e-Review archive
Global Connection
December 2005
 

United Methodists, Lutherans to study draft document

Dec. 1, 2005      United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — Members of the United Methodist Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are being encouraged to study a draft statement of full communion between the two denominations. A study and discussion guide, which includes the draft of "Confessing our Faith Together: A Statement toward Full Communion by the ELCA-UMC Bilateral Dialogue," is now available. A joint Lutheran-United Methodist dialogue team prepared the statement and resource guide and will review responses when it meets in October 2006, according to the Rev. W. Douglas Mills, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. full story

Church agencies battle spread of HIV from mothers to babies

Dec. 1, 2005      United Methodist News Service Mena Damodharan became a bride at 19 and a mother at 20, but she probably won't live to celebrate her child's 7th birthday. The marriage that was supposed to save her became a death sentence after she became pregnant and found out her husband had AIDS. The doctors at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, were able to save Damodharan's child from contracting AIDS, but they do not have the drugs or money to save her. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, critical work is being done to save the next generation from being born with HIV. But the question of saving the mothers so they can raise their children is still a struggle, says Cherian Thomas, an executive with the health and relief unit of the board. full story

Small United Methodist clinic serves large population with AIDS

Dec. 1, 2005     United Methodist News Service HARARE, Zimbabwe — Roberta Hupprich arrives at Epworth HIV/AIDS clinic to find the building already full and people waiting for her. Before she can make it to the door, a man stops her and pulls up his pant leg to reveal a seeping sore. She tells him she will try to get him some medicine. Coming from the building is the sound of loud, racking coughing occasionally punctuated with the softer cough of a small child. The clinic is mostly full of women and children who are sitting patiently in white plastic chairs waiting for their turn to see the nurse. Everyone here is in the third or fourth stage of AIDS. A long day at the clinic begins with everyone joining hands in a circle, a prayer and singing. Epworth AIDS clinic, located in a poor rural area outside of Harare, serves about 200 people with HIV/AIDS. The clinic was started in 2000, when Hupprich was assigned to Zimbabwe as a United Methodist missionary. It is supported by donations from United Methodist churches. full story

Operation Classroom seeks vocational materials for Ganta

Dec. 2, 2005      By United Methodist News Service Donations of vocational training materials are being sought by Operation Classroom, a United Methodist mission program working in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The materials would be used in a program at the denomination's Ganta Mission Station in Liberia designed to train participants in basic vocational trades of auto and diesel mechanics, electricity rafting, cabinet making, carpentry, building construction, welding and plumbing. The Ganta program's target group includes 75 young adult men and women who are ex-combatants, most of whom have an educational level between the fourth and ninth grades. Currently, the two-year program can only offer limited theory and supporting math, reading and science, according to the Rev. Joe Wagner, coordinator of Operation Classroom, with offices in Colfax, Ind. The plan is to provide the next group of students something more that will offer trade and general subject theory, along the lines of a job corps program, he said. full story

United Methodists help shape global language of technology

Dec. 2, 2005      United Methodist News Service TUNIS, Tunisia — As fast as the Internet has exploded into every corner of the world, so have the issues associated with this ultimate form of communication. The World Summit on the Information Society, convened Nov. 16-18 in Tunis by the United Nations, became a magnifying glass for the concerns of human rights, access to information, Internet governance and the gap between the haves and have-nots in global technology. "Technology should be a tool, a medium put to use for health, wholeness and well-being of everyone," said Glory Dharmaraj, a summit participant and executive secretary of justice education for the United Methodist Women's Division. "All of the new discoveries, all the new information and communication technology should create access and participation for all." Bridging the digital divide, building community and creating a ministry of presence were among the goals of the eight-member delegation representing the United Methodist Church. full story

Author leads pastors in dialogue on race, civil rights

Dec. 5, 2005      United Methodist News Service HICKORY, N.C. — While reflecting on the often violent civil rights struggles of the 1960s, author Tim Tyson challenged a group of United Methodist pastors to continue to talk about America's struggle with racism. Since the 1960s, things have improved and worsened at the same time, he said. "We have an expanding black middle class but greater poverty than ever before," he said. "We're more segregated than we were in the 1970s and are rapidly moving toward a re-segregated public school system. "Sunday mornings are still very segregated," he continued. "The United Methodist Church is short on strong black congregations. If we're to find a place for ourselves and survive as a church that's making a strong witness in the world, we need to make some changes." Those comments came during a question-and-answer session following remarks that Tyson made to clergy members of the Western North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference Nov. 15. The Elders' Day Apart, held Nov. 15 at Christ United Methodist Church, was sponsored by the Duke Divinity School. full story

