.A ...,. NEW WORLD OUTLOOK Sustaining the Work of Mission I • Publisher R. Randy Day How does a church find the remnants of a congregation after 50 years Editor of repression and systematic dismantling of religious institutions by Christie R. Hou e the state? Is it worth digging into the past to find the answer? Art Director Designer The United Methodist churches of Eastern Europe, Lithuania, Latvia, 4 Frank DeGregorie Hal adler and Russia have had to answer this question over the last two decades. Prod11ctio11 Ma11ager Churches in areas controlled by the former Soviet Union have emerged Brenda L. Carr and are growing today, but in most cases, they started anew because of Editorial Assistar1t/Periodicals the strength and conviction of a remnant. It is worth digging up the past Patricia Y. Bradley 16 because God is faithful and God's covenants are real to the people Editorial Office bound by them, even over time and memory. As the world changes, Christie R. Hou e 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1476 governments change and national boundaries change. But even as New York, NY 10115 the names of former denominations change, God's promises remain 19 212 / 870-3765 constant and God's love sustains the people who follow the example of E-mail : [email protected] Christ, seeking earnestly to be disciples, the followers of Christ. Website: http://gbgm-umc.org/ nwo / In some cases, congregations were recovered because a pastor or 22 layperson kept a photograph of a children's Sunday school class from Advertisi11g/Pro111o tio11 Director Edward Moultrie the 1930s or 1940s. Fifty years later, the families of the children who 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1472 attended the church could be traced from the photograph and invited ew York, Y 10115 212 /870-3784 back to join the church they knew as children. Whole families have joined the church and brought others with them. Published bimonthly by the General Board of These growing churches that have reconnected with the United 28 Global Ministries of The United Method ist Church. (ISSN-0043-8812) Methodist family will be a topic of discussion at the upcoming General Conference. How to train new pastors and sustain them in their vocation Periodicals postage paid at ew York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2003 by in sputtering economies is a challenge for the whole church. As Robert 32 the General Board of Global Ministries of The Harman reminds us in his article, "A Personal Faith with a Global United Methodist Church. o part of New World Outlook may be reproduced in any fo rm without Embrace: Realizing a Connectional Mission" (p. 23), the strength of our written permission from the Editor. church is not only its individual congregations but the way in which Printed in U.S.A. they relate to each other all around the world in connection. 34 Other ministries covered in this issue that depend and thrive on the New World Outlook editorials and unsigned arti­ cles reflect the views of the editors and signed support of the United Methodist connection are Communities of articles the views of authors only. Shalom (p. 32), The National Hispanic Plan (p. 16), Asian Language 36 Unsolicited manuscripts will be acknowledged Ministries (p. 34), the Program on Substance Abuse and Related only if used. Otherwi e, the editors cannot be Violence (p. 19), Ministries with the Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of responsible for returning them. Hearing, and Deaf-Blind (p. 36), and the emerging churches supported Report change of address to: New World Outlook, by the first-ever United Methodist telethon (p. 40). P.O. Box 548, Newburgh, New York 12551. Send old address label if possible. Allow at least Coverage of these kinds of vital ministries-supported by the 40 30 days notice. Or call 1-800-218-4014. whole connection of The United Methodist Church and assigned by POSTMASTER: Send address changes directly to General Conference to the General Board of Global Ministries, in con­ New World Outlook, P.O. Box 548, Newburgh, New junction with other United Methodist agencies-will continue in the York 12551. Subscriptions in the United States and Possessions: One year $15.00 (combination with next issue of New World Outlook. DEPA Response, $28.00). Single copies $3.00. Two years $26.00. All foreign countries: One year $20.00 (combination with Res po11 se, $30.00). Church Christie R. House Subscription Program: 5 or more one-year sub­ 2 scriptions for $12 each.

To Give to the Advance: 22 For United Methodists: Make the check out to your local church and write the Advance name and code number on Photo/Art Credits: page 45. the check. Give your gift to your church treasurer so that your local church and annual conference receive Advance 27 credit. Outside UM channels: Make the check payable to 11 Advance GCFA" with the project name and code Cover: by Richard Lord. A young partici­ number on the check. Send the check to Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY l 0087 -9068. To pant enj oys the United Methodist summer contribute with o credit cord, coll l-888-252-617 4. 42 camp in Bratislava, Slovakia. All Advance projects ore also eligible for Supplementary Gifts through United Methodist Women's giving channels. 43

2 NEW WORLD OlITLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMB ER 2003 New Series Vol. LXIV, No. 2 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK W~ole Series Vol. XCllI, No ..6 ew World Outlook NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003

0y eil!\ 0nsbr MISSION ASSIGNMENTS FROM GENERAL CONFERENCE

atvi~ 2cades. 4 Eastern European Churches in the 21st Century erged by Christie R. House, photos by Richard Lord ause of epasi 16 The National Plan for Hispanic Ministry: 2001-2004 Quadrennium people by Elf S. Rivera anges, ven as remain 19 Changing the Drinking Culture on College Campus aple ol by Sar/a Chand

;tor or 22 Issues in Global Mission Policy and Practice: Introduction by R. Randy Day s from n who A Personal Faith with a Global Embrace: Real izing a Connectional Mission nvited by Robert J. Harman ; have

Jnited 28 The Church in North Korea ~nerru by Youngsook C. Kang and Gail V. Coulson cation ~obe rt 32 Communities of Shalom: Realizing the Vision ~ lobru by Lynda Byrd of our which 34 Learning the Language of Parents: Vietnamese Children in the New World

) fl the by Betty Backstrom ies of guage 36 On the Road with a Story to Tell : National Comm ittee on Ministries elated with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind People 1rd of 1orted by Peggy Johnson and Carol Stevens

ly the 40 In Mission Together for Christ and the World ed by Announcing a new event for mission support 1 con· In the DEPARTMENTS

House 2 Sustaining the Work of Mission

22 Statement of Ownership

mlier 1111 27 Reader Response ~avo nre no roae 1068. lo 42 Mission Memo ~on n ek . 36 19 43 Bulletin Inserts on Mission

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 3 RN EUROPEAN RCHES IN THE 21ST CENTURY Central and Bishop Heil Althoug each counb BY PHO T OS AN D INTERVIEWS BY RICHARD LORD founded in by returnin _..... __ he dissolution of the Soviet Union in States or fa 1991 sent far-reaching ripples across Asia lished soci< and Eastern Europe. Even before Mikhail munity cen

Gorbachev stepped down and Boris of Europe 1 Yeltsin became Russia's democratically throughout elected president, the Communist regimes of Hungary, change oul Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia dissolved under pressure Europe eitf from popular movements encouraged by the fall of the of German Berlin Wall in 1989. By 1993, Czechoslovakia, under its signed' the 1 new president, long-time human rights activist Vaclav revolution Havel, peacefully divided into the Czech Republic and The ME Slovakia (or the Slovak Republic). Yugoslavia, on the because of other hand, was shattered by violence and split into five of the hum different countries. from the I Although political changes happened quickly in South; Me' the early 1990s, the economic and social changes that Brethren iI accompanied political gains proved awkward and therefore s1 painful. The Soviet system undergirded the economic World Wai foundations of the Warsaw Pact countries. It provid­ persecuted ed an outlet for the countries' industry, goods, and Chief ai resources. Under the Communist system, most peo­ ing childre ple who were able to work were guaranteed a job. graphics. T This security quickly ended in a free-market system. the faith ar Unemployment, poverty, hunger, and homelessness adults CUri increased in all the countries. that religio But the economic and social conditions that can provi( went unanswered by the struggling new govern­ service pre ments created a vacuum that Protestant churches began to fill. Under the generation Communist governments, all of the churches endured persecution in the world , different degrees. The Orthodox churches, in some countries supported tion Was ta by the government, aroused the suspicion of many parishioners and Yet, in , membership decreased. As the countries of Eastern Europe opened up to countries c the world, missionaries from new religions ventured in, or, as in the sequent rel

RLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 case of the Methodist Church, com­ munions long out of contact with their parent denominations began to revive. l Methodist communions that "' rejoined the Unl.ted Methodist con- ...... nection after 1989 include the churches of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (the church of Czechoslovakia remained one conference when the country 1 divided), Serbia (including the UMC of Macedonia), and Bulgaria. They had always been part of the Central and Southern Europe Central Conference, which is presently led by Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, whose conference office is in Zurich, Switzerland. Although the churches of Eastern Europe are significant and unique in D each country, they have experienced a common history. All of them were founded in the late 19th or early 20th century, either by missionaries or by returning nationals who were educated in seminaries in the United in States or Europe. All of them began to grow. They gained converts, estab­ 1ia lished social ministries, bought property, and built churches and com­ ii] munity centers or schools. In the events that led to World War I, the face is of Europe changed, and there was great political and social upheaval ly throughout Eastern Europe and Russia. World War II brought further y, change out of destruction and devastation. The countries of Eastern re Europe either supported or were taken over by the invading Nazi forces ie of Germany. After Hitler's forces were defeated, the Eastern countries ts signed the Warsaw Pact in 1955, aligning with Russia and the Communist IV revolution that redefined it. .d The Methodist Church was closely identified with Great Brirain, 1e because of its founder, John Wesley, and with the United States, because of the hundreds of missionaries sent by United Methodist predecessors from the Methodist Episcopal Church; Methodist Episcopal Church, n South; Methodist Protestant Church; Evangelical Church; and United it Brethren in Christ. Methodism was seen as a Western influence, and d therefore scorned by the Communist governments that took power after .C World War II. In many cases, the states confiscated church property, I­ persecuted or killed pastors, and forbade church activities. d Chief among restricted activities was religious education or instruct­ ing children in the faith. Today, the churches share similar age demo­ graphics. They are populated by the elderly, those members who clung to the faith and kept the church alive, and a generation of youth and young adults curious about religion and searching for spiritual guidance, now that religious freedom exists. Neither the retired pensioners nor the youth can provide the finances needed to maintain the churches, run social service programs, or even pay the pastors' salaries. The working adult generation, which provides most Protestant congregations throughout the world with leadership and financial backing, is missing. This genera­ tion was taught by governments that religion was a hoax. Yet, in all cases, a remnant of the Methodist Church remained in the countries of Eastern Europe. Stories of this faithful witness and the sub­ A street vendor 's display of Orthodox ico ns in sequent rebirth of Methodism is part of the United Methodist legacy. Sofia, Bulgaria.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 5 0 During construction of the pup­ Methodists from the project for VE pet theater, the bell was removed three more years. Yet they remained in and discarded in the rubble. Three faithful. In 1997, they continued to t i~ young men of the church, dressed build step by step. The Baltimore 1 ti ~ as construction workers, recovered bell was recovered and now hangs the bell and buried it outside the in the new steeple. It is a symbol of city in a garden. For more than 30 hope for the people of Varna. s years, the bell remained buried. During the breakdown of the Church History 0 Communist government in the The first Protestant missionaries 1990s, the Methodist Church peti­ arrived in Bulgaria early in the tioned for the return of its building 19th century. The first two Meth­ in Varna, but the government pre­ odist missionaries, arriving in ferred to keep the puppet theater. 1857, were Wesley Prettyman and As the church insisted, the city Dr. Albert L. Long. At that time, government offered a new proper­ Bulgaria was under Turkish rule Danislava, who is 17, has been a resident ty in the center of town. An initial (Ottoman Empire). Dr. Long was at the Rainbow Orphanage in Varna, Bulgaria, since she was 7 years old. gift of $300,000 from the GBGM the first to translate the Bible into Millennium Fund enabled the Bulgarian. From the beginning, Methodists in Varna to begin work the Methodists of Bulgaria en­ or the United Methodist on a new building in 1994. dured persecution, as the Orthodox FChurch in Bulgaria, a stolen Further complications ensued as Church in Bulgaria was very strong. church bell has come to symbolize opposition from the town kept the The Balkans region and Bulgaria God's covenant with a faithful in particular changed hands a num­ people. The Methodist Church in ber of times from 1870 (when the Varna was founded in 1885 by Trico Turks were driven out by the Constantine, who held Bulgarian Russians) through World War II. and American citizenship. He was a During the Communist years in member of the Minnesota Confer­ Bulgaria, pastors were sentenced to ence of the Methodist Episcopal prison and work camps, and the Church. In 1892, the Baltimore church endured 40 years of repres­ Conference sent a steeple bell to the sion. Two small groups survived Varna church for the dedication of out of the 16 congregations that its new building. By 1915, the build­ existed in the 1940s. ing had to be enlarged to accommo­ As Communism waned in 1989, date the growing congregation. only four pastors from the former But in 1947, after the Comm­ church were still alive, returned unists gained power, Georgi Siviev, from prison and work camps. the Varna pastor, was arrested and When they were freed, they sought imprisoned. The church was closed to reorganize the church, making in 1961. Officers of the government contact with the Central Confer­ dumped everything into the fields: ence of Central and Southern the pulpit, benches, even the hym­ Europe. The first church service was nals. Methodism was forbidden and held on Christmas Day, 1990, under the building was used as a store, the leadership of Pastor Bedros and later as a puppet theater. Yet Altunian. The two small groups that small groups of Christians met A view of the Romany neighborhood in survived, one in Varna and the secretly in their homes and the Varna ill us tra tes the crowded living other in Sofia, have grown to more church survived. conditions of the Roma population. than 30 congregations today.

6 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMB ER/ DECEMBER 2003 -- An Interview with Bedros Altunian, District Superintendent for the church in Varna )ject fr Our priority is to take care of children who are in need. To teach the Roma (Gypsy) children to read. They are ernaine very poor. They grow up without food . We prepare a little breakfast with a cup of milk for them every morn­ inued t ing. From the Board in America (Women's Division) we receive subsidies for women, to protect against domes­ •altimor tic violence and preserve their rights. We bring in health consultants to advise them on hygiene and sanita­ w h ~ tion. We train women leaders, who train others. IIIlbol r ''The situation of economic change is very hard in Bulgaria. The economy, which was connected to the a. Soviet Union, was destroyed. The factories, the technology, the businesses that dealt with the Soviets, they don't function now. We have no money for capital or credit for small and medium-sized businesses. Among the other former Communist countries, Bulgaria rates last with regard to the development of its economy and IOnarif investments. A great many people are out of work. in th ''The church provides for people who come looking for food and other necessities. It is hard with a lack of ) Me~ funding. But the economic condition of the church does not depend on the economic state of its members when •ing r you are part of a connection. We receive much of our economic support from abroad, from America and from tan an, our European Central Conference. Unfortunately, in recent years our support from America has decreased. it time "There were those who said the Methodist Church was a relic of the past, that it belonged in a museum. sh ru1 ng wa' But now we see the church still exists, and it is even stronger than before World War II. My father was a J!e int preacher, yes, and I am a preacher. And my son is also a Methodist preacher. ' innin~ Finding Memb r fter 5 Ye "After the change [from Communist rule] in 1989, we sought to gather families of the church. For 45 years, we could not gather. We found an old Sunday school picture, and as I looked, I said: 'Yes, I know her. We can find that family.' And this is how the church was reborn, people came with their families. One of our pastors, at age 27, was put on trial. He spent 13 years in prison and in work camps. Yet he began his work again, at age 72, after the political changes. He gath­ ered all these families, and new families, people who want to understand and to hear about God. We have now about 300 to 330 members."

Pastor Pavel Vasilev, more :hildren play a board game at the Rainbow Orphanage, a project of The United Sofia, Bulgaria vfethodist Church in Bulgaria. A large percentage of the residents are Roma .

