THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW an edition of the United Methodist Reporter

Leading congregations to lead people to actively follow Jesus Christ New School Still Ticking Hailed l Heart attack doesn’t 024000 Volume 159 Living Word builds Midway Locust Number 24 l October 12, 2012 new school in stop pastor deter- Grove UMC gets Ghana. 2A mined to serve. 5A pounded. 6A Two Sections, Section A KC churches have diverse settings, styles The Missouri Conference Center Conference) investing so much their own building was closed on September 26 as the money in a single church. But if projects. entire staff spent the day visiting you’re looking at the business side “We have about local churches. Last year the staff of things, you couldn’t have made $50,000 set aside made a similar trip to St. Louis, a better investment. for this right now,” this year they went to Kansas City. “Since then we’ve paid $1.3 Brinkman said. The following story is a brief sum- million in apportionments,” said The church has mary from locations visited. Rev. Jeff Brinkman. “Currently a narrative budget, our apportionments are $220,000 and has recently Woods Chapel UMC a year.” started putting a The church’s contribution to master wish-list for Woods Chapel UMC in Lee’s the connection doesn’t stop with ongoing projects in Summit moved to it’s current loca- always paying its apportionments the church newslet- tion in 1999, with the help of a at 100 percent. Whenever the ter once a month. $405,000 grant from the Missouri church has a capital campaign, it The first month Rev. Scott Chrostek tells the Conference staff about Rez Downtown. Conference Congregational sets aside 5 percent of the money this was done, the Development Team. At the time raised during the campaign to give new coffee bar was fully funded been well ahead of that average Volunteers In Mission Team there some other pastors voiced disap- to other churches. Churches can by a donation from one couple. this year. every week for more than a year, proval of the Missouri Conference contact Woods Chapel and apply “We present giving as an Part of the boost this year and keeping a person in Joplin to (then the Missouri West for $5,000 grants to help with opportunity, not an obligation,” comes from a new addition. The help coordinate the work. said Gina Kennedy, associate pas- church moved into a $2.1 million tor of finance and administration. expansion last Easter that includes Saint Paul School of But Woods Chapel is not a a new worship center for contem- business, it’s a church, and it’s porary services. Attendance has Theology bottom-line is concerned about increased since the opening, par- The next stop on the tour was people, not profit. In that respect, ticularly with young people. Saint Paul School of Theology. it’s return on investment for the Woods Chapel isn’t just Rev. Lee Johnson, a former Conference has been even better. about worship, though. It’s also Missouri Conference pastor who Since the move, Woods Chapel a very mission-minded church. is now a member of the Nebraska has had 665 baptisms. Before the Following Hurricane Katrina, the Conference, provided information move, average worship atten- church maintained a continued about the seminary, which was Lee Johnson, director of admissions at Saint Paul School dance was about 350. Last year presence in New Orleans for years. established in 1959 and is one of of Theology, introduces seminarian Renae Watt to Missouri the church averaged 1,160, and It has done the same with Joplin 13 United Methodist seminaries. Conference staff during a campus tour. Brinkman said the church has following the tornado, sending a See Kansas City, pg. 4A Murder leaves Focus on children pastor hurting changes church In 2004, First UMC West director Beckie Legler. October 22 marks the day and he went to walking Plains realized that fewer young In 2005, the church began that Harry and Rev. Loretta and biking. But recently he families were attending worship developing a rotational Sunday “Bobby” Stone were married at had been working hard to services. This awareness sparked school model, with classrooms Warrensburg United Methodist build back his strength and a change and a commitment built for specific purposes to Church 35 years ago. This year knees, increasing his run- from the church to strive to offer accommodate different age they won’t celebrate their anni- ning mileage. The Stone’s outstanding faith development groups as they rotated through. versary together. Harry’s wedding daughter, Li, and her hus- opportunities for children in the Institutional classrooms were band isn’t on his finger, it’s on a band had came to the house community. updated to theme rooms. The chain around Bobby’s neck. On on May 12. They were there “God has truly blessed our children learn Biblical principles Mother’s Day this year, Harry was for Mother’s Day, and to ministry here at First UMC and as they are engaged with a variety killed by a seemingly random act leave their Golden Retriever it is only because of the Holy of workshops (cooking, storytell- of violence. with the Stones for a few months, On Sunday morning Bobbie Spirits prompting in the hearts ing, art, science, drama, comput- Harry loved to run. An injury because they were touring with a was going to be preaching at St. and lives of our members that ers and video) and they learn to sidelined him a few years ago, Opera Company that summer. our Kingdom Kids Children’s live by the Great Commandment. See Stone, pg. 6A Ministry is able to reach more “We have two or three mission The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profi t, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals young families for Jesus Christ,” projects each year, like making Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. said Children’s Ministries See Children’s Ministry, pg. 5A 2A Opinions and Insights October 12, 2012

Living Word dedicates new school in Ghana

By: Jim Harfst, Ghana Project the massive new Steering Committee Chair bright blue and yellow structure, Why did we go to Ghana last with shiny tin month? We were invited to par- roofs reflecting the ticipate in the August 16, 2012, sun. The paint col- dedication ceremony for the brand ors seem inspired new high school in the remote by Ghanaian northern village of Sakote, Ghana. Methodist school We were there as honored guests uniforms, blue and greeted by the entire village, pants or skirts the chiefs and elders, elected and yellow tops. officials from the region, clergy, The school was so teachers, and, most-importantly, big, much bigger the children who stand to benefit than my imagina- from a high school education tion allowed. The Camper in their town. This new school building consists building was entirely funded by of three wings progresses The Ghana Project and we went in the shape of to accept thanks and stand in a U. Entry into to assistant the place deserved by all of our the complex is donors and supporters. through an iron gate into a con- we were so late, it took a while for There was no school at all until site director After several travel travails, we crete courtyard. Up two steps things to quiet down. Observing the 1950s, when a primary school arrived in Sakote about two hours to the left and right, the long Ghanaian protocol, those of us at and junior high school were built, Ray Varner has been at Camp after the ceremony was “sched- wings of the “U” contain three the front table (our visiting group, but those schools were all the Galilee for 15 years, or since he uled” to begin. By American classrooms each. In the middle is plus the Regional Minister, the people there had. Most children first attended camp there in the standards, we were very, very late. the administrative wing, with an Methodist Bishop of Northern for generations in Sakote have hit third grade. At age 15 he became In America, our extreme tardi- office, library, and computer lab. Ghana, a member of parliament, a brick wall after finishing junior a counselor, then moved on to ness would have put a damper on But all those details I saw later. On and the local Methodist pastor - high. A lucky few, if they got a event director and core staff. He everything. But not in Ghana. And arrival, the crowds and the drums who was the emcee of the ceremo- rare scholarship or happened to is now the assistant site director not in Sakote. Everyone waited and the ceremony were a little ny) walked over to formally greet be rich (which is even rarer in that for the camp. for us, kings and kids, the bishop distracting. the chiefs and queens and elders. part of the world), could go to a Varner graduated in May 2012 and even the Regional Minister When our group stepped out Then, after we returned to our boarding school out of town. But from Missouri State University (equivalent to the Governor of of our van, we were greeted by a seats, those same chiefs and elders as the Regional Minister told us, with a degree in Physical an American State), old friend troupe of dancers and musicians walked over to formally greet us. even that exacerbated the poverty Education K-12. He got engaged and new ones. All of them sat playing on flutes. The dancers also And, after that, the ceremony of Sakote. The brightest children at camp, and then got married at there with patience unimaginable. provided their own rhythms with could begin. who got the scholarships and camp August 4, 2012. This sum- When we finally arrived, joy metal castanets (not an accurate I won’t bore you all here with continued their studies elsewhere mer he rededicated his life to exploded. term here, but its as close as I can a rundown of the speeches. There rarely returned to the region. Jesus alongside of his wife Alexis I had visited Sakote once come up with) in their hands. were many, and too many of them Once they got out, they never and her little brother in the pool before, in March of 2011. When This group played for us and were long. But it is important to came back. And Sakote never at Galilee. I was there, it was an empty field. danced for us and followed in our realize what a big deal this cer- improved. In 2008 Varner created a We participated in a dedication wake as we, eventually, walked emony was. Television cameras But the situation has now Christian running organization ceremony for three newly drilled through the gathering, into the were there. Newspaper reporters changed. There is no brick wall called Cross Country Missions. bore hole wells, providing clean school courtyard and up to the were there. Dignitaries were there. anymore. All children can contin- He hosts fun runs to raise money water where there was none head table behind the podium. Everyone seemed to be there. The ue their education, learn a trade, for mission work around the before. And we also broke ground There the group of continued, ceremony was important because learn skills beyond junior high country and world. for construction of this school. dancing and playing in our honor. the school is important. right in Sakote. That’s an amazing The ceremony was unforgettable. The men and boys in the group The difference that this school gift to give the next generations. So was the village. At the time, I went on and on for several min- will make in the lives of hun- Thanks to The Ghana Project. described it as “beautiful, though utes in rapid rhythm. These guys dreds, thousands of children will And thanks to God. absolutely dry.” August is in the combined the timing and tech- be incredible. It is hard for 21st rainy season. It was still oppres- nique of Riverdance with the soul century Americans to imagine a sively hot and Sakote was still of Motown and the cardiac endur- place without a high school. But beautiful, but now green and lush. ance of marathon runners. Sakote and its surrounding area www.moumethodist.org But green plants and trees and When “our” dancers finished has never, ever had a high school. grass weren’t the biggest differ- their performance for us, they ence. danced their way over to the THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW When our van turned off the assembled chiefs, and the chiefs’ dirt road, I was nearly in tears. I dance troupe moved over to per- Robert Schnase Columbia: (573) 441-1770 was definitely smiling from ear form for us. Wow. These guys Bishop, Missouri Area Fax: (573) 441-1780 to ear as I first caught sight of were all incredible. Even though Sherry Habben Subscription rate is available upon request. E-mail Director of Connectional Ministries Lorraine Sanders, Circulation, at Contact information [email protected] 3601 Amron Court Subscribe for the free e-mail version of the Columbia, Missouri 65202 Missouri Conference Review at E-mail for news submission: www.moumethodist.org/stayconnected fk [email protected] Next Deadline: October 12 Next Issue: October 26 Toll Free: (877) 736-1806 October 12, 2012 Missouri Conference News 3A

