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AC2014 to Include 'Night at the Naturals' Eco-Friendly March 7, 2014 Volume 161 Issue 03 Recycled Paper | Soy Ink IN THIS ISSUE AC2014 to include ‘Night at the Naturals’ Baseball game will serve as celebration for striking out malaria BY AMY FORBUS Editor United Methodists of Arkansas have reached their minimum fundraising goal for Imagine No Malaria, the denomination’s effort to end malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. And on Saturday, June 21, in Reflecting on conjunction with Annual Conference intentional being held in Rogers, everyone’s invited to join in the celebration at community UMC Night at the Naturals. The Northwest Arkansas 2 Naturals, a Double-A Texas League baseball team affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, will play the Tulsa Drillers at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. United Methodists are AUM ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN GIDEON invited to cheer for the home team while reveling in a job well done. Rubber Ducky, which also bears the [email protected]. Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, “I’m so proud of Arkansas for United Methodists of Arkansas logo. Those who cannot attend may churches and individuals from not only reaching, but surpassing All United Methodists of listen online at NWANaturals.com, across the state have topped $1 this goal,” said Bishop Gary Mueller. Arkansas are invited to attend. The or on the radio at 92.1 FM The Ticket million in donations to the Imagine “Our support of Imagine No Malaria Arkansas Conference will offer (KQSM Fayetteville), the Naturals’ No Malaria initiative. Fundraising is making a difference. It’s fitting that reduced-price tickets with preferred flagship station. Select games are projects have ranged from lemonade we take time to celebrate this seating, and there is no minimum broadcast on News/Talk 1030 AM sales to 24-hour golf challenges. world-transforming effort.” quantity for the group rate. They will (KFAY Fayetteville). During this “Our goal sounded daunting Integrating finances be available for pick-up at Annual game and throughout the 2014 when we first started out,” the Rev. Game details Conference 2014 in Rogers. season, listeners will hear a message Martha Taylor, who spent a year with faith Beginning May 1, they will be sold from United Methodists of Arkansas. serving as full-time Imagine No The first pitch (rumored to be on a first-come, first-serve basis, Malaria field coordinator for the thrown by a United Methodist with the purchase form available for Getting here, going further Arkansas Conference. “But people 4 leader) is set for 6:05 p.m. Saturday, download at arumc.org/ac2014. If are still raising funds, so now it’s June 21. The first 2,000 fans will you have questions, contact Cathy Thanks in part to a $333,333.33 going to be fun to watch us exceed it. receive a one-of-a-kind Naturals Hughes at 501-324-8020 or matching grant from the United [See NATURALS, page 12] Stats show vital ministry on the upswing in Arkansas Gains in baptisms, professions of faith, membership and attendance; apportionment payout steady at 90 percent thanks to extra mile giving BY AMY FORBUS • Membership: 132,771 (up 0.8 percent from 131,749 in 2012). Editor “I give thanks and celebrate the ministries of our congregations that have Update on Lay resulted in this very positive report,” said Bishop Gary Mueller. “It confirms we Servant Ministries A look at the numbers reveals that for United Methodism in Arkansas, are on our stated trajectory: creating vital congregations that make disciples of 2013 was a good year. Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped to transform lives, communities The statistical reports from local churches have been tabulated, and the and the world.” 8 news is encouraging. In the past year, the Arkansas Conference saw increases The Rev. Mackey Yokem, executive director of mission and ministry for in four significant categories: the Arkansas Conference, sees a number of factors that may have contributed • Baptisms: 1,551 (up 4.9 percent from 1,479 in 2012) to the upturn. • Professions of faith: 2,044 (up 1.8 percent from 2,008 in 2012) “I don’t think it’s any one thing,” he said. “Part of it is that churches and • Average weekly worship attendance: 50,294 (up 1.2 percent from 49,704 pastors have a greater sense of direction.” He noted that last year was the first in 2012) [See STATS, page 3] 2 March 7, 2014 From the people of God in Camden, N.J. Be part of the Mission BY ALEXANDER ROSS licorice processor, which results in a wafer. Special Contributor burnt-peanut smell). Children grow I spent most of the summer up in the midst of this pollution, and teaching teens how to cook, Plan conversation Summer 2013 began with words the elderly acquire more illnesses. In primarily with food from the farms, In addition to regular stories that will appear in this publication, such as from the Book of Worship prayed Camden alone, there are two which they worked on. Tuesdays and the items found on page 6 of this issue, a series of videos relating to the over me by my local church, Trinity Superfund sites and a few Thursdays we taught cooking and Bishop’s Mission Plan will be released throughout the spring and summer. UMC Fayetteville: All who take upon Brownfields, sites we don’t have the nutrition to 9- to 13-year-olds. One Each video highlights one of the 10 “Next Steps” outlined in the plan. themselves the name of Christ are technology to reclaim from pollution. day another intern and I planned to An online discussion with Bishop Mueller, open to all Arkansas UMC laity called into ministries of love and give the children a tour of the and clergy, will follow each video release. The schedule for the remaining service by the example of Christ. As Seeing hope gardens, but it rained, so we instead videos and online discussions is: these members of our community watched Dr. Seuss’s 1972 Lorax begin their work among the people…. But there’s more to Camden. cartoon, a classic for teaching care Video: Broaden Disciple-Making through District Mission Plans – March 3 Online discussion – March 7 at 3 p.m. A few days later, I boarded a Like any city, it has real people: for the environment. Greyhound and set off to go where it vulnerable, fragile persons who The story illustrates how Video: Make Mission-Field Appointments – March 17 seemed Jesus was calling me: Camden, struggle to live in resources are eroded and entire Online discussion – March 19 at 3 p.m. New Jersey, a city known for its gun union with God species wiped out when we aren’t violence and persistent poverty. and their good stewards of the earth. We Video: Look Like the Neighborhood – March 31 neighbors. And weren’t sure how to facilitate Online discussion – April 4 at 9 a.m. some there, both discussion with children who were Intentional community Video: Grow by “1” – April 14 rich and poor, living with the consequences of the Online discussion – April 15 at 11 a.m. I lived with the Camden have begun to culture we identified with, so we Community Houses, a group of recognize our decided to let them teach us. As the Video: Unleash Lay Leadership – May 1 Christian friends and families who common fragility. Alexander narrative progressed and resources Online discussion – May 13 at 2 p.m. live, eat and pray together. Some This is where I see Ross were eroded, one young man had an friends of mine and I are starting hope—not just for epiphany. In the middle of the film Video: Grow Passionate and Excellent Clergy – May 19 something similar in Fayetteville. Camden, but for the world. he said, “This looks like Camden.” Online discussion – May 28 at 11 a.m. I first learned of the group when We mustn’t forget we are Video: Create Vital African-American Congregations – June 2 I read a book by Shane Claiborne, personally responsible for what Go ‘there’ Online discussion – June 3 at 1 p.m. Jesus For President: Politics for happens everywhere, including Ordinary Radicals. As I gleaned from Camden. When someone is killed, So how can I write about this Video: Reach the “Nones” – June 16 it how discipleship shapes one’s we must all remember that we nailed city in New Jersey? Is it my role? My Online discussion – June 17 at 9 a.m. political identity, I found a section God to a cross; and, as Martin Luther last week there, I asked friends what titled “Practicing Resurrection,” about King Jr. said, that “injustice anywhere they tell people about it. One friend Reminders about the videos, along with login instructions for the creating beauty out of rejected chaos: is a threat to justice everywhere”— said, “I didn’t come here to help. I online discussions, will be sent several days before each event via the “We try to use the trash of a including Arkansas (which does have came here because my heart was Conference Email Network and posted on the Conference Facebook page. disposable society. We do a fair a homeless population, doesn’t it?). awakened to something that would amount of dumpster diving, and at Arkansas’ inability to address food allow me to create what I want to The video series, as well as archive recordings of the online most of our potlucks you can find insecurity offers no hopeful witness create... I can paint poetry on the discussions, will be available at www.arumc.org/missionplan. food labeled ‘vegetarian,’ ‘vegan,’ or or example to the people of Camden.
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