Resource uses Bible to help people deal with crisis

Dec. 5, 2005       United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new online resource from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship uses Scriptures to help people who are in crisis or recovering from disaster. "Stories for Survivors," a collection of Bible stories with discussion questions created for survivors of disaster, was launched Nov. 20 at www.gbod.org/evangelism. The holidays are stressful times under normal conditions, but when you add homelessness, separation from the familiar and the other issues of displacement, the stress factor increases exponentially, said the Rev. Kwasi Kena, a staff member in the board's evangelism section. "There are so many challenges involved with reaching displaced people: Where are they now? Where will they be next week?" he said. When people experience stress and trauma, they look for hope, he said. "Sharing Bible stories with people in distress is a gift of hope and strength and faith that we can offer to people who are trying to rebuild their lives." full story

Narnia: the film, its message and its contradictions

Dec. 6, 2005     News media contact:   Kelly C. Martini * 212-870-3729*  New York Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church As Disney releases The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,  the Witch and the Wardrobe this week, and expects record box office profits, The United Methodist Women's Division wants its one-million members to view the movie.  But it also wants members to question the overt commercialization and contradiction to the story's theme. full story

50 ways to honor your clergywoman

Dec. 6, 2005       United Methodist News Service Take a clergywoman to lunch. Or honor her with flowers on the altar, create a scholarship in her name, invite her to preach at your church. These are some of the 50 suggestions offered on a poster marking "50 Ways to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Full Clergy Rights for Women" in the United Methodist Church. The full-size poster, available for purchase, is a joint project of the denomination's Commission on the Status and Role of Women and Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Designed to give local congregations, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth groups and others ideas on how to mark the anniversary, the poster also promotes awareness of the history and current role of clergywomen, according to M. Garlinda Burton, the commission's chief executive. full story

Texas pastor arrested, accused of lewdness

Dec. 6, 2005      United Methodist News Service A United Methodist pastor in the Central Texas Annual Conference is facing charges of "public lewdness" and is accused of allegedly molesting a young adult man. The Rev. James L. Finley, 68, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Euless, Texas, was arrested Dec. 1 after authorities said he molested a 21-year-old man and was later recorded offering to perform sexual acts on the individual. He was released from jail that evening after posting $1,000 bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. He was suspended from his ministry Dec. 6, a conference spokeswoman said. full story

For United Methodists and others, disasters dominated '05

Dec. 7, 2005      United Methodist News Service It was only one of 26 named storms in a record-breaking hurricane season, but for United Methodists, Hurricane Katrina packed the biggest wallop. When Katrina bore down on the Gulf Coast at the end of August, it swept away homes, churches, parsonages, and social service centers in its path. In Louisiana, much of the southeastern part of the state was flooded, including New Orleans. In Mississippi, the towns of Waveland and Pass Christian were wiped out. Hurricane Rita followed a few weeks later, compounding the damage and distress. The death toll from the storms exceeded 1,000, though a final figure is not known. Natural disasters were a major focus for the church during 2005, but the year also was a tumultuous one for other reasons: the war in Iraq, church court rulings on cases related to homosexuality and clergy authority, relief initiatives in Africa and other parts of the world, and progress in ecumenical relationships, to name a few. full story

Manhattan church sells air rights for $30 million

Dec. 8, 2005      United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — After the Rev. Stephen Bauman became pastor of Christ Church, a United Methodist congregation on Park Avenue in Manhattan, in 1987, he began receiving calls from people involved in real estate. The pitch from these callers was invariably the same, asking him if he realized that the church sat on "one of the five most valuable, underdeveloped properties in Manhattan." Bauman had a stock response: "I always thought it was developed," he would tell the callers. Christ Church has found something else to develop, however: the air above its building. And in an "only in New York" scenario, the congregation has decided to sell its air rights to a pair of developers for some $30 million. That decision was confirmed Dec. 4 by a congregational vote. full story