High-Tech Chat WebEx saves time, money, expands reach of UM agencies

By Vicki Brown* Scholarships. e-tools at A joint project of three United The one-year contract signed GBHEM Methodist general agencies in by the three agencies cost $28,000 before the Nashville is saving time, hundreds (GBOD paid 40 percent, GBHEM agency signed of thousands of dollars, and giving and GCFA 30 percent each), said a WebEx more people access to important Shelly Stem, GBHEM’s Internet contract. She information for their churches and and Technology team leader. used other annual conferences. “A cross-agency team was cre- programs WebEx, a Web conferenc- ated to look at the various vendors such as ing tool used since August 2011 in the market and request pricing Blackboard by the General Board of Higher for the three agencies as a group,” and Go-To- Education and Ministry, the Stem said. After selecting WebEx Meeting General Board of Discipleship, and trying it for a year, the three beginning in and the General Council on agencies just signed a new three- 2008. Park Finance and Administration is year contract at a cost of $20,500. said the con- replacing many costly on-site Steve Horswill-Johnson, ferencing meetings. GBOD’s executive director of tools were While exact savings are dif- communications, said the finan- used to train ficult to calculate, the Board of cial savings has been significant, lead women Ordained Ministry orientation for but said it is more important that pastors as annual conference BOM chairs, the Webinars provide an addi- coaches for vice-chairs, registrars, and staff, tional way to connected with the other women, is being replaced with a Webinar. United Methodists that GBOD to plan juris- The Rev. Gwen Purushotham, GBHEM’s associate general secretary, prepares That event cost about $125,000 in serves. dictional for a Boards of Ordained Ministry Webinar with the help of Amy Stallings, an 2008. That event provides criti- “People truly want to be con- clergywom- Information Technology staff member. Photo by Vicki Brown. cal information for BOM officers nected this way. It’s easier for en’s consulta- to shepherd clergy candidates them, it’s fast becoming the norm, tions, and Melanie Overton, GBHEM’s and questions; and they could through the process to ordination. and they also save their own time,” to select scholarship recipients for assistant general secretary troubleshoot any misunderstand- “That’s a huge savings of he said. the Georgia Harkness program. for Schools, Colleges, and ings in real time.” money, as well as travel time for “The conference with Universities, said the time savings Lassiat agreed that loss of agency and annual conference Lauren Arieux, marketing Methodist related schools which of eliminating travel can be really understanding can be a drawback. staff,” said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, coordinator and technical writer included 17 countries in Asia in significant, too. “You can’t see people’s faces as GBHEM’s director of Candidacy, for GCFA, said GCFA staff are February this year with the Yonsei Overton needed to update clearly or have a good grasp of Mentoring, and Conference thrilled with the service, which University School of Theology in the Board of Directors of the body language some of the time. Relations. She adds that more not only saves travel time for S eoul, Korea was planned only International Association of And, there can be a lag in speak- than 144 people registered for that agency staff, but also for other through web conferencing, which Methodist Schools, Colleges, and ing/hearing/response time, so the Webinar, and of those, 30 said participants who would have is a proof that global work can Universities (IAMSCU) about conversation sometimes flows they were logged in for a group. needed to travel to the meetings in be done without spending too the MISEN Student Exchange more slowly.” Several people can watch the the past. much money as a global church. Program when they were meeting Finally, she said people get Webinar with the person who reg- She said Internet/Technology Clergywomen’s consultations in in Japan. tired more quickly than they istered. More than 500 people reg- staff holds monthly meetings with some regions were planned with- “This is an important project would in a face-to-face meeting. istered for a September Webinar annual conference and agency out any costly face-to-face meet- for IAMSCU, yet it was difficult to “So sometimes face-to-face is on legislative changes related to leaders across the country – meet- ings,” Park said. justify the expense of international better even though it costs more,” candidacy and clergy. ings that would have been cost- GBHEM’s United Methodist travel for a one-hour presentation Lassiat said. In addition to the savings, prohibitive in the past due to trav- Endorsing Agency, faced with cuts and discussion,” Overton said. So, Lassiat said the use of WebEx el costs. GCFA’s Legal Department in the continuing education bud- instead of purchasing a $2,000- The Missouri Conference allows more flexibility in plan- also frequently uses WebEx for get, had 64 people attending its $3,000 plane ticket and spend- also uses WebEx for meetings. ning a meeting time since people meetings. two “Claiming Our Organizational ing two days travelling, she used Any team, board, committee don’t have to travel, and the pre- “I love that we can make our Value: Demonstrating WebEx to make the presentation. or commission of the Missouri sentations can be taped to have as meetings and Webinars acces- Effectiveness and Relevance with However, she said several fac- Conference can use the Missouri resources. sible to so many different groups Management” Webinars. tors increased the effectiveness Conference WebEx account. To Smaller meetings do not of people and with such ease. I’ve Gerlinda Roland, GBHEM’s of the presentation. “First, I had schedule a meeting e-mail Mike generate as much financial sav- been thrilled to see how many program coordinator for Young met about half of the participants Harrison at mharrison@mou- ings, but even those can add up. people have viewed the recordings Adult Ministry and Discernment, previously. Having some type of methodist.org. For instance, Women of Color after-the-fact, as well,” said Dana said use of the program increases established relationship reduced scholarship candidates were Niedziela, administrative assistant the number of people reached. the likelihood of miscommunica- *Brown is associate editor and interviewed this year by a team of for GCFA’s Legal Department. “We had four people who couldn’t tion. More important, I had a few writer, Office of Interpretation, staff and mentors using WebEx, The Rev. HiRho Park, come to the Exploration planning “confidants” in the room that were General Board of Higher Education for a savings of $7,840, said GBHEM’s director of Clergy meeting, but they were able to able to help me interpret the kinds and Ministry. Allyson Collinsworth, director Lifelong Learning, pioneered the attend part of the meeting through of things technology obscures: of GBHEM’s Office of Loans and use of Web conferencing and WebEx,” Roland said. body language, side comments, 4A Missouri Conference News October 12, 2012

Kansas City continued from page 1A

The seminary had 44 new stu- is something new and different,” of our church,” dents start in the fall. It has a second Chrostek said. Cleaver said. campus in Oklahoma City, and The church is now looking to Many of the there are two interactive video class- expand to another location nearby members of St. rooms that link the campuses. Total where they can have more space James UMC enrollment at Saint Paul is 172. for offices, other programs and live in Johnson offer an alternative worship venue. County or Lee’s Resurrection Resurrection downtown has Summit. Cleaver Downtown about 200 people involved in is considering Scott Chrostek came to Church small group ministries, and one to ways to start of the Resurrection in July of 2009 three times a month the church is small group Rev. Jeff Brinkman talks about Woods Chapel UMC’s dedication to mission. to start a new satellite campus. He involved in a local mission project. ministries at different locations years, and was on staff there for two. had a core team of nine people throughout the area, so members Renaissance UMC Every time Renaissance does from Church of the Resurrection. St. James UMC of St. James can take part in mid- an event, they promote it with They started pre-launch services at week ministries without driving Renaissance UMC started in 3,500 fliers through the local the end of August, and launched in Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III 25 minutes one-way back into the Longview in a community center. school district. full in December of 2009, partner- became co-pastor of St. James city. The church then moved into the “They will let us distribute ing with Grand Avenue Temple. UMC alongside his father in The sanctuary at St. James former Longview UMC build- anything through them, as long as The church later moved to a 2008. In 2009 he became senior UMC seats about 1,200. It’s aver- ing. This move was supported by it is free and open to the public,” location in a ballroom across the pastor, and Emanuel Cleaver II age attendance last year was 1,165. funds from the sale of the former McIntosh said. street from Grand Avenue Temple, was appointed to be Missouri Epworth/Roanoke Church. That McIntosh is intentional about and then bought a building across Conference assistant to the bishop Central UMC church had requested that when using the appropriate language the street from the Kansas City for African American leadership the property was sold that the and activities that may appeal to Star. The building was originally development. Central UMC is the oldest funds from the sale be used to a family that has never been to a car dealership, and it’s previous St. James moved to its cur- church in Kansas City, tracing support the start of a new church. church. Renaissance has hosted use was a bar that was known for rent location in 1981, combining its roots back to a meeting at the When the church looked at several events with music, free having good live bands. with the Paseo United Methodist Kansas City river market in 1844. remodeling the original sanctuary food and a bounce-house. Rather The purchase and rehabilita- Church. The church built a new It has been at its current location to make it an attractive fellowship than Vacation Bible School, they tion of the building cost about sanctuary in 2001. It’s location has directly across the street from the hall, the bid came in at $80,000. church offers a Mega Sports $2 million. The congregation has at times been considered one of the University of Missouri – Kansas The project is now nearly com- Camp. She is now happy to have paid for 75 percent of that on their highest crime areas in Kansas City. City since 1939. Rev. Nathan plete, with the total cost being a real “church” building to invite own. They moved into the new Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Scarritt was once pastor at the about $5,000 in materials, and the people to on Sunday mornings. building in January, and are now people line up outside the church church. In 1965 the sanctuary of labor supplied by five Volunteer In When worshipping at the com- up to 650 in attendance at three for groceries. About 200 families the church was gutted by a fire. Mission teams. munity center, the church couldn’t worship services. There are about are fed by this program each week. The church opened a new When the neighborhood seem to get over about 35 in atten- 50 children in the congregation. On Thanksgiving the church gives addition in June, which makes a around Longview UMC changed dance. The building is extremely styl- away 800 to 900 turkeys. social space out of an area that from a suburban white neigh- “Everyone kept asking ish, from the bathroom faucets There are about 60 children used to just be a front door. The borhood to a primarily African me, ‘Where is your church?’” to the art on the walls, which involved in the after school pro- new construction and remodeling American neighborhood, the McIntosh said. changes monthly. In the first eight gram at St. James UMC, and cost about $2 million. church no longer reflected the McIntosh is hopeful that a new months in this location the church during the summer an all day pro- Rev. Adam Hamilton of community that it was in, and waterpark next door will spur has had 65 baptisms. There has gram (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) has about Church of the Resurrection was decreased in size. other economic development in been 18 births in the congregation. 100 children in it. The mission of associate pastor at Central UMC. The population Renaissance the community. The church now The congregation isn’t all the church is to connect people The church averages about 170 is focusing on in its outreach is averages 92 in attendance. young adults, though. Chrostek with God in practical ways. in worship. Rev. Jim Simpson is families with young children. Renaissance welcomes assis- said they also have a large number The church is currently in the pastor. When he was first appoint- McIntosh has a 3- year- old and a tance from other churches as they of people 45 to 65 years old. process of building back up its ed to the church, he found he had five-year-old herself, and her next work to get established in this “The thing they have in com- music program. 20 members over the age of 90. child’s due date is only about a community. mon is that everyone here is “Worship has always been one The church also has a lot of young month away. excited about having a worship of the most important ways we families, though, and Simpson said Lia McIntosh was a member of experience here in the city that could draw people into the life they’ve had many infant baptisms. the St. James congregation for 10

