The magazine of UNITED METHODIST MEN FALL 2020 Volume 23 Number 4

100 Years of in the Methodist Church letter from the GENERAL SECRETARY contents

This issue has multiple articles about scouting. As you probably Keep up with the news from know, we are the largest non-government sponsor of BSA, and a United Methodist Men Letter from the General Secretary 2 leader in Girl Scouts USA, Campfire and Big Brothers Big Sisters. As by subscribing to Letter from the Editor 4 will be further revealed in the following pages, I am very proud of our e-newsletter and my son and granddaughter for their participation in BSA. FREE quarterly magazine: Happy 100th birthday to

Some may think that the only benefit of scouting is to reach the Methodist Scouting 6 highest rank, but I want to make the case of some additional ways Sign Up Today! A chronological history of scouting impacts people….people like me. Simply put, I have some GIL HANKE Methodist scouting 8 unique ways of compensating for what teachers would call “poor General Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer auditory retention.” Just watch me try to write down a long- Famous Scouts who belonged to distance number from a rapid voice on an answering machine. troops chartered by UM churches 16 And in the 1960s, requirements for rank in BSA were rather Faith-based Scouting in a unbendable, and one of the requirements for my next rank seemed COVID world 20 impossible to me. So, I told my scoutmaster that I was quitting since I was stuck, which was not news to him, as he had tried We can’t go back 22 to help with the task. Rather than letting me give up, he knew I was good with a hand axe and knife, and I appeared to have some served as teaching skills, so he gave me a special position to teach my troop vice-president of the about the requirements and skills for the Toten-Chip award. It Wesley Brotherhood 24 was my first attempt at teaching, and my first leadership position. Time to bring hope 26 And it kept me in scouting for an additional season and when I left, I did so with some feeling of success. Economic inequity –– The foundation of racism 28 I know that scouting worked for me, for my son, and for my

granddaughter. I also know being a “Big” to my “Little” through 1000 17TH AVE. SOUTH Give Day 30 Big Brothers Big Sisters, works for him, and for me. It is not too NASHVILLE, TN 37212 615.340.7145 UM Men sponsor five national late for you. I hope you will add or expand the blessing of scouting days of prayer 32 in your local church.

PUBLISHER Gil Hanke Preserved to the end of time 36 EDITOR Rich Peck CREATIVE DIRECTOR Troy Dossett, UMCom Foundation is cornerstone for ASSOCIATE EDITORS Rick Vance UM Men ministries 38 Steven Scheid PROOF READER Martha Davis Dad's Zone 39

UMMen is published four times a year: Men's Health 40 Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. This magazine includes articles from individuals who Across the Nation 42 hold diverse opinions. We hope all articles are thought provoking; they are not necessarily the opinions of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. Articles without bylines are written by commission staff.

Copyright © 2020 2 UMMEN • FALL 2020 3 letter from the EDITOR

100 years of Methodist Scouting

In 1920, 8,000 Scouts from 34 nations attended the first World in London.

During this 10-day summer gather, Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting, was acclaimed the “Chief Scout of the World.”

REV. RICH PECK I would guess that some of the 8,000 Scouts and leaders attending the Editor July 30 to Aug. 8 event were from Methodist churches in the U.S.

We know there were Scout troops in Delaware, Ohio; Brentwood Tenn.; Park Ridge, Ill., and Mt. Vernon, N.Y. Doubtless there were hundreds of other troops meeting in Methodist churches across the U.S.

A few months earlier, James West, the chief executive of the , had signed an agreement with James Thompson, superintendent of Young People’s Sunday School of the Methodist Church, formalizing the relationship between the church and the scouting organization.

There is no record, but I’m guessing the two Jims hooked up in London

It is likely that our 2020 attention on COVID-19 and events in the denomination have distracted us from observing the 100-year anniversary in any significant manner.

Scouting, as almost all other activities, has changed in the past few months, but we hope this issue of the UM Men magazine will allow us to celebrate this remarkable 100-year relationship.

It is evident that Scouting would not have had any prominent place in this denomination without the support of Methodist and United Methodist Men.

4 100 Years of SCOUTING

Happy 100th birthday to Methodist Scouting

Scouting was officially recognized by the Methodist BSA after its creation in 1910. The pastor was often Episcopal Church in February 1920. the first Scoutmaster. The connection of values, character, and the church was natural. In truth, Methodist churches were supporting Scout troops prior to 1920 when James V. Thompson, UM Men take the lead superintendent of Young People’s Sunday School, wrote to James E. West, chief executive of Boy Led by Steven Scheid, the Center for Scouting Scouts of America. Ministries of the General Commission on UM Men takes the lead in nurturing scouting ministries in But that letter marks the first formal relationship the denomination. Today 3,111 UM congregations between the Methodist Episcopal Church and Boy charter 9,611 Scout units serving 309,739 young Scouts of America. people. UM churches provide home base for more Scouts than any other denomination in America. First local church The UMC designates the second Sunday in Grace Methodist Church in Delaware, Ohio, may be February for Boy Scouts of America and the second the first local church to sponsor a troop. In 1908 The Sunday in March for Girl Scouts of the USA. Many Rev. L. Eugen Rush wanted to keep Methodist boys off congregations use a Sunday of their choice to the streets, and he founded the Eastside Roughnecks. celebrate all ministries offered in collaboration The name was eventually changed to the East Side with the Center for Scouting Ministries. Gang and they became involved in activities like Scout troops engage in today. Scouting ministry specialists Rush later contacted Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a There are 171 active scouting ministry volunteers British military hero who founded the Boy serving conference, district and local Scouts in England. church Scout units across the U.S. Baden Powell sent Rush a charter, These specialists encourage local making East Side Gang a troop in churches to sponsor Programs the British Scouting movement. of Religious Activities with Youth (PRAY) classes for When the Boy Scouts came four age groups. Some to America in 1910, Rush’s pastors use God and troop became Troop No. Church courses in 1 in Delaware, Ohio. Now confirmation classes. In there is a Number One addition, these scouting BSA Troop in each of the ministry specialists 50 states and the District provide churches with of Columbia. There were information about dozens of Methodist awards to honor Scouts Churches in 1908-1909 and express appreciation who had established Boy to leaders. Scout Troops. They joined the 6 1913 1945 Jessamine Flowers Link starts the second Girl Scout The God and Country Program is established as an troop at Hyde Park Methodist Church in Tampa, Fla. award for Boy Scouts, age 12 and up. 100 Years of SCOUTING 1916 1950 Baden-Powell organizes Wolf Cubs, which becomes The National Scout Jamboree is held on the Cub Scouts in the United States sites of the 18th century Valley Forge, Pa., encampment. President Truman and General A chronological history of 1920 Eisenhower speak. The first international Boy Scout Jamboree is held Methodist scouting in London, and Baden-Powell is acclaimed as chief 1953 of world scouting. Scouting is officially recognized National Jamboree, Irvine Ranch, Calif. by the Methodist Episcopal Church when James came to his aid. After guiding Boyce to 1899 Thompson, superintendent of Young People’s his destination, the boy refused a tip, 1956 Sunday School, signs an agreement with James West. Robert Baden-Powell publishes his explaining that as a Boy Scout he would Scout projects enhance the Natchez Trace military book Aids to Scouting for not accept payment for doing a good deed. NCOs and Men. An atypical manual This anonymous gesture inspired Boyce 1928 including personal stories and games Scout projects to organize several regional U.S. youth Edgar Welch, president of the enhance the to enhance and test the learning of organizations. Welch Grape Juice Company, is Natchez Trace scouting skills. elected president of the Wesley National Park 1908 Brotherhood. Branch Rickey, future 1903 manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is The Rev. L. Eugene Rush, pastor of Grace elected vice president. Baden -Powell returns to Britain to Methodist Church in Delaware, Ohio, find his book a best seller. It is used forms the Eastside Roughnecks. Rush later by youth groups and young people all Robert Baden-Powell asks Baden-Powell, to make the gang a 1937 across the country. Young people ask troop in the British Scouting movement. The first national jamboree is held him to re-write the book for boys and in Washington, D.C. in July. Some to become their leader. 1910 25,000 Scouts set up campsites around the Tidal Basin. 1905 Boy Scout troops are chartered by Brentwood (Tenn.) UMC, East End Methodist Church, Baden-Powell connects with youth leaders world- Nashville; First Methodist Church, Park Ridge, Ill.; 1939 wide. He includes the ideas and methods of others, and First Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. Three Methodist denominations merge including Thomas Seton’s into The Methodist Church. Meeting and Daniel in Atlantic City, the united General James E. West at the White House, with 1911 Beard’s Conference creates a Board of Lay Activities National Park U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and James West is named chief in the USA. based in Chicago; that board elects Edgar Walter W. Head, BSA national president executive of the Boy Scouts of (seated, left) in 1937 Welch president. Dr. George Morelock, lay 1957 America (BSA), serving from 1907 leader of the Memphis Annual Conference, 1911 to 1943. National Jamboree, Valley Forge. At Brownsea Island, 21 boys is named executive secretary and Dow Bancroft associate secretary. from diverse backgrounds James E. West at the White 1960 assemble for the first Boy House, with U.S. President Scout camp. The skills games Franklin D. Roosevelt and 1941 National Jamboree, Spring, Colo. and tests serve as an outdoor Walter W. Head, BSA national Sir Baden Powell dies laboratory before publishing. president (seated, left) in 1964 1937 1942 National Jamboree, Valley Forge 1908 1912 The name Methodist Men is adopted. First The Boy Scouts movement is formalized in England six charters are issued and Methodist Men 1967 with the publication of Baden-Powell’s Scouting Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low forms the first Girl organizations charter Scout troops. 12th , for Boys. The same year, William Boyce, a Chicago Scout troop in Savannah, Ga. , USA publisher was lost in the London when a Boy Scout

8 UMMEN • FALL 2020 9 Dr. Albert Outler 1968 speaks to the 1968 Uniting The Methodist Church and The Evangelical Conference. United Brethren Church unify into the United Methodist Church. Men’s ministries are combined into UM Men. Scouting ministries is assigned to the General Board of Discipleship.