United Methodists find spiritual riches, tools, in 'Narnia'

Dec. 9, 2005      United Methodist News Service When C.S. Lewis published his first children's book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in 1950, friends and critics alike feared that the popular theologian had made a poor career move. More than 50 years later, Lion and the six other novels known collectively as "The Chronicles of Narnia" are Lewis' best-known and most widely read works. With the Dec. 9 theatrical release of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" from Walt Disney and Walden Media, United Methodists are turning to the classic Christian fantasy for inspiration and spiritual formation. full story

MARCHA leaders seek stronger ties between U.S., Latin churches

Dec. 13, 2005     United Methodist News Service SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Leaders of the United Methodist Church's Hispanic caucus want to strengthen relationships between Methodists in the United States and Latin America. Those relationships were weakened during the years when Methodist churches in Latin American countries were becoming autonomous from the United Methodist Church. Improving those ties was one of the issues at the 34th annual assembly of MARCHA — Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans — held Nov. 17-20 in San Juan. full story

Commentary: Are you 'merry' or 'happy'?

Dec. 13, 2005     United Methodist News Service Quick, fill in the blanks:  "Merry ________"; "Happy _________." Apparently, the words that go next, "Christmas" and "Holidays" are causing quite a stir this year, which is kind of amazing when you stop and think about it. It seems that too many people are "happy" these days but not enough are "merry." Or, to be specific, not enough people are wishing others merriment at this time of year, and that is causing unhappiness. Apparently President and Mrs. George W. Bush committed some kind of faux pas this year when they sent out greetings cards using the latter wording and not the former. Tsk, tsk, tsk, the pundits said. After all, they said, isn't President Bush a Christian? Isn't the first family United Methodist, for goodness' sake? Don't they know the reason for the season? Apparently, several major retail stores are in hot water because they greet their customers with "happy" and not "merry." I have heard that some people went so far as to stop shopping at these places until store management reversed this policy. I am told that several have done just that to attract and keep shoppers. I thus took it upon myself to unravel this linguistic mystery; it is obviously important to know the difference. So I looked them up. Here's what I found. full story

World Methodist delegation meets with Pope Benedict

Dec. 14, 2005     United Methodist News Service A World Methodist Council delegation discussed ecumenical relations during a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. The Dec. 9 visit occurred the day following the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, during which the Roman Catholic Church emphasized its commitment to ecumenical dialogue. The World Methodist Council has been engaged in dialogue with the Catholic Church since 1967. His Eminence Sunday Mbang of Nigeria, who led the delegation, congratulated the pope on his election on behalf of World Methodists, and thanked him for renewing the commitment that his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, made to ecumenism. Citing progress that has been made in Methodist/Catholic relations through the International Dialogue Commission, Mbang spoke of the "significant theological convergence that has been realized on such fundamental themes as revelation, faith, scripture and tradition." Acknowledging that "there are still doctrinal matters to be settled between Methodists and Catholics," he indicated that each sees gifts in the other that could strengthen the church's witness. full story

From Adam or apes? Intelligent design presents a new theory

Dec. 15, 2005     United Methodist News Service It's possible to believe in God and evolution, said the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the 13,000-member Church of the Resurrection in suburban Kansas City, Kan. He does, and his sermon describing his beliefs-part of a series last winter on science and religion-was well-received by his United Methodist congregation, situated in the hotbed of the intelligent design debate. He believes God used evolution in Creation. "I believe that evolution is a process itself that was designed by God," he said. "I don't personally see an affront to my faith in evolution, provided evolution is taught as a mechanism and there is no attempt to say evolution is a completely unguided process." full story

Children in New York, Bethlehem, exchange Christmas cards

Dec. 15, 2005      United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — Several months ago, the children at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City wondered: What would happen if they sent Christmas cards to Palestinian Christian children in Bethlehem? There was only one way to find out: give it a try. So one Sunday morning in late October, about 15 kids put all their creativity to work and made cards to send to Bethlehem, on the West Bank. With crayons, construction paper, and an abundance of enthusiasm, the kids created special greetings to send off. The children wrote simple messages, addressing them "Dear friend in Bethlehem" and telling a bit about themselves, living in New York and their curiosity about life in the Holy City. One child drew a heart and wrote the word "love" inside. Together, the cards from the children in New York City all wished the children in Bethlehem a "Merry Christmas." The cards traveled 6,000 miles to the little town of Bethlehem — which isn't so little anymore. The cards arrived at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, where the Rev. Sandra Olewine, an American United Methodist minister, is serving through the Board of Global Ministries. The cards have meant a great deal to the children, especially this year, she said. full story