Rev. Jim Simpson speaks to Conference staff. Rev. Lia McIntosh shows the most recent renovations. Rev. Emaunuel Cleaver III October 12, 2012 Local Church News 5A Mid-service heart attack doesn’t stop call By Rich Brown Preaching in an ‘easy way’ have been with Methodist church- Columnist for the Joplin Globe es. She began preaching in 1979 at Crystal Wicks has been a However, there have been some Alba and Oronogo, and has served champion fighter for small rural modifications. two churches at a time ever since. churches over the past three “The doctor said I could preach In the past, preachers like Wicks, decades. But that fight takes a as long as it was in an easy way,” who went from church to church, backseat to the personal battle she said. “So the people in my were commonly known as circuit she has endured over the last few churches have provided me with riders. months. a microphone and a chair to sit in Wicks has also served at Not only has this pastor from while I preach. They have taken churches in Carl Junction, Pierce Joplin recovered from a near-fatal good care of me.” City and Wheaton. She obtained heart attack, she’s also returned to In addition, Wicks’ daughter, a bachelor’s degree at Missouri preaching at the same two country Linda Butler, has been doing the Southern State University in 1983. churches she did before the attack. driving on Sunday mornings. She She went on to get her seminary For many people, that might be has had the responsibility of get- degree from the St. Paul School of remarkable to bounce back from. ting her mom to 9 a.m. services at Theology in Kansas City two years But for the 81-year-old Wicks, it Avilla and 10:30 a.m. services at later when she was ordained by Crystal Wicks sits inside Bethel United Methodist Church, borders on miraculous. Even more Bethel United Methodist, 20 miles Bishop W.T. Handy. one of two churches she pastors. Photo by Anne Brown of astounding is her short amount down the road, near Carthage. the Joplin Globe of recovery time before resuming The morning of April 29 has Retirement can wait “A lot of small churches have Joplin. He died in 2006. pastoral duties. remained a painful memory for closed, but we are still open and Wicks has not only been active Wicks suffered the attack Wicks. She said that during her Although the mandatory going strong,” Wicks said about as a pastor, but also in many other on April 29 while leading ser- sermon she felt herself fainting retirement age for Methodist pas- the Avilla and Bethel congrega- areas. She has held several posi- vices at Avilla United Methodist near the railing at the front of the tors is 72, retirees can still pastor tions. “This rural setting is one of tions on ministerial alliances, Church, one of two rural churches church. Members of the congre- churches. So, although she offi- those things that stay with you, developed programs with prison where she preaches each Sunday. gation caught her and broke her cially turned in her resignation in and that is why people keep com- ministries, including serving as Bordering on a life-or-death situ- fall. She gives additional credit to 2000, she has continued to minis- ing back here, to their roots.” a chaplain, and even ran a co-ed ation, she underwent open-heart lay speaker Kelly Peterson, who ter at small, rural churches, which The veteran pastor called her softball league for four years. surgery four days later. Then, with rushed her to the hospital. she says have always been her first husband, James E. Wicks Sr., a “I’m just happy and get a lot her doctor’s permission, she went A native of Powell in love. great inspiration to her minis- of comfort and peace when I can back to preaching on July 15. McDonald County, Wicks got a There’s just something about try. He served 12 years as the help people and preach God’s late start in ministries, all of which those country churches, she said. Methodist district lay leader in word,” she said.

Children’s Ministry continued from page 1A cleaning buckets for Festival of TV, Wii game system, and three atmosphere to learn about Jesus around 30 men and young teenage news of Jesus with children in Sharing, helping with our food iPads. They also provided a snack was provided for their children men helping. That speaks volumes other cultures.” pantry, collecting baby items to bar and refrigerator stocked with during that time. This was such about the men in church taking First UMC also runs a daycare be given to young mothers, the water, juice and soda. One of the a success that in 2010 the church spiritual ownership of the children and preschool Monday through Heifer Projects or Nothing But dads stepped up and committed started offering Kid’s Church dur- in the church.” Friday, which serves about 50 chil- Nets,” Legler said. to teaching this age group of kids. ing the traditional service and The church budgets around dren, from infants to school age. The Middle School Sunday The group had seven students they have seen that service grow, $10,000 for the Vacation Bible The combination of all the School program underwent a on our first Sunday of the grand with several younger families School, which is about 40 percent different programs focused on restart in March of this year. For re-opening, and has recently aver- attending as well. of the children’s ministries bud- children’s ministry has brought several months only one or two aged about 14 youth. A fledging after-school pro- get. Because this is a community real change to the make-up of the middle school age students were “We have also had fun events gram that involved about a dozen outreach event, every child gets congregation at First UMC. “We attending Sunday school. such as laser tag and zip lining for children six years ago, has grown a t-shirt and a music CD. “This are always looking for ways to “It broke my heart that this class- this group so they know that you to five times that size. The God’s CD might be the only Christian improve, change or innovate our room sat empty and dark on Sunday can be a Christian and still have Kids program is from 3:30 to 5 music that child ever hears, and programs to reach more families morning,” Legler said. “The Holy fun,” Legler said. p.m. on Wednesdays, and involves the t-shirts are great way to get for Christ.” says Legler. Spirit convicted several parents that The greatest jump in see- devotionals, snacks and games. It our name out in the community” “We have a lot more younger we were losing an important age ing more children in church was has become a great outreach tool Legler said. families involved in the church group, so we met and brainstormed when First UMC started offer- since about half the children are The church has even taken now,” said Rev. Mark Mildren. “It’s ways to encourage that age group ing Kid’s Church during our 8:15 from First UMC West Plains, 25 their VBS international to been a big success.” back to Sunday school.” Contemporary Worship service in percent attend another church and Guatemala and The church transformed the 2007. With a change in worship 25 percent are unchurched. to Jamaica twice middle school Sunday school styles, a younger age demographic Vacation Bible School at the with their medical room with new paint, a flat screen was attracted to worship and a fun church has grown an incredible and construction amount, from about 25 children mission teams. eight years ago, to 178 in 2007, to “We used the 310 this past summer. There were mission trips to a total of 136 volunteers involved help our teens in Vacation Bible School. connect with serv- “Many of our lay people take ing beyond our vacation time from their jobs to walls,” Legler said. serve during VBS,” Legler said. “It is also a won- “Six years ago we only had two derful opportunity men involved. This year we had to share the good 6A Missouri Conference News October 12, 2012 Hail hammers Midway Locust Grove UMC A hail storm on September 7 caused extensive damage at Midway Locust Grove UMC, resulting in damaged siding, roof, gutters, playground equipment and broken windows. Rev. Dennis Harper’s car was totaled by the hail.

Stone continued from page 1A

Luke’s United Methodist Church, a hospice chaplain at Hands of of normalcy,” she said. “The Shack” and “90 Minutes in their last memories with their and Harry wanted to get his run Hope in St. Joseph for four years She considers the prayers of Heaven.” loved ones and to say goodbye,” in before church, so he took off before that. Prior to the chaplain others for her to be invaluable, “Hearing these topics related to she said. “This has formed my about 7 a.m. Li got up soon after, service she served local churches because she can’t pray for herself. everyday life helped,” Bobbie said. ministry, and deepened my faith. and it was decided that they would in Missouri area for 18 years. “It’s not that I don’t have a rela- “The Shack helped me understand I couldn’t imagine what my life give Harry a call on his cell phone As a hospice chaplain, Bobbie tionship with God, but I just can’t that the person who did this is would be like without Harry. I’m and ask him to head on back and Stone is much more well versed in find the words,” she said. “I’m a child of God as well. But I still surprised I’m not a basket case. I they would all have breakfast grief than most people. But being counting on others to find the want to see that person brought to guess sometimes I am.” together. experienced in dealing with grief words.” justice.” In addition to the grief and When Li called her father’s cell doesn’t take away the pain. She She is angry at God - not that Bobbie also relates to the chil- loss, those who loved Harry are phone a police officer answered. knows for several weeks after she she feels God is responsible, but dren’s book Tear Soup, saying encumbered by the dark shroud of He informed her that Harry had was in a state of shock that she that there wasn’t some divine some days she may just need a lit- the knowledge that the individu- been shot, and told them what describes as textbook. intervention. But perhaps there tle soup, and some days she needs als that killed him have not been hospital he was being taken to. “I could function mechanically, was some intervention that she a great big pot. Her recipe for tear apprehended. The family nearly beat Harry to and do what I had to do, but that doesn’t know about, she considers. soup may be different than others, “My life is half of what it was. the hospital, but couldn’t see him was it,” she said. “I knew when “I’ve always told people in the there are no guidelines, and no It’s not just that he died sud- as he was immediately rushed into the shock subsided, because that’s grieving process that being angry soups have to be alike. She appre- denly, but he died violently. I surgery. He was conscious, and when I started to feel the loss. at God makes sense, because ciates people who don’t think that was robbed, violated,” Bobby conversed with the anesthesiologist The morning of the murder St. anger is a facet of relationships, she has to follow their recipe. said. “Something was taken from about running. Before he went out, Luke’s UMC was informed about and when you’re in relationship She appreciates people who did me that can never be returned. he told the anesthesiologist to tell the situation, and Rev. Dale with God you will likely experi- things without asking, dropping off Something was taken from my his family that he loved them, and Shotts, a retired pastor who lives ence all facets of that relation- items like large packages of toilet children, my community.” that everything would be all right. in Raytown, stepped in to serve as ship,” she said, citing books like paper, napkins, paper plates and Bobby is disturbed about the He never regained consciousness. pastor that morning. The church Lamentations and Psalms that plastic knives and forks. She appre- justice issue beyond the murder of The bullet had severely dam- interrupted its service and had a express a lot of anger toward God. ciates a little wooden plaque that her husband and the individuals aged a blood vessel just under special prayer for Harry, as did “I trust God to be able to handle she got from a pastor’s wife that responsible. She’s concerned about the liver. It would have been easy other United Methodist Churches the anger, and provide comfort to reads, “God keeps his promises.” the root evil that can manifest to repair, but the damage caused across the connection as they me at the same time.” “Instinctively people’s first itself in people so that they believe such a rapid loss of blood that he became aware of the situation. Bobbie’s religion keeps her response is to ask what you need, they can take another’s life with no had lost too much before arriving Stone’s son, a U.S. Marine serv- grounded, but the pain is still but people who have experienced repercussions. at the hospital. ing in Virginia, was called that there. a tragedy aren’t in a place where “All it takes is one person with According to witness accounts morning and he left immediately. “My faith has sustained me, they can make decisions,” Stone a finger on a trigger to change the and a low-quality surveillance He was called back while en route but I wouldn’t want anyone to said. life of hundreds, or thousands of tape from a convenience store, and told that his Dad didn’t make believe that because I’ve sustained Bobby knows some people may people,” she said. “As long as that Harry was shot by the passenger it. He arrived the next day. strength from my faith that the be inclined to avoid mentioning absence of morality exists, we as a in a mid-sized dark blue or black He stayed a week and then basics don’t hurt. They do,” she Harry around her, but she doesn’t church are not fulfilling our mis- late model sedan. The shooter went back to Virginia, and Bobbie said. “Ultimately our soul rests in mind. sion. I don’t know how we can fired and the car kept going. went with him. the arms of God. Someday I will “It doesn’t hurt me to talk combat it, but we need to keep Stone was not robbed, and there Two days after the murder Li understand why this happened, or about Harry. I love to talk about working at it. We need to keep is no known motive. The police held a press conference at the sug- maybe there won’t be any need to him,” she said. “I know I’ll never building relationships with people think it was probably a random gestion of the police department. understand. All the training and see him again, and talking about who want justice.” shooting. It was 7:19 a.m. on a “She took the lead. I’m really preparing I’ve done to help people him helps me remember the joy- The Metro Squad formed by Sunday, at the intersection of Blue proud of her,” Bobbie said. with their grief has helped me ous times.” the Kansas City police department Ridge Boulevard and 67th Street Stone said she has received intellectually. And when I consid- Bobby has made a few small to investigate the murder disband- in Raytown. There is a family overwhelming support from fam- er the Wesley quadrangle, I know changes in her home so that ed on May 17. The Raytown Police restaurant, a bank and a conve- ily and friends. She’s heard from my intellect and my heart may not things aren’t exactly the same, but Department has not returned nience store at the intersection. It at least one person from every be together.” home is still where she feels most repeated phone calls requesting was about a mile and a half from church she has served. She appre- Rev. Londia Granger Wright comfortable, because that’s where information for this story. Family Stone’s home. He had no reason to ciates the cards, notes and phone is the pastor at St. Luke’s UMC, she feels Harry’s presence. and friends of Harry have raised be concerned about his safety. calls she has received. She received Bobbie’s church. Wright also lost In many ways it was very diffi- $10,000 as a reward to anyone “We’ve always felt safe in our a lot of messages of support from her husband suddenly during cult for Stone to return to work in providing information that leads neighborhood,” Bobbie Stone said. clergy, some of whom she has what should have been a routine her job with hospice, but in other to the conviction of his murderer. Bobbie Stone has been a hos- never even met. back surgery. Bobbie says she ways it was very helpful. For more information on this, pice chaplain at John Knox Village “Prayers from others have has received help from sermons “I very much value the oppor- go to the website www.helphar- in Raytown for four years, and was allowed me to sustain some sense that Wright has preached on tunity people have to ritualize rystone.com. October 12, 2012 Opportunities 7A Conference Calendar Job Date Event Location Phone/E-Mail Contact

