an edition of the United Methodist Reporter

A Publication of The Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church Eco-Friendly August 5, 2011 Two Sections, Section A Volume 158 Issue 14 Recycled Paper | Soy Ink 017000 IN THIS ISSUE Children’s ministry network taking root statewide Each red dot on this BY AMY FORBUS map indicates at least Imagine Ministry: Editor one person connected with the Conference new phase begins Council on Children’s In December of last year, a group of United Methodists working in Ministries. The group has 3A children’s ministry met in the Arkansas Conference offi ce. Inspired by a experienced most of this network of children’s ministers in the Northwest District, they wanted to fi nd a growth since the beginning of way to share ideas and resources statewide. 2011, and is looking forward to So with a small budget, the support of the Conference staff and a desire making more connections. for greater connection, they began thinking creatively—and putting those thoughts into action. Th at initial meeting planted the seed for the new Conference Council on Children’s Ministries (CCCM). CCCM now provides resources through its website, meets regularly online and helps establish valuable connections for children’s ministry workers across the state. Changes ahead “It became apparent that a large chunk of our budget would be used for for many travel reimbursement if we continued to meet face to face in Little Rock,” said Karen Swales, minister to families with children at First UMC Springdale and church nurseries Conference coordinator of children’s ministries. “Fortunately, the Arkansas Conference had invested wisely in technology,” 4A she said. “All we needed to do was maximize the technology resources we had available…. Th e Conference owned the web conferencing soft ware, so the cost for this was, literally, priceless.” With the assistance of Conference communications coordinator Patrick Shownes, the group’s next meeting took place via the web conferencing platform Adobe Connect, which allows participants to view materials related to the meeting at the same time. [See CHILDREN, page 6A] The new children’s ministries website, kidz.arumc.org, serves as a primary point of contact for the growing network. Update from the Arkansas team brings pain relief to Uganda Hunger Task Force BY GRACE NAKAJJE decay and wounds. had tooth decay and sores on the East Africa Annual Conference Jody Farrell, the team leader, gum, tongue and the lips. 7A was on his fi fth trip to Uganda and Anena said she developed tooth KOCH COROMA, Uganda his fourth to Anena’s village of Koch sensitivity aft er drinking (UMNS)—Margaret Anena had Coroma. contaminated water at a swamp in lived with acute tooth pain since her “We’ve kept going back to the Koch Goma village, where she took teens, but nothing could be done to same place so we really understand refuge during the civil war. cure her. what the needs are,” said Farrell, “I felt strange pain in my mouth Because health centers are hard director of missions and lay immediately aft er I drank the water,” to reach and the war in Gulu District mobilization at Central United she said. “So it forced me to go back was long, Anena could not get Methodist Church. “People where I fetched it. To my shock, I Grants and training treatment. remember us. We’ve built saw two decomposing bodies Now the United Methodist has relationships.” fl oating, and since then, I have no for local churches received the relief she needed thanks During the trip, he said, his peace in my mouth.” to a medical team from Central team of 19 Arkansans shared the Opio said Anena should not 8A United Methodist Church in gospel and the message that God have any more pain. “We have Fayetteville, Ark. wants people to have a healthy body extracted the most dangerous roots Th e mobile health clinic and a healthy mind. and given her treatment to cure the stopped in Gulu for two days in June. sores in her mouth,” he said. Margaret Anena is treated for a Th e team treated a total of 436 Help for hurt teeth He encouraged the Arkansas severe toothache. She is one of patients—64 of them dental and 372 medical team to provide hundreds of people served by the medical. Th e diseases diagnosed Dr. Ambrose Opio at Gulu demonstrations about how to brush medical mission team to Uganda included respiratory tract infections, Regional Referral Hospital said teeth, use toothpaste and maintain from Central UMC Fayetteville. UMNS PHOTO BY GRACE NAKAJJE gastritis, malaria, ulcers, dental Anena’s case was serious because she [See UGANDA, page 6A] 2A August 5, 2011 EDITOR’S CORNER Learning the art of leadership BY AMY FORBUS BY WILLIAM O. (BUD) REEVES with Imagine Ministry was to listen of the leader. Special Contributor to the constituencies in the Th ere are always multiple conference, and we will have to sides to every issue, but it is better I was thrilled that the Imagine continue that practice. to decide wrongly than to let How to keep being Ministry proposals passed at Annual In my local church, we recently inertia take control. At least if Conference this did a survey on worship practices. you’re moving in the wrong year. Primarily, I We have held focus groups for direction, you’re going somewhere, there, and being hope thought the particular issues, and every three and you can always change Most readers of this paper probably know a particular drill to follow for proposals set a years we go through a strategic directions. disaster relief: good direction for planning process. Th e point is to Leaders must be willing to take 1) A disaster strikes—for example, a fl ood, tornado, earthquake, disease United listen to the people, because any the heat for a decision that is outbreak or even something created by human action. Methodists in input is valuable. Even negative unpopular or goes badly, and when 2) In response, we give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief Arkansas. But I comments are instructional—maybe there is a victory, to share the credit (UMCOR), knowing the UMCOR team is already on the move to alleviate had also invested more so. among others who were responsible. suff ering. a great deal of Bud Reeves Leaders learn. More than two Leaders love. In the fi nal 3) In addition to giving fi nancially, many of us also will give by sending time and thought decades ago, in their book Leaders, analysis, we are not running a supplies—health kits, cleaning buckets and more—as well as UMCOR- in the process, Warren Bennis business; we are a certifi ed Early Response Teams. Later, our Volunteers in Mission teams and I didn’t want to see it all go and Burt Nanus ‘In the final analysis, community of will help rebuild. down in fl ames! identifi ed the most faith. If our love We also know that when we give through UMCOR, 100 percent of the Nevertheless, I also knew that common fails, so do we. We money we off er toward a specifi c need goes directly to meet that need. But how the passage of the proposals was characteristic of forget at our own does UMCOR make that happen? only the beginning of a long process successful business we are not running peril the old saw, Th e answer: One Great Hour of Sharing. Without this special off ering, of deep change that will take years leaders: Th ey are “Nobody cares UMCOR wouldn’t be able to route all of our disaster relief gift s to the places to accomplish. My reply to those “lifelong learners.” how much you they will help the most—including places within the boundaries of our own who congratulated me personally Th e instructional a business; we are a know until they Conference. Just this year, we have received $30,000 in UMCOR disaster relief became, “One step down, a curve for know how much grants. thousand to go!” But at least we’re leadership never you care.” One Great Hour of Sharing keeps UMCOR’s electricity on and the phone on the way. stops. community of faith. Jesus asked bills paid. It covers the staffi ng necessary to allow for quick response to What this process will require Th ere are us to do two unexpected need. for the foreseeable future is an always new ideas, things: love God One Great Hour of Sharing ensures that when a disaster strikes, the unprecedented quality of leadership books, articles, If our love fails, and neighbor. infrastructure already is in place, allowing us, as many of UMCOR’s materials in the church—from bishops, seminars that help Leaders remember beckon, to “Be Th ere. Be Hope.” district superintendents, pastors and us do our ministry why we’re Yet, in 2010, just 165 out of 692 United Methodist congregations in lay leaders at every level of the better. Even aft er here—to love one Arkansas sent money from a One Great Hour of Sharing off ering. Th at’s fewer organization. While there are 30 years, there are so do we.’ another. Th e most than 25 percent of our churches. parallels between our situation now new tricks this old cantankerous So I’m taking a moment of personal privilege on behalf of one of my and earlier eras—the Wesleyan dog can learn. We have to Christian in the Kingdom is still a favorite organizations to ask a blunt question: Revival, the Protestant Reformation, continually “sharpen the saw,” as brother or sister in Christ. God will Really, y’all? the apostolic church—the Stephen Covey says, or we will work things out. We can’t give up, Because I know that isn’t the best we can do. technology and culture in which we become dull awfully fast. and we can’t quit loving, either. UMCOR doesn’t receive any World Service funds or other apportionment operate is unique. We haven’t been Leaders lead. One thing I have Th e next steps in our process dollars. So without our direct support through One Great Hour of Sharing, here before. learned from listening: Where two will depend on the kind of UMCOR couldn’t continue to exist. Leadership has been a passion or three are gathered together, there leadership we can give and get. I’ve heard UMCOR described as the single most amazing and eff ective of mine for many years. It became a are diametrically opposed opinions ministry in the United Methodist connectional system. Both Charity Navigator necessary survival skill as I began on the proper course of action! But Th e Rev. Dr. Reeves serves as pastor and the American Institute of Philanthropy give UMCOR top ratings (higher to lead churches 30 years ago. I am at some point, the surveys and of First UMC Hot Springs. He can be than the American Red Cross). still on the learning curve, but I studies have to end, and somebody reached at [email protected]. Th at’s some serious recognition from outside United Methodism. And it’s have picked up a few things along has to decide. Th at would be the job more reason to feel confi dent in making gift s to this particular cause. the way. Let me off er four strategies Th e offi cial Sunday for the One Great Hour of Sharing off ering in 2011 that may help leaders be more was April 3. But the off ering can be received at any time during the year. eff ective. You can give online, too. Visit umcgiving.org/oghs, and you’ll see a Leaders listen. We have to be “donate now” button in the upper right-hand corner of the page. (Th e website suffi ciently aware of our Volume 158• No. 014 August 5, 2011 Arkansas Conference Communications Martha S. Taylor • Director of Communications 800 Daisy Bates Drive also contains plenty of educational resources, so you can learn more about surroundings if we are to be good Amy Forbus • Editor Little Rock, AR 72202-3770 Patrick W. Shownes • Communications Coordinator www.arumc.org 501-324-8000 what UMCOR does before you give.) leaders. Th e primary listening for www.arumc.org Th e online form even allows you to make certain your local church will Christian leaders is prayer. Any Th e Arkansas United Methodist is the newspaper Subscriptions of record for the Arkansas Conference of Th e United - $15.00, 1 Year get credit for your gift . I know, because I just completed the online giving church movement that is not bathed Methodist Church. It is published once monthly, on - $25.00, 2 Years the fi rst Friday of each month, and four special issues - Free, Online process myself. in prayer is doomed to failure. We during the year for a total of 16 issues per year. For more information, visit If you would rather send a check, you may mail it to GCFA, P.O. Box talk to God and ask for direction and www.arumc.org/aum or call 501-324-8006. Send correspondence & subscription updates to: 340029, Nashville, TN 37203, or drop it in your local church’s off ering plate. In guidance, but then we’d better listen Arkansas United Methodist, 800 Daisy Bates Drive, Advertising is welcomed. For a rate sheet or more Little Rock, AR 72202; or e-mail to information, contact Martha Taylor at 501-324- either case, be sure to write “One Great Hour of Sharing” in the memo line. for the answer, because God talks Patrick Shownes at [email protected] 8005 or [email protected]. While all advertising Th en, the next time you learn of a disaster, you’ll know that help is on the back! is reviewed before acceptance, it should not be POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: considered endorsed by this newspaper or the Church. way—because you’ve already played a part in sending it. We also have to listen to our Th e United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. Submission Deadlines And the next time you assemble a health kit or tell a friend about the constituencies, whether the general Issue Date Submission Deadline wonderful work UMCOR does around the world, you’ll know that you’ve made church, the annual conference, our Th e United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is Sept. 2 Aug. 18 published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Oct. 7 Sept. 21 it easier for that work to continue. local church, our small groups, or Profi t Drive, Dallas, TX 75247. Periodicals Postage Nov. 4 Oct. 20 the unchurched in our community. Paid at Dallas. To reach me, send an e-mail to [email protected]. One thing we tried to do extensively

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org August 5, 2011 3A AN OCCASIONAL WORD from the Bishop We shared a meal BY CHARLES CRUTCHFIELD of M&Ms and water Dear Friends: be seeking information on what we excited by the fact that when the A refl ection on the ministry of relationship are currently doing in each of the meeting was over, folks stood I rarely get excited about areas assigned, and examining the around talking and discussing and meetings, but I have been pumped current level of outcomes we have planning for 45 minutes more. BY CLARK ATKINS refused, but on this day we shared a up by the meeting that was held on achieved. It is hard for me to grasp that Special Contributor meal of peanut M&Ms and water. A July 9 with three task forces (ethnic Th en, step by step, conversation the summer is half over. I hope that package was opened and placed in ministries, children and youth by conversation, a new vision of your summer has brought you some Andy and I met one aft ernoon the middle of the table and we, as ministries, and young adult where we need to be headed will time for relaxation and re-creation, in a park in downtown Lexington, friends, partook of this meal ministries) and the transition team. begin to emerge. We are all still on a because the work and the journey Ky. I was taking part in a cross- together. With the Annual Conference’s journey in the wilderness, but the continue. We have much yet to do. cultural ministry class through Sometimes our ministry with adoption of the Imagine Ministry excitement is building. Asbury Th eological Seminary, and a others becomes more about proposals, the planning for the I was excited that so many of Faithfully, classmate and I were given the task expected outcomes or measures of future is well underway. But it will the task force members were able to of documenting on video what it success and we lose sight of one of take some time. gather on short notice for the initial means to be homeless through the our purposes, which is to form Th e task forces have been asked training and group meetings. I was eyes of Andy, a man living on the relationships and connect with those not to get lost in detailed planning of excited by the enthusiasm that was streets of Lexington. we wish to serve. programs, but to think strategically evident in the animated Charles Crutchfi eld During our fi rst meeting with My time with Andy reminded about their ministry areas. Th ey will conversation. And I was really Andy, we learned about life on the me that not everything in ministry streets and the challenges a person can be measured without a home faces in most in numbers. Andy medium-sized cities, such as fi nding certainly has Transition team, task forces begin work food, shelter, clothing and several obstacles employment. We also learned a little in his life, but as a bit about Andy’s particular situation. person created in My classmate, Ron, and I the image of God, walked away from that fi rst meeting he needs and racking our brains about what we deserves to be could do to help Andy. Clark Atkins viewed fi rst as a At our second meeting, we person. His began to explore more of Andy’s homelessness is story. We began to learn from him not his identity. It is his current rather than about him. We wanted to circumstance, but it is not what understand from of his perspective defi nes him. what it means to be homeless. During this week with Andy, I began to wonder if perhaps the Holy Spirit revealed several my approach to this assignment had things to me. Among these I learned been misplaced. I began to see Andy that the problem of homelessness is not as an object of observation or a complex one that will not be fi xed problem that needed to be fi xed, but with any type of “one size fi ts all” rather as a person. solution. Th e reasons for By the third day, Ron was homelessness are numerous and frustrated, but I had a new sense of vary with each person. hope. Ron felt that Andy would Perhaps most importantly, I The Rev. Mackey Yokem speaks to fellow members of the transition team during their July 9 orientation session. AUM PHOTO BY AMY FORBUS never do anything about his learned that being in relationship situation, and solutions proposed on with Andy was itself a ministry of BY AMY FORBUS present that the work ahead will take time, and that he the fi rst day seemed inadequate; restoration. For simply becoming Editor expects no quickly-devised proposals. however, I saw a real breakthrough. friends with him and sharing a meal “Th e expectation is that you will be providing an We were beginning to form a of peanut M&Ms and water helped On July 9, a transition team and three task forces interim report in early September and, if possible, sharing friendship and initial barriers of to restore his dignity and his identity met to begin discerning how the new mission, vision and something of the journey your task force has made with communication and relation as a an image-bearer of God. core measures of the Conference will drive our actions. the called session of the Annual Conference on October disappeared. At a time when the Church is Th e transition team has divided into four small 29,” he told those gathered at the initial meeting. As Americans, we are being asked to provide concrete groups to address 1) the organization of districts and the Th e September and October reports will include accustomed to a task-oriented measures of success or eff ectiveness property belonging to each; 2) leadership structure of the information on the direction of each task force’s society, where we measure success in ministry, Andy reminded me that Conference; 3) personnel issues and 4) budget conversations, but no action items requiring a vote of the by outcomes—positive or negative. not all success can be measured in recommendations for 2012. Conference. But in Andy’s case, we were numbers. Sometimes our success Th e three task forces attending the July 9 meeting Names of the transition team and task force redefi ning success. Success was now lies in the relationships we form will focus on ethnic ministries, young adult ministries members will be listed at arumc.org/imagineministry, as built on relationship. We were with others. and ministry with children and youth. will updates on their work as the process unfolds. friends and we were beginning to Each group is asked to consider ministry needs, Each task force includes a member of the original learn together, the three of us. Th e Rev. Atkins serves as an benchmarks for accountability and eff ectiveness and Imagine Ministry team, which will remain in place, says On our last day together, I left associate pastor at St. James UMC in potential strategies for moving forward. Other task forces Bishop Crutchfi eld, “until the ‘new way’ is embedded in the camera behind. We chatted and Little Rock. He can be reached at will deal with the formation of the Center for Clergy and the Annual Conference culture.” He requests that United joked like friends oft en do. [email protected]. Laity Excellence, the Center for Technology and the Methodists in Arkansas keep the members of all teams Ron and I had off ered several To view the video of Andy, visit Networks for Personal and Social Holiness. and task forces in their prayers. times to buy Andy a sandwich or a http://bit.ly/video-andy. Bishop Charles Crutchfi eld made it clear to those coff ee, and each time he politely www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 4A August 5, 2011 Safety regulations mean churches need new cribs New standards take eff ect December 2012