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 7 HUNGARY I ~ he first Methodist missionaries Tin Hungary arrived from Austria and Germany in 1889 to work among German immigrants. By the beginning of World War I, the church had grown to 1000 members, most of them Hungarian. But the church lost many members to Yugoslavia when Hungary lost 01 two-thirds of its former territory after World War I. After World War II, the church also lost its ethnic German popula­ tion, which was forced to return to Germany. All institutions of the church were taken over by the gov­ ernment. They were maintained as state churches but did not attract members. The government paid pastors' salaries, but the church could not contact its denomina­ tion. In 2002, the Provisional Annual Conference of Hungary consisted of 45 congregations in h le Ch atic ph Hungary and four congregations The Methodist Church in Miskolc, Hungary, with about 50 members, Its of th re-formed in the Carpathian meets in the converted home of Gyorgy and Gabor Szuh6nszki. Mountains of Ukraine (which later Gabor, a sociologist, is ordained. He works as the director of one of l the ne joined the UMC in Ukraine). the church-sponsored retirement homes. With the end of state spon­ A good deal of the social service 1 ram. E work in Hungary focuses on the sorship, pastors in the conference cannot make enough money to live Roma population. The Hungarian on with only a pastor's salary. They and/or their spouses must now stor m1 church produces TV and radio work outside the church. The Hungarian church is able to finance a programs, conducts large confer­ little more than half of the salaries, a larger proportion than most of minee , encewide summer family camps, the other Eastern European churches. CriPUOI and teaches religious education in Congregants give 10 percent of their salaries to the church. schools. It supports prison min­ Though this provides for maintenance costs, it does not cover capital istries and work with alcoholics. expenses. Every major building project happens because of funding A new church center was built from the wider United Methodist connection. in Budapest with help from the Miskolc was a center for industry during the Communist period. Millennium Fund, and outreach Today, however, virtually all the factories have closed. Some in the ministries have grown as a result. region have turned to agriculture to survive. Though the Methodist In addition, the conference owns two homes for the elderly and a congregation is considered middle class, the region is one of the home for women. most depressed areas of Hungary. Yet the conference struggles The Miskolc church runs clothes drives and does other social work, financially to maintain the min­ primarily for the Roma population. Prior to World War II , the church istries. Buildings, returned by owned and operated a hospital, but the building was confiscated by the the government require precious government. Upon its return, the church opened a retirement home. resources to be of service.

8 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK OVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 .. ~! ugh church life was possi­ 2001) was the only institution land during Communism, teaching English in Poland during New !t Union dominated Polish the Soviet era. New branches have tent. Restrictions were opened in Katowice, Gliwice, Elk, m church activities and Krakow, Ostroda, and Grudzisdz. World ~ s were confiscated. Since The Jana Laskiego Theological United Methodist Church Seminary at Konstancin, near td has been rebuilding. Warsaw, has been recognized by Outlook ·e now 40 congregations the Central Conference of Central mstituency of about 4000. and Southern Europe as an official amic English-language United Methodist seminary. The has introduced many school has also been recognized :tudents to Methodism. by the Polish government. The ;u cribe now tor a lull vear 01 New lish Language College of national church operates a retreat vska Church in Warsaw (it center at Klarysew and a publish­ IM d Outlook, the onlv magazine that d its 80th anniversary in ing house and bookstore. co rs the world 01 United Methodist ion in more than 80 countries. te was that churches would disappear from t mission reports, articles from fore, it applied pressure for people to leave u ~d Methodist missionaries, and about 10 to 20 percent did leave, but the rt ratic photos show the exciting rhis was a sign that, although the churches ~ rs , re fts of the church in mission. ki . e active membership." eof 0 the new Church Subscription bn- Vi/em D. Schneeberger, from Methodism in Czechoslovakia ~r ram. Order 5 or more subscrip- live ow ~ • tor members 01 vour mission ea t of c minee and receive $3 on each ·criPtion: 5 subscriptions tor $60.

ital ring

eft: Members of the Central and Southern Europe Central Conference met in Poland in 2003. ight: Choir members stand with congregation and pastor outside a Methodist church in Warsaw.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 9 Q Econ 10 y he Provisional Annual Confer­ receives salary support from the Tence of The United Methodist goverrunent, which still compen­ ings Church in the Czech and Slovak sates workers. The Slovak District is ' Trna' Republics spans two countries, two supported to a lesser degree by its ~e~ goverrunents, and two currencies. goverrunent. Members tithe 10 per­ chur, The conference operates with two cent of their income, and 10 percent districts, the Czech District and the of what comes from the congrega­ horn Slovak District. The Czech District tions supports the district offices. level SUPF ti om

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do~ pie i

The N Czechoslo' Above: The Rev. Alena Prochdzkova is a United Czech na Methodist pastor in Prague, Czech Republic. Right: United Methodist summer camp is a joyful and relax­ from the U ing place for children in Bratislava, Slovakia. had immi ~ degrees, a Czech imn Interview with Josef Cervenak, District Superintendent of the Czech District

During Communist times, our buildings were in very bad shape and required much reconstruction and repair. It "In C was a problem for us; but we have received much help from the global church, from [UMC conferences in] many un Germany and Switzerland, from the World Methodist Council, and from the General Board of Global Ministries possibilities. ' and the In Mission Together program, in which it is possible to partner congregations in the United States with immigrants those in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. "I think 'We have been able to start more mission and evangelization projects. A keen need for the church is Christian for people literature and educational materials. We now have a translation of Disciple One into Czech. Each week the peo­ had in our ple come together in small groups to study the Bible. We also teach church history, biblical knowledge, and dog­ ministry is matic and practical theology. more peap "Social ministries were impossible to conduct after 1948 and the Communist revolution . For 40 years it was not pos­ field for ou sible to do outreach or social ministries. But in 1990, our president invited the Salvation Army from Poland to begin work good stan in the Czech Republic. Now our social-work activities are growing. Our society here is weighted toward older people; and to live we have fewer and fewer children. We have a center for homeless people and another center for single mothers with ore a sign children, a drug prevention ministry, work among addicts, and a ministry to help men in prison reenter society.

10 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMB ER 2003 - Interview with Dr. Pavel Prochazka, District Superintendent of the Slovak District Economics for the church is a complex problem. First, there is the problem of the church buildings. During the last the l 0 years, we have gained a few buildings because we had only three before and we needed new church build­ 1en. ings for the growing congregations-such as the Roma congregation in Slavkovce or the new congregations in jis ' Trnava and Michalovce. We paid for those buildings out of the offerings from our friends abroad. So now we have ' its the buildings, and we must care for them. So far, the people have given sacrificially. They want to support the :>er· church and keep the buildings in good repair. :ent ''The second matter is pastors' salaries. Pastors in the Czech and Slovak republics still have some support 'ga- from the government, but the support is quite low and our pastors cannot live on this money. They are at poverty level, slightly more than $200 a month. Many of our churches are small, with 50 or fewer members. They cannot support the buildings, the outreach ministries, and the pastors. We have mostly young people in our congrega­ tions. We advise our pastors to seek part-time employment at a secular job. 'We have grown l 00 percent over the last l 0 years. Our two areas of focus are evangelism and education. We provide education in the local church and encourage university education. On the university level, we found­ ed a Department of Mission with several other denominations at the University of Bansk6 Bystrica in 1993. I teach there. Our candidates for ordination gain a good university Bible-oriented education. ''Though we are small, we have learned from the Gospel that social ministry is indispensable. We gather clothes and household items in Bratislava for those in need, especially children in orphanages and the Roma peo­ ple in eastern Slovakian villages.

The Methodist Church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ence through the work of Czech Czechoslovakia was founded by South. In 1912, ministerial students missionaries of the Moravian Czech nationals who returned and Czech pastors in the United Church, and Methodism owed from the United States, where they States petitioned General Confer­ Czechoslovakia a debt. But World had immigrated, earned seminary ence to begin work in their native War I presented complications. degrees, and begun working in land. John Wesley, they said, was In the United States, Methodists Czech immigrant communities for led to his heartwarming experi- in both North and South wished to develop ·ssion ministries in Europe. The Northern church was already working in 17 European It "In Communist times, we had no unemployed people. But now we have countries. Since the Southern church had no missions in Europe n] many unemployed and homeless people. We also see more freedom and at the time, it agreed to work possibilities. There are new industries opening up and new jobs. We see in countries where Methodism immigrants from Germany and Austria coming for these opportunities. was not yet anchored: Belgium, "I think we see in the Methodist Church in the Czech Republic a need Czechoslovakia, and Poland. for people who have an open heart for ministry. I think previously we Finally, in 1920, the Methodist had in our minds that ministry means the pastor's ministry. But Christian Episcopal Church, South, sent ministry is not only the work of the pastor. I am happy to have more and Joseph Dobes, a Czech national, to more people who are able to work in the church. We have a very bright Czechoslovakia. At the suggestion field for our ministry, but we need people who are well-educated and in of Bishop Atkins, Dobes' ministry good standing in soul and spirit. It is our privilege now to study the Bible began in a tent. Though the tent and to live a life that is holy, as John Wesley did. The social ministries was large and could accommodate several hundred people, in three are a sign of our interior life that is grounded in the Bible. ' days' time it could not hold all who came to hear him preach.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 11 frorn both SERBIA & MONTENEGRO/MACEDONIA and the Tu Tension still ~ousenti ti1 After W ethodism came to Yugoslavia Through the programs of the was divi1 Mby way of a monthly news church, women were taught to magazine published in German by read. They started schools in vil­ Bulgaria, a German-speaking Methodists in lages that had none. As a War II, ~ the United States. Because of a Protestant mission in an Orthodox republic of magazine article, a group in Backa country, the church continued to In 2000, (Vojvodina) discovered that there weather periods of repression and Methodist 1 was a Methodist congregation in persecution. But in 1931, it was dream wh Vienna, Austria. They were drawn granted partial recognition by comm uni~ to the denomination because of a the government. Despite pressure gram acti common interest in temperance. from the government, the Yugosla­ granted b) They invited the Vienna pastor to vian church would not sever its ties emrnent ar Backa in 1897, and thus the church with the Methodist connection, the goven was born, despite the fact that the even though its representatives Macedoni< new religion was soon persecuted were not permitted to travel to churches ; and its newly appointed pastor annual conference, and the Central about 600( imprisoned. Conference bishops were not per­ sive outrea Additional mission stations were mitted to visit Yugoslavia. women, ch founded in Novi Sad, where a The end of Communist rule ly and th chapel, orphanage, and girls' school plunged the country into civil At the Diakonie family shelter in the refugees, a were built. By 1904, the Yugoslavian wars, first in the Balkans, and then Czech Republic, a Roma girl smiles Heal thcarE church was sending its first candi­ with Kosovo. Today, the territory is for the camera. ministries, date for ministry to the theological five separate countries: Serbia and are also su school in Germany for training. Montenegro (the republics of Serbia, Macedonia The churcl cals, one ! After World War I, the Methodist Vojvodina, Montenegro, and When Macedonia declared its inde­ and a gene Relief Organization provided Kosovo), Macedonia, Slovenia, pendence from Yugoslavia in 1991, humanitarian aid to populations Croatia, and Bosnia and Herze­ the United Methodist Conference The bi1 church are affected by the war. In 1923, the govina (one country). Yet, despite did not split. The Provisional and an E church established work in Zagreb, difficult times, a great interest in Annual Conference Serbia and makes it where members spoke Serbo­ the Gospel persists. The church is Montenegro I Macedonia includes salaries o: Croatian. All previous work had hampered by a limited number of congregations in both countries. been with German- and Hungarian­ pastors and an inability to pay Macedonia's proximity to church has speaking populations. their salaries. Gains made by the Greece has made its history signifi­ efforts to b Bible Women were trained to church in sacrificial giving have cantly different from other Eastern anon arnrn reach out to women and children. been swallowed up by inflation. European countries. It figures in in the cou: ancient history as part of the Greek United M "My own vision is that we will form a church that and Roman Empires. Macedonia's was elect! Christian history also predates that donia in 1< is spiritually sound and that is socially sensitive, of other European countries. The Bible gives the following account in that we will be able to link people in the world. Acts 16:9: "During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of That is why education is so important, and this Macedonia pleading with him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia pattern can be applied to minority groups such as and help us.'" The first Methodist congrega­ the Roma." tion formed in 1831. Even in the earliest years, however, Protestants Dr. Pavel Prochazka, District Superintendent for the Slovak District in Macedonia suffered persecution

12 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 from both the Orthodox Church and the Turks, who were Muslim. Tension still exists among these reli­ Bulldlng Bridg s with the Roma gious entities in the country today. After World War I, Macedonia I Urs Schweizer, Assistant to Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, was divided among Greece, writes the following story of Daniiel Naskovski to Bulgaria, and Serbia. After World show how pastors in Yugoslavia today act as con­ War II, Macedonia became a duits to build bridges between communities. republic of Yugoslavia. Danijel Naskovski is the first fully educated In 2000, the Strumica United pastor from the Roma minority in Serbia. The Roma Methodist Church realized a prefer that name to the name "Gypies." Their com­ dream when it dedicated a new munities form an insulated society within Serbia. community center for social pro­ gram activities. Property was The Roma are generally underprivileged and very granted by the Macedonian gov­ often unaccepted. During the Balkan wars, they suf- ernment and funding provided by Danijel and Suzana fered more than any other group. Unemployment the government of Austria. The Naskovski may be as high as 80 percent for this minority pop- Macedonia District, with 13 ulation. Many Roma have to make their living one churches and a constituency of day at a time and are under great tension. about 6000, has developed exten­ Very few Roma make it to a middle school or higher level of education. sive outreach ministries that serve Women usually marry by the age of 15, and young men are often fathers women, children, youth, the elder­ before they reach the age of 18. Many Roma in Serbia would call themselves ly and the physically disabled, Orthodox Christian, but the practice of Orthodoxy seems to be overruled by refugees, and the Roma minority. their own traditions. Within Roma families, the bonds are strong. Healthcare ministries, feeding For a number of years, The United Methodist Church in Serbia has felt called ministries, and a publication house to bring the Gospel to the Roma. Danijel Naskovski, a Roma boy, became a are also supported by the church. The church produces two periodi­ Christian when he was 15. He started to read the Bible in the local Methodist cals, one for the women's group church, and with the assistance of his pastor, he started to work in the church. [e­ and a general one for the church. He came home to his family and demanded that no stolen products should be ll, The biggest obstacles for the put on the table to eat. When the family refused to stop this practice, he started ce church are a shortage of personnel a great fast. After a few weeks, his parents gave in and went to church with him. 1al and an economic climate that When he was 18, he started to feel the call to ministry. He entered an 1d makes it difficult to pay the official study program of The United Methodist Church in Central and es salaries of its workers. But the Southern Europe located in Graz and Waiern (Austria). He did not find it church has made great strides in its to easy to adjust to another culture, but his strong sense of God's call and his efforts to broker peace and cooper­ church kept him going. fi- ation among the various religions He married his wife Suzana during his last year in seminary. Suzana, who m in the country. Boris Trajkovski, a is Serbian, is a teacher who came to Graz for language studies. Today they are in United Methodist lay preacher, in Vrbas, where they serve a local Methodist church_ This new mission started ~k was elected president of Mace­ i's donia in 1999. three years ago. The United Methodist Church in Serbia has its oldest church at building in Vrbas, a big church with a high tower, built originally for a German­ 1e speaking congregation. After World War II, the work in Vrbas more or less van­ in ished. Now a new church of young people has formed. It meets in a small build­ ttl ing beside the big old church. Danijel Naskovski wants to restore this church as Jf a sign of hope for the town's future. 1d The church served by Danijel and Suzana Naskovski is presenrly growing. ia We hope that the Naskovskis will be able to build bridges. Already Danijel has taken responsibility for some of the Roma churches in the area. 3- 1e ts The kitchen of th e Diakonie Help Center, n Horn[ Pocernice, Czech Republic.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 13 Notes on Salary Support Salary Support in Central and Southern Europe Since several countries are approaching the European Union Needed Support in 2004 ($US) to become members in a few years, their governments have increased $ 148,500.00 ~ ga ~ -- - -- or will increase the minimum Serbia and Montenegro $ 57,000.00 wage and have forced or will force Macedonia $ 62,030.00 The United Methodist Church in these countries to increase the pas­ Poland $ 139,000.00 tors' salaries. Slovak Republic $ 23,550.00 Yet, we cannot increase the Czech Repub li c $ 6,800.00 episcopal salary support (consist­ ing of donations from Europe and Hungary $ 36,650.00 - ---- the United States) for 2004 because Salary sup1 Transcarpathia $ 3, 120.00 we do not know whether or not we toall of ~e will even reach our current goal of Total 476,650.00 countries rr $ $476,650. This means that The United Methodist Church in the article. Eao The salary budget of The UMC in the Czech Republ ic is covered by the Czech different countries will have to own Advar government. The state announced it will reduce this salary support, but w hen this find ways to increase the percent­ salary supf will happen or how much it w ill be reduced is unknown at this time. age of self-financing. This is a great The salary budget of The UMC in the Slovak Republ ic is paid by the State, challenge. In Hungary, for exam­ Bui aria: based on the latest figures of a national census . This has turned out well for The ple, despite a salary increase of 30 designate t UMC. According to the census , the number of members is l 0 times more than the percent in 2003 given by the church estimated. church, the pastors' salaries are Salary Sup still only 70 percent of the govern­ ch R ment's new minimum wage . We continue to look for solu­ #08760A, tions. We believe that God has given Supplemen the mission in Central and Southern and Churcj Europe a time of grace. We feel the need to continue preaching Christ Hunga and living the Gospel according to Salary Sup each individual's circumstances. We would like to continue to bring Pastors anc together the fire of new Christians Workers and the still and deep waters of the "old Methodists." And because we Macedo would like to continue to practice a Pastoral Su first option for the poor and the Congrega ti minorities in our threefold witness of preaching, serving, and sharing, nd 1 we will press on despite financial designate I difficulties. Salary Sup Urs Schweizer A Slovak and Roma girl stand together at the Diakonie family shelter in Horn [ Pocernice, Czech Republic. Assistant to Bishop Heinrich Bolleter lo #00236A I Pastors' Sa "I think it is very important for us to have many visitors and contact from . I abroad. It is for our people a sign that we are not alone here." #09464A I Josef Cervenak, District Superintendent of the Czech District for Min iste LI See pag