10/4/2012 Show Me the Way Walk to Emmaus - Men's Walk #62 TBD (417) 850-4608 Sue Holzrichter Postings Full-time Church 10/5/2012 Fun Foundation Young Adult/Family Mission Trip Joplin, Missouri (402) 669-3848 Shannon Meister Administrator The Church Administrator will be responsible for manage- 10/6/2012 Gateway Central Lay Speaking Class, Part 1 Kingdom House [email protected] Jeff Fothergill rial oversight of administrative staff, financial operations, as tombannon@centurytel. well as building and property 10/6/2012 Lay Learning Class Camp Jo-Ota Tom Bannon net activities and maintenance. The Administrator will attend com- 10/11/2012 Show Me the Way Walk to Emmaus - Women's Walk #63 TBD (417) 850-4608 Sue Holzrichter mittee meetings as assigned, serving as the staff liaison in order to align staff and church 10/12/2012 Women's Weekend Retreat & Bible Study Camp Jo-Ota (573) 441-1770 Francesca Burton operations with predetermined goals. Qualifications: • Ability to understand and Safe Sanctuaries LCA/LCC Certification Authority adhere to requirements as 10/13/2012 Aurora UMC (573) 441-1770 Nancy Cady Training detailed in the United Methodist Church, Book of Discipline • Excellent management skills for 10/13/2012 Gateway Central Lay Speaking Class, Part 2 Kingdom House [email protected] Jeff Fothergill church operations • Expertise in human resource practices Lake Doniphan • Familiarity with budget and 10/15/2012 Residency in Ministry Retreat (573) 441-1770 Jenny Gragg Conference Center financial reporting • Oversee all building activities, Missouri State contracts, property and staff 10/20/2012 Festival of Sharing (573) 474-3332 Terri Williams Fairgrounds issues as they pertain to budget and operational expenses 10/20/2012 Heartland Central Layspeaking Course St. Luke's UMC [email protected] Lavarn Hardin • Monitor budget income and expenses, offerings and banking procedures 10/27/2012 Laity/Lay Speaker Training First UMC Kennett (573) 441-1770 Karen Hayden Resumes should be sent to [email protected] 11/3/2012 How to Reach New Persons Workshop King's Way UMC (417) 869-7878 Terry Jepson Part-time Director of Good Shepherd 11/11/2012 Culture of Hospitality Through the Power of Introduction (573) 441-1770 Tammy Calcote UMC Children’s Ministry

Aurora United Methodist 11/14/2012 District Committee on Ordained Ministry Training Conference Office (573) 441-1770 Trudy McManus Church is seeking an individual to fill our newly-created 20-hour position of Director of Children’s 11/16/2012 Missouri Exploration Camp Wilderness (573) 441-1770 Karen Hayden Ministry. The primary focus will be in working with children K 1/7/2013 College-Age Mission Trip Cherokee Nation (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer through 6th grade. The Director of Children’s Ministry must have 1/14/2013 CONVERGE ONEDAY Missouri Theater (660) 827-2993 Jim Downing prior experience and/or training in working with children; strong working knowledge of scripture 1/19/2013 Make-Up Quadrennial Boundaries Training Conference Office (816)356-2400 Paula O'Hara and Wesleyan theology; abil- ity to recruit, excite, and equip Springfield Expo volunteers for a variety of tasks; 1/26/2013 WOW (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer Center capable administrative skills that include computers and software; 3/1/2013 Bishop Confirmation Saint Louis (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer good communication skills; effective leadership and manage- 4/5/2013 CCYM Meeting Conference Office (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer ment abilities; a confirmed ability to work with children and their parents in a school or church environment. Please provide your resume and cover letter The Missouri Conference Review accepts postings for paid positions from churches in the describing your past experiences Missouri Conference at no charge. Postings may be published in two issues, space permitting, working with children. Full Job and should be limited to 75 words. E-mail [email protected] Description is available upon call (573) 777-1205 or mail Fred Koenig, MO Conference Editor, 3601 Amron Court, request. Direct all inquiries to 417-678-3359 or aumcpastor@ Columbia, MO 65202. centurytel.net. 8AA Office of Creative Ministries News October 12, 2012

Dan Steska named new disaster response coordinator

By Jeff Baker Director of OCM The Office of Creative Ministries is excited to announce Dan Steska as the Disaster Response Coordinator filling the role previously held by Jeff Baker. Dan was the former Executive Director at La Croix UMC in Cape Girardeau and moved to Columbia last year to be closer to his five grandchildren. Two women at St. James UMC in Kansas City fold a quilt that was part of a traveling quilt show before the Festival of Sharing. During his time at La Croix UMC, Dan was instrumental in working with Hurricane Katrina refugees placement and worked extensively with local disaster Festival of Sharing announces final schedule organizations. Dan and his wife, Sarah, are also involved The Festival of Sharing is just Fairgrounds. A map of the activi- Saturday, October 20 12:00 p.m. - Quilt Auction in Stephen Ministry leadership. around the corner. The Festival ties can be found online at www. 7:15 a.m. - Food Court break- Distribution of material Dan’s hobbies include carpentry, of Sharing weekend has lots of festivalofsharing.org. fast booths open resources to home projects and travel. Dan opportunities to lend a helping 8:00 a.m. - Food and Missouri agencies begins also finds time to participate hand while enjoying great fellow- Informational booths set up 3:00 p.m. - Booth take-down in several prison ministries in ship. Come early to have breakfast Friday, October 19 Activities start as ready 4:00 p.m. - (or when Charleston and Jefferson City in the food court. All food court 9:00 a.m.- VOLUNTEER 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon - ingather- Distribution is complete) - and serves on a prayer team and booths are sponsored by churches ORIENTATION MEETING ing of gifts Final packing and facility hospital visitation ministries. and all the proceeds go to “Where 12 noon - Volunteer lunch 10:00 a.m. - Worship Service clean up We are excited to have Dan as Needed Most”. Worship at 10:00 7:30 p.m. - YouthFest regis- All other activities cease* See you next year at the part of our ministry at Creative a.m. with the quilt auction and tration begins 11:00 a.m. - Main Distribution Festival of Sharing October Ministries and with the Missouri distribution to Missouri agen- 8:00 p.m. - YouthFest opening Orientation for agencies 19, 2013! Annual Conference. To con- cies begin at noon. See you on worship 11:45 a.m. - Distribution tact Dan, please e-mail steska@ October 20th at the Missouri State Volunteer Team meeting umocm.com or call 573-474- 7155.

Visit the Office of Creative Ministries Web site at www.umocm.com. Wesleyan Aging Senior Wisdom Well Pastor

‘Aldersgate’ merits Respectful listening helps At age 90, he’s better understanding|7B bridge generation gap |7B back in pulpit | 8B

October 12, 2012 Section B E H T UNITED METHODIST REPORTER The independent source for news, features and commentary about the United Methodist Church Embattled bishop says agencies err

