United Methodist News
Conference will focus on peace in time of crisis
Participants attending the April 20-25 event, “A River Deep and Wide: Christian Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century,” will be encouraged to open themselves up to see, hear and be in dialogue with others, while experiencing the spiritual wealth available in today’s world of diversity, according to the Rev. Jerry Haas, director of the 
Academy for Spiritual Formation and Emerging Ministries at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. The event is co-sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, Scarritt-Bennett Center, Weavings Journal and the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. Some of the primary presenters said the event will lift up important Christian spiritual practices that can help people get through times of crisis. M. Thomas Thangaraj, a faculty member at Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, India, suggested “the massive and formidable character of our present economic challenges requires a spirituality that frees us from undue attachment to and craving for material goods and instills in us an authentic and active compassion for those who suffer in times of economic crisis.” The conference is open to all. Visit http://www.upperroom.org/river/registration.html to register online.
Ethicists examine authenticity of public apologies
Are the recent public apologies heard from celebrities, athletes, government official and others accused of wrongdoing sincere or manufactured by publicists trying to minimizing the damage? United Methodist ethicists answer the question with a yes and a no. “I fear that apologies have become techniques for diminishing the consequences of behaviors that are destructive and damaging,” said Bishop Kenneth Carder, professor of the practice of Christian ministry at United Methodist-related Duke Divinity School. The rash of recent apologies has resulted in cynicism and skepticism, leaving the public to wonder if the apologists are sorry for their conduct or for getting caught.
“The apologies we hear today are mea culpa,” said the Rev. Katie Cannon. “Repentance means being willing to make restitution or reparation, and a sacrifice has to be offered and some good faith act needs to follow so that it is not cheap or an action that has no substance behind it.” Cannon is professor of Christian social ethics at Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Va.
New group will study church’s worldwide nature
Twenty United Methodists from across the globe have been named to a committee to develop recommendations related to the worldwide nature of The United Methodist Church. The committee members will study the denomination’s changing worldwide demographics as well as its structural needs and take recommendations to the 2012 General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body. Last May, the 2008 General Conference made a cautious step toward reorganizing the 11.5 million-member United Methodist Church so it does not appear to be a U.S. church with satellite locations in Africa, Asia and Europe.
International event looks at women’s identities as caregivers
The impact of a woman’s multiple identities – race, class, caste, age, sexual orientation and national origin – on her status as a caregiver in the age of HIV/AIDS was the topic of a March 4 discussion at the Church Center for the United Nations. Sponsored by United Methodist Women and five other organizations, the event was part of the program organized by Ecumenical Women during the March 2-13 meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations.
Elmira Nazombe, a staff member of the Women’s Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said the goal was to come up with creative alternatives “that will make a difference in the lives of caregivers and people with AIDS.”
Women are the stronger sex – spiritually
Ahead of Women’s History Month in March, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life offered new insight on sex and religiosity based on a previous survey and finds that women are more religious than men on a variety of measures, including being more likely to profess belief in God and pray and attend religious services. Among the results, 86 percent of women are affiliated with a religion, 77 percent have absolutely certain belief in God or a universal spirit, 63 percent say religion is very important in their lives and 44 percent attend worship services at least weekly, according to survey results. The results indicate that only 79 percent of men are affiliated with a religion, 65 percent have absolutely certain belief in God or a universal spirit, 49 percent say religion is very important in their lives, and 34 percent attend worship services at least weekly.
Mission agency to cut $3.9 million from budget
The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is reducing its 2009 operating budget by $3.9 million, or 7 percent, because of a combination of economic factors. The reduction affects an approved core budget of $57.6 million, a figure that does not include the Women’s Division, the corporate unit of United Methodist Women, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief. A Feb. 13 letter to Global Ministries’ directors indicated that the operating budget could change if the financial picture improves in the coming months. “This is stressful but essential to keep within our means in this time of global economic downturn,” said the Rev. Edward W. Paup, the mission agency’s top executive.
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In 2008, United Methodists in the United States gave over $130 million to the denomination’s general funds to support the church’s ministries around the world. |
17 conferences pay 100 percent of general church commitment
Seventeen U.S. annual conferences gave 100 percent or more in 2008 to The United Methodist Church’s apportioned funds, and 37 conferences increased their giving over 2007 figures, according to the United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration. The total collected from all 63 U.S. conferences was $130.6 million. The total percentage paid in 2008 was 86.24 percent of the apportioned amount of $150.97 million, said A. Moses Rathan Kumar, top executive for the denomination’s financial agency. “Indicators of the U.S. financial markets tell us our levels of giving should be down significantly,” Kumar said. “The numbers in this report indicate that the people of The United Methodist Church see a different reality.”
Annual Conference Lay Leaders hold annual meeting
Under the banner, “Disciples Transforming the World,” some 52 lay leaders – some coming from as far as Zimbabwe -gathered at the United Methodist Center Feb. 19-22 for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders of the United Methodist Church. They came together to resource each other, exploring such topics as spiritual and servant leadership, extended cabinet/episcopal relationships, finances and budgets, and alternative administrative structures. Scott Johnson of the Western New York Annual Conference and president of the lay leaders association acknowledged the “need for fellowship and connection” and for examination of “what it means to share in this role.”
Women’s Division met 2008 goal for mission giving
Despite the declining economy across the globe, the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries met the projected goal for conference pledges to mission for 2008. The funds support Women’s Division mission institutions and programs around the world that empower the lives of women, children and youth. Through last minute giving, using the United Methodist Women online giving web page, actual donations surpassed pledges to mission by roughly $3,000 dollars, bringing mission giving to a total of $16.5 million. The division’s total 2008 income amounted to approximately $19.3 million, including $2.8 million received in supplemental giving for specific donation opportunities and mission giving. The Women’s Division has reduced the 2009 operational budget by 10 percent, but is not cutting back on mission, according to Harriett Olson, the division’s top executive.
ITC receives $50,000 grant
The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, home to United Methodist-related Gammon Theological Seminary, has received a $50,000 grant to assist with ongoing efforts to “green” the seminary’s 10.2-acre campus as part of its TheoEcology initiative, which launched in 2005. The gift was made by the Grants to Green Fund, which provides environmentally focused knowledge and funding to strengthen nonprofits in the Atlanta region.