14 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 Left: Clients of the Diakonie Help Center in the Czech Republic enjoy a meal i11 its dining room. Right: A client of the Diakonie Help Cen ter. are ion trs, led 1m rce m as-

:he ist­ Salary Support nd f r Pastors JSe S la we Salary support may be given of to all of the Eastern European As the countries of Eastern Europe formed democratic governments in the 'he countries mentioned in th is 1990s and the Methodist conferences rejoined the United Methodist connec­ he article. Each church has its tion, the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe faced a difficult to own Advance Special for problem. The salaries of pastors in the Eastern countries were nowhere near nt­ salary support. the levels of those in Western Europe. The idea is not so much that every pas­ ~at tor should receive the some salary but that they should be able to live at about m- Bulgaria: #00223A, the some standard in their respective economies. All pastors are to receive a 30 designate for Pastors' living wage so that they con devote full time to their ministry without taking he secular jobs to make ends meet. Salary Support ue Bishop Heinrich Bolleter of the Central Conference of Central and TI- C e Republic: Southern Europe said: "People in Eastern Europe ore finding faith in Jesus Christ and joining congregations. As a consequence, we need more pastors .u­ #08760A , Salary who con core for them . We ore glad to have several candidates and trained en Supplement for Ministers people who ore ready to serve God as pastors and deacons. But the eco­ rn and Church Workers he nomic situation in Eastern and Central Europe and in the Balkans is very ist Hung : # 10928A , difficult. On the one hand, some of the countries aim at joining the European to Salary Supplement for Union and expect on increase in the standard of living . But in reality, progress l./e is slow and fraught with setbacks. Our churches there a re not in a position to Pastors and Church ng pay by themselves the salaries of their pastors and the church programming ns Workers budget. Church life and development depends on support from abroad." he Macedonia: # 14048A, Funding sources across the connection include the Central Conference: the ve Fund for Mission in Europe, which is paid into by other Methodist churches Pastoral Support for in the European connection; and GBGM grants and Advance designated Congregations he giving from the US United Methodist Church. At the height of the economic :SS boom in 1999, GBGM paid close to $350,000 a year for salary support. But tg, Poland• #00408A, since 2001, GBGM grants decreased and hove not been able to offset the ial designate for Pastors' salary deficit. Salary Support ;er The Central Conference has done some comparisons across its member -er Slo ak p countries. In Hungary, the salary of a pastor at $140 (US dollars) a month is #00236A, designate fo r less than what a sales assistant ($152) or bus driver ($258) makes. In Poland, where the overage pastor's salary is $414 per month, a pastor fores better Pastors' Salary Support than a sales assistant ($247) or bus driver ($367). The conference has also Se i neg determined that the prices for goods in places like Budapest and Warsaw ore #09464A, Salary Increases for outpacing the overage wage level for most workers. for Mini sters [I See page 2 for Advance giving. Christie R. House is the Editor of New World Ou~ook .

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 15 Missional G Thirty-two have r ece i ~ following infonnation was I over the last gathered from 49 annual con­ Congregatio ference questionnaires received Seven annt been jnvolv thus far. As we examine this tional Mobi data, we need to remember of these ha• pilot projec that the returned question­ ational Pl: naires cover only the first half Grande, N jersey confE of the quadrennium. The data as 35 cong had to be collected and compiled early for a report to be filed for General Conference.

The National Plan for Hispanic Ministry: 2001-2004 Quadrenniutn by EH S. Rivera

Growth of the US Hispanic to over 38 million, a 60 percent neighborhoods? In a very encour­ Population increase since 1990. aging response, 37 of the 49 confer­ Pastors and cc the Na tional f We need to look at the annual con­ • Hispanics now represent 13.5 ence questionnaires received, or 75 ference data against the backdrop percent of the US population-up percent, report some work by non­ of the rapid growth of the US from 9 percent in 1990. Hispanic congregations. Many of The lollowin~ cf Hispanic population during the We should also consider that these conferences have provided 1990s. Figures taken since the 2000 census numbers for Hispanics are or plan to provide training using ( US Census report the following: usually underestimated because the workbooks Partners in the • The Hispanic population grew many Hispanics are not counted. Mighty Works of God and Th e Still, these increased numbers are Pentecost Journey. important for us to reflect upon The conferences providing train­ fai!h Comm1 because they show the challenge ing include Eastern Pennsylvania, loy Missione that God continues to place before Texas, Central Texas, Louisiana, us. More Hispanic people than ever Western North Carolina, North before need to hear and experience Carolina, South Carolina, Tenn­ the Good News of Jesus Christ. essee, Florida, Virginia, North New Congre! Georgia, and Pacific Northwest. ~evi!alize~ I Encouraging Answers Ministries with Hispanics devel­ One question asked of the annual oped by non-Hispanic congrega­ Church-Scho conferences was this: How many tions will receive major emphasis in Ou!reach Mi Above and top right: La Gracia Hispanico United Me thodis t Church in non-Hispanic congregations have the next quadrennium. The Commi11ion1 the Virginia Conference emphasizes work begun to reach out to the growing National Plan needs to resource this with children and you th . Hispanic communities in their program and provide training.

16 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMB ER/ DECEMBER 2003 Missional Grants This program is going to receive Accomplishments Thirty-two annual conference major attention in the 2005-2008 A great deal of work has been have received missional grant quadrennium. A bilingual process done over the last 10 years, but ov r the last six years. manual has been developed for there is still much work and many training. challenges remaining. The annual Congregational Mobilization conferences have begun to Seven annual conferences have Hispanic Ministry Coordinators respond to the implementation of been involved in the Congrega­ At least 27 annual conferences the National Plan for Hispanic tional Mobilization process. Four have established the position of Ministry. Their ongoing accom­ of these have participated in the Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry. plishments are a cause for thanks­ pilot project conducted by the The Southeastern Jurisdiction has giving and celebration. National Plan in the Florida, Rio a jurisdictional coordinator. We Grande, New York, and New celebrate this development. We The Rev. Ell S. Rivera is the Coordin­ Jersey conferences, with as many can see the positive results of the ator of the National Plan for Hispanic as 35 congregations taking part. coordinators' labors. Ministry.

·- Pastors and consultants f rom the Rio Grande Conference pa rticipated in a training event on the congrega tional mobilization process of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries. 5

The following chart represents a three-year period unless otherwise specified. The figures are drawn from 49 conferences and thus tell only part of the story.

Cumulative Progress in the Development of Hispanic/Latino Ministries*

1994 1998 2002 Faith Communities 220 in 35 conferences 538 in 51 conferences 600 in 52 conferences Lay Missioners-Pastor Mentors 389 from 32 conferences 796 lay missioners 900 in 52 conferences 100 pastor mentors 130 in 45 conferences 100 facilitators 125 facilitators New Congregations 51 in 17 conferences 64 in 30 conferences 75 in 35 conferences Revitalized Chu rches 35 in 14 conferences 63 in 25 conferences 70 in 35 conferences Church-School Extensions 62 in 17 conferences 263 in 30 conferences 300 in 35 conferences Outreach Min istries 337 in 36 conferences 839 in 47 conferences 900 in 52 conferences Commissioned Missionaries 6 persons 17 in 11 conferences 32 in 20 conferences

*Note: The year-end figures for 2003 ho ve not yet been tabulated.

EW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 17 I~~~Ml:'lll~~ . HISPANO I I- ~"·· · -~\ KEY ELEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL PLAN FOR CHA HISPANIC MINISTRY MOBILIZATION -----

"Mobilization" is a holistic concept that includes developing new ministries, fortifying and revitalizing existing ministries, and realizing personal and numerical growth through a process. The process uses the "See-Judge-Act" methodology: see the real present and historical situation of the people and churches (context); judge the relationship of Christian faith with the problems of domination and sin and discern what the dream or vision of God would be for the people and what the church has proclaimed; act to fulfill God's dream for God's people, putting faith into concrete actions. High-risk A unique and effective tool for conference mobilization is the concept of acompaiiamiento, "accompanying or quences walking with" people through their faith journeys. The National Plan trains facilitators to assist annual conferences as around the they gather and review data, formulate a strategic plan, and participate in the ongoing assessment and implemen­ on the min tation of that plan. ents, and At the local church level, the mobilization process allows the congregation to understand that its very existence Numerous is to be the light and salt of its community; to make disciples of Jesus Christ; and to be a prophetic community, a sign es to br' of God's reign here and now confronting the challenges of the community. Modules I and II provide the basic curriculum for the training of teams and lay missioners and pastor mentors. Module I introduces the See-Judge-Act methodology and Module II provides additional training. A third module has been introduced consisting of a series of workshops focused on biblical-theological reAection and specific leadership skills for on Subst developing and/or strengthening Hispanic/Latino congregational ministries. The third modules have been developed and Violence ( tested by the general agencies according to their specific functions. About 20 have been developed so far. tion with Higher E and the G RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2005-2008 QUADRENNIUM and Socie tors, othe~ • Change the name to The National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry from 124 The term "Hispanic" does not fully embrace the multicultural, multilingual, and diverse nature of the institutio community being served . This has been visibly expressed in relationships and interactions with the a two-day Brazilian (Portuguese-speaking) churches and communities in the United States. Alcohol Campus. • Continuing Goals Nashville, Resource the development of 100 Hispanic/Latino new congregations . 2003, com Resource the strengthening of 100 Hispanic/Latino existing congregations. and the Identify people and placement opportunities for a total of 50 missionaries. approache sentatives • Revised/Expand d Goals Methodist Provide grants to 30 annual conferences for the implementation of the National Plan for ent, in a Hispanic/Latino Ministry. agency st Resource the development of 500 Hispanic/Lati no fa ith communities. ters. Those Provide training for 800 Hispanic/Lati no lay missioners . COmm.itted Resource the recruitment and training of Hispanic/Latino pastors. about a ch< Resource the development of 300 Church -School Extentions . Resource 1000 local churches or regional groups to be involved in justice and outreach ministries . Presentatic Under the •New Goals Jerald Seo Resource the development of ministry with Brazilians with in the context of the National Plan . Secretary, Provide training for 1500 Hispanic/Latino laypersons for mi ssion and min istry. Institution Resource 500 non-Hispanic/Latino laypeople for mission and ministry. Board of G tone by ren Resource the annual conference committees on Hispanic/Latino ministries . of the p1 Resou rce at least 30 annual conferences as they continue to implement or develop comprehensive the semin leadership-formation programs for Hispanic/Latino ministries. ("Meanwhi

18 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMB ER 2003 CHANGING THE D11 NKl N - // / slries, y: see /ON COllEG 1Wi~ CllTUR / at~ e CAMPUS High-risk drinking and its conse­ ng or one thing, some another; for the quences on college campuses assembly was in confusion, and esa s around the United States are always most of them did not know why men- on the minds of administrators, par­ they had come together"), she / ents, and community leaders. brought focus and anticipation to Numerous programs and approach­ all gathered there for the seminar. / es to bring awareness, change In his presentation titled "The behavior, and change the overall Basics on BASICS: A Piece of the itors. drinking culture on campuses have Prevention Puzzle," Jason R. been been developed and tested. Kilmer, Ph.D. (Addictive Behaviors s for With this in mind, the Program Specialist, the Evergreen State and on Substance Abuse and Related College, and Substance Abuse Violence (SPSARV)*, in collabora­ Prevention Program Coordinator, tion with the General Board of Saint Martin's College, Washington Higher Education and Ministry State) focused on what colleges and and the General Board of Church universities can do to prevent stu­ and Society, invited administra­ dents from making alcohol a big tors, other leaders, and students part of their lives. from 124 United Methodist-related Dr. Kilmer pointed out that institutions of higher education to drinking is a critical health issue a two-day seminar, Changing the on the campuses of our country's Alcohol Culture on College colleges and universities. Surveys Campus. This event, held in have revealed that 90 percent of Nashville, Tennessee, June 24-26, college students drink, and 25 to 50 2003, combined the presentation percent of those are heavy, episod­ and the interactive workshop ic, or binge drinkers, and that stu­ approaches. Twenty-three repre­ dents who abuse alcohol are at sentatives from 12 United high risk for a number of negative Methodist institutions were pres­ behaviors and consequences. ent, in addition to board and One approach that has led to agency staff and seminar presen­ the reduction of use and related ters. Those who came were highly consequences is the Brief Alcohol committed and motivated to bring Screening and Intervention with about a change on their campuses. College Students (BASICS) pro­ gram, a motivation-enhancement, Presentations skills-training approach. In this Under the title "Why Bother?" step-by-step approach, primary Jerald Scott (Associate General prevention strategies address ini­ Secretary, Community and tial abstinence and first experi­ Institutional Ministries, General mentation; secondary prevention Board of Global Ministries) set the measures address non-problem tone by reminding the participants substance use and abuse; and terti­ of the purpose and goals of ary prevention and treatment the seminar. Using Acts 19:32 interventions address substance ("Meanwhile, some were shouting abuse and substance dependence.

SPSARV's "Hope for the World " event took place in Norway in 2001 . be comprehensive, multifaceted, and the. ,, and long-term; involve the entire Educahon · Surveys reveal that 90% community affected by AOD abuse; Schools M. and accommodate numerous learn­ (2000), in ac of college students drink. ing styles. from the The plan responds to current Student Pei campus-based and AOD-related (NASPA) F Dr. Kilmer also discussed how group assessment and interven­ behavioral data used to establish the Center colleges and universities can use tions with the students. Cornell realistic goals. It provides informa­ Prevention ( the "Harm Reduction" approach, University uses the BASICS pro­ tion, varied educational experi­ in which abstinence is the ultimate gram and conducts needs assess­ ences, sufficient training, support, goal. This approach acknowledges ment and outcome evaluation as ytork.§J and resources to carry out each that any step toward reducing the well as harm-reduction strategies step of the program, including Rust Coile! risks associated with the abuse of on an ongoing basis. It also pro­ enforcement of policies and evalu­ Zero Tolera alcohol is a step in the right direc­ vides training to faculty and staff ation of results. Furthermore, this Shelly Ja cks tion. He also told how Evergreen on how to intervene with sub­ session reiterated the importance Coordinator; State College, using the "Mock stance-abusing students. of the interdependent relationship of Students Bar" experiment, has demonstrat­ After the initial referral, the stu­ among education, intervention, ed the disconnect between reality dent goes through two sessions of This works policy enforcement, and evalua- and perception that the expecta­ individual assessment and inter­ historically tion of alcohol can cause. vention and then, depending on substance-a The Mock Bar is research using the results, receives group or more pus. Rust a balanced placebo design in a intense intervention/ treatment zero-tolerar simulated tavern setting, looking services. A well-planned continu­ abuse, has at what people expect vs. what um-of-care program employs approaches they get. Students who expect counselors, peer educators, health improve sti alcohol but get a nonalcoholic education staff, residence hall creating a drink (and are not told this until directors, and health/ medical staff learning en1 the end of the session) still act as to provide the necessary support Upon e1 though they have received alcohol. and interventions. students an The social or interpersonal effects ity regardir people attribute to alcohol are due Workshop 2 erance po: to what people expect and to the seven-day c setting they' re in rather than to Syracuse University Model-An Participants in SPSARV's "Hope for the a seven-sh what's actually in their drink. Interdisciplinary Approach to World" event, Norway, 2001 , discuss every nigh! drinking and substance abuse. Representatives of Cornell Prevention: Syracuse University's the seven-d University, Rust College, and Twelve-Point Plan for Substance­ tion. The presentation included the respon: Syracuse University led three Abuse Prevention and Health outcomes-based evidence of effec­ the reputati interactive workshops. Each work­ Enhancement tiveness, beginning with the on and off c shop session presented hands-on Dr. Dessa Bergen-Cico, Associate Dean initial implementation phases, that Thecolle approaches to implementing a of Students, Syracuse University include: heightened student and student successful intervention model on This workshop provided an awareness of AOD policies; a support tha campus. Participants had the overview of the Twelve-Point Plan reduction in the frequency and ~hrough v; opportunity to attend two of the for Substance-Abuse Prevention and severity of AOD-related incidents; issues assoc three workshop sessions. Health Enhancement, a multifaceted an increase in community support including al environmental management pro­ for and involvement in AOD initia­ Workshop 1 gram designed by Syracuse tives; and in-depth analysis of lnterag~ University that employs 12 key trends among the highest-risk Cornell University Model­ Soria Chane strategies. This comprehensive plan students. This program received The BASICS Approach General B is based on the premise that sub­ the US Department of Health Deborah Lewis, Alcohol Projects Co stance abuse is an interdisciplinary and Human Services' Center for Jorea~a Coordinator, Cornell University I problem, and therefore the solution Substance Abuse Prevention General B This workshop provided hands-on to alcohol and other drug (AOD) (CSAP) 1999 Exemplary Substance Cyn~iaAbr, training regarding one-on-one and problems on college campuses must Abuse Prevention Program Award, Soazung Sa·