BY AMY FORBUS churches must purchase all new the U.S. Consumer Product Safety regulations specify that any Th e guide may be ordered Editor cribs by December 2012. Commission determined that older non-compliant cribs must be online at arumc.org/child_care_ “All cribs manufactured aft er baby cribs have inherent safety dismantled. liaison_project.php. United Th e summer of 2011 brought June 2011 must comply with the new problems,” he said. “Such cribs should be broken Methodist churches in Arkansas the fi rst change to crib safety safety regulations,” he said. Further, Th erefore, the Conference apart and destroyed—not placed may order the guide at no cost. standards in almost three decades. the CPSC states it is very doubtful strongly encourages all churches to anywhere that others may take them As child care liaison for the New standards approved by the that a crib manufactured before the replace their existing cribs with and re-assemble for use,” O’Hara Arkansas Conference, O’Hara assists U.S. Consumer Product Safety new regulations were issued in compliant models or bring their stressed. churches that have weekday Commission (CPSC) went into eff ect December 2010 will meet the new cribs into compliance before But several churches and ministries involving the care of for manufacturers on June 28, and regulations, including testing. December 2012. As the deadline individuals have found creative and children ages newborn to 18. She child care facilities have until Dec. While the new regulations don’t approaches, demand for the new safe ways to re-use some parts of the strongly encourages churches with 28, 2012, to replace cribs that don’t appear to require any recalls for cribs might outpace supply, so cribs. At one church, a staff member child care programs or other meet the new safety rules. current cribs in homes or other churches should not wait until the saved a crib’s side rails from the weekday care programs to complete What do the new safety locations with a volunteer-only staff , last minute to replace older cribs. In landfi ll by making matching Section 15 of the reference guide. standards mean for churches? Hilliard still recommends that even addition, churches may not resell or headboards for a pair of twin beds. “Th is section helps churches “It appears to me that the law churches using only volunteers to otherwise provide the older cribs to For creative uses on-site, the answer important questions about requires businesses, including care for children examine their cribs anyone. base pieces of old cribs might responsibilities and fi nancial churches, to comply with the new for safety and, if possible, retrofi t or “Th e intent of the regulations is become raw materials for bulletin matters,” she said. “It off ers churches regulations if the business pays replace them to meet the new to keep children safe,” says Meredith boards and chalk boards. Self-stick a lens through which they can view someone to care for children in their standards. O’Hara, child care liaison for the cork board attached to a crib base their goals for providing quality facility,” says Tony Hilliard, “Everyone providing childcare Arkansas Conference. “Th us, it provides a space for classroom decor, care.” chancellor for the Arkansas has a responsibility to off er a safe would be prudent for a church, and a crib base coated in chalk O’Hara also manages a Google Conference. Th at means many environment for the children, and regardless of whether they pay their board paint and mounted to a wall Group to keep child care directors staff , to contact the manufacturer of can provide new space for kids who aware of changes and issues, and the crib and ask if the crib complies like to draw. help them build a network among What churches need to know with the new safety regulations or if their peers. She urges every director there are steps that can be taken to Liaison project of a weekday care ministry to bring it into compliance.” subscribe to the group by e-mailing about new crib standards For details on safety and Providing child care in church her at meredithoharaarumc@ compliance, visit www.cpsc.gov/cribs. facilities is about much more than sbcglobal.net. • Cribs must meet new standards before December 2012. just cribs. Th e Child Care Liaison In addition to keeping directors Visit www.cpsc.gov/cribs for details. Waste not, want not Project, with funding the United informed on regulatory matters, the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, group also shares best practices and • For child care resources from the Arkansas Conference, If cribs do not comply, the units has developed a reference guide for creative ideas, such as the ideas visit www.arumc.org/child_care_liaison_project.php. cannot be used anywhere. Th e new directors of such ministries. listed above for re-using crib pieces.

• To join the Arkansas Conference child care directors’ Google Group, e-mail Meredith O’Hara, child care liaison, VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION at [email protected]. This Volunteers in Mission listing for the Arkansas Conference also includes mission opportunities offered by local churches and districts. Often there is room for additional volunteers to join a team. For more information on any such projects, contact the individuals listed or Don Weeks, Arkansas Area VIM coordinator, 501-868-9193 or 681-2909; [email protected].

Ramp construction team needed volunteer list and keep you aware of ‘Th is Olde Church’ SAVE THE DATE! Mission UMC Ft. Smith has a opportunities to help. Th is Olde Church pairs work building in need of a wheelchair crews and Arkansas Conference

ramp. If your VIM team is Teams still needed for Cincinnati, churches needing assistance with Meet Brian McLaren, interested in this task as a weekend Ark. tornado recovery repairs and maintenance to their internationally known author project, contact Don Weeks at the Th e people in the Cincinnati facilities. Visit arumc.org/vim for a and Christian activist. phone or email address listed above. area of northwest Arkansas still listing of available projects, or to need help recovering from the submit an application for help. Pulaski Heights United Methodist Disaster response team sign-up damage done by the Dec. 31, 2010, Church, Little Rock To learn how your church can tornado. Fields must be clean of LR Wesley Foundation help help those aff ected by this spring’s debris before residents’ livestock can Th e Wesley Foundation at Monday, September 12 storms and fl ooding, contact return to them for grazing. If you UALR needs help with general Conference disaster response have a team ready to off er help, maintenance, clean-up, painting, Lecture at 11:30 am; followed by luncheon at 12:30 pm coordinators Byron and Janice contact Kristin Marlatt at 479-422- etc. Contact Rev. Maxine Allen at with book signing and discussion Mann at [email protected]. 4157. Th ere is need for both skilled [email protected], 501-663-1153 Th ey will add your team to the and unskilled laborers. (offi ce) or 501-539-0280 (mobile). Please Be Our Guest! Reservations by September 1: 501.664.3600 Kitchen Equip. & Supplies Conference Elders: Plan to attend this event on your way to Find the Arkansas Conference of Th e Buy at our prices and $ave the Gathering of the Order of Elders, 4 p.m. at Camp Tanako, United Methodist Church on Facebook 1-800-482-9026 or 228-0808 Hot Springs. at facebook.com/arkansasumc AIMCO EQUIPMENT CO.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org August 5, 2011 5A Arkansan among interns tackling global issues Sara Bayles, a member of Wesley UMC BY JEWEL DEGUZMAN AND pointed out, adding that interns are Springdale and an active participant WAYNE RHODES not limited to summer placements at in the UCA Wesley Foundation’s campus ministry, is spending part of General Board of Church and Society GBCS. this summer serving as an intern with “Justice is a year-round pursuit.” the denomination’s General Board of WASHINGTON, D.C.—Th ree Church and Society in Washington, young adults from Arkansas, North Sara Bayles D.C. Carolina and Tennessee are serving PHOTO COURTESY GBCS internships on Capitol Hill with the Bayles majors in religion and United Methodist General Board of political science at the University of United Methodist congregations: history major as an undergraduate at about human traffi cking, violence Church and Society (GBCS) this Central Arkansas. She has minors in Cleveland and Overcup (Morrilton). Appalachian State University, he against women, maternal health, summer. gender studies and the feminist She also will be writing two describes himself as passionate economic justice in impoverished Th ey are Sara Bayles, 21, from theology of social justice, under the theses on the feminist theology of about global health issues, areas and food security. Springdale, Ark.; Robert Mason, 23, auspices of Honors Interdisciplinary social justice, and on Ozark political international aff airs and creating Overton’s home congregation is from Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Kelsie Studies. culture. sustainable education policy. Brentwood (Tenn.) UMC. She will Overton, 20, from Brentwood, Tenn. Bayles said she has a passion for Mason’s home church is Pine begin an internship in the fall at Mason and Overton are interns in the social justice and gender-related Robert Mason Grove UMC in Winston-Salem. Woodlawn UMC in Birmingham, agency’s Education & Leadership issues within the church. She came which she attends during the school Formation work area; Bayles works to Washington, D.C., to learn how Mason expects to enter a career Kelsie Overton term. with Women’s Concerns, which is part the faith community can advocate in education aft er he graduates in of the Louise & Hugh Moore on these issues. 2013 with a Masters of Divinity from Overton, a Hess Fellow at About GBCS Population Project at GBCS. Bayles’ work as an intern Duke Divinity School. He accepted Birmingham-Southern College in Interns have become an primarily addresses three pieces of the internship at GBCS because of Alabama, is an intern with the UM Th e General Board of Church important resource for the agency legislation: the International Violence his “curiosity about the intersection Seminar Program, a part of Education and Society is one of four since the 2003 budget cuts that led Against Women Act, the Domestic between faith and policy.” He is & Leadership Development. Th e Hess international program boards of the to reducing staff by half. Violence Against Women Act and the particularly interested in how Fellows Program places students with United Methodist Church. Th e Frances Roberts, GBCS U.N. Convention on the Elimination “Christ is instituted through policy.” non-profi t advocacy organizations. board’s primary areas of ministry are assistant general secretary for of All Forms of Discrimination Mason’s internship involves She is the third Hess Fellow in recent advocacy, education and leadership administration and human Against Women Treaty (CEDAW). program support and advocacy summers to intern with GBCS. formation, United Nations & resources, said internships at the She is also helping plan the UMC development for the denomination’s Overton is studying religion at international aff airs, and resourcing agency are a two-way street. Global AIDS Fund Dinner and the 40 Imagine No Malaria campaign. Birmingham-Southern. She will these areas for the denomination. It “[Interns] enable our staff Days of Prayer leading up to World In addition, Mason serves as graduate in 2013 and is considering has offi ces on Capitol Hill in members to undertake projects that AIDS Day, Dec. 1. resident adviser for GBCS’s Ethnic pursuing a joint degree in either Washington, D.C., and at the Church have been on the drawing boards, Bayles has been asked to Young Adult (EYA) Summer Interns divinity and public policy or divinity Center at the United Nations. sometimes for months, that they research other areas including Program, which places persons from and law. GBCS welcomes applications don’t have the time to do domestic violence, teen dating around the world in a variety of With the UM Seminar Program, throughout the year for internships themselves,” she said. violence and human traffi cking. social justice agencies in Overton is developing a Bible study and volunteer positions. For more On the other hand, Roberts Bayles’ home church is Wesley Washington, D.C. Besides living with on becoming a good neighbor. She is information, contact Roberts at says, the interns gain hands-on UMC in Springdale, Ark. She attends the 14 EYA interns, Mason assists in also managing its social networking 202-488-5658. knowledge, most frequently about and is on staff at the University of program and spiritual enrichment. through Facebook. the legislative issues in the news, and Central Arkansas Wesley Foundation Having the opportunity to see GBCS has been eye-opening to DeGuzman, 23, is an Ethnic Young acquire invaluable exposure to the in Conway, where she serves in its how the Gospel is lived out through Overton. “Everyone is so passionate Adult Summer Intern in the GBCS U.S. legislative process. local gardening ministry. the development of responsible about the causes they are fi ghting communications department. Rhodes “Most important, they learn When her internship ends public policy has been the favorite for,” she said. “Th ey have so much is the editor of Faith in Action, GBCS’ what it means to ‘do justice’ in the August 12, Bayles will become the part of his internship, according to knowledge to pass on.” e-newsletter, where this article fi rst United Methodist Church,” she student pastor for two Arkansas Mason. A political science and Overton herself is passionate appeared. Reproduced with permission. BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

