast Asian nation, formerly known as Burma. The Myanmar government now puts the official death toll at 34,273, but the United Nations believes that 62,000 to 100,000 may have died. Government restrictions in Myanmar have hampered efforts by other nations and relief organizations to rush aid to the cyclone survivors. The military has ruled the country since 1962. "The United Methodist Committee on Relief is persistently pursuing all avenues to provide relief in Myanmar," Dixon said. "The faith-based disaster response community is working closely together to bring relief to those suffering following Cyclone Nargis, and it's working." full story

Jurisdictional conferences will elect, assign bishops

May 14, 2008    News media contact:   Marta  Aldrich * (615) 742-5133*  Nashville {199} United Methodist News Service With the 2008 United Methodist General Conference now adjourned, denominational attention shifts to July gatherings of jurisdictional conferences at which nine new U.S. bishops are expected to be elected. Like the worldwide legislative meeting held April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, jurisdictional conferences meet once every four years. However, while General Conference handles denominational matters across the globe, each jurisdictional gathering covers business related to one of the church's five regional jurisdictions in the United States. The primary business of jurisdictional conferences is the election and assignment of bishops. full story

UMCOR, conferences respond to U.S. storms

May 14, 2008    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {201} United Methodist News Service In an unusually active U.S. tornado and spring storm season, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with United Methodist annual (regional) conferences that are establishing recovery ministries. Tornadoes and severe storms that erupted on May 10 raced across parts of the Plains and the Southeast, battering towns and killing at least 27 people in Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia and Alabama, according to news reports. As of May 12, the conference had eight separate recoveries under way — from two ice storms, three flood events and three tornado systems. The latest storms affected three counties--Jasper, Berry and Newton — in southwest Missouri. UMCOR has been assisting the conference and is issuing an emergency grant.  Additionally, UMCOR consultant Mary Gaudreau will assist with long-term recovery plans. full story

Churches help families left behind after raids

May 15, 2008     United Methodist News Service CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Textbook open, Mariela studies environmental science while her three younger sisters watch TV before bed. In a few minutes, she will help them brush their teeth and say their bedtime prayers. But the 18-year-old is not babysitting. Mariela is the primary caregiver for her sisters ages 2, 4 and 7 now that their mother is gone — arrested in an immigration raid at her workplace. full story

Delegates call for world peace, end to war in Iraq

May 15, 2008     United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — The Iraq war, world peace and prayers for members of the armed forces and veterans were on the hearts and minds of delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference. The denomination's lawmaking body approved petitions calling for an immediate end to the war in Iraq, a ban on cluster bombs, the prevention of "space weaponization" and study of the "degrading effects that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide have on the victims, the perpetrators and on those who silently stand by." The statement on space weaponization calls for the rejection of any nation's efforts to "weaponize" space and urges all nations to pursue the "peaceful and collaborative development of space technologies and of outer space itself." full story

Q&A: Busting myths that hurt United Methodism

May 16, 2008 United Methodist Reporter United Methodists, says the Rev. Craig Kennet Miller, hold too many beliefs that just aren’t true. He urges us to stop thinking, for instance, that “big churches are bad” or that “we don’t know how to start new churches.” In his book, 7 Myths of the United Methodist Church (Discipleship Resources), and its related Web site, www.gbod.org/7myths, Dr. Miller, director of pastoral leadership for the denomination’s General Board of Discipleship, suggests ways local congregations can help reverse membership decline and revitalize the UMC. He talked recently with staff writer Bill Fentum. full story

Evaluating worship and music

May 16, 2008     News media contact:   Dean McIntyre * 877-899-2780, ext 7073 *  Nashville General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church How should we evaluate our church’s worship services and music? We can always look at worship attendance and trends, membership statistics, and offerings, but beyond those numeric measurements, are there other ways to think about the effectiveness of congregational worship and music? This article offers some other ways to think about it and a list of 25 statements that will help you evaluate your church’s worship. full story

General Conference shortens candidacy process

May 19, 2008     United Methodist News Service The candidacy process for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church will be shortened by two years beginning in January 2009, under legislation approved by the 2008 General Conference. "Steps were taken to shorten and expedite the process and make it more accessible," said the Rev. Sharon Rubey, director of Candidacy and Conference Relations at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. "The effect of these changes reduces the possible years from entry into candidacy to ordination by two years, plus makes the process less prescriptive, therefore making it more accessible to more possible candidates." full story