1969 National Jamboree, Farragut State Park, Idaho

1973 National Jamboree, Farragut State Park 1983 Torch Awards, Cross and Flame Awards and the 1974 Bishop’s Award of Excellence are introduced. Mark Hazlewood becomes executive director of P.R.A.Y. The God and Country program is expanded to three after his father dies. levels (God and Family, God and Church, and God and Life). 1984 1976 Clergy and laity come to Nashville to start process of providing new training materials. The Protestant Committee changes its name to the Commission for Church and Civic Youth Serving Agencies (CCYSA). Programs of Religious Activities 1985 with Youth is (P.R.A.Y.) is created as the business office National Jamboree is held in Fort A.P. Hill of the CCYSA. The commission continues to function as the Protestant Committee for BSA. 1988 1980 Chuck Jones, Van Nuys, Calif., is elected chair of the newly formed Men’s Division at the Board The Board of Discipleship determines it is no longer of Discipleship. UM Men Foundation scouting be able to fund scouting ministries. Jim Snead, endowment reaches $202,821. Claude Love and Dale Waymire create the UM Men Foundation to assure the ministry will continue. Jim 1989 Tarr, for the BSA, helps the foundation raise funds. National Jamboree, Fort A.P. Hill.

1981 1990 Dale Waymire is elected president of the UM Men David Worley leaves post as director of Foundation. Dave Worley is named the first director of scouting ministries to become associate scouting for the General Board of Discipleship. Part of director of the Relationships Division of the his salary is funded by the UM Men Foundation. The national BSA office in Dallas. . foundation introduces the John Wesley Society. The BSA National Jamboree is held in Fort A.P. Hill, Va. 1991 The Rev. Byron White is named scouting 1982 ministries director. UM Foundation for Worley introduces Bishop’s Dinner for Scouting and Scouting assets total $480,272. Bowl-a-Thons in which sponsors paid bowlers for the number of pins knocked down. In 12 years, Bowl-a- 1992 Thons raised $1.2 million. Worley recruits people to In order to make it clear the ministry includes Girl serve as conference and district scouting coordinators. Scouts, 4-H and , the position is given a Gene Hazlewood is named the first full time executive new title: director of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/ director of P.R.A.Y. Scouting. 10 11 The Rev. Joe Harris presides over the work of the 1993 legislative committee of 2008 2011 the 2019 United Methodist National Jamboree, Fort A.P. Hill General Conference in Scouting introduces scouting ministry specialists There are now 371,000 young people involved St. Louis. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS. along with the Silver Torch Award and Shepherd in Scout troops and packs meeting in 1995 Church Charter Recognition. Big Brothers-Big UM churches. During the year, BSA launches a UM Men Foundation assets total $1,081,769. Sisters added as partner agency. More than Faith-Based Initiative to retain and strengthen 369,000 young people participate in BSA programs relationships with religious groups. One 1996 sponsored by UM congregations. First UMC of hundred and thirty people certified as scouting Turlock, Calif., presents 31 P.R.A.Y. awards. ministry specialists. UM Men Foundation has General Conference creates the General Commission assets totaling $2.26 million. P.R.A.Y. presents supply of 8,000 provided by UM Men. The 10,700 on UM Men. Bishop Raymond Owen is elected 26,072 awards; 6,642 were presented by UM books are given to Scouts visiting Philmont. Some 2009 president of commission. Bishop Joe Pennel is named congregations. Five Scout units sponsored by St. 7,500 UM churches have 400,000 scouting youth, chair of the Scouting Advisory Committee. Bishop James King elected president of the Andrew’s UMC in Virginia Beach prepare 24,000 including 25,000 Cub Scouts. Joe Harris receives the commission. David Adams resigns as general dehydrated meals for Haitians during a Stop from BSA. 1997 secretary to return to local church ministry. Hunger Now packaging event. Forty-five people certified as scouting ministry Dr. Joseph L. Harris, a 2005 specialists. More than 370,000 youth participate district superintendent in 11,237 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and 2012 in the Oklahoma The commission signs an agreement with Girl Scouts crews sponsored by 6,600 UM churches A total of 6,700 UM congregations enrich Conference, is elected of the USA. They agree UM churches will support across America. Sixty-seven volunteers now serve the lives of 371,491 young people through general secretary for Larry troops and Girl Scouts will provide troop leaders with as scouting ministry specialists. The office gives 11,078 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Coppock the new commission. information about religious recognition programs. 1,800 Back Packing New Testaments to Scouts at and Venturing crews. The Rev. Dr. W. Larry Coppock is named Some 27,000 troops comprising 120,000 girls meet high-adventure camps. International Scouting Kenneth Lyons Jr., a retired UM pastor and director of youth-serving in UM churches. Harris resigns as top staff executive accepts the anti-malaria “Nothing But Nets” district superintendent in the Baltimore- ministries. Three thousand three hundred Scouts of the commission to return to Oklahoma Conference effort as its first “Good Turn” project. Inspired Washington Annual Conference, is elected attend a UM Communion service at the National as director of communications and assistant to the by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, the to a two-year term as president of P.R.A.Y. Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill. Coppock attends the Camp bishop. Four adults are killed while trying to put up campaign was created by the UN Foundation in Twenty participants in a national UM Scouting Fire Congress in Kansas City. a dining tent for the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. 2006, and it was adopted by the UMC. Ministry Workshop at the Philmont Scout Hill. The metal pole hit a power line killing them Ranch volunteer to become scouting ministry 1999 instantly. Twenty clergy serve as chaplains for the specialists, bringing the total number of people 2010 Gil Hanke event and 10 serve in the exhibit area. helping local churches expand their ministries Forty–three people attend a Scouting Ministries Gil Hanke, former to young people to 183. General Conference Workshop at the . Some 421,000 2006 president of the marks the 100th birthday of the Girl Scouts. youth belong to scouting units sponsored by UM commission, is elected congregations. Evan Hunsberger, a California Boy Commission moves into new offices on Nashville’s general secretary Scout, seeks commission help to republish World War Music Row. The Rev. David Adams, a pastor, of the commission. 2013 II book Strength for Service to God and Country is named general secretary. Some 250,000 copies Eighteen clergy serve as More than 20 volunteer UM leaders serve in an of Strength for Service are distributed. The ministry chaplains at the National exhibit area at the first BSA National Jamboree to 2000 publishes a Scout edition of the book. . Nearly 400,000 Scouting Jamboree be held at the West Virginia Summit. Some 30,000 youth in 12,000 units meet in 8,500 UM churches. in Fort Hill, Va. In Scouts and 7,000 leaders participate. The Rev. Dr. Bowl-a-Thon is changes to Sport-a-Thon. addition, 11 UMs, led by Larry Coppock, staff Bruce Reed, a UM pastor, preaches at the Protestant Participants may seek dollars for pins down in 2007 an exhibit at the jamboree. Some 5,500 UM worship service. The Rev. Greg Godwin coordinates bowling, miles biked, walked, or run, or holes Scouts and leaders attend a worship service the Protestant service. West Virginia Area Bishop completed on golf courses. The National Gathering of UM Men is moved during the 9-day event. The office gives 5,000 Sandra Steiner Ball serves as celebrant at a Methodist Back Packing New Testaments to the Scouts. Communion service. The Strength for Service 2001 to Nashville. Previous gatherings were held at Pittsburgh Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton Committee publishes a Boy Scout edition of Strength Cal Turner, chief executive officer of Dollar General, Purdue University. Carl preaches at the service, and Scouts contribute for Service to God and Community, a book of daily makes a $1 million gift to the UM Men Foundation. Stewart, judge of the $17,500 to Nothing But Nets. One hundred devotions for first responders. The first 2,000 copies National Jamboree is held in Fort A.P. Hill people volunteer to serve as scouting ministry are given to Scouts at the jamboree, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Carl Stewart based in Shreveport, specialists. Twenty-three scouters attend a UM 2004 La., is elected chair Scouters Workshop at the Boy Scout Florida Sea 2014 Base in February. There are now 371,000 Scouts of the Scouting Ministry Committee of the General Eight Scout leaders participate in a training experience Commission signs a covenant with Big Brothers Big participating in 11,237 Cub Scout packs, Boy Commission on UM Men.. A record 12 young people at the . Ty LaValley was Sisters. The Wesley Foundation chapter of Sigma Scout troops and Venturing crews sponsored by receive Good Samaritan Awards from First UMC in named as a Scouting missionary in Cote d’Ivorie. The Theta Epsilon in Tahlequah, Okla., provides funds 6,700 UM churches across America. for 2,700 Backpacking New Testaments to add to the South Bend, Ind. Latimer High-Adventure Center, a 1,550 acre camp