20 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 ~ led , and the US Department of Alcohol is a community ntire Education's Safe and Drug-Free 'USe; Schools Model Program Award problem and not just a problem arn. (2000), in addition to grant funding from the National Association of of the individual. ,,,! rent Student Personnel Administrators lied (NASPA) Foundation (2000), and Rust College provides alternatives • Spirituality is an essential part of 1lish the Center for Substance-Abuse to "drink and party" activities and wellness. ma- Prevention (2002). creates the right environment to • Alcohol is a community problem, 1eri- help students focus on short-term not just an individual problem. 1o rt, Workshop 3 goals to achieve long-term success • Partnering with all stakeholders ·ach in life. Students and student organi­ to find solutions and change the Jng Rust College Model­ zations on campus are key players environment is important. llu­ Zero Tolerance with the administrators in keeping • Student involvement and peer this Shelly Jackson, Counselor/Retention alcohol abuse under control. education are very powerful. nee Coordinator; Erick W. Jackson, Dean • It is necessary to identify people hip of Students Conclusions and Consensus on the "continuum of change" on, and meet them where they are. This workshop dealt with how a The Changing the Alcohol Culture ua- historically Black college handles on College Campus seminar con­ • One must think outside the box cluded with a vibrant and creative and seek help. substance-abuse issues on its cam­ • Networking is a must. pus. Rust College, which has a discussion. All agreed: zero-tolerance policy for substance • Alcohol abuse is a problem that The seminar concluded with abuse, has developed innovative exists despite zero tolerance. creative juices flowing and a high approaches and programs that • Administrators, faculty, staff, level of energy and commitment to improve student retention while parents, and students must all be change the drinking culture of creating an effective living and involved in harm-reduction United Methodist-related colleges learning environment. approaches. and universities. All participants Upon entrance to the school, • Environmental change, both on requested a similar event early students are provided with: 1) clar­ campus and off campus, must next spring and made the commit­ ity regarding the school's zero-tol­ be the goal. ment to encourage students, erance policy; 2) an intensive • The task is daunting. administrators, and faculty to par­ seven-day orientation program; 3) • To get everyone on campus to ticipate in it. \e a seven-step process presented join the process is difficult. The evaluation indicated that every night for one hour during • Consistency is crucial; persist­ the seminar was well received. the seven-day orientation; and 4) ence is necessary. Many participants appreciated the the responsibility for upholding • Several strategies are needed to biblical and spiritual issues includ­ ed the reputation of the college both get at the deep-rooted cultural ed in the keynote and morning ec­ on and off campus. change required. devotions. he The college partners with parents • Students have problems and The need for chaplain involve­ 1at and students to create a triangle of come to campus with a vast ment in future seminars was raised. mt support that guides the students number of issues. It is important for chaplains to learn a through various problems and • All humans are imperfect and about various successes and partici­ nd issues associated with college life, have to work continually toward pate in the team approach. ts; including alcohol and drug abuse. perfection. Jr! *SPSARV was originally the Special ia­ lnteragency Participation in the Seminar Program on Substan ce Abuse and Related of Violence. "Special" was dropped after the Sarlo Chand, Noemi Fuentes, Wilma Norfleet, and Jerold Scott­ 2000 General Conference, but the acronym sk has remained the same. ~d Generol Boord of Global Ministries th Joreotho Capers, Luther Felder- or Generol Board of Higher Education & Ministry Jn Cynthia Abrams, Juliano do Silva-General Boord of Church and Society Sarla Chand is the former coordinator ce Soozung Sa-General Boord of Discipleship of the SPSARV program. d,

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 21 United States Postal Service STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION INTRODUCTION 1. Publication Title: New World Outlook 2. Publication Number: 6924-00 Every four years representative of the glob­ 3. Fil ing Date: September 22, 2003 al United Methodist Church meet in a 4. Issue Frequency: bimonthly 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 6 General Conference to con ider policies and 6. Annual Subscription Price: $15.00 program for our denomination. For at lea t 7. Address of Known Office of Publication: 475 Rive rside Dr., Rm 1476, two decades, the General Board of Global New York, NY 10115-1476. Contact Person: Christie R. House, Ed itor. Ministries (GBGM) prepared pre-General Telephone: 212-870-3765 8. Address of headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Conference "mi sion papers" for distribution to delegate . 475 Riverside Dr., Rm . 350, New York, NY 10115-0350 This year we are doing something different. 9. Names and Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Special articles on global mission policy and practice are R. Randy Day, General Secretary, General Board of Global Ministries of being included in the mi sion magazine The United Methodist Church , 475 Riverside Dr., Rm 350, New York, NY New World Outlook, 10115-0350 of The United Methodist Church, itself a good reflection of Editor: Christie R. House, 475 Riverside Dr., Rm . 1476, New York, NY what the GBGM is doing in witness and service. Delegates 10115-1476 will receive subscriptions to New World Outlook (and also to Managing Editor: None 10. Owner: General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Response, the voice of women in mission). Thi approach Church (nonprofit religious corporation) 475 Riverside Dr., Room 350, makes possible the haring of the is ue papers with the New York, NY 10115-0350. Tel. : (212)-870-3765 church at large. The e papers and selected articles from the 11 . Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders: None magazine will also be available on the Board' Internet ite 12. The purpose, function , and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes have not changed during (www.gbgm-umc.org). the preceding 12 months. The objectives of mission-to make di ciples for Jesu 13. Publication Title: New World Outlook Christ and to serve those in need-remain con tant; hi to­ 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September-October 2003 ry, culture, language, and available re ource affect the 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: means of conducting mission. We of the church constantly Average No. Copies of No. Copies Single Issue seek to be more faithful and more effective in our mission Each Issue Publ ished responsibilities. This means that we stop from time to time During Nearest to to reflect upon our policies and practice . Preceding Filing Date 12 Months The first article in the serie , beginning on the oppo ite page, takes a look at the role that the United Methodi t a. Total No. Copies (Net Press Run) 19,570 20,911 "connection" plays in global mission and minis tr . b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation "Connection" i one of the oldest de criptions of the (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County 14,864 15,284 Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 Wesleyan movement of which we are a part. Simply put, (2) Paid In-County Subscri ptions None None we are linked-in Christ and to one anoth r a United (3) Sales Through Dealers and 1375 1100 Methodist Christian . Carriers, Street Vendors , Counter Sales (4) Other Classes Mailed Through USPS None None A second article in the next i sue of New World Outlook c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 16,239 16,384 will look at the as et for mission that we have among u . d. Free Distribution by Mail A third will look at the General Conference it elf a an (1) Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541 None None international Chri tian gathering, one increa ingl influ­ (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541 None None (3) Other Classes Mailed Through USPS None None enced by the outcome of mi sion; that i , the e panding e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 1,000 1,000 global character of The United Methodi t Church. f. Total Free Distribution 1,000 1,000 We invite United Methodi ts, including General g. Total Distribution 17,239 17,384 Conference delegate , to engage in a dialogue with our h. Copies not Distributed 2,331 3,527 i. Total 19,570 20,911 author about the i ue rai ed in the articl . Reader can j. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 94% 94% al o re pond in letter and e-mail (nwo@gb m-umc.org). All who conf the name of Je u Chri t ha a role in 16. Publ ication required . This Statement of Ownership forming and carrying out mi ion policy and practic . will be printed in the Nov.-Dec . 2003 issue of this publication. 17. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this R. Rand Da form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be General ecretary subject to criminal and/or civil sanctions. General Board of Global Mini trie ~r.~ Christie R. House, Editor, September 22, 2003

22 EW WORLD UTL K 0 ISSUES IN GLOBAL MISSION POLI CY AND .PRACTICE

ONE IN A SER IE S he glo~ et in 2 cies ano at leas! · Glob ~ Responding to a Connectional Challenge Gener ~ ~ legates A PERSONAL FAITH WITH A GLOBAL EMBRACE ctice are agazine REALIZING A CONNECTIONAL MISSION iction oi ~legates by Robert J. Harman I also to lproach rith the ur Christian journey begins with the Methodist World View om the experience of God's grace, the knowl­ net site n the Methodist tradition, world mission is a edge that we are loved by God. God's commonly held vision entrusted to the whole love does not end with the individ­ church-every member and every congrega­ ir Jesus ual. Because God first loved us, we tion. Mission works effectively when all mem­ :; hist(} love God and share God's love with bers and entities of the church are linked by ect the others. This basic theme of faith is given eloquent organizational struchues, led by the Spirit, with 1Stantly expression in a prayer by Charles Wesley: the commitment of the members channeled to achieve nission common mission aims. to time 0 that the world might taste and see The reception of each new church member intro­ The riches of his grace! duces the vision of a connectional mission. In the rite Jposite The arms of love that encompass me of confirmation, the new church member responds to thod ist Would all the world embrace. the question: "Will you be loyal to The United inistry. Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your of the The Wesleys' passion for a faith based on personal presence, your gifts, and your service?" After this )y put, salvation and the redemption of the world fueled a pledge of fidelity, a local congregation welcomes new United revival movement aimed at church reform in 18th-cen­ members who formally unite in a common mission tury England. It is still shaping Methodism's mission in vision supporting a worldwide connectional fellow­ Jut/ooK today's global context. At the 2004 General Conference ship of ministry and mission. Membership in The mg us. of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of United Methodist Church transcends geographic as an Global Ministries will offer an accounting for the exten­ boundaries. It is portable, recognized, and welcomed inf]u· sion of the church's mission in no less than 74 countries. wherever and whenever presented to a local congre­ mding It will celebrate the growth and vitality of historic mis­ gation in the United Methodist connection. sion relationships on five continents and report on the The ministry of John Wesley recognized no eneral nurturing of more recent mission initiatives where the boundaries. "The world is my parish," was his th our Gospel and The United Methodist Church are being response to authorities in the Church of England !rs can introduced for the first time. when they admonished him for his upstart activities c.org). Mission colleagues of other Protestant traditions beyond the local pastorate. The preachers he organ­ ·ole in frequently ask how United Methodists can be so fully ized into the first Methodist conference shared a e. engaged and respond to so many new challenges in common goal "to spread Scriptural Holiness across mission. First and foremost, it must be attributed to a the land." His vision for the movement had a yD a)' missionary God at work among God's people. It is missionary quality that led to the establishment of :retary also the result of an intentional relationship created creative ministries where the church had not been ristries and carefully nurtured by the people called Methodist sufficiently engaged, especially among the poor and and revered in the term "connectionalism." The fol­ in a variety of settings such as jails and workplaces. lowing narrative identifies the historic marks and sug­ It ultimately brought Wesley to the New World to gests the relevance of this concept. establish a mission among native populations. T Conferencing great treasure at their command, they combined their of these "quarterage" (offerings) in a conference purse to churches, he genius of the Methodist movement meet the financial needs of the poorer societies and modate d was Wesley's principle of "connection." the challenges of new initiatives in ministry. In major His preachers (mostly lay) declared The Methodist conference would maintain a the chaJ]E themselves to be "in connection with Mr. broad oversight of the connection with covenantal tions of n1 Wesley." They embraced his understand­ authority to initiate ministries on behalf of the soci­ unions." ing of God's purpose for their movement, eties. From the outset, there were high expectations vehicle fc namely the reform of the Church of England by revi­ that every society would care for its neighbors as a purchase talizing its mission in the world. They covenanted tangible demonstration of the spiritual holiness all fo rmatior together around certain spiritual and organizational experienced in Christ. When this required the organ­ Confe disciplines for engaging in the mission. They periodi­ ization of resources to establish an orphanage or Wesley' s cally met in conferences for inspiration and for dis­ other social welfare agencies, the initiative rested social ho! cerning the will of God for their mission. They drew with the conference. The ministries of the connection eties" b) up Articles of Agreement defining their doctrinal were supported by the offerings and undergirded by social-we teachings and ecclesiastical nature. And they accepted the prayers of all the societies. overwhel itinerancy as a method for their ministry, acknowledg­ The soci1 ing Mr. Wesley's authority to appoint them to circuits church 1 or places for ministry of limited Innovative Strategies in North America poor nei: terms of service in order to assure tu tions f their vitality. n 18th-century revival to which John churches The itineration of preachers and Charles Wesley gave leadership corps of "in connection with Mr. Wesley" in England spread to North women) contributed to a strong spirit of America. There the beginnings of By th1 revival within the church. New United Methodist mission and min­ structurE converts formed societies and soon istry took root quickly and firmly Methodi a network of Methodist groups through such notable evangelists as Barbara Heck, initiative began in Great Britain. Their wor­ William Otterbein, Francis Asbury, Martin Boehm, ship life was enriched by the inspi­ Harry Hosier, and Jacob Albright. In 1784, John ration and instruction of John Wesley authorized the establishment of a new church Uno Ya dida Herman Eras attends Wesley's sermons and the hymns with a distinctive North American character. conte1 a Methodist school in of his prolific brother Charles. As Pastocalle, Ecuador. In the early 19th century, the Evangelical thatr Methodists eagerly joined hands Association and the United Brethren in Christ church­ conne with similar groups formed by other revivalists and es were also established, with a complementary evangelical preachers, some tensions required more mission focus on German-speaking immigrants to formal clarification of Methodist teachings and orga­ America. Both churches organized around Wesley's Methodi nizational objectives. To this end, Wesley invested connectional principles. The revivalist preaching of Episcop< great significance in conferencing with the pastors itinerant pastors assigned to circuits covering vast Home lv and lay leaders from the societies. These formal gath­ areas led to many conversions and the establishment of program erings were designed for "religious conversation" or classes and congregations, followed by the formation of more dialogue, but he saw them as a means of grace, look­ of conferences to organize and supervise the work. By ed to the ing for God to act in significant ways in their midst. the middle of the 19th century, Methodism became the A str largest Protestant body in the United States. The emergin: Evangelical Association and the United Brethren in United · Connectional Initiatives Christ also continued to grow. Associat onferencing became the instrument The expansion of the Methodist mission in North efforts a for accountability among those in the America was Spirit-led and especially attuned to the workwi connection and the center of the life cultural context of the expansive new nation. While by the c and mission of the Wesleyan move­ John Wesley's missionary efforts among Native Women ment. The participating societies soon Americans in the Southeast met with little success, and self recognized that they could do more and racial attitudes at the time of the Civil War led to their ch together (integrated in connection) than through a division of the church, Methodi8t work among crossed their individual initiatives and resources. Primarily European immigrant groups flourished. Ministries starting organized among the working classes and with no that were sensitive to the ethnic and language needs African