STAINED GLASS CHARTERED BUS BOOKKEEPING SERVICES COUNSELINGCOUNSELING BOOKKEEPING Daily Bread Counseling FFOROR CHURCHURCHESCHES (Member of Clergy Counseling Network) Rev. Garry D. Teeter, MS, LPC, NCC, CBIST 30 Years of OfÀces in Benton, Hot Springs, Little Rock, & Dardanelle Experience FOOTPRINTSFOOT Call for con¿dential appointment 501.676.5010501 501.847.2229 | 1.877.847.2229 www.footprintssolutions.com www.dailybreadcounseling.com www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 6A August 5, 2011

support to all congregations serving children no budget, how to capitalize on community our group as more churches become aware of Children and families in Arkansas,” she says. resources and more. what is being off ered.” Following the Northwest District’s Two more in-state children’s ministry Carrie Drish, director of children’s (continued from page 1A) example, the CCCM created a statewide workshops will happen before the end of ministry for First UMC Bella Vista who was network for sharing Vacation Bible School 2011—one in Springdale on Sept. 10 and the active in the Northwest District network, Th e organizational committee now holds supplies and resources. Th e VBS Connect other in Magnolia on Nov. 5. For information values the relationships she has developed monthly online meetings—saving gallons of Project helped churches be better stewards of on these and other educational opportunities, through the CCCM. fuel and hours of travel time—and time and money, so the group plans to expand visit the “Grow” tab at kidz.arumc.org. “Having a peer group always helps, no communicates via e-mail as well. the idea next year. matter what your job is,” she said. “Before I “I love the web conferences,” said Jeremy “It has limitless potential to help all size Getting involved found Karen and the rest of the amazing Carter, director of children and family churches through bulk purchasing, sharing women and men in our district group, I was ministries at First UMC Magnolia. “I was ideas and developing community,” said Swales. Pam Lentz, director of children’s new to my job and was feeling overwhelmed. worried in the beginning that there would be Because the CCCM saved money through ministries at First UMC Conway, appreciates Th en I met all of these wonderful people who lots of [technical] issues, but there weren’t. web conferencing, it was able develop a the multiple ways of connecting through the have some of the same problems I had. It was “It has been great creating new mini-grant program to help some smaller new CCCM. awesome to listen to how they handled their friendships and strengthening existing ones,” churches purchase supplies for VBS. One “We have accomplished some really good similar situations.” he said. “I love having peers in ministry to small-attendance church in each district things [through web conferencing] without Th e CCCM website, kidz.arumc.org, share joys and concerns with whenever I need received a grant in the form of a $150 having to spend extra time travel for a serves as its primary point for connecting and to.” Cokesbury gift card and a $50 check. meeting,” she said. “I think it is still important equipping children’s ministry workers. Hosted “CCCM has become a breath of fresh air Th e CCCM conducted one training session for us to provide opportunities and to be by the Arkansas Conference, the site requires in our Conference,” says Rod Hocott, in Little Rock for Vacation Bible School leaders intentional about connecting in person a few some volunteer time for updates, but incurs no Conference minister of youth and young adults this spring, and plans times a year at expenses (see related story on page 8 of this and staff liaison for the children’s ministry to make training more children’s events. For section). group. “Because of the excitement of the group accessible for attendees me, it helps the web Kaylea Hutson, then-minister to families and the leadership of Karen Swales, CCCM is statewide. Leader conferencing to feel with children at First UMC Siloam Springs, already planning for 2012. It has been my training sessions in more personable.” used a free design from the WordPress pleasure to watch as new children’s ministers 2012 will take place in Coming Aug. 19: Lentz also says platform to develop the site. Now serving as are added to the list of those who want fi ve diff erent regions of that the CCCM activity director of children’s ministries at St. James participate in this ministry.” Arkansas, and the a special issue of the has inspired roundtable UMC Little Rock, Hutson continues to focus will broaden. Arkansas United Methodist meetings among maintain the site as part of her involvement Connecting, equipping “Th ese workshops children’s ministry with CCCM. will be more practical,” with a focus on outreach to leaders in the North CCCM resources and networking So what is the focus of these meetings? Swales said. Th e group Central District. opportunities are available to all people serving Swales says it all boils down to two main areas: plans to off er sessions children and youth “[We] talk about in children’s ministries, whether in paid or connecting and equipping. on how to choose our successes and our unpaid roles. To connect with CCCM, contact “We want to use our connectional ties to curriculum, how to do struggles,” she said. Swales at 479.751.4610, ext. 308 or act as a resource for information, training and ministry with little or “We are hoping to grow [email protected]. Uganda (continued from page 1A) general hygiene. In addition to the Opio said tooth decay is the clinic, the team off ered most common ailment among the a pharmacy and a people of northern Uganda. prayer room. While “Since these people stayed in people waited for their the camps for a long time, many fed prescriptions to be on sticky foods such as cassava and fi lled, they could pray sweet potatoes, and they used to eat and talk with team it raw, which exposed them to tooth members and local decay,” he said. United Methodist Th e United Methodist Church pastors. LEFT: Susan Flournoy, a registered nurse, attends to a child as part of the Uganda Mission Project of Central United Methodist Church of Fayetteville, Ark. RIGHT: Traci McCuistion, mission lay chairperson, hands out prescriptions in the village of Koch Coroma, in the East Africa Annual “We would talk Uganda. Conference is in the fi nal stage of with them about their PHOTOS COURTESY CENTRAL UMC forming health boards with a needs, pray with them and also visit he said. “I encourage the church in mandate to take health services with them about their faith and if Uganda to keep the focus on Jesus, closer to the communities. they had a desire to become build the Kingdom and their lives Paul’s Fourth In the interim, Opio urges all Christian,” said the Rev. Tony will be better as a result of being Missionary Journey United Methodist medical teams to Holifi eld, the senior pastor of faithful to Christ.” Follow the Journeys of Paul with teach healthy eating habits, Central UMC. Some 600 people Rev. Siegfried Johnson, Senior Pastor “especially how to avoid eating sticky visited the prayer room, he said. Nakajje is the communicator for the of St. James United Methodist Church, foods.” Holifi eld said his congregation East Africa Annual Conference. LiƩle Rock, on a Mediterranean Cruise also plans to raise $150,000 to help Heather Hahn, a multimedia news visiƟng sites in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We depart on May 4, 2012 to Help with evangelism with other needs in northern reporter for United Methodist News Uganda, including an orphanage, Service, contributed to this report. Rome and board Celebrity's newest ship, The SilhoueƩe, following an Th e Arkansas medical team church structures and water wells. iƟnerary including Naples, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Crete, Venice, and more. For more informaƟon and off ered healing not only for sore “We have so far completed a To read the mission team’s blog, visit brochure contact Rev. Johnson at [email protected]. mouths and ailing bodies, but also church in Koch Coroma in the Gulu www.cumcugandamissionproject. weary souls. District and the next plan is water,” blogspot.com.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org August 5, 2011 7A Food: an economical, ecological, social, spiritual issue BY LYNN CROSS KILBOURNE God has already provided God’s hands. Special Contributor people with the necessary resources Dr. Norman Wirzba, research to seek out the answer. professor of theology, ecology and Several years ago the Arkansas To truly eliminate hunger in rural life at Duke Divinity School, Conference set an audacious goal: Arkansas, we must fi rst see great writes, “Gardening is never simply that together, we would end hunger cultural changes. Th e very way that about gardens. It is work that reveals in Arkansas. we think about food must change. the meaning and character of Over the years now, the Food is a gift , not a commodity. humanity, and is an exercise and Arkansas Hunger Task Force has Food fuels community, not just demonstration of who we take addressed issues of food insecurity individuals. Our dependence upon ourselves and creation to be.” and malnutrition. Oft en, we address food for life is ultimately a And just who are we? At least the endemic dependence upon God. one Sunday a month, we proclaim to problem of hunger A new way to address hunger in be the body of Christ redeemed by with donations of Arkansas is through faith-based His blood. Th rough Holy food and money to community gardens. Th ey can look Communion, we are transformed local churches and diff erent, but have the same goals: into “food” to feed the world. ABOVE: The Rev. Lynn Kilbourne organizations that food production, participation in leads a prayer during the March 6, supply food for creation, organically grown Th e Rev. Kilbourne serves as 2011, consecration of the community those in need. community and a faithful associate pastor of First UMC garden at First UMC Bryant. While these are demonstration of land and food Conway and is a member of the RIGHT: Terri Davidson shows off Lynn Cross produce from the church’s garden. faithful ways to Kilbourne stewardship. Hunger Task Force. participate in If your church is interested in COURTESY PHOTOS mercy and hospitality, they are not starting a community garden, you the only ways. may want to attend an upcoming Th e question of hunger is not event hosted by the Hunger Task Interested in helping combat simply, “Does everyone have enough Force. “Sowing the Seeds…helping to eat?” It includes questions to reduce hunger insecurities hunger through community gardening? surrounding the issue of food through faith-based community production, quality, stewardship and gardens” will be held Sept. 9-10 at “Sowing the Seeds... Helping to reduce hunger insecurities through faith-based dependence. In a state where obesity, the Mount Eagle Retreat Center. community gardens” will take place Sept. 9-10, 2011 (7 p.m. Friday to 3:30 p.m. malnutrition and hunger are all too During the event we will have Saturday) at Mount Eagle Retreat Center. prevalent, something more than theological conversations and food distribution must be done. worship centering on gardening, and Individuals and local church teams will explore theological underpinnings and gain Food helps us to understand workshops teaching about the practical skills to begin or expand community garden programs as one response to our place in the world. As beings of initiation, care and leadership of a need, all of us need to eat. Along community garden. We will address feeding the hungry in Arkansas. Workshops include: with our own needs, God’s people the practical and spiritual • Th eological Conversations and Worship – Why we care are tasked to take care of the components involved in such a • Gardening 101 – Where to begin widows, orphans and oppressed. Th e ministry. • Developing a Team that Works – Who needs to be involved Church must ask the question, “How Any vegetable or fruit gardener • Hands-on Experience – Tour the ‘almost organic’ garden at Mount Eagle can our eating be an expression of will tell you that food truly is a gift . • Developing Goals and Funding Your Garden – Have a plan when you leave what Christ wants our place to be in One can prepare the soil, plant the the world?” seed in a place with the proper To register, visit mounteagle.org. While addressing this question amount of sunlight and provide seems like an overwhelming task, water, but aft er that, it is in God’s Backpacks contain numerous back-to-school ministry opportunities BY MARTHA TAYLOR to the children of JFON clients. Julie Larson at 501-374-3811. discounts Rice Depot receives, it Kids, contact McElroy at 501-565- Arkansas Conference Underwood noticed the need as takes just $2,000 per academic year 8855 or [email protected]. she welcomed and assisted JFON Feeding hungry children to support one school in the program. Many people recall with client families from many countries, In partnership with the bishop, Backpack blessings fondness preparing for a new school including Vietnam, Mexico, Th rough the Arkansas Rice district superintendents and the year: a haircut, new clothes and Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Depot’s Food For Kids program, Conference Hunger Task Force, Rice Several Arkansas churches invite shoes—and of course, school supplies. Peru and South Africa. hunger relief can arrive in a backpack. Depot has sent a Food For Kids Club students, teachers and any individual But for hundreds of Arkansas Backpacks will be distributed to “Th ere is hunger just down the invitation to every United Methodist involved in education to a Blessing of school children, back to school time children at the three JFON clinics in street from where you worship each pastor in Arkansas. the Backpacks before school starts. It’s brings an anxiety borne from Arkansas: Dover UMC, First UMC Sunday,” says Lauren McElroy, vice If your church cannot sponsor a a way for churches to let educators and knowing that there isn’t money Monticello and Oak Forest UMC president of Rice Depot. “Th ere school on its own, that doesn’t mean young academics know they are being enough for new things, and if there Little Rock. might even be students within your you can’t help, says the Rev. Lavon prayed for throughout the school year. was, school supplies and backpacks To participate, donate a new or church that you don’t even realize are Post of First UMC Malvern, a church Some churches include a litany, would be last on the list. gently used backpack and school benefi tting from a program like this.” already involved in Food for Kids. a prayer spoken by a local teacher Th is concern spurred Olimpia supplies to fi ll each backpack, or give Food for Kids feeds more than “We may have two smaller and a special blessing during regular Underwood, a Spanish professor at $30 to provide one child with a 30,000 students in 600 schools churches go in together to help one worship services. Others give kids a UALR and Arkansas Justice for Our backpack and school supplies. across the state. Students receive school,” he said. luggage tag for their backpack, Neighbors (JFON) volunteer, to Interested churches or groups of all backpacks stocked with kid-friendly Food For Kids Club also can be bearing a reminder that “Jesus Loves initiate the Adopt a Backpack ages may contact the Rev. Stephen food items—some nightly, some on a project for a Sunday school class, You.” Th ese ideas and others can be program, providing new or gently Copley, JFON executive director, at weekends and others less oft en. youth group or other small group. found on the General Board of used backpacks and school supplies 501-626-9220, or regional attorney Th anks to donations and To learn more about Food For Discipleship website, gbod.org. www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 8A August 5, 2011 Grants, training for local church technology, communications Grant apps due by Sept. 1; website training set for Sept. 10 Communications and technology are changing the spent, including copies of any invoices or receipts for the landscape of churches across the U.S., and Arkansas churches are funded expenses and photos of projects or other evidence of no exception. Th e need for better computers, projectors, signage how the grant was spent. and education is more important than ever for the local church Th e grant application deadline is Sept. 1, with grant in the 21st century. funds awarded in mid-September. Th e application may be Th at is why the conference communications department is completed online at arumc.org/minigrant, or an application awarding up to 50 matching grants of $1,000 each, with a $500 may be downloaded and mailed to Martha Taylor, Arkansas match required for receipt of grant funds. Conference Director of Communications, 800 Daisy Bates Churches in small (less than 75 average attendance), Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202. medium (76-200 average attendance) and large (more than 201 average attendance) categories may apply for grants to fund Free web hosting, training communications programs, technology, equipment, publications, signage, continuing education or any action that In addition, the Conference communications team is improves communication for the local congregation. off ering free web hosting for any local church interested Approximately 75 percent of the grants will be awarded to small in having a presence on the Internet. Statistics show that attendance churches; 15 percent to medium attendance searching the web is the avenue of choice for newcomers or churches; and 10 percent to large attendance churches. individuals looking at visiting or becoming involved with a “It’s hard enough for local churches to fi nd the funds they church. To learn more, visit arumc.org/webhosting. need for the ministries they provide in their mission fi elds, let Th e communications team provides training for alone to fi nd funds for projectors, signage and such,” said Martha churches interested in the WordPress platform. Taylor, Conference director of communications. “WordPress is easy to learn and has enough fl exibility “It is a priority for the conference to aid the local church to work for just about any church,” says Patrick Shownes, that wants to improve their technology and communications communications coordinator for the Conference. eff orts. Th e mini-grants are one way we can do that.” Whether or not a local church chooses to use the free Grant applicants must designate a lay person or clergy web hosting and the WordPress platform, all are welcome member to implement communication programs at the local to attend the training to see if it would work in their local church, and that person must attend at least one seminar off ered setting. in the coming year by the Conference communications team. WordPress training is scheduled for Sept. 10, with Arkansas Conference Seminars will be provided at no cost to the local church, and will registration now open. To register, visit arumc.org and click on Council on Youth Ministries and First UMC be available both online and on-site. the “Event Registration” tab in the Quick Links section on the DeQueen are among the first to take advantage of the free web Once a grant is received, the church will be responsible for home page. hosting provided by the Conference. Though the sites look different, submitting a report with the details of how the grant money was both rely on the WordPress platform for managing content. PEOPLE OF FAITH Kaleidoscope Kids Auction set for Sept. 16 Event benefits grief center for children and families Retired pastor preaches day after 100th birthday Th e 13th Annual Kaleidoscope Kids Auction is slated for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at the Junior League of Little Rock’s Woman’s City Club Building, 401 Scott Street in Little Rock. All proceeds will benefi t Kaleidoscope Grief Center, a program within the Methodist Family Health Continuum of Care and Arkansas’ only grief center for children and families, as well as Methodist Counseling Clinics statewide. Th e event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, music and more than 100 live and silent auction items. Tickets are $75 for individuals, $125 per couple. For information, contact Ashley Coldiron at 501-661-0720 ext. 7304 or [email protected], or visit methodistfamily.org. Imagine Justice Summit convenes Sept. 17, features ‘Catch on Fire’ young adult track