12 UMMEN • FALL 2020 13 in Tennessee, is dedicated. Bishop James Swanson, 2018 president of the General Commission on UM Men, speaks to 1,500 attending a Duty to God breakfast The commission agrees at the National BSA gathering in Nashville. Some to operate out of two 6,500 Backpacking New Testaments are presented centers, The Center for to Scouts at three high-adventure sites. More than Men’s Ministry and 365,000 youth are involved in scouting ministries the Center for Scouting at UM churches. Ministry. Steven Scheid is selected as director for the Scouting Ministry 2015 Steven Scheid Center. He leads an effort UM Men cooperate with four other denominational to get UM congregations to groups to provide 20,000 New Testaments to Scout welcome Latter-day Saint scouts into their troops troops. There are 10,503 scouting units serving as that faith community ends its relationship with 331,000 young people in 6,500 UM congregations. BSA at the end of 2019. A record 46 people attend They are supported by 303 scouting ministry UM Scouters’ Conference at the Philmont Training specialists. UM churches presented 5,716 P.R.A.Y. Center. awards to young people. Theo Johnson, a Boy Scout in Troop 175 chartered by First UMC in Waukesha, Wis., serves as the sole ambassador of Boy Scouts of 2019 America to the August Scout Nagasaki Peace Forum. BSA declares bankruptcy Scheid says ministries in YOUR SUPPORT GIVES One person from each of the 161 nations attending the local churches will not be affected by the action. The 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Yamaguchi, Japan, was LDS Church discontinues its relationship with BSA. invited to participate in the forum. Greg Godwin serves UM churches add 377 new Scout units. The World as the only clergy delegate to the international event. Scout Jamboree is held at The Bechtel Summit Reserve in Mt. Hope, West Virginia. 45,000 Scouts 2016 from around the world and 11,000 adult volunteers attend. Thousands experience the Duty to God in Phil Howard is elected chair of the Scouting North America marking the first World Jamboree Committee and 333 scouting ministry specialists work presentation of Duty to God. with 6,500 UM congregations with 320,000 young people in 10,000 Scout units. The Office of Scouting Ministry helps provide 10,000 New Testaments to 2020 Scouts at four high-adventure centers. Twenty-four The UMC and Boy Scouts of America celebrate their Scout leaders receive advance training at the Bechtel 100th year of formal partnership. P.R.A.Y. classes Summit Training Course. P.R.A.Y. welcomes Jason and troop and pack meetings are moved on-line as Noland as executive director. the nation struggles with the Covid 19 virus.

2017 Larry Coppock is named top executive of Strength for Service and the commission begins a search for a new director of scouting ministries. Fifteen

UM clergy serve as chaplains to the 30,000 participants in the National BSA Jamboree and 35 volunteers provide information about the UMC in the Faith and Belief exhibit area of the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, W.Va. An estimated 12,000 Scouts visit the exhibit. Twenty-five Scout leaders gather for a Scouting Ministry Workshop at the BSA Florida Sea Base. UM Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball blesses the elements of Holy Communion during the 2017 National Scout Jamboree at

the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, W. Va.

14 BSA Executive became a good swimmer, Michael B. Surbaugh learned first aid (which has come in very handy several 100 Years of Mike served as the chief times in my life), learned SCOUTING executive of the BSA from basic leadership skills (and 2015 to 2019. He earned his found that I could be good at Eagle Scout award in Troop it), and developed some self- 360 in Bethel Park (Pa.) confidence.” UMC, and he served on the Famous Scouts who belonged to staff of the Allegheny Trails Council. The Rev. Greg Godwin BSA Executive Joseph Merton. Greg has attended two World and eight troops chartered by UM churches National Jamborees. He was part of the Chaplain Crisis As a member of the Intervention Team for the 2005 National Jamboree Tuskegee Airmen when four Scout leaders were killed when a metal pole Astronaut Neil President George W. Bush in World War II, for a dining tent hit a power line. He has also served as Armstrong Merton flew 28 coordinator for the Protestant Worship Services and the Former President Bush combat missions UM Communion service at the jamborees. Greg has also In the late 1950s, Armstrong signed was a member of the UMC. over Germany and served as chair of the BSA’s Protestant Working Group up at a Methodist Church to lead Joseph Merton reads Boys’ Life magazine During the 2005 National he became top a Boy Scout troop. The paperwork with J.L. Tarr, BSA chief executive. for the Religious Relationships Jamboree, the former Cub executive of the asked the applicant about his National Committee, and vice-chair Scout told 40,000 Scouts, BSA Older Youth religious beliefs. Armstrong wrote of the Scouting Ministry Advisory “Through your Good Turn Division in 1977. In that role, he reminded America in “Deist.” On his 1969 trip to the Committee for the commission. for America initiative, that scouting isn’t just for families in the suburbs. He moon, Armstrong sent a radio Scouts have given more retired in the early 1990s and died in 1995 at age 71. Greg Pope message to wishing Scouts a good time while camping than 1.4 million hours of volunteer service this year at the National BSA Jamboree in Idaho. He carried a alone ... On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank the Bishop Will Willimon Greg is an Eagle Scout instrumental World Scout Badge to the surface of the Moon and Boy Scouts for serving on the front line of America’s in reestablishing Troop back. The badge is on display at the World Scout Bureau armies of compassion.” Willimon says the work he 47 chartered to Hixson office in Geneva, Switzerland. completed for his God and UMC in Chattanooga Senator Hubert Humphrey Country Award was instrumental Tenn. He enlisted Astronaut Roger Chaffee in his call to the ministry. The his father to serve as The future senator was born in a bishop of the Birmingham Area Scoutmaster. In 1983, The astronaut who died in the Apollo room over his father’s drugstore is a former assistant scoutmaster Greg was selected 1 disaster, was a member of Troop 15 Greg Pope as a youth. in Wallace, S.D. His father was a and is currently a district committee member. He as the BSA’s youth (later renumbered 215) chartered by licensed pharmacist who served attended the 1960 National Scout Jamboree in Colorado representative to the Trinity Methodist Church of Grand as mayor. The family later moved Springs. His son, William, is an Eagle Scout. sixth World Scout Forum. As an adult he served several Rapids, Mich. He earned his first merit to Huron, S.D. where Humphrey years on the UMM Foundation Board, as commissioner badge at the age 13. After becoming an attended Huron Methodist for the and Southern Region Eagle Scout in 1951, he earned another Bishop He soo Jung Church and became scoutmaster Area 6. He was also active in Strength for Service. He ten merit badges, for which he was The bishop says he was a Boy of the church’s Boy Scout Troop is an author and respected authority in the fields of awarded the bronze and gold palms. Scot in Kwan Hwa, South Korea. 6. He started basketball games in philanthropy and not-for-profit leadership. As an astronaut, Chaffee was part of the church basement. “In some ways it was a lot like p the delegation NASA sent to the Philmont Scout Ranch to ara-military training. "There was Larry Coppock study geology. Governor Rick Perry a lot of tension living near the de- militarized zone that separated Larry’s dad died when Larry President Gerald Ford The former governor of Texas North and South Korea, and we were trained was eight and he never had from 2000 to 2015, Perry about ways to deal with disaster. It was a lot like the opportunity to be a Scout Ford was an Episcopalian, but he also served as secretary of “Energy participating in the Korean military. as a youth. He became a was a member of the troop chartered from 2017 to 2019. Perry was a professional scouter at age by Trinity Methodist Church. He was member of Tarrytown UMC in Bishop Lindsey Davis 27 when he served three Boy in the troop from 1925 to 1930. He Austin. He was an Eagle Scout Scout councils from 1979- became an Eagle Scout in 1927. In in a Methodist Church and the The bishop says he was a member LARRY TAKES A BREAK FROM 1992. That experience laid the SEA BASE TRAINING IN 2013 1970, when Ford was House Minority BSA later honored him with the of a Boy Scout troop at Asbury UMC foundation him to become TO VISIT KEY WEST. Leader, he received the Distinguished Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. in Durham, N.C. He says, “It was director of scouting ministries Eagle Scout Award. Ford became through that scouting involvement for the General Commission on UM Men in 1997. president in 1974 and died in 2006. that I was introduced to camping, During 21 years as the director, he made an impact 16 the youth and adults through the creation of new Gil Hanke awards, the introduction of new training events, and Gil was in BSA for a few years recruiting chaplains for national jamborees. in the 1960s, at his church, Dulin Methodist Church in Falls Church, Va. His scouting Steven Scheid career was uneventful, but Steven started in Cub Scouts fun. In 1991, Gil became the when he was eight years old. He Tiger Cub coach for son Carl continued through scouting to at Perritte Memorial UMC, in receive the Arrow of Light and Nacogdoches, Texas.. In 2003, Carl and Gentry Hanke Eagle Scout rank. He has served Carl Hanke became an Eagle as adviser to Venture Crew 518 Steven Scheid with Scout in Troop 107, and now and assistant scoutmaster and long time Scouter John works for BSA as a field director, at the Last Frontier chaplain in Troop 518. He is a Anderson of Alaska. Council, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Carl’s daughter, three-bead leader. Gentry, is in now a Wolf in Pack 3335 and is working on Through teaching God and Life, her God and Me. Gil serves as the charter organization he accepted a call to the pastoral ministry. Upon the representative for Pack 2862, which meets at Antioch retirement of Larry Coppock, Steven became the director (Tenn) UMC where he and his wife are members. of the Center for Scouting Ministries.