24 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003

~~~-~-~-~~~~--_.. ______..______..______....,_ their of these newcomers found fertile soil, and soon created and directly supported m1ss10n programs .e to churches and conferences were established to accom­ and institutions among unserved constituencies (e.g., and modate distinct cultural requirements. Conferences Cuban immigrants in Florida, Native Americans in the in major urban centers were successful in meeting Southwest, the poor in the Appalachian states of lil a the challenge of ministry among teeming popula­ Kentucky and Tennessee). A missionary order of dea­ Llltal tions of new settlers through the creation of "mission conesses--established for women committed to life­ loci. unions." The union was a strategic connectional time missionary careers (domestic and foreign)-was ions vehicle for raising funds from member churches to administered and supported by the women's organi­ as a purchase properties in key growth locations for the zations of the Methodist branches. To this day, the 5 all formation of local churches. Women's Division of the General Board of Global 5an. Conferences were engaged in demonstrating Ministries exemplifies this outstanding women's mis­ ~ or Wesley's teaching that "there is no holiness without sion heritage in developing mission strategies and pro­ sted social holiness." The formation of "missionary soci­ gram support for ministries among women, children ron eties" by individual conferences initiated many and youth. by social-welfare programs aimed at population groups overwhelmed by aggressive economic exploitation. The societies, predominantly composed of women Beginning a Global Connection church leaders, established settlement houses in he first conference established outside poor neighborhoods and founded care giving insti­ ~a the North American continent began in tutions for the sick and elderly members of their Liberia in 1832 through the missionary ohn churches and communities. Each society recruited a efforts of Melville Cox, an African corps of dedicated professional workers (mainly rhip American missionary assigned by the rth women) to staff their ministries. Board of Foreign Missions to minister of By the mid-19th century, the Methodist mission r among migrating freed slaves. It was followed by nin­ structures in the conferences of American missionary efforts initiated in 1835 in Latin America, [n]y Methodism recognized the need to yield their 1847 in China, and 1849 in Europe. In each continent, ~ck, initiatives to national mission administration. The the ministries of the antecedent bodies of The United nm, Methodist Church expanded initially through the sac­ ohn rificial service of thousands of deployed missionaries, rrch United Methodism faces a contemporary mission challenge but they have been sustained by the formation of strong indigenous church leadership. In fact, the most ical that requires a renewal in rapidly growing churches in the United Methodist !ch­ connectional thinking and acting. connection today are in Central Conferences led by ary national leaders in Africa, Asia (Philippines), and [to Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Methodist most recently in the newly independent states of the .fs Episcopal Church (North) established Boards of former USSR and Eastern Europe (see article, p. 4). of Home Missions to administer mission policies and Missionary outreach program funding. The Boards incorporated a cadre through conferences embraces ~~; of more than 300 national missionary workers relat­ the historic principles of self­ ion directing, self-supporting, and By ed to the conferences. A strong women's missionary movement was self-propagating churches. the emerging in each of the predecessor bodies of The Churches of the United he United Methodist Church (Methodist, Evangelical Methodist missionary heritage in Association, and United Brethren churches). Because all benefit from patterns of efforts at formally recognizing women's missionary evangelization that reflect local th work within the conferences were not acknowledged or cultural distinctions. Local by the dominant male leadership of the churches, (national) leadership has deci­ women leaders successfully pursued self-directed sively-if gradually-weaned and self-administered mission organizations within churches from unintentional and unwanted cultural influ­ their churches. Methodist women's organizations Sarah, a United Methodis t crossed the racial divide in the church and society by ences of foreign missionaries. Volunteer in Mission team member, starting mis si~n work with women and children in Because of changing national helps to build sinks and showers in es African American communities. Each organization politics or compelling cultural Portillo de/ Norte, Honduras. ds

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 25 A youth in Ku mi, Uganda, peels cassava, a dietary staple in Africa.

and organizational enriching the lives of North American and European interests, a number of United Methodist volunteers who build facilities or conferences in Asia offer professional skills to the mission programs and and Latin America projects in conferences on other continents. This vital have even chosen form of mission engagement has shaped and reener­ autonomy, but not gized countless local churches and other units of con­ separation from the nectional mission. The emergence of this form of con­ fellowship and sup­ nectional mission has played a major role in develop­ port of The United ing recent new mission initiatives in places like Russia, Methodist Church. the Baltic States, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Only those churches Africa, and Southeast Asia. that function in rela­ tively healthy national economies can reach levels of financial solvency that assure any measure of self­ Laying the Foundation of a support. Global Connection ~~~~~~~~~~~ he ultimate mission challenge facing The United Methodist Church today is devel­ An UrgentC~~llen.~e~~~~~--~~­ oping or enhancing a pattern (policy) for Jul istorically, connectional g1vmg­ sharing the financial resources needed to augmented by second-mile desig­ sustain a growing global connection. In This is a b nated (Advance) gifts-adequately discussions of proposals for reshaping "thank yot undergirded the general mission the denomination's organizational structure to reflect done on thi agency budget that allocated sup­ the vitality and gifts of the growing global member­ story in Ne port to missionary programs and ship, the immediate stumbling blocks are representa­ August 20( church relationships. Today, inflationary costs of tion and finances. A growing connectional mission is layout was operating in a global economy, along with addition­ working. If it is God's mission, it cannot be regarded and story al financial burdens of other connectional ministries, as "overworked." United Methodism faces a contem­ have r~ad I have diminished the value of the mission dollar. porary mission challenge that requires a renewal in edition ab1 Global mission in The United Methodist Church connectional thinking and acting. poverty an faces an immediate connectional challenge. The mis­ Wesley used the occasion of conferencing to invoke tling and iJ sion continues in hard-pressed mission contexts only God's direction for the challenges facing the ministry of There c by the grnce of God. Pastors and evangelists are his Methodist connection. As the 2004 General quick soh called but not prepared, serve but are rewarded sole­ Conference convenes, will United Methodists from the world pro ly by their joy in obedient discipleship. Churches are conferences in the Northern Hemisphere (those with organizati1 organized without the benefit of regular meeting access to greater affluence and who exercise a majority Resource B places or adequate facilities for programs. Mission influence in the affairs of the church) answer God's call impact, on schools remain open and filled to capacity, but the to assume a higher level of sharing with the growing but it is that be teachers are few, desks are missing, and books are in impoverished conferences in the Southern Hemisphere? with FRB ~ short supply. Hospital beds are limited and are often In the Christian household, stewardship is a means of Helping shared by multiple patients. Doctors and nurses grace, not merely a management of individual posses­ themselves practice their art of healing, but within the limits of sions. There is never more than one donor, God, and all the best ki outdated medical equipment and scarce medicines. others are never more than humble recipients of God's Christ that These are United Methodists with whom the whole grace. When United Methodist stewardship becomes church is united in mission, but our connectional that sacramental, its global mission connection will be response remains inadequate. richly blessed with all the fruits of the Spirit-most espe­ A growing acknowledgment of the need is a major cially, unity in Christ. motivation for many dedicated United Methodists to make a direct voluntary response by cultivating cre­ I just f Robert Harman retired in 2000 from the position of Deputy ative partnerships among churches, districts, and J. JulyI Augi conferences. Resources, good will, and new under­ General Secretary for Evangelization and Church Growth and World Ou t standing flow among the participants, especially for Community and Institutional Ministries. pointed w recommer UMW mis r26 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 ~an or rnd articles were very interesting, there the reporter, "You have to put in so ital was no mention of God or Christ in much to revive this," the reporter added ier­ any of the articles. an aside, "As though any revival was ln­ I think the main purpose of a possible." Below is an update on Canta ln· mission program is to spread the sent by Dr. Cherian Thomas, staff of lp­ Word of God and present the sal­ Health and Relief and coordinator of the ;ia, vation message, at the same time Hospital Revitalization Program. ca, caring for the physical needs of the people it is helping. And I wonder The Ganta United Methodist if the Methodist Church missions Church Hospital in Nimba County, are doing this. Liberia, was badly damaged and Janis Rhinehart looted during the recent conflict. Birchwood, Wisconsin GBGM' s missionaries in Liberia, Herbert and Mary Zigbou, Beatrice he In 1962, I took a Public Health elec­ Gbanga, and other hospital staff el- tive as a rising senior at Columbia are currently in refugee camps in or July-August 2003 University Medical School (College Guinea trying to cater to the needs to of Physicians and Surgeons) at of thousands of Liberian refugees In This is a belated message saying Ganta Mission, Liberia, in the from Ganta and neighboring areas. ig "thank you" for a job very well Methodist mission hospital that has The Zigbous will visit Ganta short­ 'ct done on the Foods Resource Bank now been destroyed [in a series of ly and have sent fact-finding 'T· story in New World Outlook's July­ rebel attacks]. teams back to Ganta to assess the a­ August 2003 edition (p. 40). The In the three months I was there, I damage and take photos. is layout was clean and the pictures was impressed and moved by the Meanwhile, UMCOR has set up ~d and story worked out well. We dedication of the missionary doc­ an Advance Special called Ganta 1- have r~ad the other articles in that tors and their staff of locally trained Hospital Emergency, #150385, to ITT edition about world hunger and people to the huge community they which donations can be sent. We poverty and found them to be star­ serviced and educated with mini­ will set up a Ganta Hospital web­ :e tling and interesting. mal equipment, maximum imagi­ site soon and we are organizing a if There certainly is no easy or nation, and zero preaching. conference call with friends and tl quick solution to this gnawing This hospital cared for so many well wishers of Ganta UMC world problem, but we feel that people over a wide geographic area, Hospital, on Monday, November organizations such as Foods including many lepers who lived 10, 2003 at 10 A.M. Liberian Bishop Resource Bank can make a positive there. Its loss is tragic. I mourn it. John Innis will be on the line. The impact, one village at a time. And conference call will be led by Paul it is that belief that makes working Susan M. Fisher, M.D. Dirdak, Deputy General Secretary, with FRB worthwhile to us. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry UMCOR, Health and Welfare, and Helping hungry people to help and The Committee on Human Mission Volunteers. Those interest­ i· themselves through food security is Development, University of Chicago ed in joining the call may contact the best kind of witness for Jesus me at 212-870-3870 or by e-mail: Christ that we know. On July 18, 2003, the New York [email protected] Times published an article about the The United Methodist Church Carol Sloan Gan.ta Un ited Methodist Hospital in Liberia and GBGM's Health & Sloan Family Farms written by Somini Sengupta. The Relief are committed to reopening Northwest Ohio Conference reporter was led back to the des troyed the hospital and seek your help grounds by a Gan.ta physician, Dr. and cooperation in this effort. I just finished reading the Jo seph L. Kerkula, who had to fl ee in July / August 2003 issue of New March with the rest of the staff and Dr. Cherian Thomas World Outlook. I was very disap­ patien ts when rebel soldiers took over Health and Relief pointed with the magazine. It is the compound to stage a three-mon th recommended reading for our fight with governmen t forces . When UMW mission group. Though the Dr. Kerkula remarked optimistically to rl See page 2 for Advance giving.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 27 The Chilgol Church, Church in Pyongyang, North Korea.

by Younssook C. Kans and Gail V Coulson

This is the third article in a three-part series on North Korea that began in the July-August 2003 issue of New World Outlook.

the North and the National Council of Churches of Korea in the South sh ared Holy Com­ munion. At first, representatives from North Korea refused. But their hesitation was soon over­ come by the powerful symbol of unity. Korean brothers from North and South shared the bread and the cup, breaking down the walls of separation that had tormented them for so long. They wept tears n 1986, during deeply troubling of joy and hugged one another. times of vacillating tensions on The deeply moved, teary-eyed and reunite. In the current situa­ equal ber I the Korean peninsula that con­ assembly joined in the highly emo­ tion of Korean relations, when rec­ ment wit} tinue today, a historic event took tional moment, now referred to as onciliation sometimes seems out of following place in which Christians from "A Holy Spirit Event at Glion." reach, the Glion revelation is worth liaisons b North Korea (Democratic People's Reconciliation becomes possible remembering as a paradigm of ties and

Republic of Korea, DPRK) and when, in Christ, we become a new Christian work, striving for peace Korean B1 South Korea (Republic of Korea, creation (2 Cor. 5:17). between South and North Korea. Chondo ROK) met together for the first time This is a critical time for all indigenou since the 1948-imposed division of United Methodists to join in soli­ Religious Realities Korean the peninsula. The event, an inter­ darity with other Christians Though religious life is hardly (KCF), fo national theological consultation, around the world to help fulfill encouraged in the DPRK, the Korean took place in Glion, Switzerland, peace and reconciliation in Korea. Korean Council of Religioni ts (KCA), ei and was sponsored by the World All members of the body of Christ, consists of organizations and prac­ year of th Council of Churches (WCC). especially Christians in the United titioners of various religions. The Chun Ca ti At the closing of this first direct States, have a responsibility to sup­ literature indicates full legal guar­ Appro: encounter between the two Korean port the Korean people's attempts antees of religious freedom, with tant Chr churches, representatives from the to build democracy, reduce ten­ civil rights to participate freely in Korea. Th Korean Christians Federation in sion, create trust, heal division, all social activities. Citizens receive churches I

28 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 Pyongyang, and 500 house church­ hymnals have been publi hed by es around the country, where small the KCF. There are 800 Catholic groups worship, led mainly by lay believers in Pyongyang and 3000 leaders in individual homes. countrywide. Since the Catholic Bongsu Church, inaugurated in congregations do not have priests, 1988, has 330 members, two pas­ laypersons officiate during Sunday tors, and a 30-member choir. worship. Mass is celebrated on Worship services in the Korean rare occasions when priests visit language take place every Sunday the country. and are open to international visi­ tors, with interpretation provided to small groups. Chilgol Church was built in 1990 in Man Gyong Dae (a suburb of Pyongyang). It is close to the destroyed church where the mother of the late President Kim Il Sung used to worship and teach Sunday school before World War II. The Korean Christians Federation provides theological training. There are about 55 ordained pastors and 300 deacons, elders, and evangelists. Since 1983, 10,000 Bibles and

