News Archives—May/June 2008

Iowa United Methodists respond to storms and flooding

Iowans are experiencing major flooding and eighty-three counties in the state have been declared disaster areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently responding to emergency needs in the Cedar Rapids area, according to Chuck Smith, Iowa Conference Treasurer.

Donations for UMCOR's relief efforts in the Midwest can be made to Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670. More information can be found on the Iowa Conference Web site at http://www.iaumc.org along with other ways to assist these persons in need. Please remember these people in your prayers.

John Pitney performs at Annual Conference

Invitation at Opening Worship

COME TO THE TABLE

By The Rev. Cynthia Stewart

"O Come" could be heard as lay and clergy members and guests entered into the Grand Ballroom for Opening Worship at the start of the 2008 United Methodist Nebraska Annual Conference. Special musical guest, John Pitney, led the members and guests in the chorus of a song that was especially written for this year's conference and theme, "Food and Faith: Come to the Great Banquet."

The conference began with a video presentation of a mixture of quotes pertaining to food and eating as well as movie clips to prepare the mood of the table. As members and guests sang the theme song, "Come to the Table," Children's Annual Conference participants entered into the gathering space carrying items to set the table near the altar area. Children then said a simple table grace and read Luke 14:1-35, where Jesus told of the parable of the Great Banquet.

Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer read from the Gospel of John, chapter six. She shared with the conference that after Jesus had fed the crowds with the fish and loaves, the next day those people came to him, wanting more. Jesus then told them, "Do not work for the food that perishes." When the people wanted a sign to know what works, Jesus revealed to them, "I am the bread of life" and he was the bread that came down from heaven. Jesus wanted the people to be well fed and able to feed.

Bishop Ann then shared how she imagined the table where she was well fed including descriptions of the table setting, the "pink" tablecloth and matching linen napkins, sterling flatware and china -- the "good stuff." The Bishop shared, "When you looked at the table, you knew that something special was going to happen." The gatherings were not just about the table and the food as her family would eat and talk and share during several hours of feasting.

She reminded us that as we are probably well fed, we need to talk about what it means to be well fed in a world that is not: over 854 million people are hungry. Bishop Ann challenged the Nebraska Annual Conference to embrace the vision of Christ that is a joyful banquet. We need to learn from each other, yet we must also learn some table manners which include Rueben Job's reinterpretation of Wesley to stay in love with God, to do no harm and to do good. As well fed people, we are challenged to share this bread with others.

As we look forward to the rest of this week and the challenges before us, in the words of our theme song, "May God bless the table with love."

Holy conferencing was practiced during the afternoon session. The technique will be used during legislative session to ensure that all have an opportunity to voice their opinions, ask questions and be heard.

Holy conferencing was modeled Wednesday afternoon in order to practice for legislative groups on Thursday recommendations at Annual Conference

by Anita M. Hall

All participants at the Nebraska Annual Conference were able to voice their thoughts related to the transition team report on Tuesday afternoon. Using "Holy Conferencing", each person had the opportunity to address the questions "What are your greatest joys related to the transition team report" and "What are your questions related to the report?"

Facilitators were trained in the process Tuesday morning. They were asked to be a non-anxious presence guiding their group and ensure that everyone at their table had the opportunity to participate. Ground rules had been established previously, although each table had the opportunity to add new ground rules that were appropriate for their group.

At the start of the Holy Conferencing time, facilitators each received a Bible to use as a talking point. This Bible was held by the person as they talked and it was passed to the next person when they were finished. Each person in the circle was given one minute to voice their thoughts about the first question. The process was repeated for the second question.

At the conclusion of answering the two questions, each person in the circle could ask questions of each other to make sure they understood the intent of the response. This questioning process was done in a non-threatening and non-judgmental manner to ensure the respect of each individual.

Each table had a person that served as a recorder. This person was responsible for creating a list of the main themes discussed in the conversations while not infringing on the confidentiality of the individual responses. These themes will be used by the transition team as they proceed with the future of this initiative.

The Holy Conferencing initiative is an effort to conduct positive communication in the Annual Conference while maintaining the integrity of each individual, realizing that different perspectives exist. Its purpose is not to come to consensus on an issue, but to understand, appreciate and respect the thoughts of each person.

2008 Spring Storm Relief Funds

Many communities in the state of Nebraska have experienced damage related to the 2008 spring storms. The United Methodist Church has a disaster relief fund available to assist persons facing unusual circumstances due to severe weather and those who may need spiritual assistance. If individuals or congregations wish to assist in this effort, financial contributions can be made through any United Methodist Church or sent to the Nebraska Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, made payable to Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 4553, Lincoln, NE 68504. Please clearly mark the donation as "Nebraska 2008 Storm Relief"--Advance 781.