. All I need To Know A Sunday school teacher decided to have his second grade class learn Psalm 23. He gave the kids a month to memorize the whole chapter. One of the girls was really excited Today's lesson: about it, but she simply couldn't memorize the Psalm. Although she practiced hard, she could Psalm 23 hardly get past the first few lines. So the day came for the children to recite Psalm 23 before the school board and that little girl was nervous. When her turn came, she stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, "The Lord is my Shepherd and that's all I need to know!"

18 Scott had 17 students enrolled Methodist Scout Week in a God & Me class and 13 students in a God & Family Based on the success of the 100 Years of class for an entire week. He Scouters Religious Academy, SCOUTING held a one-hour daily session two other faith-based Scouting for five consecutive days with conferences went virtual. each class completing their Methodist Scout Week, which requirements for their award. had been scheduled at Philmont This virtual P.R.A.Y. Day Camp is a great example of Training Center for the week of taking advantage of an opportunity to be in ministry Faith-based Scouting in a COVID world July 4, was cancelled in early May with our youth. By Chris Karabinos because of the virus. Steven Scheid, executive director of the Center for Scouting Ministries, made the decision District Roundtables immediately after the successful academy meeting to Another example is when the Northern Ridge District convert Methodist Scout Week to an online conference. It’s fascinating to see how creative Scouts and Scout of almost any type of Scout event within a 6-8 week () decided to host their April The first virtual Methodist Scouters Conference was leaders have become during the COVID shutdown of period. By mid-July, most Scout organizations Roundtable (adult training meeting) virtually on held via Zoom on June 27-28 with six hours of course our world. (packs, troops, crews, districts, councils, national April 16th. I led a breakout session called “Building content presented in two three-hour sessions. It, too, organizations in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) had Scouting as a Ministry” as one of five breakout Like everything else in the country, Scouting shut was a major success as there were Methodist Scouters widely adopted virtual events as a key part of their sessions that night. The district continues to host down abruptly in mid-March, then people figured out from 25 states in attendance. Feedback following the program, if not the core part of their program, until monthly Roundtables virtually and will do so until things were going to stay that way for a while. event was extremely positive. things open back up. COVID-19 recedes. We had to figure out quickly how we were going to eat, BSA Virtual Interfaith Week get medical care and continue to work. Were we going to Troop Meetings Scouters Religious Academy (SRA) attend church, go out to eat, and get our hair cut? Our kids The other faith-based conference to go virtual this year For example, Troop One of the more interesting had to learn how to go to school virtually and whether was the National BSA’s 143, chartered by Johns events held virtually this they could continue with extra-curricular activities. Interfaith Conference Creek (Ga.) UMC has year due to the virus was the originally scheduled for been holding merit badge annual Scouters Religious Out of this confusion, some Scout leaders figured Philmont over a two- clinics on their traditional Academy (SRA) on May 16. out pretty quickly they could use the virtual meeting week period in early July. troop meeting night since Originally scheduled as an platforms they use at work, like Zoom and Teams, to Since their in-person the third Monday in April. They are conducting rank on-site training conference in conduct Scout meetings for leaders and Scouts. event was also cancelled due to the virus, the National advancement sessions, Scoutmaster Conferences and Atlanta, the United Methodist Boards of Review online. Religious Relations Committee of the BSA converted We first started seeing Boy Scout Councils hold Committee on Scouting of the their conference to a full schedule that included an training and roundtable sessions via Zoom. Then North Georgia Conference changed the conference They participated in the Atlanta Area Council’s virtual incredible 60 courses over a seven-day period, June some troops held troop meetings virtually. Girl Scout to a virtual event in late March with only a seven- in late April and have had leaders attend council 29 – July 5; all via Zoom. The virtual Interfaith Week troops were also having meetings online. By the end week notice. They decided to test the idea in a virtual and district training sessions virtually in the spring. attracted hundreds of Scout leaders from almost every of April, councils were having virtual with format rather than cancel the event to see what state in the U.S. and several foreign countries. It was an families camping in their own backyards and dialing would happen. Many packs, troops, crews and posts have been incredible event as well. into community gatherings with other Scout families holding activities and events online while venturing Rather than the 75-100 attendees they were expecting around their city, state and country. outside with some activities observing safe physical As these events are assessed for future consideration, at an in-person event, they had more than 300 people distancing practices. the North Georgia Conference Scout team has already attend a six-hour Saturday conference via Zoom. The creativity in using Zoom and other virtual set its next virtual Scouters Religious Academy for platforms to replace almost any kind of Scout activity One of the interesting and unintended benefits of this Word-of-mouth excitement about this program October 2021, although they will also host an in-person was astonishing. The ubiquity, ease-of-access and virtual scouting world is that many Scouts now view being delivered virtually over a new platform brought academy in April 2021. They see the value in hosting low cost of Zoom helped power a quick virtualization Scouting as more interesting in some ways since it attendees from 42 states, including Alaska, Hawaii, both type conferences and hope other conferences may uses technology in a way they are comfortable with. and five countries. Girl Scouts leaders were one- offer virtual and in-person conferences too. third of the group with priests and ministers also in Chris Karabinos is Scout Coordinator It’s truly interesting to see how the COVID-19 virus of the North Georgia Conference P.R.A.Y. Programs attendance. Forty-seven percent of participants were has caused us to think outside the box in terms of having served as a Boy This virtual transformation includes Faith-based Roman Catholic, 37 percent were Protestant and the at the pack, troop, crew, church and delivering the Scout program and how we now realize Scouting as well. For example, the Rev Scott Pickering, rest from Hindu, Jewish, and Eastern Orthodox faith Boy and council levels that this brings new opportunities, if one is willing to for 20 years and as North Georgia CSC pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Newnan, Ga., led communities. Feedback in the chat rooms online view it that way. for 4 years. He has also served on the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) during the event and via the survey post conference Methodist Scout Week training staff the past three years and is director for classes via Zoom in April. was overwhelmingly positive. This experience show May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us the 2021 course at Philmont next June. Scouting virtually can actually grow an event. until we meet again..

20 UMMEN • FALL 2020 21 UM Men INSIGHTS Thinking about the future larger groups, however the genius of the Wesleyan movement was the Class Meeting. This must be a As we continue to move forward, we must priority for ministry as we move ahead. embrace the lessons we have learned over the last several months. Third, given the opportunity, men will always fall back into a habit of busyness. Men need to develop First, we cannot go back to the way it was. Like a better way to be less busy and spend more time in it or not, COVID-19 has taught us there are new relationships with God and others. We can’t go back ways to gather and communicate. While face-to- For men’s ministry to continue to thrive, men By the Rev. Dr. Rick Vance face communication is the best way to develop relationships, we must not forget that there will be need to continue to implement the strategies those who can not gather with a group in person. we have learned. We have learned they can be included utilizing The corona virus has been one of the most As a world and as a ministry, we are facing realities on-line prayer gatherings in the last five months technology like video conferencing. that we would have never dreamed possible. than in any other five-month period in recent years. devastating events I have experienced. Through Second, while fellowship is important, helping this, however I believe we have seen the resilient When we concluded the National Association of Less busy men “thrive through Christ” occurs when men nature of our men and men’s leaders that gives me Conference Presidents, we never thought that study together, pray together and hold each other hope for the new reality we are and will live in. God would be the last in-person meeting to date. The major reason for this change is that we have accountable in intentional small groups. John has and will continue to be faithful in guiding us been forced to be less busy. Wesley believed that people should gather in into the future. Our job is to be open to the moving Within a few weeks of that early March meeting, of God’s spirit. not only were meetings cancelled, we were also not Simply put, COVID-19 slowed us down. meeting in person in our churches. Most businesses were closed and most people were working from In Subversive Spirituality, Eugene Peterson home. While not stopped, ministry slowed down. By writes: “Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It the middle of March, members of the commission is essentially laziness. It is doing the easy thing staff were working from their homes. instead of the hard thing. It is filling our time with our own actions instead of paying attentions to Call for more resources God’s actions. It is taking charge.”

