The Monthly Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As a final reminder, our new e-mail address is: concmths@infionline.net

This edition of the Monthly Update contains a continuation of the summaries of the annual conference meetings from the Methodist Church.

As we go into the Fourth of July holidays let us pause to consider all of the factors that go into making the United States a great country. While we have been generously blessed by a merciful God we have strayed from our foundation - which has been centered on His goodness in our endeavors. A few weeks ago I was given a copy of something that presents an eloquent perspective on our duties as Christians in a way I had not previously considered. Please think about the words that The Reverend Dr. Billy Graham penned:

- Billy Graham

All of us here at Concerned Methodists wish you a happy, safe, and joyous Fourth of July.

In His service,

Allen O. Morris,

Executive Director

A United Methodist agency is beginning work on legislation for creating a single "Connectional Table" of church leaders who would coordinate the denomination's work worldwide in their "Living Into the Future" proposal, in which agencies at a global common table would meet to guide the church's programs. The common table would comprise about 100 people from a cross section of church roles and geographic areas.

+...Mainline Presbyterians remain divided over whether homosexual lifestyles are sinful or should be embraced by the church. At the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s General Assembly in Denver, delegates have approved a "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender ministry" -- despite concerns expressed by some that it will further divide the denomination. The debate and vote followed a gathering of more than 70 men and women to form a new group of homosexual seminarians and their supporters. The luncheon included a drama about a seminarian who struggles with her love for God, her calling to the ministry, and a lesbian relationship. [Note: This is similar to the perennial debates going on in the UMC with the same tactics used by the denomination's bureaucracies: they keep bring the issue up year after year hoping that it will finally pass. The majority of the laity in the Presbyterian denomination do not approve of this and many say that they will leave if this ever does pass. - Editor] - AgapePress; May 30, 2003.

Florida met May 27-30, hearing Reginald Mallett, an ordained minister in the British Methodist Church and a physician, deliver the opening sermon on their theme "To Serve the Present Age." Conference treasurer Randy Casey-Rutland said that a large number of churches have not fully paid their apportionments and urged ministers and laity do so as soon as they return to their churches. He said even if churches achieve their financial obligations, it may be necessary to take out a $1 million line of credit in the event of a financial shortfall. The request was approved. However, the recommendation that district superintendents be given a 2% or $1,500 raise above their 2003 salary of $74,200 was defeated. The conference also debated the finances of constructing the Florida Conference Heritage Center, Leesburg, slated to begin Dec. 2004. The Conference Commission on Archives and History has already collected $500,000 in pledges toward an anticipated budget of $890,000 to build and furnish the center and provide five years of operating costs and two years of part-time staff. The Conference Committee on Clergy Housing revised its list of required standards and recommended they be implemented by June 1, 2007. The conference began a long-term relationship with the Eastern Angola Conference by collecting approximately $122,000 to rebuild Quessua UMC. Legislative action included the approval of a requirement that churches develop child and youth protection policies, Inclusive Representation on Higher Education and Campus Ministry, a living wage resolution, and a resolution that communication directors be part of the extended cabinet. The conference elected the following lay delegates to General Conference: Mary Alice Massey, Terrell Sessums, Joseph Ha, Lynette Fields, Bill Walker, Amy Miller, Neila Morales, Emily Ann Zimmerman, Disney Weaver, Judith Pierre Okerson, Betty Sue Mason, Allison Mitchell, Gail Christy-Jones, Ressie Mae Bass, and Leland P. McKeown. Clergy delegates elected are Dick Wills (head of the delegation), Jorge Acevedo, Debbie McLeod, Jim Harnish, Anne Burkholder, Bill Barnes, David Dodge, Candace Lewis, Geraldine McClellan, Jacques Pierre, Teri Hill, Aldo Martin, Phil Roughton, Dan Johnson, and Clarke Campbell-Evans. Membership stands at 332,124, down 1,185. Worship attendance stands at 163,990, down 2,827. - J.A. Dunn, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

