UMconnect — 11/07/08

November special offering—second mile giving requested to aid pastors and congregations devastated by Hurricane Ike

This Thanksgiving or any Sunday of your choosing congregations are encouraged to look at the many ways in which their lives are blessed and are reminded of all the great work Mission Share dollars (formerly called apportionments) contribute to in our conference. DVD resources are available for your church to feature this work during your worship service or other appropriate times. A new DVD will be coming in the next few weeks.

Second mile giving is the giving asked of congregations over and above the conference, district and local church askings. In November, churches are asked to consider a "second mile" offering to help pastors and congregations in Texas. Hundreds of churches and pastors have been devastated in the Texas Conference. Photos are available on the Texas Conference Web site.

A Thanksgiving offering, taken sometime during November, can be a tangible way for Nebraska churches to extend their help to local churches in Texas.

All contributions from churches in Nebraska can be marked #791-Hurricane Relief/Texas Annual Conference and sent to the Nebraska Conference office at 2641 North 49th Street, Lincoln, NE 68504.

• Hurricane Ike - The Aftermath
  This video is offered as a resource to your church. You can watch the flash version of the video by clicking on the link above, distribute a link to this page (www.txcumc.org/ikevideo) through your church's communications or download either Windows Media or Quicktime files to play for your church. It will also be available on the new DVD coming soon.

Last call! Laity Convocation presenting United Methodist 101, set for Nov. 14-15 in Lincoln

An exciting and informative leadership development event is scheduled for November 14-15, at Horizon's Community UMC, in Lincoln. Attendees will take away ideas to help their own local churches join in the revitalized ministry movement of the United Methodist Church in Nebraska.

Called United Methodist 101, the one-day workshop is intended to help lay and clergy of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference equip their local churches to do ministry. Registration for first-time attendees is $25, $50 for regular registration, and an optional $20 for Safe Sanctuaries training certification.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and concluding at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the 24-hour event offers spiritual formation and learning opportunities for congregations in the Nebraska Conference. For those wanting to know more about their United Methodist heritage and theology, this is a don't-want-to-miss event.

The keynote speaker is the Rev. F. Cole Fowler (Aurora/Bradshaw UMCs). His theme is United Methodism 101—he'll cover history, theology and social principles of John Wesley. Fowler has served in numerous congregations all across Nebraska and has served on United Methodist general agency boards and commissions.

Saturday Break-out Sessions

11:45-3:00 p.m., (working lunch), Safe Sanctuaries Training led by Nebraska United Methodist Conference Outdoor and Retreat Ministries Director John Jones

12:45- 1:45 p.m. (choose one of two)

Resources: How do we get them? How can they help us? led by Resource Center for Churches Director Diane Dunkerson and Nebraska United Methodist Conference Communications Director Kathryn Witte

Holy Conferencing—Taking Up the Tough Topics and Getting a Word in Edge-wise, led by Anita Hall, University of Nebraska Leadership Specialist

2-3 p.m. (choose one of two)

Appreciating Your Pastor led by Bette Trumble from the Springfield UMC

Mission Shares (aka Apportionments) and Connectional Giving: Why do we have them and where does the money go? led by Melody Adams, Associate Lay Leader and 2008 General Conference Lay Delegate, Cambridge UMC

• Registration
• More information

United Methodist Student Day—Sunday, Nov. 30

World Communion Sunday was celebrated on Oct. 5, and United Methodist Student Day is coming up on Nov. 30, 2008. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) administers more than 50 scholarship programs funded through Special Sunday offerings, wills, annuities and other designed gifts.

Scholarships are awarded on an academic-year basis. A student is eligible to receive only one United Methodist scholarship during any single academic year from GBHEM.

Scholarships are awarded to United Methodist students from various backgrounds, working toward higher education degrees. Applicants may be enrolled at any accredited institution within the United States. Most of the scholarships for graduate students are designated for persons pursuing a degree in theological studies (M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D), higher education administration or older adults changing their careers.

Scholarships for racial-ethnic undergraduate or graduate students are also available. Allocations are also given to the 122 United Methodist-related colleges and universities, seminaries and theological schools to be issued as scholarship by the institutions' financial aid offices. (See the Web site at http://www.gbhem.org/education for more information on the UM-related institutions.)

Nebraska Wesleyan University annual awards scholarships are made possible through its relationship with the Nebraska United Methodist Conference and GBHEM.