In April, the commission began to get requests Many men have found that becoming less busy from men throughout our UM connection for Bible frees them to have closer relationships with God study and small-group resources. Men began and with each other. looking for new ways to connect with other men for accountability. Acceptance of new technology

It seemed that the physical distancing and slowing Another observation from the new COVID-19 period down of schedules were providing men with the is that all men, young and old, have accepted new time to look for a new meaning in their lives. technological ways to connect.

Since the spread of COVID-19, leaders of UM men The normal way for men to gather has been the in- have been meeting regularly for prayer and support. person breakfast meetings.

More men have been involved in UM Men- Since COVID-19 men have been meeting through sponsored leadership training, Class Meetings and on-line video chats. Even men who have said they were too old to learn this new technology, have begun to embrace the opportunities to meet screen-to-screen with other men. Local churches, conferences and jurisdictions have now embraced video conferencing as a way of not only meeting for business but also for fellowship. Several churches The Rev. Dr. Rick Vance is are having virtual breakfasts, and many are director of the Center for Men’s engaged in on line Class Meetings and Bible studies. Ministries at the General Commission on UM Men.

22 UMMEN • FALL 2020 23 In the fall of 1904, Rickey was UM Men named athletic director and INSIGHTS coach of the baseball, basketball and football teams at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.

Rickey debuted with the St. Louis Branch Rickey served as vice-president Browns in 1905, and was traded to the Highlanders in 1907, Rickey could neither hit nor of the Wesley Brotherhood field while with the club, and his and Branch Rickey batting average dropped below .200. One opposing team stole 13 bases in one game while Rickey going to bed. “It’s the best way to get closer to By 1928, the Wesley Brotherhood of the Methodist I’m doing this because you are a great ball player was catcher, which was minor league record until God,” Robinson said, and then the second baseman Episcopal Church adopted a slogan: “A million and a fine gentleman.” 1911. Rickey also injured his throwing arm and added with a smile, “and a hard-hit ground ball.” Methodist men making the mind of the Master their retired at the end of the season. In 1935, Robinson enrolled in John Muir High main motive and mission.” Rickey’s roots School where he played shortstop and catcher on The Men’s Work Commission consisted of 30 men. Rickey was born in Stockdale, Ohio, in 1881. And the baseball team, quarterback on the football Edgar T. Welch, president of the Welch Grape Juice he played football and baseball for Valley High team, and guard on the basketball team. He also Company, served as president School in Lucasville, Ohio. In 1899, he entered won the broad jump with the track team. Methodist-related where Branch Rickey, then vice-president of the St. Louis After high school, Robinson attended UCLA, where he played baseball and football. Following his 1903 Baseball Team, served as first vice he was the first person to letter in four varsity graduation, Rickey was named coach of the school’s president. sports in a single year. baseball team while playing football for the Shelby Blues football team with Charles Follis, the first During his 10-year career with Major League Rickey signs Jackie Robinson Black professional football player. Baseball, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six In 1942, Rickey moved from the Cardinal Rickey says his inspiration for bringing Robinson consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954, and organization to become manager of the Brooklyn into baseball derived from the mean manner in won the National League Most Valuable Player Dodgers. Five years later he signed Jackie Robinson which teammates treated his Black catcher Charles Jackie Robinson speaks to the Boy Scouts Award in 1949. He played in six World Series and to a minor league contract. Thomas in 1903 and 1904. contributed to the Dodgers’ 1955 World Series championship. “He’s a Methodist, I’m Rickey as a Cardinal Rickey then entered the University of Michigan a Methodist... And God’s where he studied for his Bachelor of Law degree Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of a Methodist; we can’t go while coaching the baseball team. wrong,” said Rickey. Fame in 1962 and died in 1972. Following service as an Army officer in World War I, Robinson was quickly moved he served with the St. Louis Cardinals organization Jackie Robinson slides into second. from the minors to the until 1942 when he began his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers where he became Dodgers. He coached until 1950 and died in 1965. the first African-American player in the major leagues. Robinson’s roots Rickey told Robinson, “We Born January 31, 1919, in Pasadena, Calif., Robinson can’t fight our way through was influenced by the Rev. Karl Downs, pastor of this. We’ve got no army. Scott Methodist Church where the ballplayer’s There’s virtually nobody mother, Mallie, attended services. Downs helped on our side. No owners. Robinson develop his faith. No umpires. Very few newspapermen. And I’m Rickey spoke often about his faith, but Robinson afraid many fans will be kept his faith quiet. hostile. We’ll be in a tough position. We can win only if At one point the second base man told a reporter we convince the world that that he kneels down every night to pray before

24 UMMEN • FALL 2020 25 UM Men INSIGHTS

Time to bring hope By Louis Johnson

In our silence, following the brutal killing of Men, we express our unity today and forever, under Ahmaud Arbery, we are complicit in yet another one God, unified under one spirit to put the world tragedy against an unarmed Black man. In our on notice that we stand on one accord to: silence, and misguided priorities, we have given, yet again, tacit approval to man’s inhumanity to Embrace legislation to establish statutes against man. In our silence, we relinquish all power vested hate crimes and require our government to in us to bring light to a dark and angry world. eliminate all barriers and impediments to true justice for all. We, my dear brothers, are not powerless to affect change in this instance. Indeed, we are called to Propose solutions and collaborative opportunities act. We will not yield to the doers of evil. Instead, that bridge the divide between us through education today, we stand up and let our light shine as men and understanding. of God. Let us set aside our politics and worldly Teach together, preach together, and pray together aspirations, acknowledging that perpetrators and with one message of love, truth, and justice. victims alike, are our brothers and it is incumbent upon us to lead our families, our communities, our Bring down the walls of racism that separate us. churches, and our nation out of this intolerable and despicable American nightmare. Eliminate violence against women and girls.

Yes, it is on us to restore hope to what appears to We call upon UM men to bring into being a new be a hopeless situation. Our nation aches for our America where lives of Black men have the same leadership. value as the lives of White men, where every man is free to live the American dream, where our Asian We are required as leaders and fishers of men to and Latino brothers are valued because they are call on our brothers (Black and White, Asian, and children of God. Hispanic) God’s men from every corner of the earth to say, “No more.” Let us seek peace and respect Let us never be silent again. We stand together like God’s creations. No man is entitled to take the David, armed with the power of God, with our rag life of another nor can we retreat to the comfort and our stone, fearless to slay this mighty Goliath of our church pews in quiet, shameful, and silent called racism and bigotry. This colossal giant cowardice. This is not what God would have us to was constructed through hatred and systematic do. This is not how Jesus would have us to behave injustice for over 400 years in America. Let us toward one another and therefore, my brothers, bring him down together once and for all – unafraid because we know better, we must do better. – leaving him still and quieted forevermore.

Louis Johnson is president of UM Men of the North Georgia Conference and second vice president of the Southeastern Jurisdiction UM Men.

26 Talent, creativity, and intelligence do not recognize I have worked on statewide assessments still in UM Men color, but opportunities have been limited for use for the State of California and taught courses INSIGHTS African Americans and other people of color. for Boston College. Educational inequity impacts people for life by limiting access to economic When will this nation take steps to ensure our opportunities. future, and make opportunities available for all? No one deserves to die like George Floyd! And, far Economic inequity –– Personal experience too many African Americans and other people of color have been victims of a system stacked against I have been an entrepreneur my entire life, I am them. Our police must be held accountable, not The foundation of racism also an African American man. So, I have seen the disbanded. Our companies, leaders, politicians, By Reginald Grant greatness and opportunities that America offers but institutions, and the government will be held I have also seen and experienced the inequities of accountable one way or another. America. In my opinion, the most significant thing ever Partially because of the brutal killing of George Constitution has not protected African Americans African Americans and other people of color do stated by Martin Luther King was “Our lives begin Floyd, systematic racism is now viewed as one of and other people of color. And, for clarification: not want nor need a hand-out, we just want the to end the day we become silent about things that the biggest issue facing our nation and the world. looters and thieves should be punished, peaceful opportunity to compete without the additional matter.” protesters should not. But, African Americans, and other people of color, burden of systemic, institutionalized racism. The So, where do we go from here? Technology will have lived with racism for generations. African Americans and other people of color must barriers to capital, quality education, and jobs continue to be a window into every action and be treated with the same respect as other members impact the entire nation and reduces productivity. inaction. What are you going to do? The decision In spite of a long history of stolen and enslaved of our society. people, stolen property, stolen intellectual During my 17 years as a certificated English teacher, is yours and will determine how we move forward I saw firsthand the inequities in the educational from here. property, and cultural misappropriation, it took a Resistance to change brief video of George Floyd’s death to ignite and system. I taught students in urban Los Angeles in some of the worst schools in America. I also taught Will you be a part of the solution or a part of the bring the racial injustice to the forefront. The spotlight is shining bright on people in power extremely wealthy students and international problem? who resist change, but like the dinosaurs, they will Technology allowed the issues to unify the mindset students and the inequities are real. become extinct. of diverse people around the world. They unite in calling for improved police practices, equal access Those who do not understand that the world is a to capital, and access to equitable justice. diverse and different place are like ostriches who put their heads in the sand. Perfect storm highlights racial inequities The adage “the only thing guaranteed is change” is appropriate in the new wave of change It took the perfect storm to focus the attention on racial inequities and injustice. I did not say a good Companies and governments now have an opportunity storm; people dying from COVID-19, without access to to address systemic, institutionalized racism. enough food, a lack of access to medical care, and the negative economic impact, are all bad. But, economic America’s superpower inequity is the underlying foundation for racism. A Diversity is America’s superpower, a power we have lack of access to medicine, access to opportunities, and refused to fully embrace. access to education, all of this is enforced by systems that discriminate because of race. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group found that diversity increases the bottom line Protesting is based upon the fundamental rights for companies. The study found that “increasing spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. But, the the diversity of leadership teams leads to more and better innovation and improved financial performance.” A study of 1,700 different companies across eight countries found that increasing diversity has a direct effect on the bottom line. Reginald Grant is a member Companies that have more diverse management of the General Commission on teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation UM Men, a business strategist, and inclusive teams make better business decisions former NFL player, and a retired English teacher up to 87% of the time.