Illinois Great Rivers met May 28-31 in Peoria. Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher presided over the gathering under the theme "Living in the Promised Land . . . Together!" This is the second year of meeting in a venue selected for its ability to seat more than 2,000 members at round tables in order to facilitate and encourage Christian conferencing. Eric Law, an Episcopal priest and professional consultant in the areas of multicultural leadership and organizational development, helped the members of the conference explore the nature of Christian community in the midst of the diversity of the human family. Grace Imathiu, an ordained elder in the Methodist Church of Kenya, presented Bible study. The conference took the following legislative actions: 1) Approved a conference benevolence budget of $2,526,047 and an overall conference budget of $16,970,954, up 1.98% over 2002. 2) Bishop Christopher ruled out of order two resolutions regarding those who have identified themselves with the Reconciling Ministries Network. In action related to General Conference, members voted to support: 1) To Establish a Denominational Health Plan; 2) Annual Conference Voting Rights for Appointed Student Pastors (Discipline ¶341.7 and 602.1); and 3) research of issues related to artificial insemination. A petition to terminate dialogue on homosexuality was defeated. Lay delegates [to General Conference] are: Mike Krost (co-chair of delegation), Paul E. Black, Marlene Simms Cummins, Carolyn Yockey, Bettie W. Story, Rhonda Whitaker, Nicholas McGheeon, Scott Eugene Carnes, and Elouise J. Hahs. Clergy delegates are: Timothy L. Bias (co-chair of delegation), Cynthia A. Jones, Beverly L. Wilkes, Robert K. Freeman, Terry L. Clark, In-Sook Hwang, Roger Ross, Randall L. Robinson, and Shane L. Bishop. Membership is 159,658, down 4,837 over the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 78,654, down 1,670. - Susan J. Meister, as reported in Newscope.

Memphis met June 1-4 at UM-related Lambuth University under the theme of "Weaving Together the Family of God," a few weeks after two tornadoes crashed through Jackson, Tenn.'s downtown, damaging the proposed site of the 2003 session. The June 1 opening service, billed as a service of repentance and reconciliation, featured a liturgy of repentance, testimonials from those impacted by racism, and responses to the act of repentance by leaders from the Christian Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal denominations and by a UM pastor who was a member of the former Central Jurisdiction. As a sign of repentance, the congregation was encouraged to write on paper any sins of which they wished to repent. Youth of the conference then nailed the sins to crosses. Of the 11 resolutions presented, nine were approved. Two resolutions were in support of expanding Igniting Ministry, one calling on Igniting Ministry to "employ explicit means of communicating concern for persons with handicapping conditions." The other resolutions supported: 1) altering the Discipline to allow alternative compensation plans for clergy; 2) reinstating the Purpose, Priorities, and Mission Statement of the UMC found in the Discipline before 2000; 3) affirming commitment to the historic doctrines of the Christian faith and resolving that "any bishops, pastors or other leaders . . . who cannot honestly subscribe to these most basic teachings . . . are unqualified to hold leadership positions in The United Methodist Church"; 4) petitioning that all general agency staff "shall uphold the [denomination's] doctrinal and ethical standards"; 5) requiring that bishops exercise oversight "to maintain the doctrinal expressions of the church within the boundaries of the Doctrinal Standards"; 6) supporting the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry; and 7) expanding compliance with the conference's policy on the prevention of child abuse by screening adults serving on the Conference Youth Council or at any event it sponsors. Lay delegates elected to General Conference were (in order of election): Anita Kay Archer (co-chair of delegation), Sandra Burnett, Solomon Christian, and Ellen Peete. Clergy delegates were: Harry Durbin Sr. (co-chair of delegation), Ben Boone Jr., Gail Gaddie, and Roger Hopson. The conference endorsed both Durbin and Liana Perez-Felix (a jurisdictional conference delegate) as episcopal candidates. The endorsement of Perez-Felix marks the first time a Southeastern Jurisdiction annual conference has nominated a Hispanic for bishop. Membership in the Memphis Conference stands at 91,098, down 284. - Cathy Farmer, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

Minnesota met in St. Cloud, Minn., May 28-31, for their 149th session where members participated in a service of confession and repentance. The service was the first of two responses to a General Conference request that all annual conferences hold services of repentance and reconciliation for racist policies that divided U.S. Methodism. In the coming year, Minnesota UMs will study the book Steps Toward Wholeness: Learning and Repentance (published by the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns) and participate in a service of reconciliation and healing at the 2004 annual conference. Among legislation attracting the most discussion was a plan to reduce medical benefits for future retired clergy in order to trim the conference's significant unfunded postretirement medical benefit liability and reduce future cash flows needed for the retirees' medical benefits. Members also wrestled with resolutions to oppose a new Minnesota law allowing licensed owners to carry concealed handguns in public places (including church and school parking lots) and to support a suit filed by the Edina (Minn.) Community Lutheran Church claiming that the law violates church/state separation. The conference approved the above three items. An apportioned budget of $7,130,819 was passed, an increase of 4.47% over the previous year. Members affirmed petitions to General Conference that: 1) recommend that activities promoting "care of the soul" be added to those covered by the Ministerial Education Fund (Discipline ¶632.2[u]); 2) request the establishment of a denominational task force that would research the effectiveness of apportionments and other funding systems; 3) encourage UMs to discuss the viability and importance of universal medical insurance, and 4) call General Conference delegates to build an atmosphere of respect and tolerance as they discuss disputed issues and to avoid debate styles that set up winners and losers. Lay delegates elected to General Conference: Mary Jo Dahlberg (head of delegation), Jean Justice, Dwain "Pete" Peterson, and Mary Gates. Clergy delegates: David Bard, Katherine Austin Mahle, Elizabeth Lopez, and Dennis Alexander. Conference members approved the closing of three churches: Salem UMC in New Avon, Wesley UMC in Duluth, and Ruthton UMC. Bishop John L. Hopkins ordained eight elders and recognized the orders of one person ordained in another denomination. Membership stands at 88,610, down 2,290 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 43,806, down 812 from the previous year. - Victoria Rebeck, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