The Nebraska Conference has received confirmation that a $10,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be available as well. All funds will be pooled together and distributed by local disaster relief committees working at United Methodist Churches across the state. For more information, contact Roger Gillming at the Bushnell-Kimball United Methodist Church at 308-235-2320 or roger.gillming@gmail.com.

• Diaster relief request form

Conference Office leadership travels state to present AC briefings

Chad Anglemyer and Robin Kilgore recently traveled to Nebraska United Methodist Conference districts to brief United Methodist members on the upcoming Annual Conference Session scheduled for June 11-14 in Lincoln, Neb.

The two power point presentations shared are included here for your reference. One relates to the Transition Team recommendations, "A Common Table for Ministry," and the other relates to the 2009 Funding Plan.

During the briefing a group exercise on holy conferencing was demonstrated, where attendees had interaction in groups of four people. The Annual Conference Session will offer more opportunities to be engaged in holy conferencing.

Videos were also shared about the food and faith theme--Come to the Great Banquet, the wellness screenings, the big garden project and the offerings that will be taken in June during the various worship services of the Annual Conference Session.

• Briefing PowerPoint Presentation
  Director of Connectional Ministries Chad Anglemyer presented the highlights of the Transition Team's "Common Table for Ministry."
• Briefing Funding Plan Proposal
  Director of Administrative Services/Conference Treasurer Robin Kilgore presented the highlights of the 2009 Funding Plan Proposal during the Annual Conference Session briefings held in each district.

	Cyclone Nargis' deadly swath through Myanmar's low-lying delta area is illustrated in this topographic map. A UMNS illustration courtesy of Robert A. Rohde, Wikipedia.

CWS relief coordinator to arrive in Myanmar

May 8, 2008 | NEW YORK (UMNS)

A coordinator for Church World Service is expected to arrive in Myanmar on May 9 to begin preparations for cyclone relief efforts there.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is partnering with CWS on emergency relief for the nearly one million people that the United Nations estimates were left homeless after Cyclone Nargis struck the Southeast Asia nation May 3. Up to 100,000 people may have died and tens of thousands are missing.

According to news reports, the first seven tons of U.N. relief supplies arrived in Myanmar by air May 8, and American officials said they appeared to be close to an agreement with the military government there to send in aid. Priority needs have been identified as food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, basic medical kits and bed nets.

UMCOR has contributed to the CWS fundraising appeal, which raised more than $50,000 in less than a day and has been expanded. Marvin Parvez, acting Asia-Pacific regional coordinator for CWS, will arrive in Yangon, Myanmar, on May 9, with other team members to follow as soon as their visas are cleared.

"We anticipate that Myanmar's officials will now be more responsive in granting visas to aid workers, in view of the enormity of their country's situation" says CWS Emergency Response Program Director Donna Derr in Washington.

In response to the emergency, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License Number 14, which authorizes certain financial
transactions in support of humanitarian or religious activities by nongovernmental organizations in Burma (Myanmar).

Food crisis

The initial focus for CWS will be on food aid, followed by shelter needs. Parvez said the agency is particularly conscious of organizing food aid in a manner that "doesn't adversely affect local markets, in light of the current food crisis." The food crisis was further inflamed in Myanmar just after the cyclone.

On May 9, the CWS regional office in Bangkok, Thailand, will host a coordination meeting of members of the international ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance who are intending to work in Myanmar to look at how to best collaborate in their efforts. UMCOR is a part of ACT.

ACT members with staff or partners present in the city of Yangon have reported that water and electricity supplies have been cut, and that while the greatest needs are for food and shelter, the prices of food and other essential items are skyrocketing.

Parvez said CWS will promote adherence to the international aid standards among all of the aid community in Yangon, "to help ensure the best quality of response and coordination by all of us, at all levels, in this particularly difficult situation."

Contributions

Contributions to UMCOR's response to the cyclone should be earmarked for UMCOR Advance No. 3019674, Myanmar Emergency, and can be made online at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor. Checks also can be dropped in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Credit-card donations are accepted by phone at (800) 554-8583.

A Sunday bulletin insert from UMCOR for local churches can be found at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/ongoing/myanmar.

*Church World Service contributed to this report.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

United Methodist ordained deacons, with the approval of their bishop, may now administer Holy Communion and baptism in the absence of an elder.

Bishops can give deacons sacramental authority

A UMNS Report
By Vicki Brown*
May 21, 2008

United Methodist bishops will be allowed to grant authority to deacons to administer Holy Communion and baptism in certain circumstances under legislation approved this spring by General Conference.

The authority can be granted to a deacon within his or her primary appointment in the absence of an elder. The change takes effect in January 2009.

"This legislation is an effort to extend the mission and ministry of the church in extraordinary circumstances when an elder is not present," said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, a staff executive with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

"The legislation is a reminder of the importance of the sacramental ministry in the church and the world. It is fair to ask why elders aren't present in the places where the sacraments are needed."