28 UMMEN • FALL 2020 29 UM Men INSIGHTS Give Day October 19,

For I am convinced that neither Covid 19, Former funding nor racial tension, neither our presence sources are in worship, nor our absence, neither struggling, and, last year, a poverty of resources, nor divisions your generosity within our denomination, will be able to allowed us provide a myriad of faith- separate us from the love of God that is in building opportunities Christ Jesus our Lord. while finishing in the black. We are called to reach and disciple more men and Consider this––in the last six months hundreds of –A paraphrase of Romans 8:38-39 more youth, and the demand for more materials men and women, clergy and lay people across this in men’s and scouting ministries dramatically country joined in a grass-roots prayer ministry. They increased during this year. Paul assures us that no matter how many met together electronically and prayed for three difficulties we face some 2.000 years after he hours in five different settings. These were sponsored In spite of the increased costs, we are writing walked this planet, nothing can separate us from by United Methodist Men in the five U.S. jurisdictions. and producing much needed new print and the love of God. This is unprecedented. These men and women are electronic resources. hungry for more training and more resources. Three easy and safe The only question we face is, “How will we respond We are also bracing for a dramatic increase in travel ways to contribute: to this ever-present gift?” Also, within the last six months, hundreds once this pandemic is behind us. Yes, Zoom is of scouting volunteers have been trained by serving us well, but face-to-face meetings with new The General Commission on United Methodist Men professionals reflecting our work with youth in BSA, users will be important as we move forward. understands we face postponed events and division Girl Scouts, Campfire, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. within our church, our country, our culture. We In 2020, we trained more leaders in these areas than We were fortunate to have completed the meetings Text: know we can’t do what we used to do because of any previous year. and elections of the National Association of pandemics, distrust, disappointment, limited Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men and UMMen to 44321 resources, and uncertainty. When face-to-face events were cancelled, our work the United Methodist Men Foundation just weeks continued and expanded through technological before the pandemic hit the U.S. Each of these new Never-the-less, leaders in men’s and scouting processes. We lead the nation in these partnerships, leaders hopes your commission staff can help them Click: here ministries have done the unthinkable. We are and these volunteers want multiple days of training, in their context when travel is again possible. expanding our ministries. not just a 60-minute webinar. Paul assures us that neither life nor death can We invite you to join our expansion team on And in the last six months multiple new Class separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Send a check to: October 19, our second annual Give Day. Meetings have been created. Three eight-week Jesus our Lord. We are expanding opportunities to P.O. Box 440515. trainings were held at the same time, and each share that good news and we hope you will join us in The “why” is simple, there is a need to dramatically member of those classes started new trainings on that effort on Oct. 19. Nashville, TN 37244-0515 expand our discipleship opportunities for men and The Class Meetings within their context. These young people, and we have found ways to make that trained volunteers came from every U.S. jurisdiction. happen. We combined replication with transformation.

30 UMMEN • FALL 2020 31 A link to all five National Days of Prayer is located here.

UM Men In addition to the five National Days of Prayer GCUMM INSIGHTS issued a book of UM Men Prayers for Peace with Justice. That book can be downloaded here.

UM Men sponsor five national days Don’t go back to normal, says bishop In the fifth UM National Day of Prayer, sponsored by UM Men of the South Central Jurisdiction, of prayer Louisiana Area Bishop Cynthia Harvey noted the presence of multi-faceted pandemics, saying, “Nothing in front of us looks like anything in our rearview mirror.” Scores of men and women from across the nation a Buick Riviera, but he was not stopped when he joined in five three-hour National Days of Prayer drove a pick-up truck. While many look forward to a return to “normal,” during the months of June, July and August. The the bishop, who serves as president of the Council on-line prayer sessions were sponsored by UM Men “It should not be the responsibility of the victim of of Bishop, said she does not want to return to a in each of five U.S, jurisdictions. racism to resolve it.” place with consistent racism and divisions in the church and society. “We are on a journey of eradicating racism,” said Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Bishop She told participants in the August 23 Zoom call, “I Peggy Johnson during a June National Day of Pray Curtain ripped away pray we don’t go back to normal.” sponsored by the Northeastern Jurisdiction. “We The past few months have ripped away a curtain She suggests the virus and social distancing “have need to acknowledge white privilege [and] keep the revealing a deeply shameful, unacceptable given us time to refocus.” pressure on and do the next faithful thing instead of reality that racism is a rampant reality,” said moving on to the next flavor of the month.” Bishop Hee Soo Jung “The world is pretty dark right now,” said the bishop. “We can bring the light [and] prepare the Indiana Area Bishop Julius C. Trimble way for a better tomorrow. told participants in the fourth National Day of Prayer that in spite of “social Area Bishop Hee Soo Jung. “Our distancing” UM Men are not in whole country has been awakened to a “spiritual isolation.” painful reality.” Bishop Cynthia Harvey The Rev. John Russell The bishop said Jesus “made it crystal Trauma among young men clear that the best way to honor and serve of color Him is to welcome the stranger, comfort the afflicted, feed the hungry and visit The Rev. John Russell, a pastor at the prisoner.” University UMC in Indianapolis, He lamented the fact that Christians have a told the on-line gathering that long history of using passages of Scripture to 74 percent of young men of color justify racist behavior, but Jesus taught us to experience trauma. love our neighbor and through a parable He He told how he is routinely treated as made it clear that “those who are hated and an African-American. despised are our neighbors.”

“It is a weight we carry through life “Every human being on earth bears the without knowing it,” he said. “I know I image of God,” said the bishop. When must be better than my counterpart in one part of the body is harmed we are order to receive the same recognition.” all harmed. When George Floyd “can’t breathe,” we all can’t breathe. The pastor told how he was frequently pulled over by police when he drove

32 UMMEN • FALL 2020 33 Observing that many people are experiencing fatigue in addressing racism, Harris said the absence of effort “leads to backlash.”

“This is not a black issue,” said M y c o m f o rt e r Harris. “This is a Kingdom issue. . . Help us to see ourselves as Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young incarnational missionaries.” daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, Toxic individualism you'll get your quilt."

The Rev. Kennetha Bigham- Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later Tsai, top staff executive of the in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the UM Connectional Table, urged Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday conference participants to address school lesson was about. And the answer is? an additional pandemic: “A toxic He said "Be not A Sunday school teacher was discussing the individualism that denies mutuality afraid, thy and compassion.” Ten Commandments with her five and six year he Rev. Dr. Joe Harris presides over a comforter is olds. After explaining the commandment to session at the 2019 General Conference. coming.” “I can’t be what I ought to be until "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked "Is you are what you ought to be,” there a commandment that teaches us how to she said. She said our self-focus treat our brothers and sisters. too often makes us think of the 175,000 people who have died of COVID-19 as simple statistics Without missing a beat one little boy A fearful beginning rather than as members of grieving families; this answered, "Thou shall not kill." The Rev. Dr. Joe Harris, assistant to the Oklahoma individualism fails to recognize that the losses Area Bishop and former top staff executive of the disproportionately affect people of color. General Commission on UM Men, told participants “Compassion” derives from two Greek word ‘com’ about a black clergyman who had been appointed as a meaning ‘with’ and ‘pati’ meaning suffer. “To have district superintendent some years ago. compassion means to suffer with.” The district parsonage was located in Little Dixie, Okla. If you are suffering, I am suffering. The town had “sunset laws” which prohibited people of Travel color from being on the street after sunset, and one week “I’m not ok unless you are ok.” earlier, the Klan had passed through the community. instructions A father was approached by his The pastor was fearful about moving small son who told him proudly, into such a community, and the night The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai "I know what the Bible means!" after his move, he and his family expected to see a cross burning on their His father smiled and replied, front lawn. "What do you mean, you know what the Bible means?" That didn’t happen, and that clergyman went on to serve the district The son replied, "I do know!" for eight years. "Okay," said his father. “I was that person,” said Dr. Harris. "What does the Bible mean?"