Missouri met for the first time May 29-June 2 as a united state-wide body. Last year at a one-day combined session of the Missouri West Conference and Missouri East Conference, members of the two conferences voted to form one new conference. On May 31, thousands gathered at the University of Missouri-Columbia Hearnes Center to attend "One Day, Igniting Missouri's United Methodists." The day started with a potato drop of 40,000 pounds of potatoes coordinated through the Society of Saint Andrew. A six-person choir from Mozambique named Kuzwanana, which means "understanding" or "being together" in the Xitswa language, also performed. Bishop Ann B. Sherer made Mozambique an area initiative in the 1990's and sought covenant churches for every church and district. UMs in Missouri have now made more than 400 covenants with Mozambique. Zan Holmes preached a sermon during the Saturday event. Bishop Judith Craig preached at ordination, and Bishop Fritz Mutti preached during the Sunday celebration service. All three of these bishops are from Missouri or have served in Missouri. The conference considered 22 petitions and resolutions. A petition opposing the use of federal tax dollars for faith-based initiatives was defeated. A General Conference petition requesting that the 2000 Discipline wording that prohibits the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals be retained was defeated. Lay delegates elected to General Conference were: Jerry Williams, Larry Fagan, Adam Mustoe, Beverly Boehmer, Randy Biggerstaff, Carol Smith, John Gray, Margie Briggs, and Paula Ackerson. Clergy delegates were: Cody Collier (head of delegation), Michele Sue Shumake-Keller, Robert Casady, Nancye Dunlap, Brent Mustoe, Jim Bryan, Carl Schenck, Yolanda Villa, and Steve Breon. Membership stands at 178,112 members, down 1,906 from the previous year. - Fred Koenig, as reported in Newscope.

New Mexico met May 28-31 at Glorieta, N.M., for its 128th session with Bishop Max Whitfield presiding. The theme for the conference was "OPEN MINDS . . . Being of the Same Mind," the second in a three-year emphasis based on the national Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors campaign from Igniting Ministries. Bishop Richard B. Wilke, bishop in residence at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, was guest preacher. The conference observed a service of repentance and reconciliation. The conference approved a resolution endorsing Daniel A. Ivey-Soto as a lay candidate for the UM Judicial Council. Members also approved a resolution acknowledging the ongoing gifts of salvation and discipleship that are represented not only in those in the armed forces but also in chaplains. The conference celebrated five new church fellowships started on the Navajo reservation as part of the Four Corners Native American Ministry. Lay delegates elected to General Conference: William H. Wood (head of the delegation) and Daniel A. Ivey-Soto. Clergy delegates: Charles N. Crutchfield and Ran Loy. Membership stands at 41,721, down 412 over the previous year.

- Julianne "Juli" McAchran, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

North Indiana, meeting at Purdue University in West Lafayette May 29-31, heard a call from Bishop Woodie W. White to acknowledge their sins of racism, ask for forgiveness, and be reconciled during a worship service of repentance and reconciliation. The conference approved five actions in one piece of legislation restructuring the conference's ministries. Actions included: 1) approved a study to be conducted by the episcopacy committee regarding the north and south annual conferences merging into a single conference; 2) approved a $10.68 million 2004 budget, up 3.45% over the current year; 3) acknowledged that Indiana is second in the nation for gambling activity and that the church needs to take a more assertive stance against gambling; and 4) established a 2004 equitable salary for elders at $29,600. Petitions to General Conference call for: 1) the General Board of Church and Society to support the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling financially; 2) amending Discipline ¶1405.21 (evaluation of church-related higher education and ministries) by adding "and their commitment to uphold Christian and United Methodist values and perspectives"; 3) the use of biblical language, such as "Lord," "King," and "Father," in worship and educational resources; 4) strengthening the voice of pastor-parish relations committees to retain a current pastor; and 5) granting a two-month personal leave for pastors. Clergy elected to General Conference are: Frank Beard (head of the delegation), Mark Fenstermacher, Michelle Cobb, Cynthia Reynolds, Herb Buwalda, and Brian Witmer. Laity elected are: Jack Dwiggins, Carolyn Johnson, James Ottjes, Paula Schrock, Pat Weeks, Dixie Arter. Membership stands at 102,920, down 515 from the previous year. - Daniel R. Gangler, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