Other Special Sundays—Save the Dates

Human Relations Day, Sunday, Jan.18, 2009

One Great Hour of Sharing, Sunday, March 22, 2009

Native American Ministries Sunday, April 26, 2009

Peace with Justice Sunday, June 7, 2009

World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

United Methodist Student Day, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2009

Special Sunday resources are available at http://www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.

Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church receives hospitality award

Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church has been recognized by United Methodist Communications (UMCom) as an official "Welcoming Congregation."

"Welcoming Congregations" are a select group of United Methodist congregations nationwide that meets criteria including embracing newcomers and providing opportunities in discipleship. The recognition program is part of a larger effort launched in late 2000 by UMCom, the denomination's communications agency, to use modern technology and the common language of television to spread the Good News of Christ to a world in need.

Of his congregation's efforts, the Rev. Thomas Buckley said, "Elkhorn is one of the fastest growing communities in the state. It not only makes good biblical sense to reach out to our neighbors but good common sense as well. I am excited that our members want to be good neighbors."

"Open hearts, open minds, open doors" is the theme of the denominational effort, the centerpiece which is a series of national cable TV advertising, supplemented by regional and local church participation. The overall aim of the effort is to invite people, particularly those between 25 and 54 years old, to enter into connection with the Christian community as they seek meaning and purpose in their lives.

Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church is located at 20227 Veterans Drive in Elkhorn. More information about Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church can be found on the church's Web site at http://www.elkhornhillsumc.org.

The Rev. Larry Hollon is the agency's top staff executive. More information is available from the agency's Web site at http://www.IgnitingMinistry.org or by calling toll free (877) 281-6535.

"Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment" featuring the Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen

Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, the Gateway District of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference is sponsoring "Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment" featuring the Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen. This lay leadership training event will provide pastors, lay leaders and chairs of committees on lay leadership instruction on how to pick the best men and women for particular positions within their churches as well as how to equip them to do their job.

Of the workshop, the event's coordinator, Paul Matson, said "In most local churches, the laity committee tries to find people to put into the positions that are required to be filled. In some cases, they are just looking for someone to say instead of determining what skills are needed for that position and who in the congregation is most qualified to accomplish the tasks of the position. This workshop is intended to help the laity committee members identify the skills of the people in the church, identify the purpose of the committee or position, and determine what additional skills the members might need to learn to better equip them to do the job."

As program director with the Heartland Presbyterian Center in Kansas City, the Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen directed the Lilly Endowment funded "Set Apart Lay Leader Project," a four year effort focusing on the integration of spirituality and administration in church boards and councils. His book, "Transforming Church Boards Into Communities of Spiritual Leaders," tells that story. It was selected as one of the top ten religious books in 1997 by the Academy of Parish Clergy and is one of The Alban Institute's all-time best sellers.

Olsen was the founder of "Worshipful-Work: Center for Transforming Religious Leadership," an inclusive ecumenical ministry focusing on the integration of spirituality and administration in church leadership which offered consultation, conferences, and organizational spiritual direction to clergy and lay leaders. He is coauthor, with Danny E. Morris, of "Discerning God's Will Together" and, with Sister Ellen Morseth, of "Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment," both from The Alban Institute and The Upper Room.

There is no registration for this event, however, participants are asked to meet the registration deadline of Dec. 1, in order to guarantee enough training materials for all participants. For more information, please see the materials below or contact Paul Matson at 308-324-7152 or pmatson@alltel.net.

• Brochure
• Flyer

	Pictured is Angel Freytez (right) presenting the 2008 Organization Award to Max Graves, CLIA Program Director. Other CLIA staff pictured are (from left to right) Fred Wegelin, Olga Olivares, and Gabriela Machado.

Center for Legal Immigration Assistance receives Organization Award from the Mexican-American Commission of Nebraska

On October 10, 2008, the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance (CLIA), received the Organization Award from the Mexican-American Commission of Nebraska. CLIA, a ministry of United Methodist Community Ministries—Blue River District, was honored for its "outstanding and sustainable contribution to the Hispanic community of Nebraska." The award was accepted at the Second Annual Hispanic Heritage Month State Commemoration in the State Capitol Rotunda. The event was highlighted by a procession of Central and South American flags, festive music, and the presentation of student-written essays and student-produced short films.