Church, president must say 'no' to torture

Dec. 15, 2005      United Methodist News Service Like the biblical prophet Nathan confronting King David, it is time for the church to find its voice and tell our president that in the name of God, humanity and national integrity, he must renounce the use of torture - categorically. As a pastor serving a local congregation with both Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, I avoid partisan politics. Torture is not a partisan issue. Forty-six of the 55 Republican senators voted to ban the use of all torture by any U.S. government agency. The bill was sponsored by John McCain, R-Ariz., a man of impeccable patriotism, a genuine conservative and a supporter of the war in Iraq, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a former military lawyer and a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, which he still serves as a military judge. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and a slew of other high-ranking, retired military officers have called for such a ban. There have been two primary arguments advanced for why such a ban should be in place. full story

Ethnic caucuses focus on Katrina, immigration

Dec. 15, 2005     United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Issues of justice and equity must be addressed as the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast is rebuilt, according to leaders of the United Methodist Church's ethnic caucuses. They agreed they must be vigilant about who is getting what and why. Meeting Dec. 2-3, the denomination's Interethnic Strategy and Development Group strategized about how "our faces" can be around the table of decision makers in the hurricane recovery and rebuilding process, to ensure fairness to Hurricane Katrina survivors. Group members also emphasized the importance of being involved in repairing the destroyed Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss., a historic United Methodist facility founded by African Americans. full story

Clergywomen's event will celebrate milestone, address challenges

Dec. 16, 2005     United Methodist News Service When 1,500 clergywomen gather in Chicago for the 2006 International United Methodist Clergywomen's Consultation next summer, they will reach forward to a new generation, even as they celebrate the historic 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. The Rev. HiRho Park, coordinator of the Aug. 13-17 meeting, which is sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, says the gathering provides an opportunity to address barriers that remain for women in ministry. The final plenary session will be devoted to considering the future of clergywomen in the United Methodist Church. "The gender gap between achievement of male and female clergy persists in spite of the increasing number of women coming into the ministry," says Park, director of Continuing Formation for Ministry at the board. "Clergywomen are still struggling because of lower salaries and resistance to accepting female pastors at the local churches level. "Many clergywomen are still in a lower to mid-level placement, oftentimes on a token level. Gender, race, education, family, mobility and politics of the church all affect clergywomen's ministries. Clergy — male and female — in leadership positions must be advocates for women and racial-ethnic ministers." full story

UMCOR selects Katrina aid partners

Dec. 16, 2005     United Methodist News Service NEW YORK — Ten social service and voluntary organizations have been announced by the United Methodist Committee on Relief as participants in its $66 million Katrina Aid Today initiative. The initiative is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Selected by a grants review board, the organizations will oversee 3,000 professional staff and volunteers who will assist 100,000 families displaced by Hurricane Katrina in rebuilding their lives. Trained by UMCOR, the staff and volunteers will help survivors identify sources of support, develop personal recovery plans, acquire access to services and take appropriate actions to bring them to self-sufficiency. UMCOR currently is in final contract negotiations with the 10 organizations, which are Boat People SOS, Falls Church, Va.; Catholic Charities USA, Alexandria, Va.; Episcopal Relief and Development, New York; Lutheran Disaster Response, Chicago; the National Disability Rights Network, Washington; the Odyssey House of Louisiana, New Orleans; the Salvation Army, Atlanta; the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Louis; United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, Baton Rouge; and Volunteers of America, Alexandria, Va. full story

Churches help make Christmas merry for evacuees

Dec. 16, 2005     United Methodist News Service For the thousands left homeless by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Christmas will be one more painful reminder of all they have lost. But while there is no place like home, thousands of United Methodists are providing second chances and Christmas cheer to evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi. ... "Shepherds" at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., are watching over six families who have moved to their area after Katrina, Rita and Wilma destroyed their homes. full story