The board presented the petition through its Study of Ministry Commission, which also asked to continue a denomination-wide conversation regarding ordination and sacramental authority for four more years. Delegates voted to create a new commission to continue that conversation and also approved the legislation allowing sacramental authority.

The legislation was approved by 67 percent of the delegates voting. General Conference, the top legislative body of The United Methodist Church, met April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The petition amends the Book of Discipline to add: "For the sake of extending the mission and ministry of the church, a pastor-in-charge or district superintendent may request that the bishop grant local sacramental authority to the deacon to administer the sacraments in the absence of an elder, within a deacon's primary appointment." (Paragraph 328.)

Moman said agency staff will work with the Council of Bishops as the church's episcopal leaders address the issues of implementation, including exactly what situations would apply.

The board plans to distribute information to deacons, chairs of orders, and annual conference Boards of Ordained Ministry about the change.

The Rev. Sharon Rubey, director of candidacy and conference relations, said the legislation gives the authority to "extend the means of grace for the missional needs of the church, and not a means of convenience."

The Rev. Anita Wood, the board's director of professional ministry development, said the heart of the ministry of the deacon remains the call to connect the needs of the world to the ministries of the church.

"Deacons are called to the responsibility to serve in specialized ways that bridge ministries of the congregation with the needs of the community. Sometimes that may call for sacramental authority, and many times, not," Wood said.

Wood said it will be important to articulate the connection between the ministries of the deacon and offering the means of grace through sacramental authority and will require much discussion and discernment. "Informal conversations have already begun," she said.

*Brown is associate editor and writer, Office of Interpretation, United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

News media contact: Linda Green, e-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org.

	At a glance: Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church | 1423 South 10th St., Omaha, NE 68108 | (402) 346-9115 | dietzumc@cox.net | Pastor: Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede | Average attendance: 60

Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church in Omaha to be featured in the May-June 2008 issue of Interpreter magazine

Read about Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church in Omaha in the May-June 2008 issue of Interpreter, the official ministry magazine for the people of The United Methodist Church. The church's Blue Flamingo thrift shop and arts venue is featured in "It Worked for Us." You may read the story online by clicking here.

This issue of Interpreter includes several features on the growth of The United Methodist Church among immigrant communities in the United States--as well as the growth of the church in Africa and the Philippines.

• http://www.blueflamingo.org/
• http://www.interpretermagazine.org

2008 Annual Conference offerings

Several opportunities exist to support mission and outreach at the 2008 Food and Faith themed Annual Conference Session. Click here to view a list of these opportunities.

Bishop Mark Hanson (left) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and United Methodist Bishop William Oden sing a hymn during the April 29 worship at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference. UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.

United Methodists refine ecumenical relations process

By Linda Green*
May 21, 2008 | FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)

Prior to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the church's Council of Bishops was authorized to work in cooperation with its ecumenical agency to engage in formal relations with other denominations or ecclesial bodies. The bishops' ecumenical officer coordinated the relationships.

Delegates to the 2008 General Conference added language to give the bishops authority to enter into "interim and provisional ecumenical agreements" with other Christian bodies, following consultation with and concurrence of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. However, all agreements of full communion and permanent membership in ecumenical organizations must be ratified by General Conference.

By a General Conference vote, The United Methodist Church entered into full relationship with The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on April 28. The denomination also has an interim Eucharist-sharing covenant relationship with The Episcopal Church and agreements with five historically black Methodist denominations that make up the Pan-Methodist Commission.

"The nature of our ecumenical relationships is evolving, changing and growing," said Doug Mills, a staff member of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. "The Discipline was silent on full communion and to keep up with our evolving relationships, we needed to give a structure to allow the church to move forward in its ecumenical commitments."

In approving the petition submitted by the Council of Bishops, General Conference delegates described full communion as two or more Christian churches that recognize the:

— One, holy, catholic and apostolic faith as expressed in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the church's historic creeds;
—Authenticity of each other's baptism and Eucharist and extend sacramental hospitality to each other's members;
—Validity of their respective ministries; and
—Full interchangeability and reciprocity of all ordained ministers in each of the churches.

Full communion does not presume that there are no differences in rites or doctrines between churches, but that these differences provide no barrier to affirming each other as full expressions of the one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, according to legislation passed by the assembly. The relationship commits the churches to working together as partners in mission.

"This is a positive step and it provides steps for further conversation with Christian bodies," said West Virginia Bishop Ernest Lyght, who submitted the petition on behalf of the Council of Bishops. "Historically, The United Methodist Church has not functioned in isolation. Going back decades, it has always sought to be in relationships with Christian communities and non-Christian communities."

Prior to the 2008 General Conference, the Book of Discipline did not define full communion but did define covenanting, said Bishop William Oden, the outgoing ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops. "The understanding of covenanting has been expanded by the use of full communion," he said.

Oden said the church is in a new era in which the term "full communion" will be used more and more in ecumenical relationships.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Linda Green, e-mail: newsdesk@umcom.