U N ITED M ETHODIST N EWS SERVIC E Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who leads the East Africa Conference, says he blames the decisions of United Methodist church agencies to with- hold funds from his conference on a campaign “of malice, mud-slinging, character lynching and insurrection.” The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomina- tion’s finance agency, recommended Sept. 27 that all United Methodist bodies cut off funds to the East Africa Conference until further notice. The agency’s board also filed a formal complaint against Bishop Wandabula with the Africa Central Conference College of Bishops dealing with con- cerns about his use and accountability of funds. Another United Methodist agency, the General Board of Global Min- istries, announced Aug. 8 its decision to suspend all funds indefinitely to the East Africa Conference. Both agencies took action after three internal audits since April 2011 by African auditors of PHOTO BY JOYCE CARRASCO the conference treas- Vida UM rora, ury in Kampala, ding Ern ran (center). The event was held Sept. 2 at Crystal Lake, and marked the beginning of Bishop Dyck’s tenure Uganda. Bishop ng the co . Peter Weaver, chair of the audit commit- tee of Global Min- hop Don’t look now, but Methodists are getting dunked istries, told United iel Methodist News ndabula class offered her swimming pool. So bunch of people swam. I did a few Wash., reports selling 50 portable Service that regional B Y S AM HOD G E S on Sept. 9, a group of informally cannonballs.” baptismal pools to UM churches in auditors found “un- Managing Editor dressed church members, from kids to The United Methodist Church is the last 10 years. satisfactory accounting practices.” The Rev. David Lee had a request seniors, gathered there for a cookout known for infant baptism by sprin- “More and more, we’re getting calls Bishop Wandabula disagreed with this summer from a girl finishing con- and a baptism. kling, and for sprinkling or (rarer) from United Methodists. It’s definitely that assessment. firmation class. She wanted to be bap- Mr. Lee read Scripture, and spoke pouring water over youths or adults a trend,” said company president Ron “There have been audits and the tized by immersion. about the significance of what was who ask to be baptized. Tosh. EAC has responded to the audit Mr. Lee, in his second clergy ap- about to happen. Then he got down to But immersion is a church-ap- Asbury UMC in Tulsa, Okla., had queries to the best of our knowledge pointment, had never done a baptism it. proved option, and getting all wet in a enough requests for immersions that and ability,” he said. “It is therefore not that way. And the church, Covenant “I said, ‘Hey, let’s get wet,’” he re- UM context is more common than leaders decided to include a perma- true that the EAC has failed for several UMC in Charlotte, N.C., had no place called. “I dunked her three times, in many people think. It may be on the nent baptismal pool in the sanctuary years to provide complete and accu- to immerse anyone. the name of the father, son and holy upswing. that opened in 2004. rate financial audits of general church But a woman helping with the ghost. We all hugged. We all ate. A PortableBaptistry.com, in Everett,  See ‘Baptism’ page 4B  See ‘East Africa’ page 2B 2B FAITH focus FAITH WATCH  EAST AFRICA Continued from page 1B funds received. If there are still dis- Global Ministries declined to com- More charges for crepancies between the audit and the ment on Bishop Wandabula’s allega- retired UM pastor response then we can further narrow tions. A retired UM pastor in the gap.” Pennsylvania already facing Bishop Wandabula responded ‘Journey Jonah’ trial for killing his second Tuesday, Oct. 2, afternoon to emailed Bishop Wandabula complained to wife now is charged with questions from United Methodist the Ugandan police on Oct. 21, 2009, killing his first wife too. News Service after calls, texts and an when the anonymous “Journey Jonah” Arthur Burton “A.B.” email Sept 27 and 28 seeking his re- sent an email to the bishop demand- Schirmer first was accused sponse to the finance agency’s actions. ing $300,000. Attached to the email in the 2008 death of his He contended that the general was a document, labeled “report,” second wife, Betty. Prosecu- church agencies are siding with a which contained allegations against tors reopened an investiga- blackmail attempt by an anonymous the bishop. tion into the 1998 death of emailer who used the name “Journey On Aug. 30, 2011, “Journey Jonah” his first wife, Jewel, and Jonah.” sent a report with further allegations concluded she died of trau- “It is unfortunate that some of the against Bishop Wandabula to the UMNS 2011 FILE PHOTO BY NANCY DENARDO matic brain injury instead of officials of the church support these Council of Bishops and several execu- T nia a fall. Mr. Schirmer now has acts, which are criminal in nature in tives at the Board of Global Ministries C ole been charged with homi- our country and which promote ha- but did not supply documentation or a U ured cide in that incident. He tred and malice instead of embracing name and full contact information. h cil has maintains his innocence in both cases. unity and love,” Bishop Wandabula In September 2011, the Ugandan b said. police arrested three United C pline. Group stalled on John Goolsbey, executive of ad- Methodists in Uganda and charged new Anglican leader ministration at the General Council them with sending “Journey Jonah’s” has offered reconciliation to the trio, president of the Council of Bishops at Selection of a new Arch- on Finance and Administration, said emails to Bishop Wandabula. but only if they admit that they at- that time, and Bishop Gaspar Domin- bishop of Canterbury, spiri- the finance agency’s recommendation The Rev. John Kiviiri, at that time a tempted to blackmail him. Mr. gos, president of the Africa Central tual leader of the 80-million “was a result of a review of informa- district superintendent in the East Kanyike said they would not sign the Conference College of Bishops. Bishop member Anglican Com- tion and a discussion with the chair Africa Annual Conference, and Joseph confession because they are innocent. Goodpaster replied that the issue had munion, could still be weeks and staff members” of the Board of Kanyike, brother of Mr. Kiviiri and an to be raised in the Africa Central Con- away. A recent meeting of Global Ministries Internal Audit Com- intern with the Board of Global Min- Longtime questions ference College of Bishops. Ms. the Crown Nominations mittee. istries, were arrested first. Joshua Questions and accusations about Denardo said she has not received a Commission, the group that “As stewards of the general funds Bule, Mr. Kiviiri’s son, was arrested Bishop Wandabula’s handing of con- response from Bishop Domingos. will fill the post, ended with of the United Methodist Church, GCFA later. All were charged with attempting tributions in the East Africa Confer- The Western Pennsylvania Confer- no announcement. That led has the responsibility to determine to blackmail Bishop Wandabula. ence have been swirling since 2005. ence has asked the Judicial Council to to speculation of an im- that funds have been distributed To date, the three have appeared in The former Pittsburgh East Dis- rule on whether funds given to the passe. Archbishop of Can- solely for the purposes of the stated court some 20 times. But each time, trict of the Western Pennsylvania East Africa Conference were used in terbury Rowan Williams mission of the entity as defined by the individuals the court deemed impor- Conference became concerned in accordance with the intent of the retires at year’s end. General Conference, the governing tant to the case were missing, and the 2005 about funds it had sent to the donors as required by Paragraph Six justices attend board and donor designations,” Mr. trial has been rescheduled. The last East Africa Conference. 258.4 of the 2009 Book of Discipline. annual Red Mass Goolsbey said. “Based on the informa- time the three appeared was Sept. 3 After not being able to obtain sat- The council, the denomination’s top All but three of the nine tion currently available in [Board of when the magistrate was absent. They isfactory accounting for the money, court, will consider Ms. Denardo’s Supreme Court justices at- Global Ministries’] audits, we cannot were rescheduled for trial Oct. 3. the Rev. Jeff Greenway, a district su- questions when it next meets Oct. 24- tended this year’s Red Mass confirm that is the case.” United Methodist News Service re- perintendent from 1999 to 2004 and 27 in the Chicago area. at the Cathedral of St. Indiana Area Bishop Michael J. ported on the arrests Oct. 4, 2011. now lead pastor of Reynoldsburg Matthew the Apostle in Coyner, president of the General If found guilty, the three face a (Ohio) United Methodist Church, Effects of suspension Washington, D.C., CNN re- Council on Finance and Administra- minimum of three years in prison filed a complaint on Nov. 11, 2010 Bishop Wandabula said the prob- ported. The mass includes tion board, said the agency’s Audit and could serve up to 10. The Board with Bishop Leo A. Soriano, then lems in Uganda stem from “insurrec- prayer for the judiciary be- and Review Committee “studied the of Global Ministries has hired an president of the Central Conference tionists” in Uganda who “are trying to fore the Supreme Court be- situation very thoroughly and made attorney for Mr. Kanyike. Bishop College Bishops. Mr. Greenway said he overthrow the bishop after trying to gins hearing cases again their recommendations on the basis Wandabula suspended Mr. Kiviiri has not received a response to his let- blackmail him.” after summer recess. Jus- of finances not on the basis of any in- from his pastoral duties in mid- ters. He said the formal complaints he tices Sonia Sotomayor, ternal politics of the [East Africa Con- December. That suspension was Bishop Soriano has not yet re- faces “cap a long process of harass- Samuel Alito and Ruth ference].” still in effect Sept. 17. sponded to an email request for com- ment and underhand undermining of Bader Ginsburg did not at- When contacted by United Mr. Kanyike told United Methodist ment. the Resident Bishop” of the East Africa tend. The term “Red Mass” Methodist News Service, Board of News Service that Bishop Wandabula Nancy Denardo, a former Western Conference. comes from the color of the Pennsylvania Conference lay leader “But the ripple effect of the sus- garment worn by clergy. and co-leader of the Pittsburgh East pension (of funds) will be in the THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER (USPS954-500) is published Poll: Scientology weekly by UMR Communications Inc., 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas District effort, also wrote asking for whole conference,” he said. “This is isn’t true religion 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional help. Among those to whom she sent most unfair and unfortunate for the mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE UNITED letters were Bishop Larry Goodpaster, other countries in the EAC, which do Seventy percent of respon- METHODIST REPORTER. PO Box 660275, Dallas Texas 75266-0275. THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER has provided denominational not have this infighting.” dents in a 60 Minutes/Van- www.unitedmethodistreporter.org news coverage since its beginning as the Texas Methodist newspaper in CHOIR ROBES He said the beneficiaries of United ity Fair poll said they do not 1847. The Reporter has no official ties to the United Methodist General [email protected] Conference or to any of the denomination’s general boards or agencies. EXPERT $ 95 Methodist projects in the East Africa consider Scientology to be a TAILORING 35 &UP true religion. Thirteen per- This newspaper aims to provide readers with a broad spectrum of Conference are the ones who are suf- Alan Heath, CEO information and viewpoints consistent with the diversity of Christians. Finest fabrics including permanent cent said it is. Surveys sug- All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted by UMR press and wash & wear. Superior fering. gest that fewer than Communications Inc. unless otherwise noted. Reprint of material from quality. Free color catalog and The East Africa Conference in- Sam Hodges, Managing Editor this newspaper must be authorized in advance by the Editor, and fees fabric swatches on request. 100,000 Americans prac- are assessed in some cases. To request reprints, e-mail [email protected], cludes Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and tice Scientology, but adher- Bill Fentum, Associate Editor or fax a request to (214) 630-0079. Telephone requests are not accepted. GUARANTEED SATISFACTION the new nation of South Sudan. The Call Toll Free: 1-800-826-8612 ents reportedly include conference office is in Kampala, Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer Send Correspondence and Address Changes actors Tom Cruise and John (include mailing label) To: P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, TX Uganda. 75266-0275 Telephone: (214) 630-6495. Subscriptions are Travolta. Cherrie Graham, Advertising Manager $26 for 52 issues per year. Click on “subscriptions” at Please recycle. www.umportal.org, e-mail [email protected] or send We do! www.rcgown.com This report was prepared by —Compiled by Sam Hodges Dale Bryant, Senior Designer a check to UMR Communications, Attn: Circulation, 1221 Heather Hahn and the Rev. J. Profit Dr., Dallas, TX 75247. P.O. Box 8988-T Jacksonville, FL 32211 Richard Peck.

O C T OBER 12, 2012 | U N I T ED M E T HODIST R E PORT ER FAITH focus 3B UM CONNECTIONS Final report: Church path ‘unsustainable’ UM credit union and Connectional Table, which coordi- changes its name B Y H EAT HER H A H N United Methodist News Service nates the denomination’s ministry, What had been called the mission and resources, will determine Georgia Florida United The United Methodist Church’s any future initiatives. The Council of Methodist Federal Credit way of doing business remains “un- Bishops will meet Nov. 4-9 for the first Union is now the United sustainable,” and the changes made time with its new members. The Con- Methodist Connectional during and immediately after the nectional Table will have its first Federal Credit Union. The 2012 General Conference are insuffi- meeting with new members Jan. 15- name change owes to cient to address the challenges the de- 17 in Nashville, Tenn. growth, including recent ex- pansion of service into the nomination faces. “The [Interim Operations Team] Alabama-West Florida Con- That’s the assessment in the final has disbanded; all unused funds allo- ference. “Members won’t report of the Call to Action Interim cated for IOT’s work remain in the have to do anything, and it Operations Team, which since its for- General Church treasury and others doesn’t affect any of the mation in late 2010 has been looking will decide what efforts may ensue great products and services at ways to reorder the life of the over the coming weeks and months,” they have come to expect,” church. Mr. Alexander said. PHOTO BY HEATHER HAHN said Keith Pritchard, credit “Dramatically different and new Laura Nic m Operations union president. behaviors, not incremental changes, Mixed results at GC Team lea cultural c needed in the are required,” said the nine-page re- The Council of Bishops and Con- U ng U.S. m GBOD board port. “We have not yet seen the degree nectional Table launched the multi- C 12. chooses officers of shared sense of urgency or commit- year Call to Action process and A new, smaller board of the ment to systemic adaptations with the appointed the Interim Operations prove the IOT’s proposal to redirect General Board of Disciple- redirection of leadership expectations Team in the wake of the 2008 eco- funding to identify, recruit and sup- ship recently elected Bishop and sufficient resources that our situ- nomic downturn and decades of de- port clergy under the age of 35. Dele- Elaine Stanovsky as presi- ation requires.” clining U.S. membership. gates established a new $5 million dent. She oversees the The report calls on the UMC to: The team developed proposals for fund for theological education in cen- Mountain Sky Episcopal • Refocus a higher share of re- the 2012 General Conference in tral conference regions of Africa, Asia Area. Board members sources and attention on congrega- Tampa, Fla., to consolidate agencies and Europe, and $7 million to recruit elected as vice president the tions to promote and cultivate the and redistribute funds toward recruit- and train young clergy in the U.S. Rev. Eric Park, a district su- drivers of vitality. ing young clergy. General Conference perintendent from Western Pennsylvania. Brenda • Become equally driven by pas- is the denomination’s top lawmaking Some hopeful signs Carter, a lawyer from North sion for increased accountability with body. In its final report, the team pointed Carolina, was chosen secre- measurable results—alongside the General Conference delegates by to other changes it sees as positive de- tary, and the Rev. Charles important values of guaranteeing vi- almost 60 percent approved an velopments: Carnahan, chief adminis- brant diversity in leadership and the amended version of the group’s re- • The denomination’s general tration officer and treasurer articulation of visionary intentions. structuring proposals, called Plan agencies are adopting new ways of of GBOD, was named • Streamline structures; reduce the UMC. But on the last day of the as- governance, evaluations and doing board treasurer. As a staff sense of “distance” between parts of sembly, the Judicial Council—the de- their work. member, he has no vote. the connection; require much higher nomination’s equivalent of the U.S. • The Council of Bishops has The board was reduced levels of alignment throughout the Supreme Court—ruled the plan vio- adopted a new organizational plan to from 60 to 23 members by United Methodist Church. lated the denomination’s constitution. give active bishops more time to focus General Conference 2012. With this report, the group has The Interim Operations Team also on increasing the number of vital con- The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, completed its specified assignment, called for a nonresidential bishop to gregations in their areas. top executive of GBOD, said Neil Alexander, executive coordi- lead the Council of Bishops and build • The report also noted that pas- earlier announced she’ll re- nator of the Interim Operations Team. collaborative work on increasing the tors, annual conference leaders and tire at year’s end. Bishop Mr. Alexander is also the president number of vital congregations. How- others are sharing and building on Stanovsky has said she will and publisher of the United Methodist ever, the constitutional amendment to ideas to increase the number of vital form a search committee in Publishing House. create the post fell short of the two- congregations. 2013. He told United Methodist News thirds vote required to pass. IOT members have said it will take Shane Claiborne Service that the Council of Bishops Yet, General Conference did ap- more than legislation to reach the de- coming to Candler nomination’s overarching goal of Christian activist and best- making more disciples of Christ for selling author Shane Clai- the transformation of the world. borne will speak Oct. 23 at “We are not overly concerned that Glenn Memorial UMC on this or that piece of legislation did not the Emory University cam- make it through the legislative ma- pus in Atlanta, on the sub- chinery and judicial review at General ject “Jesus for President.” Conference,” the report said. The 7 p.m. lecture “reminds “But we do caution that we not us that our ultimate hope mistake the several but ultimately lies not in partisan political small measures of progress that options but in Jesus,” a emerged at and after General Confer- press release said. Mr. Clai- ence as representing a sufficient de- borne will also lecture on gree of change in light of the Oct. 24 at Emory’s Candler challenges we face.” School of Theology, in The United Methodist Church is Room 102, with live- UMNS FILE PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BARRY growing, particularly in Africa but streaming in a spillover also in Eastern Europe and the Philip- room. The 11 a.m. lecture G l i f d i h l he pines. But in the United States, most is titled “Resurrecting annual conferences reported declining Church.” the denomination was unconstitutional. membership in 2011.