For years CLIA has worked to provide legal resources and expertise to those in need. CLIA works with people of all nationalities to wade through the legal process of nationalization. Recently CLIA has focused more of its efforts on legalization issues involving victims of domestic violence. In a country struggling with immigration issues, CLIA provides a much-needed resource to our communities.

We thank CLIA for their work and congratulate them on receiving this award.

Free pie pumpkins!

There are thousands of pumpkins still available at Camp Fontanelle. It has not frozen hard yet, so they are still good! Many pie pumpkins remain (good for Thanksgiving pumpkin pie!). Any and all churches are invited to bring a pickup and load up as many pumpkins as they can use or sell as a fund-raiser.

Camp Fontanelle had a bumper crop and wants to spread the wealth of its harvest (donations are also gladly accepted, but not necessary). Use the money raised for projects around the church or to send kids to camp.

Call Trent at 402-459-0686 with questions and to check on the supply. No prior notice is necessary.

	UMM Executive Director, the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, is pictured with the award.

United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District honored with Nonprofit Innovation Award

United Methodist Ministries (UMM)—Missouri River District has been awarded the 2008 Nonprofit Innovation Award by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. The award was presented at the conclusion of the annual Midlands Nonprofit Summit held in LaVista on Oct. 30. Accepting the award was UMM Executive Director, the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede.

The award is given annually to a nonprofit organization for extraordinary innovation in mission and planning, human resources, financial management and stewardship, fundraising, or information management. Over 200 member organizations from three states vied for the award.

United Methodist Ministries has been doing social justice work in the areas of hunger, poverty and racism for a number of years. The Big Garden project, a three-year old initiative of UMM, was singled out as an example of innovative strategy by a nonprofit. The Big Garden, a network of community vegetable gardens, addresses food security issues in economically distressed areas through the use of creative partnerships with a number of community organizations and churches.

UMM was recognized at an awards reception and received $1,500 and an original engraved sculpture crafted by local artist John Prouty. Also recognized with smaller awards were the Lincoln Literacy Council and Financial Stability Partnership of Omaha.

Congress on Evangelism

The Congress on Evangelism will be held Jan. 6-9, 2009, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The 2009 event will feature "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" by United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase (Abingdon, 2007). Attendees will receive a copy of the book and participate in workshops led Bishop Schnase, Mike Slaughter and Kent Millard that will discuss the implementation and impact of each practice.

Small group workshops will also be offered on a broad range of topics, including the use of the Internet in ministry, creative ways to do evangelism on a tight budget, and ministry to young persons from confirmation through campus and young adult ministry. Visit the Web site at http://www.CongressOnEvangelism.org or call the registrar at 828-454-6800 to register.

Odell United Methodist Church is re-beautified with the help of its members

The front of the United Methodist Church in Odell was in great need of help after bag worms destroyed the church's bushes and the sign that was in the front of the church became damaged by wind, rain and hail. The backdrop in the marquee that held the letters was melted, and the Plexiglas was broken.

The people of the church decided that they could do something—they could remove the dead bushes, and they could create something different for a sign instead of buying a new one. To aid in the effort, a group of men from the church removed the damaged bushes and graded the soil to enable grass to grow. The efforts of these men were much appreciated, but the problem of the damaged sign remained.

Fortunately for Odell UMC, member Mr. Perry Gydesen is quite an artist. He said that if someone would donate some wood, he would paint a sign for the church. Sure enough, the wood was donated, a new sheet of Plexiglas was donated, and the time to remove the broken glass and replace it with a new piece was also donated. There were also many special prayers lifted up for the church. This lovely sign pictured is the product of that effort. The new sign will allow the others to see how Odell UMC glorifies God.

It is time for the November and December Mission of the Month!

The mission of the month series features local, conference and international missions along with recommended readings and needs from our agencies. The Mission of the Month series is intended as an educational opportunity to learn more about ways to get involved in the field of risk-taking mission and justice work.

Local congregations and church organizations have incorporated the series into their monthly newsletter, purchased books for their church libraries, or started personal and group studies or used the resource as a way to educate the local church on what agencies the United Methodist Church supports locally and globally.

More resources about the featured missions and activities are available through the United Methodist Ministries office at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

• November Mission of the Month
• December Mission of the Month

It's time for the Missouri River District Holiday Food Challenge!

The Missouri River District is once again issuing the Holiday Food Challenge. In 2007, over 4,000 pounds of food and $18,000 collected for local food pantries!

