an edition of the United Methodist Reporter

A Publication of The Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church Eco-Friendly November 18, 2011 Two Sections, Section A Volume 158 Issue 29 Recycled Paper | Soy Ink 017000 SPECIAL ISSUE Arkansans have options for A fair trade, alternative gift s

BY AMY FORBUS Publishing House, decided to counter- Editor discontinue retail operations. Th e center’s directors, John and Christmas According to a Gallup poll Sheri Altland, were familiar with the Eradicating malaria: released Oct. 20, a majority of concept of fair trade, a practice that cultural Americans (54 percent) plan to directly benefi ts producers of goods, a life-saving gift spend about the same amount this giving them opportunities for better Christmas as they did for last year’s lives. Th ey began to look at carrying 3A gift s. fair trade items, and realized that What if the money spent on focusing on fair trade would fi ll a those gift s could give twice? niche in northwest Arkansas. Th ere are ways that it can. And About 90 percent of the shop’s United Methodists in Arkansas are inventory is now fair trade, says among those providing such choices. Brenda Th orne, director of guest services. Th e Fair Trade Gift Shop at Fair trade Mount Sequoyah uses about 15 Fair Trade Certifi ed vendors, plus local Two United Methodist retreat businesses and artists. Two new books centers off er fair trade goods: Mount Christmas items include a wide invite rethinking Sequoyah in Fayetteville and Mount selection of nativity sets, which they Eagle near Clinton. carry year-round, as well as handmade Christmas In 2005, the bookstore at Mount games, seasonal ornaments and décor. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Th e shop draws customers from 4A Center was among those smaller the surrounding area, not just people Nativity sets from all over the world are among the items carried by the Fair shops where Cokesbury, the retail who come for a meeting or retreat. Trade Gift Shop at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville. COURTESY PHOTO division of the United Methodist [See COUNTER-CULTURAL, page 6A] AN OCCASIONAL WORD from the Bishop