Oklahoma met in Oklahoma City May 26-29, welcoming the head basketball coaches of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, who are teaming up to help UMs of Oklahoma strengthen their ministry to children and youth who have special needs. Kelvin Sampson of OU and Eddie Sutton of OSU, both active UMs, are co-chairs of a $1.4 million sustaining drive for The United Methodist Circle of Care, which was kicked off at the conference. The UM ministry, which began 85 years ago, serves more than 200 children and youth through four residential programs. During the conference, the sustaining drive received a check for $100,000 from the Oklahoma Conference Foundation from a special endowment for the care of children. Bishop Bruce Blake read a letter from the bishop of Liberia describing the life-threatening situation of ministers in Liberia because of recent rebel uprisings. After the letter was read, Oklahoma Conference received an offering of $10,883 to help ease the crisis. Lay delegates elected to General Conference: Carl Young, Judy Benson, Tom Junk, Harold Wright, Debra Davis, Kurt Glassco, Mona Mae Waymire, Tal Oden, Samuel Aguirre, Larry Hodges, and Nicole Absher. Clergy delegates: Mouzon Biggs, Margaret Ball, Robert Pierson, Jessica Moffatt, Grayson Lucky, Guy Ames III, Joe Harris, David Severe, Robert Long, Wade Pascal, and Tom Harrison. The statistical report for the 2002 calendar year shows that Oklahoma Conference churches have 250,629 members, a decrease of 1,899. - Boyce Bowden, as reported in Newscope; June 13, 2003.

- Ruth Wiertzema, as reported in Newscope; May 23, 2003.

Troy. Troy Annual Conference met for its 171st session May 7-10 in Burlington, Vt. A Volunteer-in-Mission team of 11 women and men from the Mozambique Area of the UMC was present throughout the session, bringing a message of unity in Christ and sharing the gifts of music and friendship. Francois Clemmons, Alexander Twilight Artist-in-Residence and choir director at Middlebury College, served as song leader and also delivered a keynote address, presented primarily in song, on the role of spirituals in African American history. Members of the conference presented a dramatic reading and reflections arising out of an ongoing anti-racism training process. In legislation, the conference: 1) committed to ensure conference funding support of Hispanic ministry when general church funding sources expire; 2) requested its health insurance committee to report back on the feasibility of providing domestic partner benefits to employees; and 3) withdrew sponsorship of United Methodist Health and Housing Inc. at that corporation's request. In action related to General Conference, six petitions that would amend language referring to sexuality were approved. Among the changes proposed by these petitions: 1) ¶161G would state that "all human beings are persons of sacred worth"; 2) ¶306 would include "fidelity in marriage and responsibility in all relationships"; 3) the restriction against ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" would be removed from ¶304; and 4) ¶806.9 would be removed. Lay delegates elected to General Conference: Paul Wiley (head of delegation) and Shirley Readdean. Clergy delegates: Michelle Ruller and Bill Barney. There were seven persons ordained as elder, and five elders retired. One associate member retired. Three persons were commissioned and received into probationary membership. Membership stands at 55,077, down 820 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 18,274, down 467.

+...One well-known conservative voice is warning the public about the introduction of a new phrase that will likely be showing up in public discourse. Gary Bauer says Muslim special-interest groups in America, among them the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), have started using the term "Judeo-Christian-Islamic values" in their effort to mainstream the Islamic faith. Bauer says there are obvious problems with that terminology -- specifically, America was not built on Islamic values, nor was Western civilization built on an Islamic foundation. He points out that in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, "radical Islamic fundamentalists are at war with virtually every other religion as they attempt to impose Islamic law on everyone else." And he adds that in thousands of mosques around the world, "radical imams" continue to teach that the "infidels" -- Christians and Jews -- must be killed. But Bauer does not expect such facts to get in the way of the new phraseology. As he puts it: "You can bet that liberal multi-culturalists, who see all traditions as being equally valid, will join this parade." - AgapePress; May 30, 2003.

...The president of World Relief says Iraqi Christians are enjoying a sense of newfound freedom -- but they also need help to carry out projects designed to meet the physical and spiritual needs of war-weary Iraqis. Clive Calver visited Christians in Iraq earlier this month. He says the Christian church in Iraq is thriving and poised to undertake new projects and challenges. Calver shares that people in Iraq have died for their faith, and pastors have walked into security headquarters not knowing if they will ever walk out again. But he adds that "the church has faced that and has come out refined, refreshed, and ready for a window of opportunity" because it is afraid Iraq could become a fundamentalist Islamic nation. World Relief is helping coordinate school repairs and distribution of food and other necessities. - AgapePress; June 6, 2003.