In conjunction with the love kindness, and to walk humbly Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Arkansas Conference of the United with your God?” the summit will deal and the event concludes with a Methodist Church and the Arkansas with justice issues that aff ect celebration of Holy Communion Board of Church and Society, the everyone. It includes a track especially from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Not many people who live for a full century choose to celebrate by Imagine Justice Coalition of for young adults, “Catch ON FIRE: Th e Imagine Justice Coalition preaching a sermon, but the Rev. Raymond Dorman did just that. Arkansas will host the Imagine Discover Your Passion for Missions!” includes the Arkansas chapters of Dorman turned 100 on June 25; the next morning, the retired elder Justice Summit on Saturday, Sept. Designed by the Rev. Malik Black Methodists for Church stepped up to the pulpit of Levy UMC in North Little Rock, where he served as 17, 2011, at Philander Smith College Saafi r and Sara Bayles, the young Renewal and Methodist Federation pastor from 1949 to 1954. in Little Rock. adult track will focus fi rst on the for Social Action. Among those attending the service was the Rev. Kay Burton of First UMC With content based on Micah theological basis for mission work, For details, contact Liza Batesville. She grew up as part of the Levy congregation, and Dorman was the 6:8, “He has told you, O mortal, what then move on to small groups and Godwin, [email protected], pastor who baptized her as an infant. is good; and what does the Lord panelists that will focus on putting or view the brochure online at

AUM PHOTO BY AMY FORBUS require of you but to do justice, and to theology into action. arumc.org.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org August 5, 2011 9A Free self-study curriculum for local Help for your church at church Christian education staff UMVitalCongregations.org A self-study curriculum classes and groups that are going on, Faith Formation and Christian designed to help local church staff or talk to the council director about Education—Basic teaching and A new website aims to equip and empower local churches to become members obtain a sound foundation how he or she leads that group and learning, tools for teaching, faith vital and healthy congregations. in Christian formation and organizes for ministry.” development and teacher UMVitalCongregations.org is designed to help churches move through education ministry is now available Designed to provide a solid fi rst development. a process of evaluation and assessment as they begin to set goals, and then free of charge from the General step for church staff members who Th e United Methodist Church— fi nd key resources to help them achieve those goals. Board of Discipleship (GBOD). want and need a sound foundation History 101, polity, church structure Part of the evaluation process involves looking at the history of the Th e Local Church Discipler/ upon entering professional ministry, and distinctiveness. congregation, and how the past has aff ected where they are today. Th e Educator Professional Development this course is not intended to compete My Congregation and Context— website allows each congregation to see its “health history” over the past curriculum, developed by Diana with certifi cation courses from the Asset identifi cation, discipleship fi ve to 10 years, using church profi les research from the General Board of Hynson, Director of Learning and Board of Higher Education and systems, family systems and group Global Ministries. Teaching Ministries at GBOD, is a Ministry. Ideally, these leaders would, dynamics. Aft er reviewing its history and assessing its current health, each six-module learning experience for over time, continue their studies Administration and Leadership congregation is asked to set goals to reach the vision of becoming more anyone hired by local churches to fi ll through certifi cation or other avenues. —Creating a team, working with healthy based upon fi ve measurable indicators of vitality: worship positions related to Christian Th e modules, which can be volunteers, staff -parish relations attendance, professions of faith, number of small groups, persons in mission formation and education. taken in any order, are: committee and other staff , policies and missional giving. “Th e self-study guide is highly My Call and Vocation—Self- and procedures, budget and adaptive Congregations that need help, encouragement and support in moving interactive,” Hynson said. “Some of it evaluation, call/identity/vocation, leadership. toward health and vitality will have resources available to assist them in says, ‘Read this and refl ect on it.’ But your own story and self-care as a To obtain the full curriculum, achieving these goals. Resources will be available to address all fi ve key in other instances, the activity will local church professional. including the modules and guides, indicators of vitality. be to interview your church leaders God and the Bible—Christian visit the GBOD website at For more information, visit UMVitalCongregations.org. in specifi c position, observe the theology and Bible resources. http://bit.ly/kKqmI5. COMING UP

August Asbury Praise Band. hungry in Arkansas. Workshops include Th eological St. James UMC Fayetteville sesquicentennial Aug. 11-14 A silent auction with items ranging from vacation condos, Conversations and Worship – Why we care; Gardening 101 – St. James UMC Fayetteville is holding a Sesquicentennial golf outings and hunting trips to jewelry and baked goods is on Where to begin; Developing a Team that Works – Who needs to Celebration on Aug. 11-14, 2011. A revival on the nights of the agenda. Proceeds from the auction will go to Asbury’s Shared be involved; Hands-on Experience – Tour the ‘almost organic’ August 11-12 and a “Play Day” Aug. 13 will celebrate 150 years Ministries that support missions in Little Rock and around the garden at Mount Eagle; and Developing Goals and Funding Your of ministry. Th e celebration ends with a Service of Divine world. Garden – Have a plan when you leave. Worship on Aug. 14 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a potluck dinner Tickets will be on sale before and aft er each Sunday worship To learn more or to register, visit mounteagle.org. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. service through Aug. 14, or in the church offi ce during the week. Organized in 1861, St. James UMC is a predominantly For additional information, call Anita Curtis at 501-225-9231. Christian educators’ event in Houston Sept. 16-17 African-American congregation which has been in its current Renewing Equipping Affi rming Preparing (REAP), hosted by house of worship since 1883. For information, contact John Register by Aug. 31 for discount on October seminar Memorial Drive UMC in Houston, Texas, will feature as its Manning at [email protected]. “Captured by a Compelling Narrative: A Christian Story for a keynote speaker the Rev. John C. Holbert, professor of New Generation” at Garrett-Evangelical in Evanston, Ill., will homiletics, SMU Perkins School of Th eology. Th e event is open American Cancer Society ‘Walking By Faith’ Aug. 12-13 feature scholars and pastors including Diana Butler-Bass, Walter to all Christian educators in the South Central Jurisdiction, Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock will host a faith- Fluker and Mike Slaughter. Th e conference, scheduled for Oct. which includes Arkansas. based, non-denominational Relay For Life event to raise funds 27-28, will explore biblical narratives and their impact on our Workshop topics include age-level ministries, spiritual and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life: culture and identity in the U.S. Questions addressed will include: formation, technology and more. For registration details, visit Walking By Faith will run from 6 p.m. Aug. 12 until 6 a.m. Aug. • Is the Exodus model still relevant for the Church in the U.S.? www.ghles.org. 13, and will feature activities and cancer information for the • How has the traditional narrative of the local church been public. impacted or changed due to our economic, social, and Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry moves to a Sunday—Sept. 18 For more information or to form a team or volunteer, cultural realities? Camp Aldersgate’s 28th annual Fish Fry is set for Sunday, Sept. contact Camie Wood at 870-723-7672 or visit relayforlife.org/ • How can church leaders frame the good news to speak 18, from noon to 3 p.m. (note the change from Saturday to walkingbyfaith. across generational and cultural lines in our current Sunday). In addition to fun, fellowship and fi sh, they also will context? have a “country store” fi lled with homemade goodies. Ride the “Return” youth/adult event at First UMC Conway Aug. 13 Members of the Arkansas Conference who register by Aug. free shuttle from the Baptist Medical Center parking lot, or pick All youth and adults are invited to Return, a free event on 31 receive a 10 percent discount. To claim the discount, enter the up your to-go meal at the corner of Kanis and Aldersgate Roads. Saturday, Aug.13, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at First United Methodist code “ITLC2011” at transformativeleaders.org/registration. All proceeds support Camp Aldersgate, Arkansas’ only Church Conway. Free food will be served beginning at 5:00 p.m. Learn more at TransformativeLeaders.org, or contact Shane non-profi t uniquely dedicated to serving children with Th e featured speaker is Jay Gamelin, who spoke to Arkansas Nichols at 847-866-3866 or [email protected]. disabilities, youth and senior adults in a camp environment. youth at Veritas 2010, and music is by featured up-and-coming In 2010, Camp Aldersgate served 357 campers with band Th e Advice. September disabilities ranging from diabetes and autism to muscular Registration is not required. However, to help plan for food, dystrophy and spina bifi da through its summer medical camp if you plan to bring a group, please e-mail an approximate Community garden workshop at Mount Eagle Sept. 9-10 program. It also served more than 340 campers through number to Michelle Moore at [email protected]. “Sowing the Seeds... Helping to reduce hunger insecurities Weekend Respite Camps. Its Seniors Day Out program began in through faith-based community gardens” will take place Sept. the 1970’s, and last year served 54 senior adults. Asbury UMC Little Rock picnic, silent auction Aug. 14 9-10, 2011 (7 p.m. Friday to 3:30 p.m. Saturday) at Mount Eagle Fish Fry tickets will be available for advance purchase at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Road in Retreat Center. campaldersgate.net. For more information, visit the event Little Rock, has scheduled a Great American Family Life Picnic Individuals and local church teams will explore theological Facebook page, facebook.com/campaldersgatefi shfry, or contact for 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. Enjoy a fried chicken dinner with all underpinnings and gain practical skills to begin or expand Tisha Gribble at 501-225-1444 or [email protected]. the trimmings (hot dogs for the kids) and entertainment by the community garden programs as one response to feeding the www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 10A August 5, 2011 Northwest District team lends a hand to Tuck’s Chapel BY KAYLEA HUTSON Special Contributor