U NITED M ETHO DIS T R E P O RTER | O C T O BER 12, 2012 4B FAITH focus

PHOTO COURTESY MUNGER PLACE UMC ABOVE: Munger Place UMC scrambled to find a portable baptismal pool

ne 12 in a service outside MC in East Texas used a PHOTO COURTESY BECKY MARKS

 BAPTISM Continued from page 1B

The pool is above the choir loft, framed by doing in their life,” Mr. Purviance said. ber interview. baptismal pool, which causes a scramble when stained glass windows. The Rev. Oscar Carrasco said Hispanic UM someone asks for an immersion baptism. “We actually see them immersed—laid back Immersion connection congregations forming in the Northern Illinois A swimming pool can work well—if the and dunked under,” said Victoria Williamson, ex- The odds of finding a baptismal pool in a Conference, where he is a district superintendent, weather cooperates. It didn’t a couple of years ago ecutive assistant to the church’s pastor, the Rev. United Methodist church appear to go up if prefer a building with a baptismal pool. for the Rev. Clayton Oliphint of First UMC in Tom Harrison. “It’s beautiful.” membership is predominately African-American “Many of our Latino community who come Richardson, Texas, who had figured that spring She said immersion has become an increas- or Hispanic. from rural areas in Latin America have gone to in North Texas would provide reasonably warm ingly popular option, particularly among confir- St. Mark UMC in Wichita, Kan., is a large the river or to the creeks or to the lakes [for bap- water for baptizing a confirmation class gradu- mation class youths who weren’t baptized as African-American church with a baptismal pool tism],” he said. “So there is a connection to the ate. infants. and frequent immersions, as is St. Luke “Com- past.” “We had one of those April cold fronts blow “Probably half of those kids want to be im- munity” UMC in Dallas. At Victory Memorial UMC in Guymon, Okla., in, and they told me the pool temperature was 47 mersed,” Ms. Williamson said. The Rev. Henry Masters, senior pastor at St. the Rev. Gary Holdeman recently used the degrees,” he said. “They were running out an as- A couple of years ago Lovers Lane UMC in Luke, believes there’s a longstanding but also church’s baptismal pool to immerse 18 people sembly line of boiling water, trying to heat the Dallas added a heated baptismal pool to its Shep- growing interest in immersions among African- from the church’s Spanish language congrega- pool, but to no avail. I told the young lady, I said, herd’s Garden, just outside the sanctuary, and American United Methodists, owing to their fa- tion. ‘There’s only one way to do this.’ And I jumped now does immersions every third Sunday. The miliarity with the practice from other “It took us a while,” he said, “but it was very in, and she jumped in.” Rev. Stan Copeland, senior pastor, dunks people African-American churches. powerful.” First Sallisaw UMC in eastern Oklahoma in the direction of the church’s columbarium, to “We did four immersions last Sunday—four waits till summer, but has an annual “Lake Sun- emphasize the inevitability of death, and brings young men who united with our church during a Finding a way day” that includes immersion baptisms in nearby them back up toward a statue of the empty tomb, youth revival,” said Dr. Masters in a mid-Septem- The large majority of UM churches have no Brushy Lake. The Rev. Trevor Smith, senior pas- a symbol of resurrection. tor, did 11 such baptisms this time. The church had 33 immersion baptisms in Other UM churches have done river baptisms. the last calendar year—one more than the num- Holman UMC in Los Angeles has done them in ber of non-infant sprinklings. the Pacific Ocean, at Santa Monica Beach. “Most of our new members have been adult Earlier this year at Gibsonville UMC in Gib- professions of faith,” Dr. Copeland said. “This is a sonville, N.C., the Rev. Jonathan Marlowe had a lot higher than it’s ever been. And we have to at- request from a boy who wanted to be baptized by tribute that to our theology of baptism.” immersion. The congregation of Cuthand UMC, a growing “We had no baptismal pool, so I actually rural church in the North Texas Conference, posted a message on Facebook asking other UM chose to include a baptismal pool in the worship pastors if they had ever done this,” he said. “Pas- center it built a couple of years ago. tors had various ideas, but the best was to use a The pool is right by the pulpit. (galvanized metal) horse trough, which we did.” “When people come in and they see it, espe- Borrowing a church is a common approach. cially an un-churched family, they see this church Grace UMC in Dallas arranged to use nearby values baptism,” said John Purviance, licensed Bethany Christian Church on Sept. 8 for the im- local pastor at Cuthand UMC. “It’s not that mersion baptism of six boys from Burundi. On churches that don’t have a baptistry don’t, but it’s June 10, Munger Place UMC, also in Dallas, bap- very obvious here.” tized 12 people on its front steps, in a borrowed At Cuthand UMC, where attendance outpaces portable baptismal pool. membership, about 80 percent of non-infant HODGES “It took us forever to find a baptistry, but baptisms are by immersion. Lover does Park Cities Baptist Church came through,” “For the person who’s being baptized, I be- imme astor, said the Rev. Andrew Forrest, Munger Place’s lieve it’s a stronger illustration of what God’s baptized Bella Green-Clark on Sept. 16. pastor. “Apparently the Baptists were amused

O C T OBER 12, 2012 | U N I T ED M E T HODIST R E PORT ER FAITH focus 5B

PHOTO COURTESY OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE A isms. T T: The W n ch b n Church for the Sept. 8 baptism of six boys from Burundi, including Juste PHOTO COURTESY GRACE UMC, DALLAS N ere. that we were doing immersions.” today. water, and warns the act is not to be confused He was serving a rural church, and an old Methodism not only allows but encourages with baptism. rancher asked to be baptized at home. When Mr. ‘The primary actor’ youths and adults to be baptized. But with so Clergy contacted for this article all seemed Killough arrived with a small group of church The question of why immersions haven’t his- many Methodists having been sprinkled as in- clear that re-baptism is verboten. But some said folks, the man took them to a field. torically been common in Methodism is compli- fants, and sprinkling and pouring being options they immerse people who come forward for re- “We came to a scum-covered water trough he cated, and has to do with infant baptism. for non-infant baptism, immersions didn’t get newal or reaffirmation, though being careful to used for his cows,” Mr. Killough recalled. “He Baptists (and various other Christian groups) done often enough to merit the building of bap- use the “remember your baptism” language. said, ‘I want to be baptized right here.’ That place hold that only those old enough to profess faith tismal pools in Methodist churches. The Rev. Ted Campbell, associate professor of had significance for him. That’s where he had his should be baptized. But Methodism has its roots Then too, there was a certain digging in of the church history at Perkins, thinks that’s too loose. quiet times, his meditations. That’s where he saw in Anglicanism, and stuck with infant baptism heels by Methodists—allowing, but not empha- “A renewal would not involve dunking,” he God at work.” after spreading to America. sizing, the form of baptism insisted on by Bap- said. Mr. Killough remembers, with a laugh, asking “John Wesley, the founder sometimes more tists. But Dr. Campbell and Dr. Stamm are both if he had to get in the foul tank too. The old man cited than followed, had clearly taught and prac- “There’s always been in Methodism a sense of strong advocates of by-the-book immersion for said no, so Mr. Killough worked from the edge. ticed infant baptism as normative,” wrote Gayle making sure we distinguish ourselves from those Methodists who have not been baptized. Dr. “I dunked him down and brought him back Carlton Felton in her book This Gift of Water: The with whom we have difference in theology and Campbell notes that the Greek word for baptism up, and that was a holy moment,” Mr. Killough Practice and Theology of Baptism Among practice,” said the Rev. William Lawrence, dean of means “to dip,” and says most historians agree said. “Even though the water was dirty, he was Methodists in America. the Perkins School of Theology and a church his- early Christians were baptized by immersion. cleansed with the blood of Christ.” The Rev. F. Belton Joyner, Jr., author of United torian. “In the 19th century, the primary compe- He even calls sprinkling “sacrament lite” and Methodist Questions, United Methodist Answers tition we had was with Baptists.” wishes more UM churches had a baptismal pool. [email protected] and other popular books about Methodism, said “If we’re going to offer the option, we ought to in an interview that Wesley found support for in- One time only build churches in such a way that there’s a gen- fant baptism in the practices of early Chris- Discussion of Methodists and baptism in- uine possibility for immersion baptism,” he said. tians—practices which paralleled Jewish evitably moves to the subject of re-baptism. It’s a circumcision rites. chargeable offense for clergy under the Book of ‘Holy moment’ Methodist theology says one need not be of Discipline, the UMC law book. The more-water-the-better approach to bap- decision-making age to be welcomed, through “When we baptize, we believe God is making tism is definitely subscribed to by the Rev. baptism, into the family of God. a promise,” said the Rev. Mark Stamm, professor JoAnne Alexander, co-pastor of Oakland UMC in “The key ingredient is, who is the primary of Christian worship at Perkins. “God initiates us Charles Town, W.Va. actor?” said Dr. Joyner. “Our Methodist under- into the family, into the covenant narrative, and That church has for many years had a bap- standing would be the primary actor is God. as far as God’s concerned that promise is irrevo- tismal pool, and the custom is for members to Therefore, it’s an acknowledgement of God’s initi- cable.” surround it when someone is baptized. ating grace.” In other words, God got it right the first time, “When people come up out of the baptismal As a young missionary in Georgia, Wesley in- and a re-baptism would suggest otherwise. pool, the place erupts in applause, and usually sisted on immersing infants, and came into con- The UMC’s Book of Worship does allow for an tears are flowing,” she said. flict with parents who thought the approach act called “Reaffirmation of Faith.” T here, the The Rev. Wade Killough, pastor of Rockbridge PHOTO COURTESY CHRIST’S FOUNDRY UMC unhealthful. Later he would conclude that sprin- pastor says “remember your baptism and be (UM) Church in Cedar Park, Texas, is another im- Foundry kling, pouring and immersion were all acceptable grateful,” and can use water symbolically. But the mersion enthusiast. He vividly remembers his Quiroz for baptism—the position the church holds Book of Worship severely restricts the amount of first such baptism. during her immersion baptism.