ua­ equal benefits from the govern­ 'eC­ ment without discrimination. The :of following provide important rth liaisons between faith communi­ of ties and the government: the ice Korean Buddhists Federation; the Chondo Kyo Association (an indigenous Korean religion); the Korean Christians Federation Uy (KCF), founded in 1946; and the he Korean Catholic Association ;ts (KCA), established in 1988, the 1c­ year of the inauguration of Chang he Chun Cathedral in Pyongyang. l!· Approximately 12,000 Protes­ th tant Christians live in North Opposite, p. 28: Youngsook C. Kang reads with a deacon of Na rang Hou se Church. in Korea. They attend two Protestant Top: Members of Bongsu Church. Above: Hymn singing with an accordian at Namng ve churches located in the capital city, Hou se Church.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 29 secretary of the WCC, Konrad through the International Justice Korean An Raiser and an ecumenical delega­ and Human Rights desk of Church the currer tion met with representatives of World Service and Witness, NCC­ shared by the KCF. An aid shipment coordi­ CUSA. The task group advanced Hahm, pre nated by Action by Churches advocacy toward peaceful reunifi­ Professor 1 Together (ACT) sent food items, cation of the Korean peninsula, Columbia medicines, and medical equip­ raised contributions for humanitari­ SQ-year OV( ment. This humanitarian effort an aid, and created a network of peace on th begun in 1995 included substantial women in North America who are Leon Sigal aid from The United Methodist concerned about North Korea. Cooperati\ Church arranged through UMCOR The GBGM continues to work Social SciE and the GBGM. on humanitarian assistance sup­ addressed GBGM staff members Gail Coulson, June port for the DPRK through US-North Kim, Youngsook Kang, and Paul Dirdak UMCOR and on advocacy for the ways towa and GBGM Board member Man; Baldridge issue of peace and reconciliation of The Re with staff members of Pyongyang the Korean peninsula through the General : Children's Home. Advisory Committee on Korea former st to the Council of Bishops. The of GBGN Korean Christians Federation Advisory Committee has represen­ NCCCUSA Resolution to work for the peace­ tation from the GBGM, the General led Ecume1 ful reunification of the Korean Board of Church and Society, the held Jur peninsula and bring North Korean Commission on Christian Unity Washingto Christians into the ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns, at the co1 family has continued over the and the Korean Reunification there wast years. In 1992, an NCCK General Committee of the National Assoc­ lution oft} Secretary made a historic first visit iation of Korean American United "terribly d to the DPRK. Later that year, the Methodist Churches. orth Km National Council of the Churches Strong, ad1 of Christ in the United States Korea Peace Forum the Uni!E of America (NCCCUSA)-with In observance of the SOth anniver­ General Kc United Methodist General Board sary of the Korean War Armistice about the of Global Ministries (GBGM) and A choir member at Chilgol Church. and toward furthering commit­ sive settler United Methodist Committee on ment to continued educational and Korea's SE Relief (UMCOR) participation Women in Solidarity peacemaking efforts, a GBGM­ and help t'I visited the DPRK. The KCF for the In September 2001, North Korean sponsored Korea Peace Forum was and energ) first time openly reported on the women participated for the first held on July 23, 2003, with support omy, and : hunger crisis following the natural time in an international conference from the Korean American the intern disasters and discussed with inter­ entitled Women in Solidarity for National Coordinating Council said: "If t} national partners the issue of Peace and Reunification of Korea. (KANCC). Mary Baldridge, GBGM take the le; resource sharing. Churches began This historic event was held in director, reported on the July 2002 settlement I to respond in support of appeals Toronto, as Canada had established visit of a GBGM delegation to support. T for humanitarian relief and joined normalized relations with North North Korea. Led by GBGM's the institu efforts to nurture justice, peace, Korea. Made possible through president, United Methodist help tip th1 and reconciliation, which led to growing contact between Korean Bishop Joel Martinez and invited further ecumenical and denomina­ and North American women, the by the KCF, the delegation accom­ tional visits to and from North international conference planning panied the distribution of 70 med­ You ngsook Korean churches. began after a five-member delega­ ical boxes for hospitals, children's -­General < In December 1998, a KCF dele­ tion visited the DPRK. Invited by homes, and orphanages. Coulson i; The Korea Peace Forum includ­ gation participated in the WCC's the Korean Christians Federation, Connection eighth assembly m Harare, the delegation, which included ed presentations by the Revs. Contexts Youngsook Charlene Kang and Zimbabwe, and received an enthu­ GBGM participation, represented General Bo, siastic welcome from the member the North American Partnership Paul Dirdak on Korean peace and churches. In April 1999, in the first with Korean Women Task Group, reconciliation as well as humani­ tarian work through UMCOR. A rl visit to North Korea by a general which was established in 1999 See page 2

30 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMB ER 2003 • • • ' • '' ' ~ '' t ~I ' •.. a.. '• •" - ~ .• • 'o

ice Korean American perspective on Resolution on Korea for General Conference 2004 rch the current nuclear crisis was :c. shared by the Rev. Dr. Michael The General Board of Global Ministries, April 2003 :ed Hahm, president of the KANCC. Affirming resolution #309, titled "Korea- Peace, Justice, and Reunification," of jfj. Professor Charles Armstrong of the United Methodist General Conference Book of Resolutions adopted in 1988 1la, Columbia University provided a and amended and adopted in 2000; further, noting the most recent tensions on ui· SO-year overview of work toward the Korean peninsula around North Korea's acknowledgment of the existence of of peace on the Korean peninsula. Dr. its highly enriched uranium (HEU) nuclear programs; further, noting the long l.re Leon Sigal of the Northeast Asia and important relationship between the Korean Christians Federation (an offi­ Cooperative Security Project irk Social Science Research Council cial Protestant body founded in 1946, currently representing 12,000 Christians 1p­ addressed the current context of in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK]) and the General Board of gh US-North Korea relations and Global Ministries; recognizing the importance of past General Board of Global he ways toward peace. Ministries' support to the people of the DPRK, such as its contributions of food of The Rev. Randy Day, GBGM and medical supplies and its advocacy regarding US policy towards the DPRK; he General Secretary, current and further, affirming the faith of the Christian community in North Korea, as wit­ ea former staff, and missionaries nessed by the members of the General Boord of Global Ministries' delegations he of GBGM participated in an through participating in worship services at various churches in North Korea; n­ NCCCUSA/Church World Service­ becoming aware of the strong desire of the Korean people for peaceful reunifi­ ·a] led Ecumenical Korea Consultation cation of the Korean peninsula, the General Board of Global Ministries of The ne held June 16-18, 2003, in United Methodist Church: Washington, DC. Leading experts l) Affirms the long and important relationship of care, love, support, and soli­ IS, at the consultation agreed that darity between the Korean Christians Federation (KCF) of the Democratic there was hope for a peaceful reso­ lution of the crisis, recognizing the People's Republic of Korea and the General Board of Global Ministries of "terribly dangerous time" in US­ The United Methodist Church; North Korean relations. Maurice 2) Acknowledges that the General Board of Global Ministries' pri mary rela­ Stron~ advisor on Korea issues to tionship partner in the DPRK is the Korean Christians Federation; the United Nations Secretary 3) Affirms the continuation of further advocacy for improved US-DPRK rela­ r­ General Kofi Annan, was optimistic tions and to work toward realization of a peaceful reunification of Korea; :e about the success of a comprehen­ 4) Urges the United States and Korea to reopen a dialogue to resolve all issues t­ sive settlement. It should guarantee related to nuclear proliferation and work toward a nonaggression pact; d Korea's security and sovereignty 5) Recommends that the United States lift economic sanctions against North I- and help North Korea solve its food Korea and provide humanitarian assistance; IS and energy crises, develop its econ­ 6) Recommend s an ongoing process of public advocacy regarding peace and rt omy, and normalize relations with reconciliation through: n the international community. He ii said: "If the United States were to a) Program initiatives on Korea, including education and public advocacy, A take the lead in effecting a peaceful b) Closer work with Korean United Methodist congregations, which are tak­ Q settlement, it would get universal ing the lead in providing food and other material aid for the needs of the 0 support. The church may well be Korean people, the institution best positioned to c) Inviting United Methodist congregations to join in the efforts to provide help tip the balance toward peace." humanitarian aid to North Korea, d) Encouragement of continued advocacy through the Advisory Committee to the Council of Bishops, the General Board of Church and Society, and Youngsook Charlene Kang is Deputy the General Board of Global Ministries on the issue of peace and rec­ General Secretary and Gail V. onci liation of the Korean peninsula, and Coulson is Execu tive Secretary for e) Continued commitment to humanitarian assistance for the DPRK th rough Connec tional Relations in Mission the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Advance #226435, Contex ts and Relationships, th e General Board of Global Ministries. A North Korea Emergency; 7) Resolves to seek the prayers of all United Methodists to inspire continued join­ [I ing with Christians around the world in solidarity and covenant, to work to See page 2 for Advance giving. ful fi ll peace and reconci liation in North Korea.

N EW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DE EMB ER 2003 31 ~ \ orldwid, )alom exp reach aero munitie, ai They are rE compellin g ~ and realize u benefit of a~ derelopmenl ence combil i t in the medical unit 1ce to the Wa Obua i, Gha _ nting the tra\'eled to mobile medi More thaJ m in \illag unde\'elopeo nm\ ha\'e a1 care. The V ti hedasa ~ in 1999) prov dren, \\'Omer able to walk of tran par remote clinic not tra\'el th

communitie! made their Following t n y ar ago, General nference Carolina; M mphi , T nn Conference delegate united in r pon to th Littl R k, rkan a ; Bamb rg, toward the ocial, economic, and piritual outh a r Jina; mall- and mid- 'orthern r d a tation of riot in Lo ng I . iz d town and citi a ro th R1rer, Th re pon e wa oIPmuniti of orth Te a nnual onfer n ; a1 ' \\a hington halom, "church and mmuni- and multipl tting aero th f ti w rking together t r n w and U nit d ta t . made contrit lobal rebuild community !if ." Whil a to h alth car partn1 Toda , m r than 500 halom tinu Thi ha mmuniti ar m aking diff r­ ha lorn trate the 1\hen n e in rural, urban, d m af t n t t hale g l bal e tting . Fir t-tim to th p role of "rep ha e r d :artner hipi in e\'ery cc n i withe

a nd

1 1an , nur , and

12 rw WORD fl "- IBI R :mo Demonstrated Positive Outcomes A Worldwide Shalom In 2001 alone, 7 4 Shalom Sites interviewed (of 123 Active Sites identified) Shalom experiences continue to affected more than 65,000 lives. In 2002, more than 700 leaders served on reach across congregations, com­ local Shalom Teams. Across the country, 840 secular organizations and 570 munities, and even continents. religious congregations partner or collaborate with Shalom Sites. Generating They are reflected through the human, physical, and financial assets, Shalom is active primarily in low-income compelling need to share resources communities, in areas with both very low and very high population densities. and realize in remarkable ways the As a churchwide initiative, Shalom is: benefits of asset-based community • Seized by people who are motivated by strong spiritual callings as a way to development. Five annual confer­ intentionally manifest their faith; ences combined their resources to assist in the purchase of a mobile • Creating opportunities and relationships through which people at all levels of medical unit as an extension serv­ connection with local sites further their personal faith journeys; ice to the Watreso Shalom Clinic in • Initiating and/or strengthening partnerships among congregations and com­ Obuasi, Ghana. Five people repre­ munity organizations; senting these annual conferences • Generating program ministries that build local assets as they improve eco­ traveled to Ghana to put the nomic development and health conditions within local communities; and mobile medical unit into service. • Creating opportunities and relationships that result in improved racial/ethnic More than 400,000 residents liv­ understandings. ing in villages and hamlets in the undeveloped areas around Obuasi now have access to basic medical care. The Watreso Clinic (estab­ lished as a Shalom site after training Communities of Shalom in 1999) provides health care to chil­ Shalom calls people, churches, and local organizations together to determine and dren, women, and families who are create their own vision of the future. Shalom Sites minister to urgent needs, while able to walk or find limited means taking steps to initiate systemic change in the environments that limit wholeness and of transportation to reach the growth, by pursuing four central goals: Spiritual Growth, Economic Development, remote .clinic. Still, thousands could not travel the distance. True to the Strengthened Multicultural Relationships, and Healing and Wholeness. culture of collaboration, Shalom The originators of the Shalom Initiative were keenly aware that its approach communities in the United States to community ministry must generate widespread, multidimensional impacts. made their resources available. The initiative paid careful attention to four principles: Mission Evangelism, Asset­ Following the lead of the Texas Based Community Development, Collaboration, and Systemic Change. S, Conference and its gift of $8000 1, toward the mobile medical unit, Communities of Shalom (COS) Training J· Northern Illinois, Illinois Great This five-session module takes place over six months and equips people to imple­ d Rivers, and the Baltimore­ ment the Shalom Initiative in their local geographic areas. Clergy, laity, com­ Washington annual conferences e munity leaders, and community residents learn specific skills in planning and made contributions that realized the leadership. They also gain knowledge about identifying, developing, and utiliz­ e global partnership. ing local assets and creating effective partnerships. This sharing of gifts demon­ A second important training component, called Equipping Shalom strates the scope of possibilities when Shalom sites embrace the Communities (ESC), was developed in 1998 for Conference Shalom role of "repairers of the breach." Coordinators.The training teaches coordinators how to facilitate initial consulta­ Partnerships are enriched by valu­ tions with potential sites and conduct the COS training. ing every contribution because no Sites that complete COS training are eligible to receive seed-money grants one is without a gift to share. of $2000 from the Shalom office. Approved sites also can receive second-tier fund­ ing up to $10,000. Bath grants are intended to support sites' requests for resource other sources. In order to receive grants, sites must submit proposals that Lynda Byrd is an Assistant General from Secretary, Coordinator of the address the benchmarks set forth by the Shalom office in the COS traini ng. Communities of Shalom, and Director In addition to training and funding, the Shalom office and most annual con­ of Development at the General Board ferences provide sites with newsletters, site visits, networks that deliver informa­ of Global Ministries. tion about opportunities, and affirmation and encouragement.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 Le he in unity, cult ing a basE Lango arents Vietnamese I With Bet! To and the o Vietnames ewWorld 2003 sumrne !heir predecE n enthusiastic, smiling group While in New Orleans, the team duce yet an( A of 42 children cros es the hosted an afternoon carnival, visited in this oni parking lot of Broadmoor United nursing homes, and held a one-week interns inclu Methodist Church in Baton Rouge middle-school camp at Cornerstone Hannah-Lee as they head for an hour of UMC. Its pastor, the Rev. James Duong, Hiei Vietnamese-language instruction. Haynes, said: "It was a wonderful and David T This might seem like an unusu­ experience for our church. [The Hannah-l al summer camp activity, but for interns'] presence did a lot for the Canada but these children-who are all of community; it made the program Michigan. Sh Vietnamese descent-it is a chance and our church more visible within boy named i to learn the language that is second the city's Vietnamese population. brated his 12 nature to their parents. We are really looking forward to the camp stai "These kids were born and continuing this ministry." Anthony as. raised in the United States, and The Rev. Haynes added that the coming at 8 they usually know only a few experience of housing the interns such a good t words of Vietnamese," said David in the homes of church members get here in tl To, leader of the two-week sum­ was an "awesome" experience. "To tell him no, b mer camp being held as part of the exchange cultures like that was a keep up with Louisiana Annual Conference rare opportunity for us." Vietnamese ministry. "However, The team then headed to Baton Connectiom most of their parents came from Rouge for two weeks of summer Key to ·getti Vietnam, and they are thrilled that camp at Broadmoor UMC and an ground hav their children are learning more evangelistic gathering that fo l­ chairperson about the language that is part of lowed. The Vietnamese Summer namese Ca their family heritage." Day Camp serves children aged 6 Linh and Tr to 11. "Betty" Bich Thy Tran, who a commitrn Interns Make the Difference worked with similar camps held in istry with V In the summer of 2003, the unique Baton Rouge last summer and over Tran worke ou treach ministry completed its the Ch ristmas holidays, helped group of inl first year at Broadmoor UMC this group of interns get acclimat­ gation in and expanded the mission to ed to the city and acquainted with Nguyensco1 Cornerstone United Methodist the Vietnamese population cur­ sors for the I Church in New Orleans, with the rently being served through the addition to support of the Louisiana Confer­ ministry at Broadmoor UMC. ments in Ho ence Ministry Team, the Board of The Rev. Church Extension, and the General Project Beginnings pastor of Br Board of Global Ministries' Asian­ Last summer, six missionary Vietnamese American Language Ministries. interns-of which three were sem­ Boulevard ii Six Vietnamese missionary inary students- were selected to ~ea of Bato: interns were recruited from Tampa, live in Baton Rouge for 8 to 10 is a perfect Florida; Windsor, Canada; Chicago, weeks. The church agreed to pro­ close neigh vide office space for the interns Illinois; and Grand Rapids, Mich­ ~roadmoor igan, to plan, organize, and conduct and a setting for Vacation Bible ~g God's g School and other Bible studies. The a ministry for the Vietnamese popu­ istry aroun< interns worked to develop contacts lation in two Louisiana cities- New A Vietnam ese boy writes on the blackboard our backyar Orleans and Baton Rouge. during a Vietna111 ese language class. within the city's Vietnamese com- serve this I

34 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 munity, cultivating and develop­ play a role in helping to found a week we have expanded this min­ ing a base for a permanent new church." istry to include citizenship classes Vietnamese ministry. The Rev. Amy Mercer, minister and English Comer." With Betty Tran's help, David of Discipleship and Missions for Although the ministry draws To and the other five interns at the Broadmoor UMC, serves as Broad­ largely from neighboring areas, the 2003 summer camp have built on moor' s liaison for the ministry. program is becoming popular their predecessors' progress to pro­ "It's wonderful to see the joy expe­ throughout the city. The program eam duce yet another successful event rienced by the children as they are has been so successful that David 1ited in this ongoing ministry. The served by this ministry. The To and the other interns hope there 1eek interns include Minh An Nguyen, Vietnamese language classes have will also be a summer camp for :one Hannah-Lee Nguyen, Nhat Ly been mixed in with story time, arts middle-school children next year. mes Duong, Hieu Truong, Jenny Tran, and crafts, and lots of other activi­ "Some of our older kids have vol­ •rful and David To. ties, so the kids don't feel like they unteered to help a counselors in The Hannah-Lee Nguyen lives in are in school. We are not trying to the future," he said. " It is so the Canada but attends church in Troy, make them just like us; instead, rewarding to see how much this Michigan. She shared a story about a together we are learning how to means to them. This ministry is :hin boy named Anthony who just cele­ appreciate the incredible di ersity really making a difference." ion. brated his 12th birthday. "Although within the Kingdom of God. As a to the camp starts at 8:30 A.M. each day, result of last year's mission to Anthony asked if he could start Baton Rouge, English as a Second Betty Backstrom is the editor of the coming at 8 A.M. He was having Language (ESL) classes have been Louisiana Now!, the conference news­ ms such a good time, he couldn't wait to added to our ministries. Just this paper of the Louisiana Conference. •ers get here in the mornings. I hated to 'To tell him no, but we need our sleep to A child raises his hand to respond in a Vietnamese language class held at the s a keep up with this group." Vietnamese Summer Day Camp .