Emphasizing what one person can do "That's easy, Daddy." the young in the face of racism, Dr. Harris said boy replied excitedly, "It stands he later learned that one individual for 'Basic Information Before had stood up and warned the Klan and Leaving Earth.' other racists not to do anything against the new superintendent.

34 UMMEN • FALL 2020 35 the Messiah for whom the Jews had waited so long. UM Men God does mighty things with people who meet and INSIGHTS study his Word – and then practice its truth.

God used the exile of the Jews for their good and his glory. Slowly they realized that God had a plan and that his plans cannot be ultimately stymied.

Preserved to the end of time The prophet Ezra tells in Second Chronicles of a By Walter Albritton mighty moment among the Jews. My heart skips a beat when I read it. The priests and heads of families “got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord A pandemic changes relationships. Time changes Judaism is an example of how God works. in Jerusalem.” They got ready! Why? Because God traditions. New sensitivities change interactions. Repeatedly the Jews have been crushed, defeated, stirred their spirits! The power of God was so real New administrations change laws. enslaved and slaughtered. But God has continued to that even King Cyrus’ heart was stirred. He returned restore them by his mighty power. Israel belongs to to the Jews the vessels that King Nebuchadnezzar Change is constant in sphere of life. God to the present hour. had desecrated by using them in pagan worship.

Church rituals also change, but in the case of God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. He has Baptism, I prefer the older ritual because of these ordained that in the end love wins and hate loses. Time for a new beginning stirring words: Those who perpetuate hate and violence can inflict We live in a time when God’s people need their suffering upon millions but the ultimate victory “The church is of God, and will be preserved to the hearts stirred again by the Spirit of God. We are belongs to God. end of time, for the conduct of worship and the due prone to forget that God is still at work in the world. administration of God’s Word and Sacraments, the The apostle Paul understood that. He was convinced Violence and disease try to rob us of hope. Divisions maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, that nothing, absolutely nothing, “will be able to cause us to take a dim view of the church. the edification of believers, and the conversion of separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our the world. All, of every age and station, stand in Lord” (Romans 8:39). Some of us become apathetic. need of the means of grace which it alone supplies.” A lesson for old Neb But the good news is that God will not leave us alone. The phrase, “Will be preserved to the end of time,” He finds us in the darkness of our disobedience and says it all. That is an important truth for the church Long ago the ruthless King Nebuchadnezzar restores our hope that his plan for the world will not to affirm. In the midst of a world that is constantly confiscated the sacred vessels of the temple. He fail. He raises up another Ezra who motivates us to changing, we need to remind ourselves that nothing destroyed the temple. No doubt he thought, “That “get ready” to do God’s bidding. He energizes us to can stop the plan God has begun in the world is the end of Judah and the end of the Judahites. do our part in completing His plan. through his church. In Christ God has opened the They are finished.” But old Neb was wrong. God door to Heaven for all who believe. No man can ever always has the last word. God had a plan, a plan that When God stirs us to action we get busy doing his shut that door! can be assaulted but not thwarted by recalcitrant will––forgiving and loving one another and sharing men. Christ with our neighbors. We find the divine energy Faith continues to do our part, no matter how small, to help the The prophet Jeremiah understood this plan. He kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our The pandemic has taught us that even when we knew God could not be defeated. The prophet was Lord and of his Christ! cannot worship together, the Christian movement convinced that God’s power was so great that he remains strong. The people whose hearts God has could even use the pagan King Cyrus to accomplish Only then––when almighty God has stirred us out touched are not dependent upon the ability to shake his purposes – and God did! When Cyrus came to of our lethargy––will we have the courage to face hands. God’s plan can be fulfilled in a variety of power over Babylonia he gave the exiled Jews the even the worst of times with joy and hope. ways. freedom to worship the God of their choice. They began to worship Yahweh more faithfully than ever before. Exile had taught them the foolishness of worshipping pagan gods.

With no temple to use for worship the Jews developed synagogue worship. In these small The Rev. Walter Albritton is groups they began to love the Holy Scriptures pastor emeritus of St. James UMC more than ever. The Jews became a people of the in Montgomery, Alabama. book, and that book was God’s Word. Out of that environment God brought forth his only Son Jesus, 36 UMMEN • FALL 2020 37 FoundationNEWS Dad's ZONE Foundation is cornerstone for One world, worlds apart UM Men ministries By Tom Tozer and Bill Black By Steve Nailor We struggle to explain to our children the death of The offspring of expectations African Americans at the hands of those entrusted to protect us. We live in a severely polarized society today. White The cornerstone is the most friends are concerned by the unbalanced burden important stone of any building. Tom’s father, a preacher, and Bill’s dad, a frequent carried by African Americans and outraged by their guest speaker, often referred to John 13:34-35, “As deaths at the hands of police. The African American This stone normally established the I have loved you, so you must love one another.” dads we know express no surprise. They have lived 90 degree angle between the front of Rather than ease the struggle, those words intensify a different experience—and those experiences … the building and the side. our mental tug of war. are the offspring of expectations and opportunity.

If the stone cutter has cut the Our reflections in the mirror reveal two privileged Our children know the names of too many black cornerstone at the northwest corner white men who insufficiently understand the Americans who have lost their lives in our nation. of a 100-foot building by 89 degree disadvantage so many men of color have endured. The rising awareness of racial divisions offers a angle instead of the 90 degree angle Too often there have been limits to the love we chance for us to talk to our children about living that one-degree error will make the have practiced. We have fallen short of Christ’s the values expressed in “love your neighbor,” and east side of the building nearly two admonition. speaking out when things are not right. feet shorter than the west side (1.74 feet). The story as familiar script Dad, we need to teach our kids by example to face the scourge of discrimination in our society. The same is true of the UM Men When we conducted interviews of African American We need to help them reach out and listen to our Foundation, this cornerstone fathers for a future book, we heard the same story over black brothers and sisters. We must help them of ministries to men and youth and over – “I tell my son, be watchful, don’t be idle. If understand that we all are one human family. It aligns the ministries of the General In 1981, the foundation was established when it you’re driving and are pulled over by the police, have does no good to think of some as “other.” We are Commission on United Methodist Men and the appeared the UMC was about to drop financial your ID out, put your hands on the steering wheel, not two ball teams; we are all on the same team. National Association of Conference Presidents of support for scouting ministries. Since that time, don’t reach for anything unless you let the officer When one hits a homer, we all hit a homer. When United Methodist Men. the foundation has supported the Office of Scouting know, be polite, and do not look him in the eye.” one strikes out, we all strike out. Ministries, the Office of Men’s Ministries, the Upper If donations to the foundation fall short by even Room Prayer Line, and evangelism opportunities. Hold it! Wait a minute! Neither one of us ever said As Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “Injustice $100, ministries to men and our youth will be that to our own children. It never occurred to us. anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are adversely affected in unsuspected way. If the cornerstone is chipped away or damaged, the caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied entire structure is endangered. One of the dads, a university administrator, told us in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one In some cases cornerstones carry a time straight up, “Every one of my friends from school directly, affects all indirectly.” capsule so if the building is ever destroyed, In recent months and years, inflation, coronavirus, is either in prison or dead.” We were stunned. We people can learn something about the early escalating needs, and compassion fatigue have didn’t know anyone in prison. formation of the building. eroded the cornerstone.

The stone is reinforced by people who honor people by inducting them into the John Wesley Society or presenting them with Life Achievement Awards. Tom Tozer and Bill Black However, those who serve as Legacy Builders are authors of Dads2Dads: (those who contribute more than $10 per month) Tools for Raising Teenagers. Like them on Facebook serve the most important role in the preservation and follow them on Twitter of this cornerstone. at Dads2Dadsllc. Contact Steve Nailor is president of them at tomandbill@ the UM Men Foundation To protect that cornerstone, CLICK HERE. Dads2Dadsllc.com. 38 UMMEN • FALL 2020 39 that squeeze the vessels closed, stopping blood begins to die. For stroke, tissue plasminogen Men's flow. This is more difficult to determine, which activator (tPA) must be administered within three HEALTH means even with sophisticated testing, problems in hours to dissolve blood clots that may be blocking women can be overlooked. blood flow to the brain.