Hammers, nails, paint scrapers and quarts of paint. Simple supplies, amazing results. For approximately 70 volunteers, representing more than a dozen churches throughout the Northwest District of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, it also meant being able to help the small congregation of Tuck’s Chapel, located in rural Rogers, Ark. For several hours on Saturday, The Rev. Brian Youngs, pastor at Tuck’s Chapel, leads the worship service April 9, people—including a large Volunteers scrape and replace portions of the siding of Tuck’s Chapel UMC to prepare it for painting. that followed the day’s work project. number of youth—from several PHOTOS BY KAYLEA HUTSON churches scraped and painted walls, the community seeing a place set the building’s exterior. said. “Something wonderful happens part of a 30-Hour Famine project— replaced damaged siding and built a aside for preaching the word of God “Our congregation did not have when we pull together as a made him feel hopeful. wheelchair ramp. and nurturing the body of Christ, the ability to undertake an eff ort of community of faith. With over fi fty “I was just glad to be there with Th e Rev. Mackey Yokem, that’s a win, win, and win for the this size, nor did we have the people working together, we had them,” he said. Northwest District superintendent, Kingdom!” fi nancial resources to support it,” laughter, joy, sweat, worship—in all Vaughan agreed. said the event was a success for three For the Rev. Brian Youngs, Youngs continued. of which, God was glorifi ed. “Th e youth worked diligently, reasons: “the cooperation, the spirit, pastor of Tuck’s Chapel, the day “We hoped that we could restore “Each participant benefi ts as gracefully and with joy,” he said. the results.” provided several benefi ts. the condition of the church to what it they pull together serving God. “Th rough their hard work, we were “It was work that needed to be “Th e outreach from our sister was, but never dreamed of the Th ey make new friends, and visions able to scrape and paint most of the done,” Yokem said. “Here is a small churches is indescribable,” Youngs amount of work and eff orts that came become reality for many. And… of church. church in the midst of a growing said. “Having been the pastor for to be. For those of you who have course, the community surrounding “I loved seeing the variety of ages community, showing their neighbors almost a year, it was evident that the never witnessed ‘holy horsepower,’ it Tuck’s Chapel will benefi t. As they of those who willingly and lovingly their commitment to the ministry to church exterior was losing its battle is truly a sight to see. Without the gift see the renovations to Tuck’s Chapel came to serve—from young children congregations and surrounding with Mother Nature. of today’s hands and feet, we are not and are led by the Spirit of God to to students to our eldest workers.” neighborhoods. “Also, it was diffi cult for many in certain of what we would have done the church, God is glorifi ed.” “In these simple moments, “Who doesn’t benefi t from this our congregation to navigate the to restore the church.” Th roughout the project, more great truths are born,” Yokem said. kind of work? Th ose giving time and concrete steps and get into the church.” Th e Rev. Cleft on Vaughan, than 20 youth from Central UMC “Working and serving together in energy using their skills, the folks Youngs said the day “was event organizer, said the project had Rogers and First UMC Bentonville Christ’s name, the world can be who provided the funds to purchase nothing short of a miracle” as he several purposes. helped scrape and paint much of the transformed.” the materials, the local congregation watched the wheelchair ramp “We need to do whatever we building. Tuck’s Chapel was built in 1871 that sees their building being reborn, installation and the repairs made to can to help one another,” Vaughan Yokem said their involvement— on land donated by Susan and Th omas Tuck. Logs felled on the property by local loggers and town CLASSIFIEDS workers helped build the chapel. Currently, the church has fi ve PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED in the Arkansas United Methodist for 50 cents members, with an average of seven per word, no limit. To schedule your ad, call 501-324-8005 or mail to: regular attendees. Arkansas United Methodist, 800 Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202; or Youngs said he hoped the e-mail [email protected]. renovations—especially the wheelchair ramp—would provide a First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas is seeking new genesis for outreach into the a Director of Student Ministries. Th e focus of the ministry is the spiritual community, because it would development and growth of students from 8th grade through college. improve access to the facility. Averaging over 600 in weekly worship services, the congregation seeks to Volunteers taking part in the continue its growth through a variety of ministry and service opportunities, event came from Grace UMC worship and mission experiences, and small groups. For more information Rogers, Oakley Chapel UMC Rogers, about our church, please visit our website: http://www.fumcmh.org. For Highlands UMC Bella Vista, First more information about Mountain Home, please visit http://www. UMC Rogers, Prairie Grove UMC mtnhomechamber.com. Interested applicants may send their resumes to Prairie Grove, Fellowship Bible [email protected]. Church Rogers, Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Shreveport, La., Wesley Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs: First United Methodist Church UMC Springdale, Central UMC of Conway is seeking a part-time Associate Director of Music: Children’s Fayetteville, Central UMC Rogers, and Youth Choirs. Responsibilities involve the coordination and leadership First UMC Bentonville, Brightwater of existing children’s choirs, and working to develop a youth choir. Degree in Church Rogers, Sequoyah UMC music and experience working with children preferred. Interested applicants Fayetteville and Bland Chapel UMC may send inquiries or resume to [email protected]. Position Rogers. open until fi lled. Th is article originally appeared as a Home Study: Save $$$ Christian Bible College, P.O. Box 8968 Rocky Mt., “Pulpit Stories” feature on the NC 27804 Phone (252) 451-1031; www.christianbiblecollege.org website of the Northwest and West Districts, nwdist.org.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org August 5, 2011 11A BOOK REVIEW: ‘Greenhouse’ case studies OBITUARY offer models for empowering young adults QUITMAN John R. Chapman embrace change. like practice that embraces guidance Th e Rev. John Robert Chapman, 92, of Quitman, Greenhouses of Hope: A clamoring of voices cries out based on Korean traditions. Th e root Ark., passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011, at the from weariness, “When will the of the success in all of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Congregations Growing young people of the church step up?” congregations is that time was taken Rock. Young Leaders Who Will Yet when they do, the young people to cultivate, nurture and encourage Th e son of late Jasper and Lucy (Hicks) Change the World are not given room to breathe life young adults to fi nd their spiritual Chapman, he was born in Cleburne County on Sept. into something that is theirs. We gift s and use them to glorify God. 28, 1918. Edited by don’t allow or inspire our youth to Creating such a greenhouse, A retired elder in the United Methodist Church, Dori Grinenko Baker grow in their faith; instead, we according to Baker, can begin by John he faithfully served in several Arkansas churches, deprive them of the water and VocationCARE. Th e acronym means: Chapman including Rose Bud, Cherry Valley, Holly Grove, The Alban Institute, 2010 nutrients they need to grow and “C- Create a hospitable space to Cabot, Van Buren, Brinkley, Marked Tree, Tuckerman, develop. explore Christian vocation; A- Ask Batesville and Greers Ferry. His kind and loving personality endeared Th e book defi nes a Greenhouse self-awakening questions; R- Refl ect him to those he served. BY MARCIA DUNBAR of Hope as “a Christian congregation theologically on self and He is survived by his wife, Gretchen L. (Nelson) Chapman of Special Contributor freeing itself to experiment with community; and E- Explore, enact Quitman; three sons, Robert L. Chapman and his wife, Vickey Ann, of both newly imagined and time- and establish ministry Farmersville, Texas; Nelson H. Chapman and his wife, Linda J., of As a United Methodist, I know honored ways of following the path opportunities.” Commerce, Texas; and Larry E. Chapman and his wife, Janice M., of we are called to give our prayers, of Jesus. Its members respond to VocationCARE looks diff erent Quitman; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great- presence, gift s, service and witness. I God’s love through practices that depending on the context of the grandchild. He is also survived by other relatives and his many friends. fondly remember a former pastor genuinely embrace the gift s of the congregation, but it provides a basic Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 29, with the Rev. ending each sermon with the same youth and young adults.” Th ese beginning to discovering the John Miles offi ciating. Interment followed in Cleburne County Memorial empowering statement, “We aren’t greenhouses are messy, organic, untapped talents and gift s of young Gardens. Grandsons Robert Dale Chapman, Richard Chapman, Keith leaving the church, we go out to be adults in a congregation. Chapman, Kyle Chapman, Michael Chapman, Steven Chapman and the church.” Th e book is a testimony to Mark Chapman served as pallbearers. Ours is a wonderful message of success in developing the faith of inspiration and hope, but as I look young adults, and the Questions for around at friends and younger Refl ection at the end of each chapter generations, I have to wonder, what serve as a way to introspectively Asbury UMC awards Martin scholarships are we doing to inspire this kind of assess your own congregation and For the twenty-third year running, Asbury United Methodist Church responsibility in the youth of the whether you are cultivating the Little Rock has awarded Martin scholarships to students among its church? young adults of the church in a membership. Dori Grinenko Baker, editor meaningful way. Established in 1987, the scholarship fund is dedicated to the memory of of Greenhouses of Hope: We cannot expect more from Robert Longley Martin and his mother, Addie Virginia Wright Martin. Robert Congregations Growing Young our faith than what we put into it. If Martin, a long-time member of Asbury, chose the scholarship fund as a way Leaders Who Will Change the we truly want a new surge of activity for his personal ministry to live on aft er his death. World, explores this question. from our young adults, we must fi rst Members of Asbury UMC pursuing education beyond the high school Along with seven other trust them enough to let them level are eligible to apply. To date, 176 Asbury UMC members have received contributors, she frames the become active participants. In more than $479,000 in scholarships from the fund. One of the fi rst recipients, need to develop our young adults essence, we need to get out of our the Rev. Jeff Jones, used his scholarship to attend seminary and today serves as in various ways. Th e authors own way and take the chance to senior pastor of Grace Community UMC Fort Smith. became a part of their respective learn from those younger than us. Twenty-two Asbury students have been awarded scholarships for the congregational case studies and If we can do it, we will be 2011-2012 academic year. were transformed in the process. surprised in the growth of our Attending Baylor University: Ashley Mullen; attending Bowen School of Each of us has a responsibility creative, inventive and sometimes ministries and the blessings that Law: Pierce Hunter; attending Greenville College (Illinois): Teddy Fink; to nurture those we guide on their chaotic. come from seeing something attending Pulaski Technical College: Becky Scott; attending Texas Christian spiritual path. Hopefully, we are Th e case studies are diverse, wonderful grow to fruition. University: Wesley Howeth; attending the University of Arkansas at challenged and the relationship from a small, remote island church Fayetteville: Camille Gele’, Megan Greenfi eld, Nick Hall, Cari Hunter, Andrew becomes symbiotic. But it can only empowering youth to a Korean Dunbar serves as director of Kurrus, Ben Mackey, Jillian Moff ett, Madeline Moff ett, Victoria Pendergrass, occur when we give of ourselves and American Presbyterian congregation evangelism for St. James UMC Little Will Pierce, Erin Rowland, Laramie Wall; attending the University of Central open our hearts and minds to that practices “mozying,” a mentor- Rock. Arkansas: Lisa Snider, Ben Stansell; attending the University of Missouri: Robyn Jones; attending the University of Tulsa: Alexa Robbins; attending the University of Virginia: Chris Mullen. Bismarck congregation celebrates United Methodist Women’s Day Each of this year’s honorees received a $599 award.

Bismarck United Methodist Church in Bismarck, Ark., on Sunday, June 26 celebrated United Methodist Women’s Day. Th e local unit of Be sure to recycle United Methodist Women provided leadership for the entire worship your copy of the service, and welcomed the Rev. Jessica Durand of the HSU/OBU Wesley Foundation as guest preacher. Arkansas United Methodist One of the highlights of the service was the presentation of the United Methodist Woman of the Year award. Th e 2011 award recipient when you’re À nished was Trecea Horton, honored for her years of outstanding work in the reading it (or share it UMW group and her dedication to her church. Horton serves in many areas of her church and in the Bismarck community. with a friend). Trecea Horton www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 12A August 5, 2011 Two Ark. churches featured in denominational magazine Interpreter, the offi cial ministry magazine of the United Methodist Church, in its July-August issue featured two congregations from the Arkansas Conference. Th e article “Fewer hymnals in the future? Black church study indicates so” includes information and quotes from Jeremy Carter, music director for Wesley Chapel UMC in Little Rock. Th e story outlines a recent study indicating that the need and desire for printed hymnals is decreasing among African-American congregations. In the feature “Tweet what you need – and it will come,” Little Rock’s canvascommunity UMC is one of two churches highlighted for using social media to quickly organize humanitarian aid for their neighbors. (For more details on how the canvascommunity eff ort played out, see the Feb. 4 issue of Faith Funds the Arkansas United Methodist; archives available online at arumc.org/aum.) To read both stories and more from Interpreter, visit the magazine’s website, interpretermagazine.org. Growing in Christ Arkansans contribute to evangelism blog Two Arkansas clergy, the Revs. Natasha Murray-Norman and Lee Eva Lee Paysinger is always growing something good – right now she’s using her glassed-in Myane, are among a group of provisional elders contributing to an porch and a flower bed just outside her Batesville home to grow vegetables. Early in their evangelism blog launched in May. ministry she and her husband, the late Rev. Vernon Paysinger, were more often growing Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., the E. Stanley Jones Associate Professor of churches. Evangelism at St. Paul School of Th eology, asked four of his then-students to join him in writing about evangelism in today’s culture. All four students “I was the first member of Rosewood UMC in West Memphis,” recalled Eva Lee. “The DS specialized in evangelism while pursuing their Master of Divinity degrees. sent us to West Memphis in 1955 with a vacant lot and money for an apartment. It took a Th e blog, entitled Changing World, Changing Church, off ers a place for while, and we had to get out and knock on a lot of doors. But before we left four years later, those who are “trying to redevelop the way in which we understand they had a fellowship hall that we used for worship and five classrooms. I still get their evangelism, and the way in which we practice it, too,” said Murray-Norman. newsletter.” Th e group hopes to spark discussion and dialogue surrounding evangelism among clergy and laity in local congregations. The Paysingers grew up together as school mates and members of the Evening Shade UMC “I hope others who read our blog will fi nd connections to things they in Sharp County. After a lifetime of serving churches throughout Arkansas, they retired in are experiencing in ministry and daily lives,” Myane said. “I hope we can Batesville to be near family. help people to see the world a little diff erently. If we begin to see things diff erently, God may be found in unexpected places.” Vernon and Eva Lee dedicated their lives to Christian ministry long ago, and it was only To read the blog, visit changingworldchangingchurch.wordpress.com. natural for them to plan to leave their estate to the United Methodist Foundation. After her death, the Vernon and Eva Lee Paysinger Endowment will underwrite United Methodist missions in Arkansas. It will express their love for the United Methodist Church forever.

“Vernon and I decided to put our money to good use through the Foundation,” said Eva Lee. “It’s our way of saying thanks to a church that has done so much for us.”

The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas

5300 Evergreen Drive t Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 501-664-8632 t Toll free 866-281-8914 t Fax 501-664-6792 t www.umfa.org

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org umportal org

Spiritual heroines Growth spots Wesleyan Wisdom Section B UM minister and author Some annual conferences Clergy need to be touts inspiring women | 3B buck decline trend | 4B among their flock | 7B August 5, 2011 Heath named new CEO of UMR Comm.

STAFF R EPORTS UMR Communications Inc., par- ent company of the United Methodist Reporter, has chosen Alan Heath as CEO. Mr. Heath has most recently been executive director of a United Methodist church, and spent many years as a sales executive of a print- ing/publishing company. He begins at UMR Communica- tions on Aug. 15. “A l a n He at h stood out among the candidates for CEO,” said the Rev. Steve Trout, UMR Com- munications’ board chair. “His commit- ment to and under- Alan Heath standing of the United Methodist Church is impres- sive.” UMR Communications provides printing and other communication services to annual conferences, churches and divisions of the UMC. “UMR offers me the opportunity to work with a great team of people to The Word made plain foster more effective communication within our great denomination,” Mr.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHERRIE GRAHAM Heath said. The Common English Bible enters a crowded marketplace, but the scholars behind it (including United Methodists) believe its accessibility He added: “I am especially de- will be a big selling point. lighted to help advance Christian mis- sion through our working relationship with the Women’s Division. I have al- ways been a strong supporter of New Bible takes risks to be reader-friendly United Methodist Women.” Mr. Heath, 62, has been executive Bible kicks off Genesis instead with, But in the blogosphere era, he also Five mainline Protestant denomi- director of nearly 3,000-member First B Y S AM HODGES Managing Editor “When God began to create the heav- is having to explain and defend spe- nation presses joined in sponsoring UMC in McKinney, Texas, since 2006. ens and the earth …” cific word choices. the $3.5 million project, with the self- He spent 25 years at Taylor Publishing ’Tis the gift to be simple, the In this Bible the Beatitudes say “Bible translation is not for people supporting United Methodist Publish- Co. in Dallas, ultimately serving as Shaker hymn goes, and the makers of “Happy are those” instead of “Blessed with weak hearts,” he said. ing House providing the largest vice president of communications and the Common English Bible couldn’t are those,” and Jesus calls himself “the funding share, Dr. Franklyn said. vice president of collegiate sales. agree more. Human One” instead of “the Son of Diversity, speed United Methodist scholars have Mr. Heath earned degrees from Their new translation—a multi- Man.” The Common English Bible is mak- been deeply involved, notably Joel Ambassador University in Big Sandy, denomination effort done with con- These days Paul Franklyn, associ- ing its full print debut this summer, Green, a professor at Fuller Theologi- Texas, and from Texas A&M-Com- siderable United Methodist input and ate publisher and project director, is with the paperback out and the hard- cal Seminary in California. He’s New merce. He taught journalism at Am- support—puts the Bible at a seventh- busy making the case that the Com- back on the way. The New Testament Testament editor for the Common bassador from 1971 to 1978. grade reading level. mon English Bible combines “readabil- translation came out last year, and a English Bible. He’s a longtime lay leader of Ka- To do that, they dropped lots of fa- ity” with rigorous scholarship, and digital version of both Old and New But the project is nothing if not ec- vanaugh UMC in Greenville, Texas. He miliar phrasing, beginning with “In thus can reach the masses effectively Testaments went on the market in umenical, with 24 denominations rep- and his wife, Carole Ann, have two the beginning.” The Common English and responsibly. June.  See ‘New Bible’ page 8B children and four grandchildren. 2B FAITH focus FAITH WATCH Church leaders react to Norway tragedy