United Methodists stand with arrested workers

May 20, 2008     United Methodist News Service More than 300 "little lights" representing workers arrested in an immigration raid in northeast Iowa were lit and then extinguished during a "service of solidarity" held at First United Methodist Church in Sioux City. The May 15 vigil was one of a series of faith events across Iowa that have drawn attention to the plight of immigrant workers and their families in the wake of the largest single-site immigration raid in U.S. history. Iowa's United Methodist episcopal leader, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, responded by calling for an end to such raids and urging U.S. government leaders to pass a comprehensive immigration policy that recognizes the contributions of migrants to the U.S. economy and culture. full story

Bishops can give deacons sacramental authority

May 21, 2008     United Methodist News Service United Methodist bishops will be allowed to grant authority to deacons to administer Holy Communion and baptism in certain circumstances under legislation approved this spring by General Conference. The authority can be granted to a deacon within his or her primary appointment in the absence of an elder. The change takes effect in January 2009. "This legislation is an effort to extend the mission and ministry of the church in extraordinary circumstances when an elder is not present," said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, a staff executive with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. full story

United Methodists refine process for ecumenical relations

May 21, 2008     United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — Prior to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the church's Council of Bishops was authorized to work in cooperation with its ecumenical agency to engage in formal relations with other denominations or ecclesial bodies. The bishops' ecumenical officer coordinated the relationships. Delegates to the 2008 General Conference added language to give the bishops authority to enter into "interim and provisional ecumenical agreements" with other Christian bodies, following consultation with and concurrence of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. However, all agreements of full communion and permanent membership in ecumenical organizations must be ratified by General Conference. By a General Conference vote, The United Methodist Church entered into full relationship with The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on April 28. The denomination also has an interim Eucharist-sharing covenant relationship with The Episcopal Church and agreements with five historically black Methodist denominations that make up the Pan-Methodist Commission. full story

United Methodists support initial relief in China

May 22, 2008     United Methodist News Service A United Methodist-supported relief team has been assessing the needs of earthquake survivors in several Chinese villages and distributing emergency supplies. On May 21, the Amity Foundation team distributed 6.8 tons of oil and 1,700 quilts in the villages of Penghua and Wolong. According to a report from She Hongyu, Amity's overseas liaison, other materials such as waterproof cloths and rice were being purchased. Ten days after a massive earthquake struck China's Sichuan Province on May 12, the death toll stood at 51,151, according to the Chinese government, with 288,431 injured and another 29,328 missing. The estimate of those left homeless by the quake is a staggering 5 million. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is supporting the relief efforts of the Amity Foundation, a voluntary Chinese Christian organization and longtime partner of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR's parent agency. Amity and UMCOR are both part of Action by Churches Together International. UMCOR is sending $50,000 to Amity through the ACT International partnership. full story

Young people add voices to church policy

May 22, 2008     United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — Young people added their voices to the top legislative meeting of The United Methodist Church and served as role models for "holy conferencing" during the 2008 General Conference. They also submitted 43 proposals calling for resolutions on mostly social justice issues including war and peace, concern about poverty and opposition to killings in the Philippines. Although the church is graying--most members are age 60 and older--the young adult presence at General Conference was highly visible during the April 23-May 2 gathering. full story

Church plans annual celebration of older adults

May 22, 2008     United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — An annual Older Adult Recognition Day will be held in The United Methodist Church starting in 2009 to celebrate older adults. The 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top lawmaking body, voted to add an Older Adult Recognition Day to the special observances on the church's calendar. The day is to be observed annually, preferably during the month of May. The day is intended to provide congregations with the opportunity to learn more about the issues and concerns related to aging and older adulthood. The Committee on Older Adult Ministries, Board of Discipleship, will have responsibility for supervising and promoting the observance. full story