Church gives gift to parents: a night out

Dec. 23, 2005  News media contact: Tita Parham*   800-282-8011  tparham@flumc.org   Orlando {0419} An e-Review Feature By Nancy E. Johnson** The days leading up to Christmas are busy ones as people buy presents for loved ones and cook holiday meals. For parents, the stress can be overwhelming. That's why First United Methodist Church of Port Orange gave moms and dads the ultimate Christmas gift — a little time alone. full story

Woman's vision gives visually impaired children brighter Christmas

Dec. 23, 2005  News media contact: Tita Parham*   800-282-8011  tparham@flumc.org   Orlando {0420} An e-Review Feature By Nancy E. Johnson** Poor parents can't afford to give their children the Christmases they see on television or in storybooks, and for the parents of children who are blind, the burden is even greater. That's why one small church in Ruskin became a Santa's warehouse for more than 150 children. full story

A year later, tsunami relief efforts are just beginning

Dec. 19, 2005    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {703} United Methodist News Service It began with an undersea earthquake near the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. As news began filtering out Dec. 26, 2004, of the impossibly huge wave that swept shore after shore in that section of the ocean, as video pictures emerged and surviving residents and tourists shakily told their stories, as international news crews rushed to document incredible scenes of devastation, many hearts were touched. In the end, what is estimated to be 232,000 people from a dozen nations were dead or missing — most of them, 169,000, from the Aceh province of northern Sumatra. The Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, believes the live coverage of the tsunami's aftermath and the timing of its fury — the day after Christmas — lent a "very personal" aspect to this disaster. "I think it had a major emotional and spiritual impact on people, and they responded through giving," he said. That giving, to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, would eventually amount to $41.5 million, the bulk of which was donated in the first eight months after the tsunami hit. The total is by far the denomination's largest giving for a single disaster, according to Roland Fernandes, the board's treasurer. full story

UMCOR continues tsunami work in Sri Lanka, other nations

Dec. 19, 2005    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New York {705} United Methodist News Service Although security concerns have increased since the November presidential election in Sri Lanka, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is continuing its tsunami work there. The agency also has addressed tsunami-related needs in India, Thailand and Somalia. Since the beginning of its response, UMCOR has had a partnership with the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, which has more than 30,000 members from all ethnic groups. A local partnership offers a number of advantages, especially since Sri Lankan Methodists are skilled at peace building and reconciliation and enjoy good relations with both the government and the Tamil rebel movement. full story

Passion about poverty leads United Methodist to work in Congo

Dec. 20, 2005    News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*  Nashville {708} United Methodist News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Early in her life, Taylor Walters was seized by a passion to understand poverty. Now, at age 26, she is seeing and experiencing it firsthand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as assistant to United Methodist Bishop Ntambo Nkulu, who leads the United Methodist Church's North Katanga Annual (regional) Conference. "Right now there is a slow hemorrhage on my savings account," she says, laughing, as she talks about how she is managing to live in the Congo without a salary. She went to Africa last March both as a volunteer in mission and as a missionary from Indianapolis Metro Ministries, which is the mission arm of the Indianapolis East and West Districts in the South Indiana Conference. full story

Nome congregation keeps native language alive in ministry

Dec. 21, 2005    News media contact:   Fran  Coode Walsh * (615) 742-5458*  Nashville {711} United Methodist News Service NOME, Alaska — A familiar tune flows from a little church in one of the most remote areas of the United States. Nome is 539 miles north of Anchorage and accessible only by air. Outside the Community United Methodist Church, snow falls and doesn't melt for most of the year. Daylight sometimes lasts only a few hours. But the coldest of winter is a special time here. On this day the choir is practicing "O Come All Ye Faithful." Christmas is filled with familiar hymns sung in a language centuries old. The choir is keeping a threatened language alive. "To young people it's a very difficult language now," says 77-year-old Esther Bourdon, a Native Alaskan. She grew up speaking Inupiaq in Wales, an Inupiat village on the most western point of the Alaskan Seward Peninsula. Natives say that on a clear day you can see Russia from there. The Inupiat parishioners of the church sing their language in the Wales dialect. full story