Winkler, Edgar with encouraging openness and re- The United Methodist Church and the arrested in protest B Y BARBARA DUNLAP-BERG spect toward one another and dis- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amer- United Methodist News Service Jim Winkler, top executive couraging a reaction of hatred and ica have a full communion agreement, of the UMC’s Board of In response to the bombing and fear. “Christians are not guided by which means mutual recognition of Church and Society, and mass-shooting attack in Norway that xenophobia, but by God’s love to all each other’s sacraments as well as in- the Rev. Bob Edgar, a UM killed more than 90 people and in- people,” she said. terchangeability of ordained clergy. elder and president of the jured scores, United Methodist and “Prayer is the most important gift “With the people of Norway, we advocacy group Common other church leaders worldwide called which all of us as neighbors and lament this tragic violence and renew Cause, were among 11 re- for prayer and solidarity. ligious leaders arrested July 28th in the U.S. Capitol. Bishop Christian Alsted, who leads The group refused to stop the Nordic and Baltic Area, issued a ‘We encourage congregations to its public prayers calling on statement. Congress and President “Life in Norway that we usually ex- make our churches available for Obama to preserve federal perience safe and secure was brutally spending for the poor. shaken by a violent bomb explosion in conversation, silence and prayer.’ the government district in Oslo on —Bishop Christian Alsted Evangelical leader Friday, July 22, and further by an in- John Stott dies at 90 comprehensible massacre at a na- The Rev. John Stott, an tional youth camp run by the Labour friends … can offer to them.” our commitment to be peacemakers,” evangelical leader within party on island Utoya,” he said. The Rev. Michael Kinnamon, gen- Bishop Hanson wrote. Reflecting on the Church of England and Police identified the suspect in Bishop Christian Alsted leads eral secretary of the National Council the upcoming 10th anniversary of the worldwide, died July 27th both attacks as Anders Behring the UMC’s Nordic and Baltic of Churches, a consortium of 37 mem- 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United at age 90. Billy Graham Breivik, 32. The suspect appears to Area, which includes Norway ber communions in the United States, States, the bishop spoke of the “com- once called him “the most have written a 1,500-page manifesto and its 47 UM churches. sent a message to the churches of Nor- fort and courage” shared by global respected clergyman in the ranting against Muslims and devising way, and to World Council of Churches neighbors during times of national world” and Time magazine meticulous plans to prepare for the at- and support of affected families and general secretary, the Rev. Olav Fykse tragedy. had him in its 2005 “most tacks. friends. Tveit, a Norwegian pastor. influential people” list. Mr. “In the past 24 hours,” Bishop Al- “Many people will have a need to “The member communions of the Fighting fear Stott emphasized conver- sted wrote, “we have seen pictures and Extending condolences to the peo- sion and the authority of get together with others to share their National Council of Churches join per- scripture, but also opposed heard stories of events that we would thoughts and emotions in coming to sons of faith and good will all over the ple of Norway, President Barack anti-intellectualism. He not have thought could take place in a terms with this terrible experience,” world in offering our prayers and sup- Obama said the tragedy was a “re- wrote some 50 books. peaceful country like Norway. Young Bishop Alsted continued. port to the people of Norway,” Mr. Kin- minder that the entire international people on island Utoya have been ex- “Therefore, we encourage congre- namon said. community has a stake in preventing Disciples of Christ posed to experiences so horrifying gations to make our churches avail- this type of terror from occurring.” re-elect Watkins that it will impact them for life.” able for conversation, silence and Need for solidarity The first memorial service was at The Rev. Sharon Watkins The Kingdom of Norway, about the prayer. We have also encouraged our Mr. Tveit was in Norway and had the Central Church United Methodist has been re-elected gen- size of the U.S. state of New Mexico, is churches to organize memorial serv- just left Oslo when the bombing of a Church in Oslo on July 24. United eral minister and president a Nordic constitutional monarchy, ices, preferably ecumenically, to give government building left seven dead Methodist Bishop of the Christian Church with King Harald V as head of state people the opportunity to express and several injured. Emeritus Øystein (Disciples of Christ.) She and Jens Stoltenberg as prime minis- their grief and despair and to find “Norway has today experienced an Olsen preached. just completed a six-year ter. The capital is Oslo. comfort and strength in Christ.” unprecedented and horrible level of While the majority term of leading the denom- “This incident affects the whole Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, who violence against innocent people,” Mr. of Norwegians be- ination, which has about nation of 4.5 million,” Bishop Alsted heads United Methodism’s Germany Tveit said. long to the state 700,000 members. At a continued, “and families across the Area, echoed Alsted’s comments. He expressed shock over “attacking Evangelical Lutheran July assembly in Nashville, country grieve their loved ones. In this “Christians all over Germany are the core institutions of a democratic Church of Norway, she told delegates, “We national tragedy, the Norwegian peo- mourning with the families who lost society and innocent youth gathered there are 47 organ- Bishop need to talk honestly about ple need the support, care and prayers their loved ones and praying for the for a workshop to discuss political is- ized United the gospel message as it Gregory of the churches.” people of Norway,” she said. “We pray sues.” Methodist churches, relates to race and sexual Plamer the Norwegian people will continue to Reminding people that all are cre- with 98 clergy and orientation in our church.” Gift of prayer build up their community on values ated in God’s image, Mr. Tveit added, more than 12,000 Irish people back He urged congregations and pas- like trust and respect.” “In times like this, the Norwegian members and participants. Vatican reprimand tors to participate actively in the care She commended Norway’s leaders people and government need the soli- On July 25, the Norwegian govern- The Associated Press re- darity of the international society and ment called for a national moment of ported that Irish Prime Min- THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER (USPS954-500) is published the prayers of the worldwide church. silence, ordering trains halted as part ister Enda Kenny is getting weekly by UMR Communications Inc., 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas Now we know the reality of so many of a nationwide ob- 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional others in the world where violence servance to remem- widespread support in his mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE UNITED country for his recent METHODIST REPORTER. PO Box 660275, Dallas Texas 75266-0275. pierces the lives of the innocent.” ber the dead and the speech demanding that the THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER has provided Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the injured. www.umportal.org denominational news coverage since its beginning as the Texas Vatican own up to its failure Methodist newspaper in 1847. The Reporter has no official ties to the Illinois Great Rivers Annual (regional) Urging a spirit of to deal with child abuse in [email protected] United Methodist General Conference or to any of the denomination’s Conference, said, “The apostle Paul reconciliation in the Irish church. “It’s a general boards or agencies. This newspaper aims to provide readers with a broad spectrum of information and viewpoints consistent with was right when he wrote young Timo- Norway and globally, landmark speech in em- the diversity of Christians. thy, ‘God didn’t give us a spirit that is Bishop Alsted, said, All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted by UMR phasizing that Ireland’s his- timid but one that is powerful, loving “We … encourage Bishop toric deference to the Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Communications Inc. unless otherwise noted. Reprint of material from this newspaper must be authorized in advance by the Editor, and fees and self-controlled.’ Once again, we prayer for wisdom Rosemarie Vatican, and to the Catholic are assessed in some cases. To request reprints, e-mail are called to proclaim God’s spirit pro- and strength for the Bill Fentum, Associate Editor [email protected], or fax a request to (214) 630-0079. Telephone Wenner Church generally, is over,” vides hope in these tragic times.” Norwegian govern- said Diarmaid Ferriter, pro- requests are not accepted. Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer Send Correspondence and Address Changes (in- Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the ment and that Nor- fessor of modern Irish his- clude mailing label) To: P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, TX Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amer- way as a nation will not be ruled by tory at University College Cherrie Graham, Advertising Manager 75266-0275 Telephone: (214) 630-6495. Subscriptions are $26 for 52 issues per year. Click on “subscriptions” at Please recycle. ica sent a message of encouragement fear but that we will be able to con- Dublin. www.umportal.org, e-mail [email protected] or send We do! Dale Bryant, Senior Designer a check to UMR Communications, Attn: Circulation, 1221 to Bishop Helga Haugland Byfuglien tinue to live in trust and openness —Compiled by Sam Hodges Profit Dr., Dallas, TX 75247. of the (Lutheran) Church of Norway. with each other.”

AUGUST 5, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH focus 3B Q&A: Reflecting, prayerfully, on inspiring women The Rev. Jan Richardson would like you could carry in a pocket or a purse. ancient wellsprings of the Christian Men have primarily been perceived as to introduce readers to some of the Wieck refers to these books as tradition. I continually receive affir- the movers and shakers—and those most inspiring women they’ve never “portable cathedrals.” I love that idea, mation that other people have been stories are important, too—but often met. She wrote In the Sanctuary of that wherever you were, you could pull hungry for this kind it’s very hard to find Women: A Companion for Reflection & out a book and in that moment – as of thing. So this is the stories of Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010) you opened those pages – find your- another way of re- women. And which won the 2011 National Indie self in a sacred space. sponding to the women have had Excellence Award in the religion non- hunger that we were much less access to fiction category. An artist, writer, and You talk about a book as a “thin seeing in the serv- literacy in much of ordained United Methodist minister, place.” Explain. ice. Growing up as a history. So what we Ms. Richardson is an oblate of St. This is a wonderful idea from Christian, I didn’t often have are just Brigid of Kildare Monastery, a Celtic Christianity, that in the physical have any idea of, or fragment of their Methodist-Benedictine community landscape, and in the rhythm of the know these women stories. In my based in St. Joseph, Minn. She also year, the turning of the year, there are that I write about in book, I really leads a contemplative worship service these places where “the veil between the book. It was only wanted to lift up at FUMC in Winter Park, Fla. She worlds becomes very thin, and heaven as I went through and celebrate these spoke recently with staff writer Mary and earth meet.” Places of pilgrimage, seminary that I fragments of his- Jacobs. Here are excerpts. like the Isle of Iona in Scotland, have began to discover tory, so that read- Jan Richardson been recognized as holy places. I don’t their stories. So I ers can ask: What Would you describe In the think it’s that God is somehow “more have been really hun- do these bits and Sanctuary of Women as a book of there” in those places than in other gry to offer these sto- scraps of stories prayers for women, or about presence of Christ, seeking to remove places, but there is something about ries to others as well. mean to you? What do they tell about women? anything that would distract them. We them that invites us to become more who God has created you to be? It’s both. The book draws on the may not literally move to the desert, open and more present to the God You refer in your book to the In my book, I write about a woman lives and writings of women from but the stories of the Desert Mothers who is always present to us. That’s “losses and erasures that have named Harriet Powers, who was born scripture, history and tradition, as a inspire us to ask, “In my day-to-day what those medieval artists did—to taken place in the history of women into slavery in Georgia and later way of inviting women in our own day life, how am I seeking the presence of create books that were so beautiful, so in the Judeo-Christian tradition.” gained her freedom. We know virtu- to reflect on their own lives. I did Christ? And what is Christ calling me compelling, so that when somebody Can you elaborate? ally nothing of her. Most of the traces write prayers and blessings that weave to let go of, in order to be open to his opened one, they found themselves in The history of many men has dis- of her life have vanished. But we have throughout the book, but what I was presence?” a “thin place” that invited them to be appeared, too, but I do think that it’s two amazing quilts she made that really interested in doing was to invite more open to the presence of God. disproportionate in the case of have survived. They are story quilts the readers to enter into the stories of With this book, you sought to create women. For millennia, so much of the that tell biblical stories. She pieced to- women like Eve, Brigid of Kildare, the a prayer book in the tradition of You lead contemplative worship work of women had to do with day-to- gether the stories that she knew to Desert Mothers and Hildegard of Bin- psalters, Books of Hours, and services at FUMC in Winter Park, day life—preparing the food and rais- make these beautiful quilts. I hope the gen, so that they can reflect and ask breviaries. Why? Fla. Did that inform the writing of ing families, caring for the home. book does the same—takes those bits questions of their own lives: What’s We have a remarkable tradition of this book? Because these things were seemingly and scraps and fragments and quilts going on in my life? How do I pray in understanding the book as a sacred Not directly, but in both the wor- so common and taken for granted, it them together. the context of my own life? I don’t tell object. We see this particularly in the ship services and with the book, I’m wasn’t always seen as important to women how to pray, but share stories Middle Ages, in the time before the reaching back and drawing from the record them on a day-to-day basis. [email protected] of women who have been companions printing press, when artists and in my own journey. scribes would spend months and even years creating these prayer books as Can you give me an example? tools that helped support the life of St. Brigid of Kildare was a remark- prayer for the people who owned the able firebrand of a woman and a books. So I designed the book in the leader of the early church in Ireland in spirit of those medieval books— not the 5th and 6th centuries. We know that just a collection of pages stuck be- she established a number of monastic tween two covers. I’m trying to invite communities for both women and people into a place of prayer. men, the most famous being the one Roger Wieck, in his book Painted she established in Kildare. Many cen- Prayers, points out that the Books of turies later, a woman named Mary Hours were the “bestsellers” of the Stamps, a lifelong Methodist, estab- Middle Ages, the most common kind lished a Benedictine/Methodist of book, created to enable laypeople to monastery in Minnesota. The pray in the same rhythm that monks monastery is affiliated with the Gen- and nuns prayed. They were often lav- eral Board of Discipleship and is open ishly illustrated and were of a size that to men and women of various denom- inations. So that’s one example of someone who was inspired by Brigid, CHOIR ROBES EXPERT $ 95 in establishing this community that is TAILORING 35 &UP making a powerful difference in the Finest fabrics including permanent lives who are part of that, as I am. press and wash & wear. Superior Brigid is someone of the distant quality. Free color catalog and fabric swatches on request. past, but who has a word to speak to GUARANTEED SATISFACTION us, who inspires us to ask, “What is Call Toll Free: 1-800-826-8612 Christ asking of me in my own life to offer in service and in prayer?” Simi- larly, the Desert Mothers, in the early centuries of Christianity, left the cities www.rcgown.com and went out to the desert seeking the P.O. Box 8988-T Jacksonville, FL 32211

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 5, 2011 Decline remains the norm for UMC but growth areas offer lessons, hope