Stroke As to whether or not you are really having a heart attack or stroke, get to the hospital quickly and As with heart disease, men and women differ in some don’t worry about being wrong. Heart attack and stroke symptoms: the ways when it comes to stroke. Again, men tend to have strokes at a younger age, but overall, more women The bottom line difference between men and women have strokes because they live longer. Men and women experience common symptoms for strokes. Heart disease and stroke are equal opportunity by Bryant Stamford destroyers of health, impacting men and women There may be sudden weakness or numbness in alike. Know the triggers and symptoms specific to the face or a limb on one side of the body. Trouble each gender and act on them immediately. Until recently, heart disease was considered a Triggers and symptoms speaking or understanding speech and severe man’s disease. One of the reasons is that men tend headache can occur. As always, prevention is the best strategy, and to have heart attacks at a younger age, and the For men, a heart attack is likely to be triggered keeping your blood pressure down pays big younger you are the more attention it gets. during exertion, things like lifting and carrying, Along with symptoms common for both men and dividends. climbing stairs, cutting the grass, etc. women, women may have “other” symptoms, In addition, women are much more concerned including hiccups, extreme fatigue, nausea, racing For every 10 point drop in systolic blood pressure, about breast cancer, believing it’s their major risk The triggering event in women is more likely to heart rate, sudden pain in the face, arm or leg. you reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke for a fatal disease. Breast cancer is, of course, a be stress than exertion. Therefore, if a woman is Unfortunately, these other symptoms often are by more than 30 percent. So, get busy exercising, major problem, especially in younger women. not exerting herself, she may ignore signals that ignored because they don’t fit the typical pattern eating right and losing weight. something is wrong. But when women hit their 50s, heart disease claims we assume will occur. more lives, and by age 75, death from heart disease For men, the key symptom that something is wrong A big item that also differs between is eight times more likely than breast cancer. is sharp, burning pain and tightness in the chest. men and women is that women are the There also can be nausea, dizziness, difficulty caretakers. When a man has a Because heart disease was believed to be a man’s breathing or pain in the upper body, neck or jaw. disease, men were the primary focus of research and problem, the women in his life little attention was paid to heart disease in women. Women differ from men and severe chest pain is less make sure he gets immediate likely. Instead, there may be unusual upper body attention. It was assumed that the established risk factors discomfort, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue Women, on the other of smoking, high blood pressure, high serum or nausea. Symptoms in women are more easily hand, are less cholesterol, lack of exercise, etc., applied equally to dismissed, which can delay medical intervention. men and women, and this is largely true. likely to speak This is a big problem because during a heart attack up about However, we now know the symptoms that signal a immediate medical attention is critical to outcomes feeling bad problem may be different, as well as the triggering and survival. and no one event, and therefore, if a woman expects to have the notices. This can same experience as a man, she may misinterpret The underlying cause of a heart attack is similar waste valuable time. what is going on. for men and women. In both cases, the problem is cutting off blood flow and oxygen supply to For heart attack, you the heart muscle. But, there also is an important have about two hours difference here as well. before heart tissue

In men, there is likely to be problems with blockage in the larger coronary arteries that impede blood flow to the heart muscle. Detecting blood flow Bryant Stamford is a problems in men is much easier because the professor of kinesiology and blockage in larger arteries is more obvious and integrative physiology at Hanover College in Indiana. easier to measure. This article is courtesy of the Louisville Courier Journal. In women, the problem of reduced oxygen supply is more likely to occur in small vessels. Damage to the inner walls of small vessels can cause spasms

40 UMMEN • FALL 2020 41 DOVER, DELEWARE OSWEGO, ILLINOIS LAPEER, MICHIGAN Wesley Church holds weekly Men serve 75 free spaghetti dinners Men provide food for community drive-thru food collection A dozen men of the Church of the Good Shepherd, The Men’s Club at Trinity UMC gave away a semi- aided by church women and youth, gave away about truck load of boxed potatoes and onions. Wesley UMC asked Dover residents to participate in a 75 spaghetti dinners at a drive-through. Drive-Thru Food Pantry Collection sponsored by the The food from the Gumz Farm in Endeavor, Wis., UM Men President Craig McGregor organized the UM Men each was delivered by the Society of St. Andrew. dinner. Donations were accepted. Wednesday morning. UM Men asked those interested in donating to pull up under the portico where UM Men would take UM Men of Dover UMC in the 1970s. food items from the trunk. Donations are given to the food pantry at the First Aisha Ackerman of Port Huron carries a box of potatoes Baptist Church in Dover. Hal Lowe sets up vehicle traffic signs for a spaghetti dinner and onions to a vehicle while event organizers Bill drive-through giveaway at Church of the Good Shepherd United Palmer and Bob Heuther speak with the food recipient. Methodist in Oswego. Photo by Al Benson. Photos by Jeff Hogan of the County Press.

AURORA, ILLINOIS

Scouts post the colors PADUCAH, , NEW YORK

Aurora Boy Scouts are Men set new standards Former member of a UM Scout bringing rental American in ramp building troop receives 2020 Pulitzer Prize flags to local residents Brian M. Rosenthal, a former member of a Scout for outdoor displays on Men of Reidland UMC, troop that meets at St. Andrews UMC in West national holidays. have, for over a quarter Lafayette, Ind., and now a writer for The New York century, provided more Through their Post the Times, received the 2020 Pulitzer Prize. Colors effort, Scouts than 800 handicap access Brian received the honor for writing “an exposé in Blackhawk Troop 11 to those who cannot safely of New York City’s taxi industry that showed how at Wesley UMC place get in and out of their lenders profited from predatory loans that shattered American flags in the homes and can’t afford to the lives of vulnerable drivers.” The investigative morning and pick up hire a contractor. report led to state and federal investigations and flags in the evening from Covid 19 has forced the sweeping reforms. sponsoring residents’ men to change their lawns. Erik Longo, 13, of Aurora, operating styles. “I try to orient my work around trying to serve places a rental flag on a others by providing accurate information and Scouts supplied American Materials are delivered to resident’s lawn during a exposing wrongdoings,” says Brian. “I am motivated flags to Aurorans who “Post the Colors” fundraiser building site. Volunteers by the same values that I learned in Scouting.” subscribed for the service. by Blackhawk Troop 11. pick a section of the ramp Photo by M. Longo. Proceeds benefit outdoor they want to complete and they come alone to build it, Brian earned the rank of Eagle in 2006 as a member Scouting programs. leaving the finished product on saw horses. of Troop 335, chartered by St. Andrews UMC. Troop 11 was chartered by Wesley Methodist Church As sections and parts are completed, they’re loaded Brian’s Eagle Scout service project was a massive in 1916 and is the second oldest troop in Illinois. onto a trailer and delivered to the recipient’s location. food drive that collected nearly 2,000 pounds of food for the needy in Lafayette. Since its inception, 181 members of Troop 11 have Teams of two work in two-hour increments to finish earned the Eagle Scout award, the ramp.

42 UMMEN • FALL 2020 43 CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA SWANSEA, SOUTH CAROLINA Scout leader receives Torch Award Hospice chaplain expresses UM Men present scholarships appreciation for devotional books Sammy Fogle, president of the Swansea Community Lyttleton Street UMC UM Men presents certificates and $500 checks to presented a Torch Award Dr. Peter Tripp, Morgan Martin and Caleb Brunson. This marks the to Art Graham for more chaplain and tenth year the men have presented scholarships to than 25 years of service bereavement deserving high school seniors. Photo by Joe Riley. to scouting. coordinator for South Carolina hospice The liaison for scouting centers, expressed Brian M. Rosenthal as a Scout and as an adult. in the church, Art served appreciation for 48 in several leadership copies of Strength positions for the Wateree for Service to God River District, and he is and Community for OCRACOKE ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA a member of the Indian frontline workers in Waters Council Executive hospice centers. “Your UM Men aid recovery effort Board. book of devotional The Cape Hatteras wrapped up their volunteer work He received the Silver messages is a true Chaplain Tripp opens a box of on Ocracoke Island after months of helping islanders Beaver Award in 2004, Godsend at such 48 devotional books. recover from Hurricane Dorian. the Wateree District Art Graham times our world is “This was our second three-week deployment since Award in 2019, The God experiencing at the present time,” said Tripp. we did one in February,” stated Dennis Carroll, and Service award in 2006, and The Cross and Flame director of Cape Hatteras UM men. in 2014. An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Art is a This time we had to do it with day trips from PICKENS, SOUTH CAROLINA Hatteras Island, which made for very long days. graduate of Northeastern University in Boston (B.A. We tried to keep skilled workers there which was and M.B.A.). Men build information kiosks NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS a challenge. In a few cases, we had to hire [people He opened Graham Realty Inc. in Camden in 1974. UM Men of Porter’s Chapel UMC completed two with] much-needed special skills, using funds Ministry gives devotional books to He is the father of two Eagle Scout sons and a information kiosks for Hagood Mill Historic Site earmarked for Ocracoke.” health workers daughter, and he has five grandchildren. and Folklife Center. This follows the building of two Eighteen people participated during this latest Bob Hurst, a member of the Strength for Service Lyttleton UMC received the Bishop’s Award of firewood kiosks at Asbury Hills a few years ago. three-week window, with some volunteers going Board of Directors provided copies of Strength for Excellence for sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 303, BSA to Ocracoke Island for one day, and others heading Service to God and Community to health workers at Troop 303 and GSUSA Troop 1961, with the Rev. across the inlet for multiple days at a time. Nacogdoches hospitals. Michael Arant, pastor. The men also provided 12 trailers for people living in areas of repeated flooding for which there is no government funding.

Bob Hurst presents boxes of books of daily devotions to Carmen Mike Vercruysse helps finish work on an office. Willis, a geriatric and bariatric surgeon and chaplain of the

44 UMMEN • FALL 2020 45 Society of St. Andrew Gleaning America's Fields Feeding America's Hungry

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