U N I T E D M E T HODIST R E PORT ER | O C T OBER 12, 2012 6B FAITH forum Students and mental health issues: a church response

time students enter elementary A hift B Y B ETH C OOPER school, they experience stress and Special Contributor al across pressure to learn and perform. More t Answers to questions raised by the people are going to university and col- t tragic shootings this summer in Au- lege than ever before. Without support rora, Colo., by a student dropout, need to help a student put competition in A Colo., to look well beyond condemnation of perspective, anxiety increases and in- w senseless incidents of random vio- hibits healthy choices. g killed lence, the need for gun control and ex- College students are suffering in planations of why bad things happen the bad economy. Many students are i to good people. having a hard time paying increasing o There is a connection between sev- university costs, including rising tu- t eral horrible shootings that have oc- ition. Some face a choice between pay- s g on curred. Young adults have committed ing for school and paying for food and J The mass shootings in Arizona, at Virginia a place to live. Those who are the first s J Tech, Northern Illinois University and in their family to be in college may other settings. Each involved a shooter have to cope by themselves if there is a who was a mentally ill college student no family member or friend who un- PHOTO COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS scene. or recent dropout. derstands the pressures and changes In this global culture, young adults they face. communities to wake up and learn be welcomed even when they initiate am I here? What good can I do for the are in trouble. Taking action and mak- Concern for liability gets in the about young adults! Faith communi- changes. community and the world? ing changes are appropriate re- way of helping students who drasti- ties can step up to help. When we un- Congregations with few financial Here are five specific things that sponses. As an 18-year-veteran of cally need immediate help. Students derstand the needs of young adults, it resources can learn how to use inex- faith communities can do in congre- campus ministry, I implore faith com- who show signs of mental illness may makes sense to expand the vital mis- pensive forms of digital communica- gational life for young people experi- munities to see the bigger picture of exhibit bizarre behavior. A responsible sion outreach to college students and tion. They can build relationships by encing mental health issues: what is happening to our young adults student may begin staying up at night, others of their age. doing things together with young 1. Work through sacred texts that and what we can do to make a differ- not study, or may not pay his or her Do we really understand young adults and by enabling young adults present mental health issues as cultur- ence. housing bill. The college acts to pro- adults? Do we understand the sources to meet other like-minded young ally taboo. Lift up mental health issues Gigantic changes are sweeping tect its financial interests. The school of their pain and anger? Most young adults. and help them realize that mental across our university campuses with may drop the student from classes or adults need the decade of their 20s to It is essential for members of faith health is like any other health issue. students who are experiencing losses, from a program and let her or him go. mature. Half of all college students are communities to build relationships 2. Build communities with your pressures and mental illness in epi- The student is considered an adult, not able to find employment in their with young people. This will involve young adults. Even if they are away, demic proportions. Here are some of and the school gives out no informa- field when they graduate. If they do, moving beyond ordinary cultural stay connected. Drop notes, gift cards the developments: tion, even to parents, because of pri- they are likely to have seven different habits and economic comfort zones to and cards to remind them of their im- Cuts to campus services because vacy laws. Parents or family members jobs over their career and not be cov- be present in new ways in new places. portance to you and your care for of economic downturn. With larger may not know what has happened or ered by job-related health insurance You ng adults may be more comfort- them. classes it is hard for teachers to know that anything has changed. Many or pension benefits. Our young people able in a coffee shop than a sanctuary. 3. Engage in worship experiences students personally. Counseling and times students undergoing these are having a hard time finding ways of They may be speaking different lan- that involve awareness, healing or other helping services have been cut. changes don’t have the resources or coping. Coping helps with anxiety, guages and living or working with prayers for those that have mental Counselors are having to handle many the mental capabilities to call home or stress, relationship building and hap- people who are strangers to a congre- health struggles. Remind each other more cases. A student needing imme- find help. piness. When one is at a loss to be able gation. Pressure, shame and judgment that we all are a part of the faith com- diate help may not get it. Typically Social factors can break down to cope, all other things seem dismal. put up barriers to mentoring and rela- munity. when students show signs of trouble, student development. Alcohol and Young adults may be sexually ex- tionships. For young adults, relation- 4. Bring experts in the field and they fall below radar and people are drug use is epidemic on university perienced but impoverished when it ships are important. God works have discussions about mental health too busy to help. campuses. Students are pressured to comes to dealing with conflict or through relationships. concerns. The more people know, the People who need binge drink and to take drugs that can building relationships based on com- Faith communities have an oppor- more helpful they can be. services and don’t lead to psychotic breaks. Sexual expe- mon value systems. Young adults tunity to build relational communities 5. Young people need to know that have the means need rience, sexual abuse and rape are today know little about cooking and where young people can feel that they no matter what they are loved. All advocates and prevalent. These issues have side ef- good nutrition. Due to obesity and belong and where they can participate people need to be given an opportu- bridges for their re- fects that can interfere with matura- stress, most will not live as long as in rituals that shape, guide, and pro- nity to be in community. covery. tion and development. Student their parents. Young adults may tend vide routine and discipline for one’s Students are ex- services and education about these is- to associate religion with attending life. It is routine that helps a young Dr. Cooper is an ordained UM elder and executive director and periencing more sues outside the classroom need to be boring church services, but many are adult know where to go when some- campus minister of the Wesley episodes and provided even in a budget-slashing hungry for spiritual development and thing traumatic happens. Foundation serving San Diego symptoms of men- er economy. eager for opportunities to participate State University. She is author of tal illness. The Many students feel alone. Isola- in community service. They may not Helpful rituals “Trauma on Campus,” published in To Transform the World: Vital United mentally distressed student is the tion is a huge detrimental issue for be asking questions about religious Faith communities can aid and Methodist Campus Ministries fastest growing demographic group young adults, even if they are sur- dogmas or rituals and what it means support young adults who are ques- (General Board of Higher on campus. One in four students ex- rounded by young adults, and tech- to orient their life in relationship to tioning their identity. Who am I? Why Education and Ministry, 2009). perience depression to the point of nology may be a contributing factor. God, but many are asking about the not being able to get out of bed. Stu- Enormous numbers of students are meaning of war, how to put together CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING dents need more mental health aware- communicating with each other via part time jobs to make meaningful ness. Parents and responsible adults Internet but not through ordinary so- work, and how to pay off their debts. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DISPLAY & BANNER ADVERTISING Readership is approximately 200,000 readers each The United Methodist Reporter offers advertisers the need to have more face-to-face time cial interaction. Warning signs of dis- How can we best help young week Rates are per word or group of figures or ability to target unique messages regarding with students. tress are missed. More and more adults? initials (20 word minimum) Newspaper Only— products, services and employment to church Competition is greater. Students students are not taking time for in- Prayers in worship can be oriented $3.00 per word, two consecutive weeks. leaders and clergy, as well as individuals in the are under increasing pressure to per- depth personal relationships and to address the concerns, pains, fears, Newspaper/Internet Bundle—$4.00 per word pews. Reach thousands of Christian households, form. There is more competition for checking in with those who care. sorrows and needs of young people includes two consecutive weeks in print and one agencies and organizations by advertising in print month on Internet. Internet Only—$1.25 per word and on the web. Variety of display ad sizes and admission to programs. With human who are inundated with experiences for one month on UnitedMethodistReporter.org. rates to fit any budget and objective. Contact: knowledge exploding exponentially, Effective outreach of loss. Young adult life milestones can E-mail your classified ad to: [email protected] or Cherrie Graham at 214-630-6495, x 142 or cultural changes mean that from the This is an opportunity for faith be celebrated. Young adult leaders can enter it online at: www.umportal.org/classified.asp. [email protected].

O C T OBER 12, 2012 | U N I T ED M E T HODIST R E PORT ER FAITH forum 7B WESLEYAN WISDOM Getting straight about Wesley at Aldersgate