States has been steadily rising. In 1990, total lay B Y E MILY SNELL United Methodist News Service and clergy membership in the central confer- ences was 806,841. By 2000, it had risen to Now that all the annual conferences in the 1,512,704, and in 2009, it had reached 4,412,489. United States have held their 2011 gatherings, For many conferences, the decline in mem- membership and attendance numbers indicate bership and attendance in 2010 narrowed even that the decline of past years has continued – but though 43 conferences fell in membership, 41 de- there are signs of hope, too. clined in attendance and 33 decreased in church For the most part, the trend of decline contin- school attendance. ues in the three measured categories—member- Six conferences reported membership ship, worship and Sunday school attendance. growth, five conferences increased average atten- However, activity within and aside from those dance and seven conferences reported increases categories shows that conferences are trying new in church school attendance. initiatives to connect with unreached communi- Only three conferences reported increases in ties. both membership and attendance, and, only one Declines in the three measured categories conference—Central Texas, which has main- have been widespread for many years. In 1990, tained 30 years of growth—increased its num- total lay and clergy membership in the United bers in all three categories. The growth for all States was 8,853,455, according to the statistical three conferences was less than 1 percent in each review compiled annually by the General Council category. on Finance and Administration. By 2000, mem- PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE bership had decreased to 8,341,375, and in 2009, Indiana shifts focus TOP: The Rev. Edlen Cowley (far right) greets those arriving for the preview it was down to 7,725,039. Average attendance in For the first time in 30 years, the Indiana service at the Frisco, Texas, campus of St. Andrew UMC of Plano, Texas. ABOVE: The 1990 was 3,466,439, and by 2009, it had de- Conference reported growth in both membership congregation of a new church, North Central Korean, gathers in The Colony, Texas, creased to 3,125,513. and attendance. under the leadership of Pastor Nakhoon Cho. By contrast, membership outside the United The Rev. Mark Gough, director of church de-

4 B | AUGUST 5, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER LEFT: Cross Timbers United Methodist Church in Moore, Okla., has seen rapid growth in its two years with a focus on younger families. This photo shows one of the church school groups called CT Kids. RIGHT: Young adults and campus ministry students worship at the Indiana Conference’s first ever leadership retreat for young adults. velopment for the conference, said a shift in focus Mr. Ozier added that when he works with families in the community. For example, if fami- creased membership of 50 people, even though it was the key to Indiana’s growth. churches he teaches them to think “culture first.” lies want a church with a youth group, members is located in an area of rapid population growth. “We really began to focus on the main mis- “If churches just try to add new ‘things’ to at- of Cross Timbers would direct them to the “mom “The trend of that loss is unconscionable in sion to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the tract people or to change their ministry, it will church,” he said. my mind,” said the Rev. David Seilheimer, confer- transformation of the world,” he said, adding that have very little effect,” he said. “First, you have to Mr. Stinson said Moore First has more mem- ence treasurer and secretary. churches have to stop worrying about survival be intentional about changing the culture of your bers now than in the past five years, and he be- and start asking, “How are we going to win peo- church. And, the culture change is to become lieves it is because of its association with the new Hispanic growth ple to Christ?” mission-field driven instead of maintenance congregation. He said Cross Timbers and Moore He told annual conference attendees that His- He said the conference, created in a recent driven.” First are examples of why churches should not panic membership in the conference had in- merger of the North and South Indiana confer- fear starting other new churches. creased by 123—nearly 2 percent. He reminded ences, now has five “remote” staff people working New congregations He also mentioned that the conference has the conference that half of its delegation to Gen- with churches in the districts “to really make a Despite declines in all three traditional meas- created a new form of church community called eral Conference is Hispanic. He also noted that difference in reaching people that have not been urement categories, the Oklahoma Conference re- “redemption churches,” comprised of people who Hispanic membership has doubled in the past reached.” ported encouraging numbers in three of its are in prison or former inmates. “It’s a group of decade, saying the conference is “doing some- “It’s easy to get distracted in a local church by newer congregations. folks that were marginalized, who are being the thing good that we need to do better.” all the things we do,” Mr. Gough said, adding that Connect and Summit United Methodist church,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to see those “We have tremendous leadership among the churches need greater emphasis on reaching peo- churches, both in Edmond, Okla., are averaging kinds of ministries.” Hispanic population,” Mr. Seilheimer said. “The ple who don’t know the gospel, inviting them to more than 100 people at preview services, and In the Missouri Conference, numbers in 424 Hispanic population in South Texas is the church and treating them well when they come. Cross Timbers, a 2-year-old United Methodist churches declined, 104 stayed the same and 302 youngest population. Sometimes I think our fail- Red Bird Missionary Conference also re- congregation in Moore, Okla., has received 73 grew. ure to bring in Hispanics is not the difference of ported growth in membership and attendance. professions of faith. Fred Koenig, editor in the Missouri Confer- race or language. It’s that we’re not very good The conference treasurer, Judith Fowler, said the right now at dealing with young people. We need growth came from opening new churches and to be reaching out to those people who are renovating existing ones. ‘If churches just try to add new ‘things’ to attract younger.” Church school numbers were up in the North- The Illinois Great Rivers Conference reported ern Illinois, Arkansas, New York, Kansas East, people… it will have very little effect. First, you declines of less than 2 percent in attendance and Peninsula-Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania membership. The Arkansas Conference reported conferences. The Kansas East and Northern Illi- have to be intentional about changing the less than 1 percent declines in attendance and nois conferences grew less than 1 percent. The membership and a 6.8 percent increase in church Arkansas, New York and Peninsula Delaware con- culture of your church.’ school attendance. ferences saw increases between 5 and 7 percent. —The Rev. Jim Ozier, North Texas Conference The Western North Carolina Conference re- The Eastern Pennsylvania conference grew 15 ported declines in all three categories but noted percent. that participation in Christian formation groups The Louisiana, North Georgia and Rio Grande The Rev. Craig Stinson, director of connec- ence, said focusing on the “Five Practices of increased by more than 3,000. The California-Ne- conferences reported increases in membership, tional ministries and congregational develop- Fruitful Congregations” has been helpful for vada Conference saw declines in all three cate- and the Yellowstone, Oklahoma Indian Mission- ment in Oklahoma, said the conference in past some churches there. The five practices, created gories across the conference, noting, however, ary and North Texas conferences increased in at- years has not followed a mother-daughter format by Missouri Area Bishop Robert Schnase, are that 130 churches experienced membership tendance. for developing new congregations, but all three of passionate worship, extravagant generosity, radi- growth. The Rev. Jim Ozier, the center director for new these churches are connected to a “mother” or cal hospitality, risk-taking mission and service, The Florida Conference noted that Bishop Ri- church development and congregational trans- “anchor” church in the community. and intentional faith development. cardo Pereira, who leads the Methodist Church in formation in the North Texas Conference, said Mr. Stinson said the mother churches were He mentioned that two of the fastest-growing Cuba, reported that membership there has more new churches are the main reason for attendance concerned initially with how many people might churches in the conference are associated as than tripled in the last 10 years, increasing from growth. leave and go to the new congregations. mother-daughter churches. Sunrise, the mother 9,000 to 30,000. The conference hosts seminars called “Get- “It turns out to be very few—under 20 in church, and Morning Star, both in O’Fallon, Mo., “I sense the stirrings of a new vitality,” said ting More Members” by Jim Griffith, which teach each—that are from the mother church,” he said. have benefited from starting the new congrega- retired Bishop Alfred L. Norris as he preached to existing churches how to be more involved in the “I was surprised.” tion. Like Mr. Stinson, he said sometimes the North Georgia Annual Conference. Rejecting community. Mr. Stinson noted that Moore First United churches fear that planting a church will have a the idea that the church is in danger of long-term “To show increase in attendance one year is Methodist Church, the mother church for Cross “detrimental effect” on the existing church, but in decline, he said, “We need to have a passion and good news. To show it for two years in a row is a Timbers, has grown since it started the daughter this case, just like the congregations in Okla- zeal for mission and evangelism.” trend. To show it three years in a row is a pattern. congregation. He explained that sometimes homa, both the mother and daughter churches And after that, it will mark culture change in the mother churches have more ministries and pro- grew. Ms. Snell is a United Methodist News Service conference,” Mr. Ozier said. grams in place that can meet the needs of new The Southwest Texas Conference reported de- intern and a senior at Lipscomb University.

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 5, 2011 | 5B 6B FAITH forum Give seminaries a break GEN-X RISING day school and Vacation Bible B Y B EN G OSDEN School. Before I was taught Special Contributor Methodist history and theology, I Lessons learned from The other day I was doing my sang the hymns of Charles Wesley. semi-normal practice of browsing And before I learned various doc- the Web for news and blog sites that trines of atonement, I knew all too ‘State of the Church’ would tickle my theological fancy. I well the taste of bread laced with the came to the United Methodist Portal flavor of grape juice. ing in dramatic fashion. B Y A NDREW C. THOMPSON By the common standards of suc- (a regular source of enjoyment for In other words, my academic UMR Columnist me) and found an essay by the Rev. learning in seminary was always un- cess and the assumptions we all make Sky McCracken titled, “District su- dergirded by the experiences I had in Reading through the State of the about how success is achieved, perintendent sees failure of theologi- the local church that served as an ex- Church report released recently by the shouldn’t we expect the opposite? cal schools.” In the column, he istential foundation. The joining of Connectional Table of the UMC, I am Why can’t Methodists in the Global thoughtfully speaks on the recent the two provided, for me, three years struck by three things: North arrest their decline, when they failure of theological schools in of spiritual formation that words First, the Church’s growth in Africa have advantages their Global South forming pastors into disciples before cannot even begin to express. and the Philippines from 1999 to 2009 brethren could only dream about? they go on to serve local churches. The problem may not be in the has been impressive. Even accounting Here’s where the third point bears Mr. McCracken argues that “the seminaries themselves as much as for the reception of the entire mem- on the first two. It’s hard to imagine most sobering thing [he has] learned with pastors who stop their educa- bership of the Protestant Methodist that the CTA report was really devel- is that there is no correlation be- tional experience when they graduate PHOTO BY DESIGN PICS Church of Côte d’Ivoire into the UMC oped with the African and Filipino tween education of clergy and clergy from seminary. This choice is fed by Scholarship and discipleship during that period, the expansion of segments of the Church as the first effectiveness.” He goes on to point many factors including the demands can connect, says the Rev. Ben African membership has been re- subject of consideration. out that many pastors educated in of life and a heavy work load. And Gosden. markable. The Filipino branch of the Take the “Four Areas of Focus” for theological institutions “have little or let’s not forget the ever-present ex- Church has grown rapidly as well. instance, which were developed prior no spiritual depth, yet are appointed pectations of annual conference lead- uate school education naturally Second, the Church’s decline in Eu- to CTA but nevertheless figure promi- to churches to serve ers who value pastors more for the causes one to lose the ability to relate rope and the United nently in both it and the State of the as spiritual guides work they produce than the personal in meaningful ways to others? States has—in per- Church report. The four areas are in- and leaders.” growth they achieve. If seminary is the place where centage terms— tended to be where the UMC concen- All of this leads Resentment of seminaries is not a we’re trained in thinking theologi- been shocking. trates its ministries, and they include Mr. McCracken to new thing in our denomination. I cally, and the local church is where Never large in Eu- such items as “engaging in ministry express his malaise, can’t tell you how many seasoned we practice such thinking, being and rope, UM member- with the poor” and “creating new arguing that a semi- pastors lovingly told me “not to take doing, then the two worlds naturally ship has declined in places for new people and renewing nary education may that stuff too seriously” before I depend on each other. You can’t have some areas by 20-25 existing congregations.” not be the best began seminary. It was made clear to one without the other! As a friend of percent over the last Do we need to remind Methodists training for pastors Ben me early on that the “real knowledge” mine (who’s also a recent graduate of decade. In the U.S., Andrew in Africa that God is calling them to anymore, or even Gosden was to be found in the practice of seminary) put it recently, “I am tired that decline has been Thompson be in ministry with the poor? And do necessary at all. ministry and not in the academic of hearing that education and disci- around 8 percent those same Methodists need to be I will admit from the outset that I setting of seminary. pleship aren’t connected . . . We need (though certainly not evenly in all prodded to build churches and extend am more educated than I am experi- more of both, and more of one areas of the country). mission work? enced, seeing that I graduated from a We’re all to blame should increase the other.” Third, the Connectional Table is We could ask similar questions United Methodist seminary in May The United Methodist Church is As a young clergyperson, I have to clearly putting great stock in the Call about the statistical data generated by 2011 and am serving a second year not in decline because of its seminar- admit that much of the language of to Action initiative as a means of re- Towers Watson. It encourages organi- in my very first appointment in the ies. It’s in decline because of itself. dashboards, metrics and “numbers newal across the connection. CTA is a zational commitments within local local church. You can imagine my We’re all to blame for the fact that we, do actually matter” does not resonate plan that has been developed over the churches related to worship and disci- surprise that after three very difficult as the church, have not lived up to with me as it might with those in po- last two years by the Council of Bish- pleship formation. But such data are years of seminary training, I read God’s call to bind up the brokenness sitions of institutional leadership. If ops and Connectional Table. It draws only necessary in a Church that does- that there is a very credible percep- in our communities and be beacons we’re called to be disciples who disci- heavily on statistical data compiled n’t seem to know what it is doing (or tion that my education was not form- of love and justice for all people. It’s ple one another, then surely there are with help from Towers Watson, a re- how what it is doing relates to any ative spiritually. To that end, I would our fault if we’ve been more con- more important matters than meas- search firm that works with corpora- sense of faithfulness). like to offer a counter argument. sumed with creating good consumers uring every little thing we do and ob- tions worldwide. We are a Church whose member- and responsible citizens than we sessing over the preservation of our I’ve written previously on the CTA ship outside the United States (and Eu- Starts in local church have in making disciples, formed by institution. And we can’t get too con- report and encouraged others to rope) is booming, and yet our renewal Before United Methodist candi- the words of Holy Scripture, and sumed in heaping blame on one an- download a free copy for review. I efforts are aimed at mechanical re- dates for ministry enter seminary, committed in following the radical other. think reading the State of the Church ordering within the U.S. based on tech- they are members of a United ways of Jesus. Maybe we should worry more report is just as important. It is avail- niques drawn from statistical surveys. Methodist congregation. The candi- If we lack spiritual depth, then it’s about losing our lives for the sake of able from the UMC’s main website, at There’s a lot that’s good in the CTA dacy process requires that one have a because our church culture as a the one who called us into the min- www.umc.org. A lot of time and ex- report, especially the ideas for reduc- close relationship with a local whole has forfeited the value of true istry of loving, teaching and serving pense was put into these documents, ing the church’s bureaucracy. But church. Inevitably, a candidate for commitment in discipleship in favor all people everywhere. Growth of the and if studied broadly across the con- much of that is about making what ministry is encouraged to be in- of a high-numerical-yield, low-spiri- kingdom does not always correlate to nection they could inform our annual we’ve got more efficient rather than volved in a local church, at least inso- tual-depth version of church mem- numerical and material growth in conference and General Conference making new paths in the wilderness. far as it advances them towards bership as a substitute for the denomination. And we can’t al- deliberations in a major way. So here’s another idea: Why don’t ordination. discipleship. This isn’t only the fault ways track where the Holy Spirit will The three points I’ve mentioned we ask our brothers and sisters in I am the product of growing up in of our seminaries—it’s the fault of lead us. may give the best insight into the real Africa and the Philippines to show us a United Methodist Church. I also set our denomination as a whole! But maybe I’m wrong about all of state of the UMC. The first two are the way to repentance, faith, and holi- out to find my own church to be in- It makes me wonder sometimes, that. After all, it’s just a silly lesson I striking in their contrasts: The Church ness? They certainly seem to be doing volved in when I moved for semi- where did we create the divide be- probably picked up in seminary. in the wealthy, economically devel- something right. nary. tween the academy and the local oped and technologically superior Before I learned about the various church? When did it become such a The Rev. Gosden is associate Global North appears to be decaying, The Rev. Thompson maintains a theories on when the Gospels were taboo thing to be so educated? When pastor at Mulberry Street United while the Church in the poorer, more blog at genxrising.com. Email: written, I encountered them in Sun- did we invent the notion that a grad- Methodist Church in Macon, Ga. disadvantaged Global South is grow- [email protected].