Churches and groups from the conference are encouraged to collect food items and money for the local food pantries during the months of November and December. The Holiday Food Challenge starts on Nov. 1, and continues through Dec. 31. To participate, collect items and then count the number of items and money collected for local agencies during that time and report those efforts to United Methodist Ministries.

For more information, please see the flyer below.

• 2008 Holiday Food Challenge flyer

Pictured is Army Reserve Chaplain Curtis Wells, right, with soldiers in Kuwait holding received phone cards.

Five years later, UMC phone cards still popular

The people of The United Methodist Church have donated more than 13 million minutes of conversations with loved ones to U.S. servicemen and servicewomen serving overseas.

The Phone Card Project, five years old this November, was started by United Methodist Chaplain Lt. Col. J. Maddox Woodbery and was initially pushed by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the UMC.

"I was a part of the process where we literally counted and sorted a table full of phone cards that had been provided by people of Illinois," said Judy W. Carter, volunteer coordinator of the Phone Card Project.

"Our process is simple: We collect the donations, order cards and send the cards directly to our United Methodist chaplains serving in areas of conflict. The chaplains hand the cards out to their service personnel in whatever fashion they determine is best," Carter said of the program operated through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's United Methodist Endorsing Agency.

"We remind them that the cards are intended to reach those with the most need. We receive stories and pictures of these cards reaching their intended recipients... for which they are so grateful."

The chaplains who distribute the cards say many serving in conflict zones could not afford to call their family. With Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays coming up, these cards are vital.

"Each gift received and used to contact family members through these phone cards reduces the isolation our soldiers feel," said Army Chaplain Maj. Nana Bassaw in Forward Operating Base Hammer in Iraq.

"There are so many young soldiers who cannot afford to stay connected to family like they should because of the cost, but thanks to your generosity they are able to do so for at least a little while. The holidays are just around the corner, and I would like to help the church provide more cards for our armed forces members to keep in touch with their families," said Air Force Chaplain Maj. Sherrol James, who is serving at Joint Base Balad in Iraq. "A report is out that states Army suicide for 2008 will exceed that of 2007, and that is tragic. I will be sending you $500 to help with the next phone card campaign; to me it is not such a big cost to save a life."

James said her unit just had seven soldiers die in a helicopter crash.

"Just thinking of the anguish of the members of that battalion and their families and wanting to provide a way for them to connect with family to reassure them of their safety pulls at my heart strings, but I have no more cards to give," she said. "When a soldier or airman asks for a card, it is difficult for me to say I have no more because I know they ask only because they want to stay connected with family and cannot afford to."

Everyone who donates a card or money has received a personal thank you, except during a very brief period in the second year when donations were coming in so fast that one volunteer couldn't keep up, Carter said.

Initially, people donated cards, but then began sending money for the cards. When that happened, the Endorsing Agency developed a card with the United Methodist logo and a message stating that the card is provided by the people of The United Methodist Church, who are also praying for the safety of the troops.

One 120-minute card costs $4.95 and 15 orders for 5,000 cards have been placed since the program began. "We have collected over $450,000," Carter said.

"I am so grateful for all those men and women who are serving our country. I am so proud of our United Methodist chaplains who are ministering to these people, and I feel very privileged to be able to put these cards in their hands," Carter said.

To contribute to the phone card program, send checks payable to:

United Methodist Endorsing Agency (UMEA)
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
PO Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007.

Volunteer In Mission (VIM) Trip to Willow, Alaska, scheduled for spring 2009

A VIM Trip to Willow, Alaska, to build a parsonage for the United Methodist Church located there is scheduled for spring 2009. Those interested should contact the Rev. Charles Spence at the church office at 308-532-1478.

In preparation for the mission trip, all are invited to a church-wide garage sale on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the North Platte First UMC fellowship hall, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Shop in comfort, enjoy a meal and know that the proceeds will help make the spring VIM trip a reality.

Hanscom Park UMC to host benefit dinner for the family of Marian Shabram

Friday, Nov. 7, Hanscom Park UMC will host a benefit for the family of Marian Shabram from 5-8 p.m.

Marian Shabram of Neligh, Neb., was the victim of a random act of violence while visiting her husband at Immanuel hospital. It is the goal of Hanscom UMC to reach out and show that the people of our community care and can come together to support those in need. Please join the people of Hanscom UMC at this event.

For more information, please see the flyer below.