sor, George Whitefield, wrote, “The months.” He walked to Charleston, tion, he had faithfully carried on an ter to Wesley on May 8, 1738, in which B Y D ONALD W. H AYNES good Mr. John Wesley has done in sometimes through swamps with effective ministry aboard the ship the Moravian brother urges the seek- UMR Columnist America is inexpressible. His name is water up to his chest. On Saturday, Samuel. He preached twice daily to ing Anglican to “believe in your Jesus William Quick tells the story of very precious among his people, and Dec. 24, 1737, he wrote, “We sailed passengers and sailors. Christ . . . [so] that he may not refrain two cleaning women staring at an he has laid a foundation that I hope over the Charleston bar and about Many years later, in 1774, Wesley from doing for you what he hath done artist’s rendering of John Wesley at neither men nor devils will ever be noon lost sight of land.” re-read his journal entry of Jan. 28, for so many others. . . . Surely he is Aldersgate. A curator heard one say as able to shake. O that I might follow He wrote about spiritual struggles. 1738, where he wrote, “I . . . was never now ready to help; and nothing can a prayer, “Do it again, Lord. Do it him as he followed Christ.” On Jan. 8 he was troubled about four myself converted to God.” He made offend [or prevent] him but our unbe- again.” However, Wesley had critics in issues: “having no such faith in Christ this note: “I am not sure of this.” The lief.” So it was that on May 24 Wesley, In some sense Georgia. He was far too much a high as will prevent my heart from being older, more mature Wesley did not as he would write, “went very unwill- each of us who has Anglican for colonial America. When troubled”; “pride, throughout my life doubt his being a Christian before ingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, grown up with the baptizing infants, he insisted on im- past”; ‘in a storm I cry to God every Aldersgate. where one was reading Luther’s Pref- Aldersgate experi- mersing them three times—not a moment; in a calm, not”; and “levity ace to the Epistle to the Romans. ence in our “spiritual popular position with young parents. and luxuriancy of spirit, . . . speaking ‘Answering trust’ “About a quarter before nine, while DNA” has yearned He announced his first Sunday that if words not tending to edify.” In Aldersgate Reconsidered, edited he was describing the change which that God indeed a parishioner had been persistently Wesley concluded that entry with by Randy Maddox, Ted Runyon has a God works in the heart through faith would replicate in us Donald absent, he or she would not be served the sad refrain, “Lord save, or I per- most valuable chapter. He credits Rex in Christ, I felt my heart strangely the “strangely Haynes communion without prior confession ish.” Then he itemized the dimensions Matthews with tracing Wesley to the warmed.” The words that the layman warmed” encounter on Friday. of the faith he sought: “a faith that im- writings of Enlightenment philoso- read were, “Faith, however, is a divine John Wesley had Then, he did not keep proper pas- plies peace in life or in death”; “humil- pher John Locke. Locke insisted on an work in us which changes us and there on May 24, 1738. toral boundaries in his ministry with ity as may fill my heart from this hour understanding of God in which the di- makes us to be born anew of God.” Yet every generation has asked: Sophia Hopkey, an 18-year-old parish- forever”; and “steadiness, seriousness, vine is both present in an experience Dr. Runyon observes, “As Christ’s What happened to Wesley at Alders- ioner. Indeed, he fell in love with her, sobriety of spirit, never speaking of and independent of the experience. love was received, it created an an- gate? Some preachers and scholars kissed her and wrestled with whether any who oppose me. . . .” It is a misnomer to define Alders- swering trust in Wesley’s heart. A rela- have insisted that Wesley, Oxford don, to marry her. When she married As they sailed into English waters, gate as “experiential grace.” Wesley tionship was established of which Anglican priest and missionary to William Williamson, Wesley became he wrote, “It is now two years and al- came to prefer words like “trust” and Christ, not Wesley’s feelings, was the Georgia, was finally converted. Others distraught. When Mrs. Williamson re- most four months since I left my na- “confidence” and “sincerity” to “assur- guarantor.” This slightly corrective have said Wesley was sanctified. More turned for worship, after a long ab- tive country in order to teach the ance” and “experience.” word we need to hear. It is a shift from recently, scholars who have combed sence, he passed over her with the Georgian Indians the nature of Chris- Wesley had no “appointment” as he being saved by our faith to being Wesley’s diaries from early 1738 until chalice when he served communion. tianity. But what have I learned myself struggled through the spring of 1738. saved by God’s grace. his death have documented that he re- For all these reasons, Wesley did in the meantime? Why (what I the Kenneth Collins describes well Wes- ferred to Aldersgate with much less not serve out his contract. Leaving Sa- least of all suspected), that I who went ley’s gradual insight by the end of Dr. Haynes is a retired member frequency than his progeny have. vannah on Dec. 2, 1737, he wrote in to America to convert others, was April—that grace can effect a change of the Western North Carolina Conference. He is the author We must begin with Wesley’s expe- his journal, “I shook off the dust of my never myself converted to God.” brought about “not by human effort, of On the Threshold of Grace: rience in Georgia. Though Wesley felt feet and left Georgia after having Wesley had a bent toward hyper- desire, or will, but by God alone.” Methodist Fundamentals. his ministry there a failure, his succes- preached the gospel one year and nine bole. During this spiritual introspec- Ted Runyon cites Peter Bohler’s let- Email: [email protected]. AGING WELL Listening can help bridge generational divide hurt her to think that her granddaugh- the author, human resource consultant told you!” But if we do, we will miss without dismissing her as someone B Y M I SSY BUCH A NAN ter probably thought of her as a judg- Sherri Elliott-Yeary, to find out. the author’s point and perhaps the log caught in a time warp? What if she UMR Columnist mental stick-in-the-mud. The older Whether it’s church, business or a in our own eye. asked her to explain her understand- An 84-year-old grandmother and woman was equally disturbed by her family situation, Ms. Elliott-Yeary sug- In truth, acknowledging genera- ing of Scripture and God’s will and lifelong Methodist shared a family sit- son and daughter-in-law’s reaction to gests that when it comes to genera- tional differences is the easier part. opened her heart to the wisdom of a uation that was troubling her. Her 22- their daughter’s decision. Apparently, tional interaction, it’s all about For most of us, learning to appreciate person who has lived a long life? At the year-old granddaughter had just they just shrugged and said it was the collaboration versus collision. To avert them is harder. With each age group same time, the older woman should moved in with her boyfriend. The way of the world. the collision path, we must first seek saying they feel judged by another, we invite the thoughts of her granddaugh- grandmother was I knew this grandmother was not to understand and appreciate the dif- wonder how we can begin to truly ap- ter without scolding her in the process. heartbroken, espe- alone. As I speak to older adult ferences of each generation, not judge preciate each other. She should try to remember what it’s cially when she groups, I hear similar concerns. Many them, she says. In many situations, it’s We can start by being intentional like to be young and recall when she learned that her seniors don’t understand the thinking not about right or wrong. It’s about in our efforts to be respectful listen- herself stumbled along life’s journey granddaughter did of younger generations. They also talk being different. Ms. Elliott-Yeary says ers. We must be extra attentive to what and needed God’s grace. not view her deci- about their frustrations with their understanding and appreciating dif- the younger or older person has to say No matter what generation we rep- sion as a moral or Boomer children for going along with ferences is the first step in learning to while reigning in our own combative resent, we all need to feel valued and biblical issue. secular culture. trust our brothers and sisters in arguments and preconceived ideas. In loved, even in disagreement. Mother The older woman Missy In a previous column, I wrote Christ, even when perspectives differ. listening we show respect. Teresa said it best: “If we have no wanted me to know about a book that identifies different As I listened to the author, a warn- For the grandmother and grand- peace, it is because we have forgotten Buchanan that her granddaugh- generational groups and describes ing flashed through my mind. It is daughter who differ on cohabitation that we belong to each other.” ter had been active in each group’s core values, goals and tempting to use the author’s descrip- before marriage, imagine a conversa- her church youth group and gone on dreams. Though Ties to Tattoos is in- tions of other groups as affirmation of tion based on love and mutual respect Ms. Buchanan, a member of FUMC mission trips in college. Her voice quiv- tended for a business environment, I our own point-of-view. We may read even in disagreement. Rockwall, Texas, is the author of Aging Faithfully: 28 Days of Prayer. ered as she told me how much she wondered if it might have implications about negative attributes of a specific What if the granddaughter invited Reach her at: missy@ loved her granddaughter and how it for families and churches. I spoke with age group and want to shout, “See, I her grandmother to share her thoughts missybuchanan.com.

U NITED M ETHO DIS T R E P O RTER | O C T O BER 12, 2012 8B FAITH focus United Methodist pastor back in pulpit at age 90

proached him earlier this year about sometimes taught by an older sister. B Y LORETTA F ULTON Abilene Reporter-News filling in on Sundays for other pastors Mr. Holman was 10th out of 11 chil- in the Abilene District. Mr. Boren dren and is the only surviving family ABILENE, Texas—The Rev. James asked Mr. Holman to take the interim member. Holman turned 90 on Sept. 20, just position at Hamby, which turned into Mr. Holman grew up in the Church three weeks after starting his latest the permanent calling. of the Nazarene, attended a Nazarene job. “James still has a lot of enthusiasm seminary, and served Nazarene Mr. Holman didn’t plan to get a and a great heart for God and his peo- churches for 12 years before becoming new job as he approached his 90th ple,” Mr. Boren wrote in an email. “I a Methodist at age 37 and taking pas- birthday, but some pastors don’t re- look forward to good things for both toral training at Southern Methodist fuse the call to the pulpit, no matter the Hamby UMC and for James.” University’s Perkins School of Theol- what age. It’s hard to say who is more enthu- ogy. “If you’re called, it’s there,” Mr. Hol- siastic about the appointment—Mr. Mr. Holman traces his tug toward man said. Holman or his latest flock. Even at age ministry to his junior year in high On Sept. 1, Mr. Holman, who lives 90, Mr. Holman has a hard time find- school. He said he was “naughty” as a in Clyde, Texas, was appointed pastor ing enough things to do. He has been youngster and had a conversion expe- at Hamby United Methodist Church, a married twice, outliving both wives. rience as a teen. His pastor sensed small congregation he served part Two children live in Lubbock and one that conversion and asked Mr. Holman time in the 1960s when he was pastor in Kerrville. to preach one Sunday. PHOTO BY JOY LEWIS//ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS of Grace UMC in Abilene. His big house gets lonely, so Mr. “That was the start of it all,” he The Rev. James Holman, 90, preaches to Hamby UMC in Hamby, Mr. Holman had been filling in at Holman finds ways to stay active. said. Texas. the church for several weeks when the “I like people,” he said, “and I like That experience went well and he call came. Darlyne Gossett, a member, being around people.” was asked to do it again. The second Though humbled, Mr. Holman was Mr. Holman said some of his said everyone was pleased with Mr. Four days a week, Mr. Holman time, the church windows were open sure of his calling and set out on a life friends think he’s “nutty” for taking on Holman as an interim minister, so she meets friends for breakfast, including and a stiff breeze blew his notes off of ministry. As a pastor in the North- a job at his age, but he doesn’t see it as suggested to the congregation that a 6 a.m. gathering on Fridays at the lectern. That threw him for a loop, west Texas conference, Mr. Holman a job. After filling in for six Sundays at they request him on a full-time basis. Cracker Barrel in Abilene. In his and he didn’t fully recover. Mr. Hol- moved frequently, serving numerous Hamby, Mr. Holman said he knew the The vote was unanimous and soon af- younger years, Mr. Holman was a hik- man believes the experience was churches in the Panhandle and the desire and ability were still there. terward, Mr. Holman became a fixture ing enthusiast and hiked part of the God’s way of keeping him off a high Abilene area. “It’s been a renewal,” he said. “I feel in the pulpit. Appalachian Trail. horse. Now, he has come full circle. He’s like I’m beginning over again.” Mr. Holman’s appointment was Until he reached 80, Mr. Holman “Don’t get puffed up about this,” back in the pulpit of a small congrega- made official by Bishop Dan Solomon, was an avid bicyclist. In 1975, at age was the message from God, Mr. Hol- tion, preaching from the Bible, as he Reprinted by permission from the the interim bishop of the Northwest 52, he biked 275 miles from his church man said. loves to do. Abilene Reporter-News. Texas Annual Conference. Abilene Dis- in Canadian to McMurry University. trict Superintendent, the Rev. Don Mr. Holman’s active lifestyle no Boren, said he believes Mr. Holman is doubt is part of the reason he is trim, the oldest person serving an appoint- fit, and still able and willing to pastor ment in the conference, although re- a church. Mr. Holman has been a pas-  tirees often serve in interim positions. tor at heart for much of his life, but  Mr. Boren, too, was glad to see Mr. not always a Methodist pastor. Holman appointed. The two first met Born Sept. 20, 1922, in Heber in 1979 when Mr. Boren attended a Springs, Ark., Mr. Holman moved with youth retreat at Mr. Holman’s church his family to southeast Missouri when in Canadian, Texas. he was a child. He attended the first Mr. Boren said Mr. Holman ap- eight grades in a one-room school,

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O C T OBER 12, 2012 | U N I T ED M E T HODIST R E PORT ER