AUGUST 5, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH forum 7B WESLEYAN WISDOM The importance of visiting ‘house to house’

them in some church issue; 3) they faithfully, but I find it very meaningful ing alone. Often I have called someone sage: an Arminian interpretation of B Y D ONALD W. H AYNES had loads of free time and the church to go to the home during convales- to meet me there for some table talk; “why bad things happen to good peo- UMR Columnist staff provided them some social com- cence. in those cases I pick up the check. A ple.” I read with some sadness the re- pany! For instance, Bobby had never bonus has been to get to know the They responded positively to the cent Reporter article describing a If I make the contact and ask for been baptized. I had mentioned it to table servers who make $2.53 an hour assurance that God did not cause John week in the life of a parish minister. an appointment to see them, I am in him a couple of times in the 18 plus tips and no benefits, not even free to be drowned, that our “days are not One duty/responsibility that was not much greater control of the agenda months I have been his pastor, but he meals. numbered” for a certain playbook, mentioned in any of the daily logs was and their role is more positive. Indeed, was obviously not ready to talk about Funerals are another opportunity and that God’s name is love. All they what John Wesley the conversation almost invariably it until a recent scare when he spent for ministry. I have never accepted had previously heard was Calvinism. called “house to ends with an expression of apprecia- four days in intensive care. honoraria for funerals or weddings. house” visitation. In- tion for my time. Each day at the hospital, I had a Giving the service as a gift opens Missionary pastor deed, Mr. Wesley had Let me admit that there were years prayer and either prayed the Lord’s doors. I work out of my home study, 53 documented that in I was bored by home visits with older Prayer or quoted the 23rd psalm. One service was simply a burial. miles from the church. I go up about Savannah when he adults who tended to repeat their life When he went home, I visited the next Three people came. I had called the three or four days a week, most days made a pastoral call stories, family lore, and aches and day and from his recliner he said, deceased to visit him because years driving about 150 miles with visits in in a home, it resulted pains. Across the years, as I became an “Don, I have finished my homework ago I learned he had taught Sunday four post office routes. I go to the church study only for a rare counsel- in more frequent Donald older adult myself, but one blessed with the Lord and I am ready for you school. He refused to let me come to church attendance! with excellent health and energy, I to baptize me.” his home. His son did not call me ing session. No one goes to the church Haynes He even embedded it have discovered a meaningful tactile Members now ask me to go with upon his father’s death, though I had all week except for choir practice and in our ordination ministry in giving the physically and them to see their siblings or close met Jay when he was working at a Sundays. questions: “Will you visit from house mentally challenged a hug or by plac- friends. Since I went to elementary ranch for blind horses. Attendance was 65 when I went in to house?” ing my hand on their head or shoulder and high school in this community The service was private by family October 2009; now it is from 125-135. I have been “under appointment” as I pray with them. many years ago, they have an old year- request. I called the funeral home and We have received 32 new members. I since 1954, with all but nine of those Bruce Larson taught me many book waiting for me! We talk about told them to ask Jay if he objected to carry in my billfold a list of 12 years in parish ministry. For the oth- years ago that many older adults are grade school teachers and high school my simply standing with the family. “prospects” for daily intercessory ers I was a district superintendent, a never touched, even by their own fam- plays and “who married whom.” Then He was appreciative and wanted me to prayer and an occasional “touch” at conference director of ministries, or a ily members. Their spouse often has the conversation shifts and they tell have a committal and benediction. He their workplace or a restaurant meal. seminary vice president and instruc- been dead for years, and no one hugs me why they asked their brother or gave a short eulogy. Afterward, I asked I understand if you take issue with tor. Now, at 76, I am serving a church them anymore! sister to bring me to see them. They if I could visit him. He teared up and my obsolete paradigm, but to me it is outside the bounds of United Method- Patricia was never allowed to go to have not been in church for many said, “I would like that if you give me part of being a missionary pastor. I ism. It’s an Evangelical Covenant school because of her speech impedi- years. about a week to grieve first. I believe still teach one seminary course most Church in a very rural community. ment, but she was in no way slow ex- Most tell me why they quit going to in God, just don’t believe in organized semesters, and I tell students they For 29 years, I had an associate cept socially. Following several visits, church. Most say that no pastor has religion.” I can hardly wait until next don’t know what they are missing if pastor and other staff. Much of my she never misses a Sunday at church been in their home in years. week when I visit him. they do not follow the vow they will daily and weekly schedule looked a lot and as I go down the aisle greeting Today’s funeral, on my 76th birth- take upon ordination, when the like those recorded in the recent Re- people before worship, she stands with Funerals and ministry day, was for a drowning victim. I have bishop asks, “Will you visit from porter. However, in the earlier years of outstretched arms and wants a kiss on Out on a rural road there is a sin- been at the home four times in four house to house?” my parish ministry I made no less the cheek. After seeing our little ritual, gle restaurant where most locals eat. I days. The church was packed with lots than 20 pastoral calls a week, either in several members now spend time often see four or five parishioners of people who have no church home. Dr. Haynes is a retired member homes, hospitals, retirement/nursing with her; she gets several hugs and there and they introduce me to other Since he was 46, lots of those at the fu- of the Western North Carolina customers. I am complimented when Conference. He is the author of homes, or at restaurants where I kisses every Sunday, compared to neral were young adults. They sought On the Threshold of Grace: picked up the tab for a meal with a years of being a recluse after her they ask me to join them at their table me out in the Fellowship Hall after the Methodist Fundamentals. Email: parishioner or prospective member. I mother’s death. or when they join me if I start off eat- interment to discuss further my mes- [email protected]. do that in my current position. I agree with Wesley: These one-on-one con- Effective visiting CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING versations make a huge difference in My work week is dramatically dif- church attendance, renewable spiri- ferent from my 30 years as a “senior EMPLOYMENT FUNDRAISERS rates to fit any budget and objective. Contact: tual journeys, professions of faith, and pastor.” We have only 65 families, so I Cherrie Graham at 214-630-6495, x 142 or DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES CHRISTMAS TREES [email protected]. building of relationships. see most about once a month. I find Platte Woods UMC, Kansas City Area, is seeking a Need a fundraiser? Teleios Trees sells Christmas business people, farmers and profes- full-time Director of Children’s Ministries. 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U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 5, 2011 8B FAITH focus

 NEW BIBLE Continued from page 1B resented among the 120 scholars who reading groups, consisting of 500 peo- Still, the main goal was to put the helped translate from the Hebrew, ple from 13 denominations. They too new translation on a comfortable Aramaic and Greek texts. They come represented different ethnicities, and reading level for nearly everyone. from a wide range of universities and Dr. Caldwell insisted on age diversity, “We were aiming for seventh- to seminaries, representing Pentecostal- with young people fully in the mix. eighth-grade, which is about the same ism, evangelicalism, and the mainline Each group got a section of the as a good newspaper,” Dr. Franklyn denominations. translation as produced said. “We hit seventh right on the Diversity didn’t stop by scholars. They read it nose.” there. aloud for clarity, and “This is the first spoke up when anything Playing defense major translation to seemed unclear. But to translate the Bible is to pick have a significant num- “One of their fa- a fight, especially if you’re willing to ber of women involved, vorites was, `This is translate boldly. about 35 percent of the clunky. Can you do The choice of “happy” for “blessed” translators,” said Dr. something with it?’” Dr. in the Beatitudes made some early Franklyn, an Old Testa- Caldwell said. “Or, `This readers unhappy enough to write to Paul Franklyn, associate publisher and project director, holds some ment scholar and a vet- is way too long still.’” Dr. Franklyn or post complaints on of the first printed copies of the Common English Bible. The United eran editor for the It’s easy to imagine blogs. Methodist Publishing House joined four other denominational United Methodist Pub- scholars bristling at Dr. Franklyn took to the blog on presses in sponsoring the new translation. lishing House’s Abing- pushback from read- the Common English Bible website to don Press. ability experts and defend “happy” against the charge that English Bible are still hung up on it. The Common English Bible New He added that 15 percent of trans- reading groups. But Dr. Caldwell and it’s a superficial, happy face substitute One is the Rev. Dave Nichols, pastor of Testament has sold 200,000 copies, lators and editors were “persons of Dr. Green agreed that wasn’t the case for “blessed.” Bethel UMC, in Spartanburg, S.C. He’s and demand for the 70,000-copy first color,” with ethnic diversity being an- here. “We might concede that it is possi- a big fan of the translation overall, but printing of the full paperback edition other strategy to curb bias. “We did a lot of sitting and listen- ble to trivialize the meaning of happi- in a blog entry on it raised questions has been strong. “Translation is always a matter of ing to each other,” Dr. Caldwell said. ness in our culture, to mistake about “the Human One.” “They’re pretty much spoken for,” interpretation,” Dr. Franklyn said. It “There weren’t any fights.” happiness for personal self-gratifica- “If ‘Human One’ is such an accu- Dr. Franklyn said. “Were going back to really depends a lot on who you bring Dr. Green said that everyone in- tion, but the CEB editors are not will- rate way to translate this, then why press.” to the table.” volved understood that accuracy of ing to let a trivial misapplication of have no other translations done it this The market is crowded with trans- The Common English Bible is no- translation could not be sacrificed. the word derail the correct use of the way?” he wrote. “I wonder if this lations, including the New Revised table for other reasons, including how But he added that in choosing an Eng- meaning from the Greek,” he wrote. ‘Human One’ isn’t more politically Standard Version, generally consid- fast it came together. Thanks to Inter- lish word for, say, a Greek one, there is Dr. Franklyn and his team clearly correct than accurate.” ered the top choice of mainline net communication and a “matrix” (as usually a range of acceptable options. anticipated flak over “the Human The Common English Bible is in Protestants. But Dr. Franklyn said the opposed to linear) process, the job got “They didn’t tell us what to say,” he One” for “the Son of Man.” They ad- the recent tradition of gender-inclu- NRSV—written at an 11th grade done in four years. said of the reading dress the choice in the Bible’s preface, sive Bibles (while retaining male pro- level—is more popular with seminary groups. “They just with references to Greek, Hebrew, Ara- nouns for God, Lord, Jesus, and the professors and pastors than with peo- Tackling simplicity told us what we were maic and the Book of Daniel. Holy Spirit), but Dr. Franklyn said “the ple in the pew. Probably what most distinguishes trying to say wasn’t But some readers of the Common Human One” has nothing to do with He sees an opening for the Com- this translation is the care taken to as clear as it could that. Rather, he said, it was a text-sup- mon English Bible to win over readers make it easy to read. be. That just sent us ported effort to reflect Jesus’ fully at all levels. And he’s not chagrined “This Bible, from first to last, was back to the text to VERSE BY VERSE human nature. that its full debut coincides with the concerned with everyday Christians,” see if there might be The Common English Bible has 400th anniversary of the King James Samples from the Common Dr. Green said. a more accessible gotten warm endorsements from a Version. Elizabeth English Bible: Other Bibles, notably the Good way.” range of scholars and pastors, and a “There’s a lot of attention to trans- Caldwell News Translation (originally called That meant, of- The Lord is my shepherd. I strong review from Library Journal. lating because of that,” he said. “So it’s Today’s English Version) have had that tentimes, shorter lack nothing. He lets me rest Fuller Theological Seminary recently not a bad time. It’s kind of the year of emphasis. words and shorter sentences. (Excep- in grassy meadows; he approved it for course use. the Bible.” But the Common English Bible tions include John 11:35, usually leads me to restful waters; team took a sophisticated approach to translated “Jesus wept.” The Common he keeps me alive. He simplicity, attacking the problem with English Bible has it as “Jesus began to guides me in proper paths technology and reading groups. Dr. cry.”) for the sake of his good Franklyn even recruited a readability It also meant dumping words that name. Psalm 23, 1-3. editor—Elizabeth Caldwell, a profes- have become obscure or hard for God so loved the world that sor of pastoral theol- many contemporary readers. So he gave his only Son, so that ogy at McCormick “alien” lost out to “immigrant,” and everyone who believes in Theological Semi- “sackcloth” to “funeral clothing.” Even him won’t perish but will nary in Chicago. “repent” got dropped, replaced by have eternal life. John: 3:16 “He wanted to “change your hearts and lives.” bring to the table not The Common English Bible also Now we see a reflection in just translators but claims to be the first major translation the mirror; then we will see an educator who to make extensive use of contractions. face-to-face. Now I know could think about That kept the text conversational, and partially, but then I will know Joel Green how it’s going to helped make it about 30,000 words completely in the same way sound,” she said. shorter than most translations, Dr. that I have been completely The scholars put proposed transla- Franklyn said. known. 1 Corinthians. tion sections through Dale-Chall He added that the team worked 13:12-13. Readability Formula software, which hard to preserve literary quality. Dr. I know the plans I have in calculates the grade level of prose Green agreed, pointing to the Psalms, mind for you, declares the based on sentence length and number which he did not work on. LORD; they are plans for of “hard” words. (The Dale-Chall sys- “I have just been amazed at what peace, not disaster, to give tem derives from the work of read- my colleagues have done with the im- you a future filled with hope. ability pioneer Rudolph Flesch.) agery and with the metaphors, with Jeremiah: 29:11 Meanwhile, Dr. Caldwell oversaw 77 the liveliness of these texts,” he said.

AUGUST 5, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER