April–June 2006
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
3 7 10 The Future Memories ‘Do No Harm’ April–June 2006 Volume 37, Number 2 As ‘boomers’ retire, www.gcsrw.org Lilly project seeks ‘busters’ to fill pulpits By Linda Green, United Methodist News Service A new program of the Atlanta-based Fund for Theological Education is intended to address pastoral leadership concerns in the UMC and other denominations by cultivating young candidates for ministry vocations. The program, “Calling Congregations,” will organize U.S. churches in grassroots programs to find and sup- port the next generation of pastoral leaders for Christian denominations. It is being launched with a $6 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Calling Congrega- tions will be rolled out later this year in the Midwest, with additional regions being added in 2007 and 2008. A number of faith groups are concerned about pastoral leadership in the future. As baby boomers retire, a need is growing for pastors, especially younger ones. Statis- tics indicate clergy vacancies rank among the highest for professions requiring an advanced degree, and the num- ber of U.S. clergy under age 35 is relatively low across de- nominational lines. According to the Pastoral Leadership Search Effort, fewer than 13% of UM clergy in the United States are under age 40, while half are older than 50. While ministry has become an uncommon calling for today’s youth, there are committed students who want support in exploring the call to ministry. The Calling Congregations program will establish a national network of 500 congregations and church-related institutions from four regions across the country by 2009. The congregations will be members of an ecumenical partnership committed to supporting vocational discernment among their young church members with particular emphasis on ordained ministry. Flyer The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women in The United Methodist Church The Flyer April–June 2006 Newness of life The Flyer is published four times yearly by the General Commission on the Lately, I’ve heard myself speaking a little condescendingly Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) in The United Methodist Church. Primary to younger (under 35) women in my local church leaders distribution of The Flyer is through group, saying things like, “You’ll know better when you’re the Annual Conference Commissions older,” “When I was your age...” and “That idea surfaced on the Status and Role of Women and before you were born, and it didn’t work then, either.” Response Teams. Women outside the United States, please ask your bishops’ While it is true that time and experience teaches us many things, it’s office to make sure you get The Flyer. also true that if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll likely get The General Commission on the Status what you’ve always gotten. So, there’s something to be said for look- and Role of Women, an agency of the ing at faith, work, relationships, mission, ministry—almost every- worldwide United Methodist Church, thing—through new eyes. Too many times, however, those of us who acts as advocate, catalyst and monitor are older, who have battle scars, war stories, and a bit of a “been-there- to ensure the full participation and done-that” edge miss the wisdom our younger sisters have to offer. equality of women in the church. GCSRW Officers Maybe that’s the reason that many annual con- Bishop Mary Virginia “Dindy” Taylor, A significant ference Commissions on the Status and Role of President part of our Women have trouble attracting younger people. Eva Thai, Vice President Maybe it’s the reason the average age of a United Dianne Spencer, Secretary celebrations Methodist is considerably older than the general Staff population. Maybe that’s why the congrega- M. Garlinda Burton S. Kim Coffing should be tions that have vibrant worship, offer urgent and LeeAnn Goldman listening to meaningful mission opportunities, are overrun Elaine Moy with wonderful and noisy children, and invite Communications/Web Coordinator what young youth and young adults into leadership—and Kristin Knudson Harris women see for actually let them lead—are churches that have [email protected] learned that young folks offer fresh perspectives General Commission on the Status our future. and needed new ways of looking at the world. and Role of Women, 77 W. Washington St., Suite 1009, Chicago, IL 60602, Sometimes we need that, saints. 312.346.4900 My colleague, Kim, said that one shortcoming of this year’s 50th an- [email protected] niversary of celebration of full clergy rights for women (and the 30th For confidential inquiries and support anniversary of our Commission) is that we are spending most of our re: clergy/lay professional misconduct, energy looking backwards, instead of facing our future. I am con- harassment or abuse, call us toll free stantly celebrating those upon whose shoulders we stand; but how are at 800.523.8390. we preparing, calling, supporting, and hearing new women among us? Subscription/change of address Yes, our foremothers brought us this far by faith, but it is our daugh- Individual subscriptions of The Flyer ters and granddaughters who will usher us into the newness of life. are $10 (US) annually. Send a check with your mailing address, email A significant part of our celebrations should be listening to what address and phone number to: The young women see for our future. Along with the wrinkled hands Flyer, GCSRW, 77 W. Washington St., Suite 1009, Chicago, IL 60602. Direct that have pulled the church to this point, I hope we will spend change of address information to the part of our celebration moments embracing the smooth, unblem- above address. ished hands that also are pushing us to where God calls us. Permission to reprint is not required; a Celebrating our future! credit line is requested. This publication is on file with the Women’s Collection, Special Collections Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201. M. Garlinda Burton, General Secretary Printed on processed chlorine-free recycled paper using soy inks. 50 years 50 The Flyer • April–June 2006 • Volume 37, Number 2 • www.gcsrw.org Young Methodist up close: Taylor Briggs Taylor Briggs is what some might call a stumbling blocks to more young people “cradle United Methodist.” She freely being involved…that and the fact that a admits that she is a part of The United lot of meetings are just “plain boring.” Methodist Church because she was born into it. At age 14, she is active in her local As a part of the Creighton, Mo., United church and in the United Methodist Methodist Church, Taylor knows that Women. “Being part of The United Meth- it’s important to include younger people odist Church challenges in The United Methodist me to get outside of my Church. “My generation comfort zone,” she said. is the future of The United “I know I can help and that Methodist Church,” she I can make a difference.” said. “Our church needs to tell young women how It’s a challenge being a they can serve and lead. young woman in the UMC We must learn to tell in 2006. Taylor has made the story [of The United her inroads into leader- Methodist Church] in ship through the United new ways so to reach our Methodist Women. The youth or we might not 8th grade honor student have a United Methodist believes that more young Church at all!” she said. people would be willing to be involved if they were As a grade-schooler, Taylor only asked. “Most young had thought about going women are scared or in- Taylor Briggs into the ordained ministry. timidated to come out and say, “On career day in elementary ‘I can do that!’ or ‘I’ll help!’” she said. school I said that I wanted to be a pas- “Too many older women say, ‘Well, you tor. A boy told me I couldn’t be a pastor are too young or inexperienced. You because I was a girl,” she said. “I told can watch.’ Young women don’t want to him I could be anything that I wanted to watch and listen and sit in long meetings be because God told me that with hard about mission. We want to DO mission.” work and trust I can do anything.” “I think some younger women are ac- Now a little older, Taylor is considering tive in the church because they see they a career in ministry as a registered nurse. can make a difference and because they “My dream is to work at Children’s have been encouraged by their church,” Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, and help Taylor said. “Many young women are not kids with special needs,” she said. “My involved in the church or UMW because church and United Methodist Women they have other things that are more have encouraged and supported my important to them.” Taylor cites sports, dream. I believe God is right. With hard school, and just “chillin’ with friends” as work and trust, I can do anything.” General Commission on the Status and Role of Women in The United Methodist Church Generations A view of the church, life, and commitment from mother and daughter Judith Siaba and her daughter, Marta, are both lifelong United Methodists. Living in the same household, one might expect unanimity of thought about their involvement in The United Methodist Church. Yet, each has her own story and experience of the church and her involvement in it. Judith Siaba is a fourth generation the UMC does. “For me, The Methodist—on her mother’s side—born United Methodist Church is a in Mexico City.