:on Connectional Support m Key to getting this project off the an ground have been Dr. Luat Tran, ol- chairperson of the national Viet­ 1er namese Caucus, and the Revs. l 6 Linh and True Nguyen. All exhibit ho a commitment to Christian min­ in istry with Vietnamese peoples. Dr. 1er Tran worked to secure the first ed group of interns from his congre­ at­ gation in California, and the ith Nguyens continue to serve as advi­ }f- sors for the Baton Rouge project, in he addition to serving their appoint­ ments in Houston. The Rev. Bob Burgess, senior pastor of Broadmoor, said: "Many ry Vietnamese live along Florida n­ Boulevard in the Sherwood Forest to area of Baton Rouge. This ministry JO is a perfect fit for us, as we are o- close neighbors. Overall, we at 15 Broadmoor UMC have been seek­ le ing God's guidance to be in min­ 1e istry around the world. Right in ts our backyard, we can reach out to serve this group and ultimately

- Advance gr , New mil , Global o Ecuador, Philippii • curricul , Deaf/lat hearing , Deaf anc • Commu technolo

Other areas • Enablin! to take l (nationa • Sending to the 1( Celebral • Support Method Deaf mE fo r corm

Much to Be As clergy Washingtm National Committee was to make people aware of the have come from the Deaf Ministry consult~nt needs of Deaf (culture), late-deaf­ Advance Special (#982562). have coon on Ministries with ened, hard of hearing, and deaf­ events. In g Deaf, Late-Deafened, blind people. In addition, the com­ Committee Work be done i mittee offered seed-money grants Since its first meeting in the fall of United Me Hard of Hearing, and for new and existing ministries, 2000, the committee has visited the ble to peop both national and global. In the following: of the most Deaf-Blind People past three years, the committee has work is h taken to the road with a story to • General Boards: Church and understand by Peggy Johnson tell and mission to promote. Society, Discipleship (Older Adult loss are nc The committee's infrastructure Ministries and staff development), with diffe1 resides in the Health and Welfare and Global Ministries. types of hE n 1992, the General Conference Office of the General Board of • Agencies: United Methodist ways to of The United Methodist Global Ministries, which provides Publishing House. ~elude sii I Church established a study staff support and a consultant to • Seminaries: Perkins, Wesley, listening dE committee known as the National operate the program. The National Duke, Drew, Gammon, United, ~ign langt Committee on Deaf Ministry. From Committee itself consists of 10 and Methesco. mterpretin! 1992 until 2000, this committee people (two from each jurisdiction) • Conferences: Holston, Greater match the studied United Methodist re­ who guide the work of the out­ New Jersey, Virginia, Pacific one way de sponse to people with hearing loss reach teams and meet both in per­ Northwest, Central Texas, North church ne1 and the ministries with and for son and via the Internet to conduct Texas, Southwest Texas, Florida, client. them. In 2000, General Conference business. This committee is inclu­ Central Pennsylvania, Western In addi1 passed a petition that allocated sive of people who are Deaf, late­ Pennsylvania, Great Rivers, North ing loss ar1 funds for a team to travel the con­ deafened, hard of hearing, deaf­ Alabama-West Florida, North leaders. En nection and present awareness blind, and hearing. The funding Carolina, Western New York, ship in the programs at boards, agencies, sem­ allotted for this is approximately Tennessee, Peninsula-Delaware, making fur inaries, and conferences. The goal $50,000 per year. Additional funds and New York. conununic

36 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 Advance grants have funded: potential leaders. Currently, The Deaf Ministries has sponsored a • New ministries United Methodist Church has only Deaf-Blind Adult Camp at the • Global outreach: Kenya, a handful of ordained people with West River Camping Center in Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Liberia, hearing loss. Local churches have Churchton, Maryland. The camp is Philippines, Sri Lanka even fewer people on their boards designed to bring spiritual, recre­ • Curriculum development and committees. ational, and social opportunities to • Deaf I late-deafened I hard of A final important theme of the a unique group of adults: those hearing deaf-blind internships National Committee is that people with full or partial deafness and • Deaf and deaf-blind camps with hearing loss have gifts and blindness. There are only three • Communication access through graces for ministry that the church such camps in the entire country, technology. needs in order to be fully whole. and this camp is the only one that Hearing loss is a gift that brings a is church-related. It began in 1998 Other areas of outreach include: host of sensitivities and skills from with six campers and 10 helpers • Enabling the Deaf community which the entire church can benefit. and a grant from the Shared Focus to take HIV I AIDS training on Youth and Young Adults. It has (nationally and globally) 2004 Petition now grown to 34 campers and 69 • Sending a deaf representative The National Committee is send­ helpers with campers from eight to the lOOth Anniversary ing a petition to General Confer­ states participating. Celebration of Korean Missions ence in 2004 in order to continue Camping activities include • Supporting the United the work of this outreach commit­ Bible study, swimming, boating, Methodist Congress of the tee. There are still many places wall climbing, arts and crafts, hik­ Deaf meetings with funding to visit and much ministry to ing, programs, and games. In addi­ for communication access. empower and increase. The com­ tion, special activities particularly mittee hopes to be funded for its designed for deaf-blind people are Much to Be Done full asking this year: $350,000. In planned, such as massage therapy, As clergy from the Baltimore­ 2000, funding was less than what manicures, haircuts, motorcycle Washington Conference and the was asked. With 28 million rides, bowling (with bumpers in consulti'J.nt for this committee, I late-deafened and hard of hearing the gutters), support groups, tac­ have coordinated the awareness people and 2 million sign-lan­ tile bingo, Pictionary™ with clay, events. In general, there is much to guage-using Deaf culture people tandem biking, trips to amusement be done in order to make The in the United States today, there is parks, and boat rides. The 2003 of United Methodist Church accessi­ much work to be done. theme was Blue Hawaii, and the he ble to people with hearing loss. One week ended with a full Hawaiian of the most important aspects of my Deaf-B lind Camp 2003 luau, complete with roasted pig, work is helping hearing people For the sixth year in a row, the dancing, grass skirts, and much id understand that folks with hearing Baltimore-Washington Conference laughter and joy. tlt loss are not all the same. People t), with different backgrounds and types of hearing loss use different st ways to communicate. These include sign language, assistive y, listening devices, captioning, tactile :i, sign language, and close-vision interpreting. The ministry has to

~r match the consumers' needs, and ic one way does not work for all. The h church needs to "listen" to the 3, client. n In addition, people with hear­ h ing loss are often not included as h leaders. Empowerment for leader­ ship in the church is crucial, as is ,,'

) making funds available to provide •/ communication access for these ,'ft>' r •:•

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-; ; ·~ . " ;;1!_ (~ • • • I

S~eete (i n he Deaf Mission Team Zimbabwe), traveled to Mutare and early the nex T Manicaland in Zimbabwe for Mutore. from June 16 to July 1, 2003. Two wi~ him on day but at night they become blind. weeks prior to our departure, of Deaf peof The support-service providers are there had been some demonstra­ cially our con volunteers who come to camp at tions in Zimbabwe that worried no "church" their own expense. The camp pro­ our friends and family. However, vides a valuable training ground our partners on the ground in Deaf people was most int for new workers in the field. Mutare and Dr. Murapa, the Campers and helpers come President of Africa University, support. He away from the camp each year assured us that we would be safe. Deof adults with a greater sense of apprecia­ In fact, the conditions were quiet, Deaf childre tion for all that God can do with no signs of political unrest Preschool ad through people with unique chal­ while we were there . However, lion list for f lenges. One camper, who is totally shortages of food and petrol and Church . deaf and blind and communicates the unbelievable rate of inflation Shortly a only by printing on her forehead, proved to be devastating to the 2000, the was able to climb a 30-foot wall at people. Our partners in Mutare orgonizotio the camp. Another camper, who had done well to secure transport formed in j was totally blind, learned how to Nzeve, ~e l Top left: Tori Diaz of Orlando, Florida, and petrol for our mission, but and Ann Black of Rockville, Maryland, navigate the tour boat during a when a part of their petrol supply Zimbabwe. l take hula lessons at the Deaf-Blind Camp camp field trip. The captain failed to materialize, Dr. Murapa libby Fosler, 2003. Top right: Motorcycling is a spe­ allowed him to guide the ship for was true to his word and came ing woman~ cially design ed activity at the Deaf-Blind much of the boat ride while sight­ through with the precious petrol ~ose with c Camp. Above: A participant at the camp ed people watched in amazement. Currentty, 4 administers massage therapy. through Africa University. Exquisite works of art in clay came The upheaval about our mis­ meet to de from the hands of those who could sion trip turned out to be a bless­ Zimbabwe For the most part, people who not see their creations. Daily, the ing . Because of it, more people group has are deaf and blind find it hard to morning Bible studies were led by here in our conference, in the skills and I access the ministries of the church. deaf-blind campers who share Zimbabwe Annual Conference, from marimo Deafness and blindness present a their "power made perfect in and at Africa University knew While w1 host of communication and mobil­ weakness" stories of God's work about and took an interest in our new building ity challenges that prevent most in their lives. mission . opened. It from attending worship. At the The camp is supported by gifts The team was composed of grant that camp, there are no barriers. Each from many sources, including a Carolyn Sangrey, a professional from the U camper has two helpers known as grant from the National Commit­ clown from Pine Castle United on Ministry "support-service providers" who tee on Ministries with Deaf, Late­ Methodist Church in Orlando, Deaf, Hare help the camper participate in Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Florida; Linda Mason, an attorney Deafened, a every activity. Communication Deaf-Blind People through the from Brown's Memorial Bapti st a classroom I modes vary a great deal. Different GBGM Health and Welfare Office. Church in Baltimore, Maryland; a work proje campers use tactile sign language, the Rev. Leo Yates, Jr., of Magothy During c assistive listening devices, close­ Un ited Methodist Church of the 1999 and c vision sign-language interpreting, The Rev. Peggy Johnson is pastor of Deaf; and myself. Amos Muya and talking loudly into the ear of Christ United Methodist Church in teacher, was the camper. Some are fully blind Baltimore, Maryland, and a consult­ Highlights of the Trip resigned as , and use Braille. Others have low ant for the Committee on Ministries As soon as we touched down in ing the Scho vision and need minimal guiding. with Deaf, Late- Deafened, Hard of Harare, we met w ith Bishop Universi~. H1 Still others can see well during the Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people.

38 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 Skeete (interim bishop for has called him to Deaf ministry. On Theology, one on ministry to people Zimbabwe), who graciously saw us our most recent trip, we held Deaf who are Deaf and another on min­ early the next morning before we left ministry worship workshops on visual istry to people with disabilities . I also for Mutare. We shared our mission worship, banner making, signed suggested that Africa University e, with him and discussed the situation singing, and Deaf Bible drama. We could transform the lives of many dis­ O· of Deaf people in Zimbabwe, espe­ all worshiped together using the new abled people across the conti nent if it id cially our concern that there has been skills developed in the workshops. were to include in the Department of !r, no "church" of any denomination for The Third Annual Deaf Sports Education courses on Special in Deaf people in the entire country. He Day, which we have helped sponsor Education and Deaf Education . 1e was most interested and offered his since its inception, was held while we Three days later, Dr. M urapa y, support. He also offered to have the were in Mutare. Deaf students from spoke at the opening of the Deaf :. Deaf adults and the families of the hundreds of miles away came to building at Nzeve. During his 11, Deaf children at the Nzeve Deaf compete and to join together in com­ speech, to the delight of teachers and st Preschool added to the food distribu­ munity. Pastor Amos started this com­ Deaf people, he announced Africa r, tion list for Hilltop United Methodist petition while he was a sports Un iversity's intention to offer Special d Church. teacher as an effort to build commu­ Education and Deaf Education cours­ n Shortly after our mission trip in nity with Deaf children . es starting in September 2004. It is e 2000, the first Deaf community Each team member was joined by my prayer that the members of the e organization, called Sanganai, three Deaf Zimbabweans and sent to Board of Africa Un iversity will formed in Mutare at the site of work with Deaf children in classes in approve these potentially life-chang­ Nzeve, the only Deaf preschool in Chipinge/Mt. Selinda, Mutambara, ing courses of study. Zimbabwe. This preschool is run by and Munyaro, the only Deaf second­ Libby Foster, a wonderful empower­ ary school class 1n Manicaland ing woman beloved by the Deaf and Province. The team members lived in Carol Stevens is a commissioned 10- those with contacts with the Deaf. very rural conditions for three days 10-10 missionary of the General Currently, 40 Deaf adult members and two nights. The three groups also Board of Global Min istries, working meet to define and standardize worked in four Deaf classes in the as the Deaf Shalom Zone Coordinator Zimbabwe sign language. This Mu tare area. in the Baltimore-Washington Annual group has developed leadership Conference. skills and learned about everything Africa University, from marimba to HIV/AIDS . a New Chapter While we were in Mutare, the One of the most exciting parts of our new building for the Deaf community trip was a developing relationship Deaf-Blind opened. It was built, in part, with a with Africa Un iversity and Dr. Camp 2004 grant that we were able to secure Murapa. I was invited to preach at Deaf-Blind Camp is already from the UMC National Committee the university chapel service to sensi­ on Ministry with People who are tize the congregation about Deaf being planned for summer Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late­ people. I spoke of the body of Christ, 2004. Many new friend­ Deafened, and Deaf-Bl ind . It houses which cannot be tru ly complete ships are formed at camp, a classroom, a fellowsh ip room , and unless all of its mem bers, including and the Braille computer a work project room for the Deaf. the Deaf, are truly part of the body. e-mails are flying back and During our exploratory trip in Afterwards, we were asked to meet forth as next year is joyfully 1999 and our return trip in 2000, w ith Dr. Murapa and Dr. Quarshie, discussed. For more infor­ Amos Muyambo, a physical fitness the Dean of the Faculty of Education. mation, contact Peggy teacher, was our guide. He has since They asked our advice about how Johnson at RevPink@aol. com Africa University could be of assis­ resigned as a teacher and is attend­ or Aniko Kuschatka at ing the School of Theology at Africa tance in Deaf M inistry. I suggested [email protected]. University. He believes now that God two courses in the School of

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 39 Announcing a new event for m1ss1on• • support

Children have a meal at a nutrition Children attend school in a village near program in Senegal. Pakxan, Laos.

. Fatu Lo, an act M~sio n Churci stories and mes