• Flyer

United Methodist Youth take a stand against poverty

Over 50 youth and adults pledged to Stand Up Against Poverty on Oct. 19. Teams of youth and adults from churches in the Missouri River District participated in the event that combined education and hands-on service work that focused on poverty in our communities, nation and world.

Participants worked at Big Garden sites preparing the gardens for winter. While engaged in clearing the gardens, the participants were challenged to observe the surrounding neighborhoods and the impact of the garden on the community as well as ask questions and interact with members of other youth groups. At the conclusion of the event, five of the largest Big Garden sites were cleared and prepared for winter.

Stand Up Against Poverty is an international event that encourages individuals and groups to stand up and take action in the eradication of poverty in the world. The event utilizes the Millennium Development goals outlined by the United Nations as guidelines towards ending poverty and inequality.

United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District hosts Stand Up Against Poverty as one of its annual youth-focused events. This is the second year that youth and adults from the Missouri River District have participated in Stand Up Against Poverty. Participating congregations were Auburn First United Methodist Church, Clair Memorial United Methodist Church and Gretna United Methodist Church.

For more information regarding upcoming youth events hosted by United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District, please contact Lisa Maupin, 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

November 5-6: German professor at Saint Paul School of Theology/Wesley Studies Conference

Saint Paul School of Theology will be hosting German Professor Dr. Manfred Marquardt as the featured lecturer at the 2008 Wesley Studies Conference: "Faith Working by Love—The 100th Anniversary of the Methodist Social Creed," Nov. 5-6, 2008. He will speak about "Responsibility and Transformation in Christian Ethics" and the "Social Creed of 1908 and Principles of 2008 from a Wesleyan Perspective." Workshops by faculty, panel discussions by church leaders, and worship celebrations will be part of the event. Register online at http://www.spst.edu, or contact Audrey Williams at awilliams@spst.edu.

Deeper Learning for the Everyday Christian: Laity School of Theology Saturday Seminars at Saint Paul

Saint Paul School of Theology will offer its third Laity School Seminar on its Kansas City campus, Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Angela Sims will explore how Scripture, tradition, reason and experience function as primary resources for Christian ethics. Registration is $35, lunch included. Register online at http://www.spst.edu, or contact Audrey Williams at awilliams@spst.edu.

United Methodist Communications campaign plan to "rethink" church

What if church wasn't just a place where people spend an hour on Sundays? What if there wasn't just one door into the church but 10,000?

And what if we began thinking about "church" as a verb instead of a noun?

The United Methodist Church is going to pose those questions and others when it rolls out a new media campaign in 2009 aimed at getting people to "Rethink Church." The awareness campaign's launch will coincide with World Malaria Day, April 25.

• Read the entire news release on the United Methodist Communications Web site.

New hymn for Christ the King Sunday—Nov. 23, 2008

This new text by hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is especially suited for Christ the King/The Reign of Christ, the final Sunday of the church year before the start of a new year with Advent. Beginning with Jesus being judged by Pilate, whose rule was doomed to fall, the hymn goes on to observe that Jesus' rule is not by sword or might but by truth and love.

• "Our Lord, You Stood in Pilate’s Hall"
• More information

"Prescriptive and Descriptive Hymnals"

What is the purpose of a denominational hymnal? What role should it play in the worship life of the church and in the lives of the people? What kind of hymnal do we need? These are important questions to consider. The article below discusses two ways of looking at a hymnal: prescriptive and descriptive.

• "Prescriptive and Descriptive Hymnals"

United Methodist Board of Church & Society organizes work areas—Bishop Kiesey elected president, Winkler to serve four more years

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The new directors of The United Methodist Church's General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) were called to be "prophets of faith, justice and hope" as they prepared to organize themselves into work areas for the next four years.

Bishop Forrest Stith, representing the United Methodist Council of Bishops, issued the call to the 63-member board during a worship service that began the organizational meeting here Oct. 23-26.

GBCS "carries the mantel of faith, peace and justice in behalf of our denomination and perhaps all of Christendom," Bishop Stith declared, adding that he was honored to be asked to chair the organizing meeting.

Kiesey elected president

Bishop Deborah Kiesey of the Dakotas Conference was elected president of the board. Kiesey, a director the past four years, succeeds Bishop Beverly Shamana. Bishop Robert Hoshibata of Oregon-Idaho Conference was elected vice chair.

"As an agency of The United Methodist Church," Bishop Stith emphasized to the newly formed board, "you stand at a propitious moment in history, for our nation and for our world. Your calling must be clear, to assure the love of the people called United Methodists is not just vertical, but horizontal, transforming the world, not conforming to the world."

Chairs of work areas were also elected at the organizational meeting. They are: the Rev. Dr. Tamara Brown (Kentucky Conference), Alcohol, Other Addictions and Healthcare; the Rev. Mike McKee (Central Texas), Environmental and Economic Justice; Bishop Jane Middleton (Central Pennsylvania), Human Welfare; and the Rev. Tracy Smith Malone (Northern Illinois), Peace with Justice/United Nations and International Affairs.

Winkler unanimously reelected

The annual meeting's opening worship and organizational meeting opened in the Simpson Memorial Chapel in the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill here. The directors then moved to the M Street Renaissance Hotel downtown for a weekend of more worship, work area deliberations and other organizational issues.

The directors unanimously reelected James Winkler to be General Secretary for another four years. He has served as General Secretary, the agency's chief executive officer, since 2000.

In addition to elections, the directors also awarded nearly $150,000 in 15 ethnic local church grants and $12,000 in a Human Relations Day grant.

A special $20,000 Peace with Justice grant was approved to support the work of the Council on Bishops' task force to update its statement on "In Defense of Creation." The original statement, issued in 1986 after two years of study, addressed the nuclear crisis, a just peace and their impact on the planet.

Directors approved $30,000 to continue the 30-year-old Ethnic Young Adult Summer Intern Program. Under it, persons from across the world come to work as interns in social justice placements in Washington, D.C., including at GBCS. In 2008, interns came from the United States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia and the Philippines.

A guest during the directors' meeting was actor David Keith, who has more than 100 movie and television roles to his credit, including "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "The Lords of Discipline." Keith, who is a member of First United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., and Grier Weeks, executive director of Promise to Protect, made a presentation soliciting support of their work against child pornography and sexual abuse of children. The directors voted to endorse their efforts.

Directors also decorated a tent that will be set up Nov. 7 to 9 on the National Mall as part of the "Tents of Hope." Communities across the United States and abroad have been invited to transform refugee tents into unique works of art that express compassion and desire for peace for the people of Darfur, Sudan.

3 streams of social concerns

In reporting to the board after his reelection, Winkler said that the agency embodies three important streams of United Methodist social concerns. He said one stream is represented by what was once known as the Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals. The second is insistence on a better life for working people stated in the 1908 Social Creed of the denomination, and the third is world peace.

"Over time, our consciousness has been raised on many other important matters including health care, civil and human rights, and economic and environmental justice," Winkler said. "In fact, over the past half century, the world has been transformed by great moral and spiritual movements for equal rights for women, for environmental and economic justice, for an end to the nuclear arms race, apartheid and the Vietnam War, for civil and human rights for all people.

"Often, the church has had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table, but today we are one of the pillars of these movements, as we should be."

Winkler emphasized that GBCS's ministries are biblically based. He also said that the agency is committed to the four focus areas recently approved by the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination's highest policy-making body. "We offer expertise in the areas of global health, ministry with the poor, and leadership development," he stated. "And, we stand ready to assist the agencies and annual conferences involved in new church starts to ensure United Methodist faith communities are scripturally grounded and committed to the Social Principles."

Winkler said he believes that "at its best" GBCS serves to help the church understand the interconnectedness of God's creation.

"We work hard to help our people join justice and mercy together in their own lives, congregations, and communities," Winkler said. "United Methodists are excellent at feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. Freeing the oppressed, confronting the systems that perpetuate hunger, racism, violence and poverty is always the hard part. In many ways, that's where GBCS comes in."

The least and the lost

At the closing commissioning service, Bishop Kiesey declared that she is proud "The United Methodist Church has a board such as GBCS to speak for those who have no voice, to always keep before us the needs of the least and the lost." The Christian mandate to care for these people is "absolutely clear, without a doubt," she said in describing the directors' and the board's call.

"The challenge to our church is to accept the least and the lost of the world," Bishop Kiesey said at the commissioning service, "not only accept but seek them out and embrace them and welcome them in.

"Our commission on this board is to broaden that circle and offer the Good News to the entire world, but especially to the weak, so no one has to ask again, 'What prevents me from following Christ?'"

GBCS is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board's primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City.

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