United Methodists affirm Native American nations

May 22, 2008     United Methodist News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — Delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference reaffirmed Native American tribal sovereignty, called for non-gambling forms of tribal economic development and continued a national comprehensive plan. The Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes 561 tribal governments in the United States, and the 2003 U.S. census estimates there are more than 2.7 million Native Americans. The United Methodist Church has more than 18,000 known Native Americans among its 8 million U.S. members. While many are part of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, Native American ministries exist throughout the country. General Conference, the top legislative body of The United Methodist Church, amended and readopted a 2004 resolution on "Native American Tribal Sovereignty" during the assembly's 10-day meeting that ended May 2 in Fort Worth. full story

'Recipe for Hope' campaign targets hunger

May 23, 2008     United Methodist News Service Bread for the World has created its own recipe to help address the growing global food crisis. The "Recipe for Hope" Campaign began on Mother's Day and runs through Father's Day on June 15. Bread for the World is a partner with the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in the fight against hunger. United Methodists also will be among those gathering June 17 in Washington D.C. to take part in Bread for the World's lobby day. After morning worship and a briefing on hunger/poverty issues, participants will speak with members of the U.S. Congress and their staffs on current legislation for hungry and poor people around the world. The Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, said there are "simple but critical actions" that people can take to end hunger now as part of the Recipe for Hope campaign. full story

Commentary: How can a Christian be in politics?

May 23, 2008     United Methodist News Service "How can a Christian be in politics?" People of faith ask me this all the time. They seem startled that a former United Methodist minister is serving in public office. But the real question is: How can a Christian not be in politics? full story

Conference petitions address social concerns

May 23, 2008 United Methodist Reporter If Americans are debating an issue, chances are that one or more annual conferences will be voting on it. The 63 U.S. annual conferences of the United Methodist Church, meeting through June, are poised to consider resolutions on a number of social justice issues, in addition to matters of conference business. full story

Delegates ignored truth in vote on homosexuality

May 28, 2008 United Methodist Reporter Even when the vote of the divided house laid bare its dual-mindedness, the 2008 General Conference did not acknowledge that "we are not of one mind" regarding homosexuality, says Arthur McClanahan. full story

United Methodist Church is more of one mind than two

May 28, 2008 United Methodist Reporter Beyond the activity at General Conference, there is no evidence that rank-and-file United Methodists are anything but comfortable with the church’s position on homosexuality, says Walter Fenton. full story

Risk of disease multiplies Myanmar disaster

May 29, 2008 United Methodist News Service A prolonged lack of access to relief supplies has created a "second wave of disaster" that is poised to strike the people of Myanmar, according to Church World Service. CWS staff and partners are concerned that many survivors of Cyclone Nargis are at risk of disease because of contaminated drinking water. "This is, unfortunately, one of the downsides of a delayed response," said Matt Hackworth, communications officer for CWS, in a May 28 interview. The United Nations estimates that 2.4 million people have been impacted by the May 3 cyclone, which left 134,000 people dead or missing. CWS has been able to provide some assistance through its long-term partnerships with four different local organizations operating within Myanmar, Hackworth told United Methodist News Service. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has given $60,000 to CWS for that work, which includes providing clean water, water containers and water purification supplies, along with emergency shelter and food to survivors. full story

Tornado-ravaged Iowa picking up after storms

May 30, 2008     United Methodist News Service PARKERSBURG, Iowa — Power is being restored in parts of tornado-ravaged northeast Iowa after an F-5 tornado killed seven people, destroyed much of Parkersburg, damaged homes and buildings in nearby New Hartford, Dunkerton and Hazelton, and scattered debris more than 100 miles away. United Methodists were at work in the May 25 tornado's aftermath there as well as in Hugo, Minn., near St. Paul, and after the May 22 tornadoes that struck northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. Training and support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief has assisted church members as they manage the immediate and long-term response to the tornadoes. full story

Native congregation celebrates new church

May 30, 2008     United Methodist News Service The prayers of a district superintendent and a clergywoman became reality on Memorial Day weekend with the dedication of a Native American church, set amid 43 acres of forest in Illinois. More than 300 Native Americans and others from across the United States came to witness the May 23-26 dedication of the Native American Fellowship Dayspring United Methodist Church in East Peoria. full story

Saving marriages: Churches can help by insisting on prep work

May 30, 2008 United Methodist Reporter A church should be a sacred setting for weddings, not a “marriage factory,” according to an organization that urges churches to do more to help couples stay married. full story