established Vie tnam, M uania, Latvi Senegal, and Tiv Lir describes } within the r community the power ol n December 6, 2003, The scheduled entertainers include and I saw te O United Methodist Church Judy Collins, Willie Nelson, and realized tha through the General Board of Amanda Powell, a member of love me, but Global Ministries will make history the General Board of Global sisters arour as the first mainline denomination Ministries' Youth Mission Chorale pray that w to combine a telethon broadcast 2001. Choirs participating include continue to with a simultaneous webcast to Gordon Memorial United will graduc tell the mission story and raise Methodist, Nashville, Tennessee; July 2003, aJ funds for mission. The program, Birmingham Southern College, pastor, leadi scheduled to run from 6:00 P.M. to Birmingham, Alabama; and The to Christ." 8:00 P.M. EST on the Inspiration Faithful Men, Maryville, Tennessee. From th1 Network, will celebrate new and The celebration will also include Fatu Lo, renewed mission initiatives in 11 stories of mission and ministry expresses h1 from each of the 11 countries bene­ countries, launched by the General sharing the 1 Board of Global Ministries, with fiting from the fundraiser. now, I hav grassroots involvement from Woiof langu United Methodist congregations New Initiatives Touch Lives Church in D and members. "The past 14 years have been an read Wolof exciting period of sharing the "In Mission Together for Christ Sundays, I 1 Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through and the World" is the theme of ice as the lib these new initiatives, thousands the celebration, co-hosted by Can you im who have never heard the story S T Kimbrough, director of the me to be a of love and redemption have telethon and Associate General myself even Secretary for Mission Evangelism been called into community," said gy and sin; the Rev. R. Randy Day, General with the General Board of Global Because I h1 Secretary of the General Board of follow the 'v\ Global Ministries. During this peri- present and I rest calmry AlthougJ Russia supp religion for many years, a rebirth is taking place. Gennady Lyalin, a Russian Methodist, met members of the renewed Russian United Methodist Church during a difficult illness. This meeting resulted in Lyalin's joining the Russian United Methodist community. He describes the church in Russia and his faith, explaining: "I learned that social service is one of the most Gennady Lyalin became acquainted with Fatu L6, an active member of Firs t United important ministries in United United Methodism while hospitalized in Russia. Mission Church in Senegal, first heard Methodism, together with mission­ stories and messages of the Bible in song. ary service and training .... The code at the appropriate place on United Methodist Church is deeply the website. In addition, the established in Cambodia, Laos, involved in the salvation of souls, General Board of Global Mini tries Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, Lith­ responding to the needs of individ­ will be offering the program simul­ uania, Latvia, Russia, Cameroon, uals, the corrununity, the country taneously through webstrearning Senegal, and Honduras. and all nations. All of this makes technology. Internet viewers can Tiv Linath of Cambodia the ministry of The United access the program through the describes her faith experience Methodist Church especially General Board of Global Ministries' within the new United Methodist urgent and timely in today's website at http: I I gbgm-umc.org. community in Phnom Penh: "By Russia ... .I have accepted Christ as For local churches or groups unable the power of God I was delivered, my personal Savior, and I believe to see the program through one of and I saw tears in many eyes and that through the Holy Spirit, love the above channels, DVD and VHS realized that not only does God comes into the world." versions of th e program will be love me, but all these brothers and available to district superintend­ sisters around me love me too .. .. I Watching the Broadcast ents and local churches upon pray that with God's help I will Local church members, interested request (212-870-3633). continue to serve God faithfully. I groups, student campus organi.za­ The goal of the celebration and will graduate from seminary in tions, and others can find out more telethon is to raise at least $2 mil­ July 2003, and I hope to be a good about these new initiatives and the lion to provide ongoing support pastor, leading many Cambodians lives touched through the mission and make future new mission ini­ to Christ." work of The United Methodist tiatives possible. The celebration From the continent of Africa, Church by viewing the celebration and telethon broadcast are unique Fatu Lo, of Dakar, Senegal, and telethon on December 6, 2003, ways for The United Methodist expresses her joy in learning and from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST. In Church through the General Board sharing the Gospel: "For five years announcing this historical broad­ of Global Ministries to tell the mis­ now, I have been active in the cast, the telethon director, S T sion story while raising funds for Wolof language United Methodist Kimbrough, said: "You are invited critical mission work. Church in Dakar. I have learned to to share in this media experience read Wolof and French, and most that will increase the general Sundays, I lead the worship serv­ recognition and support of the ice as the liturgist and song-leader. mission and ministry of The Can you imagine what it means to United Methodist Church. Join us me to be able to read the Bible in strengthening the church global­ myself every day? To lead the litur­ ly and locally." gy and singing in the church? ... A number of options are avail­ Because I have been baptized and able for view ing the telethon. follow the way of Jesus, I know my Potential viewers can access the present and my future is with God. Inspiration Netw ork website at I rest calmly in Jesus' love for me." http: I I www.insp.com to deter­ Tiv Lina th from Ca111bodia studied at the Although Communism in mine if the network is available in Cambodian Methodist Bible School, from Russia suppressed public pursuit of their area by entering their zip which she graduated in 2003.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 41 ou may use .1 old in the m11 Mission Memo ......

The Apartheid Wall Rises in the West Bank John Wesley. The opening address was made by Bishop In the northern West Bank, a portion of the partially complet­ Nelly Ritchie of the Argentine Evangelical Methodist ed Apartheid Wall will divide the city of Hebron. It will place Church. Abraham's Tomb (Haram Ibrahirni/Cave of Machpela) and the Ibrahim Mosque on the Israeli side of the wall. A finger­ Decade to Overcome Violence shaped indentation in the wall will connect the Israeli settle­ The 2004 focus of the World Council of Churches' Decade to ments inside Hebron to those outside Hebron. All of the set­ Overcome Violence (2001-2010), will be the United States. At ...... 0 tlements comprise the Old City. Although the area is sacred to a recent meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, WCC acknowl­ (/) ~ Jews, Muslims, and Christians, Muslims have been denied edged US-church opposition to the Iraqi war while noting ::; access to the mosque. that the US government disregards international order, refuses accountability to the United Nations, and ignores the Aid to Iraq Continues concerns of the world's populations. All Our Children, a Church World Service (CWS) Emergency Response program, is making tremendous contributions to UMCOR's Christmas Resources children in Iraq through funding from private sources. The The Christmas season is a perfect time to show concern funds received are in response to a $1 million campaign. for all of God's family. Order "Whose Birthday Is It, Donations have included $600,000, medical equipment Anyway?"-a free booklet that includes Christ-centered and supplies, and personal hygiene kits. In addition, All Our holiday ideas to help children understand the meaning of Children has purchased 100 beds for pediatric hospitals in Christmas. UMCOR's "Christmas Wish List" catalog offers Mosul, wheelchairs, blankets, dry-food goods, and vegetable ideas for small donations that can be given to provide immu­ oil, as well as nutritious fresh-food stocks. Iraq's street- and nizations and hot meals for children, medical assistance, and special-needs children served by health centers, along with other supplies needed around the world. Both can be children in orphanages, are among the 4000 who have bene­ ordered for postage and shipping. Call 1-800-305-9857. To fited from the program. view these and other resources, go to http: I I gbgrn­ umc.org I umcor I whose.stm. UMCOR Projects Some UMCOR programs are supported through UMCOR' s worldwide distribution of thousands of emer­ Christmas-card orders. Two series, "A Child Is Born" and gency health and layette kits has depleted supplies at "Isaiah," include 12 cards and envelopes for $10.00 a set. To Sager-Brown Depot. For information, go to http: I I gbgrn­ order call: 1-800-554-8583, or go to: http: I I gbgrn­ umc.org I umcor I kits.cfrn or call 1-800-814-8765. urnc.org I umcor I ccards.stm. In the countryside outside Monrovia, Liberia, as govern­ ment-rebel conflicts continue, UMCOR aid workers have DEATHS Joseph A. Keys, retired missionary with 8 years of returned to the city to distribute food and clear sewage lines service in Kenya, died February 4, 2003 ... Alberta K. Lundin, in partnership with the United Nations' World Food retired deaconess with 39 years of service in the United Program. According to a United Methodist official in States, died March 18, 2003 ... Dorothy D. Grayson, retired Monrovia, most of the churches hav been damaged and food missionary with nearly 20 years of service in Malaysia, supplies are depleted. Internally displaced Monrovians are China, and Sarawak, died June 14, 2003 ... Robert C. Bennett, being housed in United Methodist facilities, including a high retired missionary with nearly 11 years of service in Liberia, school, the Liberia Annual Conference's central office, and died June 20, 2003 ... Frances L. Persons, retired missionary United Methodist University. Contribute to relief efforts for with 30 years of service in Southern Zaire, died June 29, Liberians through the Liberia Emergency, Advance #150300. 2003 ... Elizabeth Brinton, retired missionary with nearly 22 Northeast of Monrovia, the Canta United Methodist years of service in Southern Zaire, died July 5, 2003 ... John M. i Hospital has been overrun and looted by government and Hunt, retired missionary with 6 years of service in India, rebel forces. Basic human services in Canta must be resumed. died July 11, 2003 ... Dolores Llorens Albricias, retired mis­ (See "Reader Response," p. 27.) Canta Hospital Emergency, sionary with 40 years of service in Algeria, died July 15, Advance #150385. 2003 ... The Rev. Dr. Joon Shoung Park, recently retired missionary with seven years of service in Russia, died History of Methodism Event in South America September 16, 2003. Dr. Park succumbed to a pulmonary Argentina's first event on the history of Methodism was held infection while in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is survived by July 16 through July 18, 2003, on the Colegio Ward campus in his wife, Hee Jin, and two sons. Buenos Aires. Pastors from Argentina participated in work­ shops on theological, historical, and musical topics related to [I See page 2 for Advance giving.

42 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2003 The United Methodist Church in Mission

The Awesomeness of God Brightening Smiles at Red Bird -i<' u Josephine Lewis is a United Methodist Deaconess and founder and -c"' From an article published in the Spring 2003 issue of The Cardinal, the "<:s director of two senior-service ministries, Phoebe's Place and Hidden I::'. newsletter of the Red Bird Missionary Conference...... Treasures, in Chicago, Illinois . "'I::'. ~ A dental screening at Red Bird Clinic was recently held for 36 chil­ Last year, Sandra, a caregiver for seniors at Phoebe's Place and ..§ dren by the Kentucky Dental Hygiene Association (KDHA). The I::'. Hidden Treasures, entered a nationwide essay contest sponsored ·;:: program was offered at no cost to preschool through third-grade >:>... by Charming Shoppes, Inc., a women's apparel retailer. The students at Red Bird Mission. Dental services are also given to older ;:;., essays had to be about a woman who was making a difference in children and adults by Dr. LaMar Keiser, Red Bird Clinic dentist. the lives of others. One hundred women-50 essayists and their l Director of Health and Wellness at Red Bird Clinic, Joel subjects-would be chosen to fly to Houston, Texas, to the grand­ 1l Medendorp, said: "The oral health needs in Southeastern Kentucky prize selection ceremony. ~"' are overwhelming. We hope this program will not only help over­ >:>... ;:s I didn't know that Sandra had submitted her essay about my "<:; • come the children's fear of coming to a dental clinic but will also f:J' i3 Alzheimer's ministries at Phoebe's Place and Hidden Treasures. O:>... table said, "Jo, they're calling you; go up on the stage." I had -c"' 0u never dreamed of receiving honors for doing what God had me ...... "'...... s::<» do. God had led me to provide services to seniors that, because :x.,.. >:>... .::: ·~- of Illinois State budget cuts, would not otherwise be available . . t: ""t:s .<::: I::'. "That was ... God," I told Sandra during ~ "' ~ Cu' the festivities that followed. -c,,, .-s "I know it was," she said. "' -i.: "'<» u<::: As the Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist O:>... <» o~ Conference memorial service in June E~ ...... c; 2003, "When there is no way, God K ­ <» "' makes a way." God be praised! I::'. ' <» ~ ..s:: "<:s ...... "<:s <» ·- A dental technician "' E ;:s <» at work at the Red ;::,..,..S:: "' ...... Bird Clinic. t: .!:; Josephine Lewis ;:s "<:s

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Live Nativity Chet and Jodi Cataldo are United Methodis t missionaries serving in Kaunas, Lithuana. Fran Lynch is a Church and Community Worker in the Alaska Mission­ ary Conference. In January 2003, we celebrated our third anniversary in Lithuania. We have seen the number of expanding congregations here grow In January 2002, I suggested to the Worship Committee of to 12. The expansion, in at least one instance, happens as youths Willow United Methodist Church that we consider having a live join the congregations. Nativity production at Christmas. The committee accepted the Recently, a small congregation in Ukmerge, Lithuania, formed. suggestion. The group asked Chet Cataldo to provide pastoral leadership and In the fall, a reminder was sent out and the planning began. began to meet for worship and a weekly Bible study. Afterward, The congregation was excited. Three members constructed a many youths expressed interest in attending the Bible study. Based lighted star, a manger, and stable walls. As we gathered cos­ on this, the congregation told Jodi that it wanted to start a youth tumes, we found a doll for the manger. A large live sheep and a group. live goat were loaned to us. When she visited, Jodi found the young people very enthusias­ The Sunday arrived for the live Nativity. It was the coldest tic. She is providing leadership to them as they meet on a regular day of winter, but the sky was clear. Some congregation members basis until another youth leader is in place. prepared hot chocolate for those in the production, who worked Jodi is also coordinating the translation and publication of in 30-minute shifts. The viewers knew the actors, so there was a resources in the Lithuanian language that will be used as a tool to lot of conversation, during which the preacher explained the dif­ empower leadership in the youth. The resources will also be a tool ference between myrrh and frankincense. Costumes included for Chet and GBGM missionary Ev Erbele as they teach a United housecoats, a Japanese kimono, and a Peruvian-style poncho. Methodist course of study to our future pastors and church leaders. Mop heads were used to make beards. There was also a lot of The Ukmerge congregation is alive and growing! interaction between the children and the animals. One of the viewers was a congregation member who flew over the produc­ tion site several times in his small plane for an aerial view! So maybe it didn't look exactly like Bethlehem, but those involved and those who came to view it were blessed with the reminder that Christ was born to ordinary folks like us. The real­ ity of Christ's birth was harsh, but the love of God for his people in the past and for his people today is ... evident. I imagined ·~ • God smiling on his \. . . . •' people in Bethlehem Young members of the ·. "- IL~ .. the same way he was Ukmerge congregation . ·.'11 • • : ~--- - -~: smiling on his ordi­ in Lithuan ia are the . I ,# j ' . nary people in church leaders of the future. I - ...... , ,,..~ - Willow, Alaska ...... --~"""::~:...-- '":'~l. IHBll' · ~

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Hunger is one problem we can actually solve

• In Africa, severe drought and famine threaten the lives of 40 million people. In the United States, one out of ten families lives in poverty and struggles to put food on the table. • Fortunately, there are time-tested, cost-effective ways to provide food and nutrition, as well as training and tools, that enable hungry .,,o1\v ',·~ •. I· •.;_ • • .,. , , _.._~,, ~~1 ,- people to feed themselves and their families. October 12, 2003 • 7:30PM GJ;!'il Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN • By taking just a few minutes of your time, you can help persuade TO BE At.MEO FOR LATER BROAOCllST AS A mrrnon our nation's decision-makers to take steps to end hunger. Join Shirley Jones, Willie Nelson, To receive our FREE 12-page booklet, with practical and Judy Collins in a telethon tips, What You Can Do To End Hunger - celebrating 300 new United Methodist ministries Call toll-free 1-800-82-BREAD (soo-s22-1323) in 11 countries! "In Mission Together for Christ and the World " will D YES, please send me - free of charge - reach United Methodists and other potential What You Can Do To End Hunger. supporters throughout the United States. This General Board of Global Ministries national telethon will be broadcast December 6, 2003 , PLEASE PRINT 6-8 p.m. EST on the Inspiration Networtc @ INSP. http://www.getinsp .com Tune in for this unique experience and CITY ______STATE _ _ ZIP___ _ celebrate "In Mission Together" ..... •, ' http:gbgm-umc.org/telethon Visit our Web site at www.bread.org. Photo/Art Credits: 4-8, 10-12, 14-Richard Lord • 9, 13 (top}--Courtesy the Central and Southern Europe Central Conference • 13 (lower left), l~ourtesy i:he Czech District of The United Methodist Church • 16,17- Courtesy the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry • 19, 20- 1 Courtesy SPSARV • 22-Lane Winn • 24, 26-Richard Lord • 2~hristie R. House • 28-20--Gail V. Coulson • ( ~) ?.~~!~~~~e . ~n:i:~~~~" 32-John Coleman • 34, 35-Josh Lewis • 36-Courtesy 50 F Street NW, Suite 500 Hope for the Deaf Academy, Liberia Annual Conference • 37-John Coleman • 38-Aniko Kuschatka • 40-41- Washington, DC 20001 Courtesy In Mission Together Telethon • 43 (left)­ 003NW0-2 Courtesy Phoebe's Place and Hidden Treasures, (right)­ Courtesy Red Bird Clinic • 44 (left}--Courtesy Willow UMC in Willow, Alaska, (right}--Chet and Jodi Cataldo.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 45 Th ~ rerr of s

The UMCOR Coffee Project. Doing Justice, One Cup a

Around the world, coffee and fcll01Mrhib. together naturally. Through the • Projea your congregation can help • as they build a better future for tm!ftlle:IYtlCI· • their families. Each cup i a cup of ··11111t1ce- • • For more information, please con EQUAL EXCHANGE Interfaith ...... 251 Revere St., Canton MA 02021 ti 781-830-0303 x228 www.equalexchange.comfmta9'1!!1Mllh

46 NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 The 2004 Official United Methodist Program Calendar will help you to remember every important date. Generous 2-inch-square grids provide plenty of space to write key information.

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• Classic Desk Calendar (#100187) opens vertically to 11 " x 17". $8 .95. • Standard Desk Calendar (#100188) opens horizontally to 17" x 11 ". $7.95. • Pocket Calendar (#100189) opens horizontally to 7.5" x 6.25". $6. • Wall Calendar (#100191 ) measures 18.5" x 25" and includes three months per page. $5.50. • Reproducible Calendar (#100190) is 11" x 8.5" and features one month per page. $5 .50.

Whether you're a pastor, an active adult or a busy youth, the 2004 Official United Methodist Program Calendar will help organize your life! Ready to order? Call toll free (888) 346-3862.

NEW WORLD OUTLOOK NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2003 47 This Ch ishnas, Go a Sec nd Mile Planning for a Chri I-Centered Holiday

Provide blankets, Immunize a chllcl food, and water against tuberculosls, to a victim of disaster measles, polio, and in the United States tetanus.

UMCOR #901670 UMCOR #982400

[I The Advance Help to ship material An official program of The United Help a refugee resources where needed. Methodist Church, The Advance gives return home. UMCOR #982730 families, individuals, and churches an UMCOR #982540 opportunity to "go a second mile" in mission giving. Go a second mile this season, using the suggestions here. Or check UMCOR's website for more projects. One hundred percent of your gift goes to the project you choose!

Serve a child one Support hunger proiects hot meal a day. throughout the world.

UMCOR #418790 UMCOR #982920 UMCOR United Methodist Committee on Relief General Board of Global Ministries • The United Methodist Church http://gbgm-umc.org/ umcor