BY CHARLES CRUTCHFIELD Overeating? How Dear Friends: of chemically treated bed nets, to central Russia. He will be in an Christmas gift s and made a tithe on about just eating support vaccine research and testing, annual conference spanning several that amount to “Moscow Seminary enough? Every 45 seconds a child dies to provide public health training and time zones. He will be isolated by Scholarships” or “Imagine No from malaria. Th at is about the time clinic care. distance from other pastors. He will Malaria.” 7A it takes to open two well-wrapped In Moscow, there is a student likely serve more than one church at Suppose we brought healing to Christmas presents. from central Russia who is a time. It will not be easy. the body and healing to the Th e death of a child in that struggling to learn how to be a What ties the child in Africa spirit—in the name of the Christ short time span is made more pastor in the United Methodist and the seminary student together is Child. horrifi c by the fact that it does not Church. Th e student is bright, our theology as United Methodist Suppose you sent a check to the have to happen. Malaria is a articulate, and committed. He smiles Christians. We embrace a theology conference offi ce marked “Moscow preventable, treatable disease. and laughs a lot. He could have a of grace that is world-wide, not Seminary Scholarship” or “Imagine At a recent gathering of malaria good job elsewhere as an engineer or regional. It is all-encompassing, not No Malaria.” fi ghters hosted by the Bill and teacher. He chooses to be a pastor. It narrow and parochial. Suppose you sent two checks. Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda is a call from God he cannot resist. We believe that our faith calls Do you suppose your heart Ideas for gifts Gates said, “Th e Methodists have In spite of low wages, hostility us to provide for the child who is ill might smile and you’d have a very with purpose made it [the eradication of malaria] from the “established church” and and the young pastor called by God Merry Christmas, indeed? their business. Th ey will make a frequent frustration created by to minister in the name of Christ, to 8A diff erence.” bureaucratic offi cials, he is studying go where we cannot go to preach the Faithfully, People like Melinda Gates have with fellow students to become a Good News of Christ. Th ey both recognized the enormous capacity of seminary graduate. He is in need our prayer, and our support. our church to deliver, to be a desperate need of a scholarship. And We are the ones who can, for the transforming, healing agent in a there are others just like him. sake of Christ, provide. world where a preventable disease In a few months, Bishop Vaxby We can provide. Charles Crutchfi eld claims so many innocent lives. We will appoint him to a United Suppose each of us added up have the capacity to provide millions Methodist Church somewhere in the total amount we spend on 2A November 18, 2011 Competitive spirit EDITOR’S CORNER boosts generosity BY AMY FORBUS ‘Adopt a cause’ game a big hit The true meaning of Christmas? BY PAT BODENHAMER our Conference borders make a Special Contributor diff erence, too. Each institution has a Every year, I watch “A Charlie “Christmas.” Th e American Family water in parts of the world lacking rich and interesting history behind it. Brown Christmas.” And every year, Association (AFA) has gone so far as that basic resource. I’ll begin by admitting it: Our treasurer took the lead by my thought process goes something to call for boycotts of stores that In that same vein, the book that Omaha UMC does not have a claiming all “administrative funds” like this: refuse to use the word “Christmas” appears on page 5A of this issue, glowing record when it comes to as her cause. Others of us chose a Oh, I just love this show. So in their marketing and advertising. Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, paying apportionments. But this variety of local, regional and old-fashioned and pure. And the I think the AFA is hiding from a off ers a serious challenge: For every year, there’s something new in the international causes that benefi t music is wonderful. much bigger problem. dollar you spend on Christmas gift s mix: a little healthy competition. from local churches paying their Ha! Would you listen to that? Because sensitivity to such a for your own family and friends, give Our church treasurer, Janet apportionments in full. Charlie Brown thought Christmas matter indicates that we have placed a dollar to help someone else. Shapter, devised a game to help Mount Sequoyah Conference was too commercial in 1965! I our celebration of Christmas in the At the church where the author parishioners learn about the and Retreat Center and Camp wonder what he’d say now? wrong hands—the hands of serves as senior pastor, it’s known as worthwhile causes supported by the Aldersgate benefi t from our He’d probably say, “Aaaugh!” consumer culture. If you, a the Christmas Miracle Off ering. And Arkansas Conference through our churches’ support here in Arkansas, He’s kind of known for that. Christian, take off ense when it has been a miracle, both for people apportionments. We invited but we’re not limited by the bounds I saw that you can now buy the someone who is trying to sell you in Sudan and for people in Tipp City, members to participate in an “adopt of our Conference. Imagine No sad little Charlie Brown Christmas stuff wishes you Happy Holidays Ohio. a cause” contest. Malaria and Africa University make a tree to have for your very own. instead of Merry Christmas, It’s a bold challenge, and people Each competitor has chosen a diff erence in parts of the world many I hope Charles Schulz had commercialism has already won. stepped up to meet it. Th ey didn’t cause they are interested in from of us will never see—but because we already died by the time someone Saying a certain phrase is not take the easy way out. Th ey made a among the ministries and are connected through the UMC, our decided to make a commercial what Christmas is all about, Charlie signifi cant diff erence through organizations that receive our help can still reach those places. product out of that particular icon of Brown. sacrifi cial giving. And it wasn’t just apportionment dollars. Th ey learn While we’ve made a game out of anti-commercialism. one year—they’re still at it. Visit the history of their adopted cause it, we also remember to keep our I think he was still alive when I Can we beat the greed? ginghamsburg.org/sudan for details. and why it still exists today, and adopted causes in mind at all times, bought the DVD. What about us? What can we work to convince praying for these causes to prosper Aaaugh! Christmas is too Last year in this space, I wrote do right here in Arkansas? Are you others both inside and to do even more good works commercial! “How to get my goat this Christmas.” ready to give every bit as much—or and outside the with the donations they receive. We’re all suckers, aren’t we? Purchasing a goat from Heifer more—to those outside your circle church that it’s Early in the competition, we International’s gift catalog at heifer.org of family and friends as you give to important. Th ey held one of our church’s “free yard Marketing madness is just one way we can celebrate Jesus’ those inside it? then ask for sale” events. At these sales, the birth instead of buying stuff that, it “…for I was hungry and you donations of any community is invited to choose I ran an errand on Nov. 1 that could be argued, nobody needs. gave me food, I was thirsty and you amount. items from our inventory of clothes, took me into a large artsy-craft sy And last Christmas, I got my gave me something to drink, I was a For example, Pat books and furniture, and some establishment. Th e Christmas music goat, and then some. Family and stranger and you welcomed me...” if a competitor Bodenhamer shoppers make donations. Because was on full blast. friends bought me a goat, rabbits, To quote Shane Claiborne, who does a favor for a of their generosity, we were able to Let’s have a look at the retailers’ ducks and other types of livestock spoke last month at Hendrix College, neighbor and the neighbor wants to split $114 among our adopted causes side of things for a moment. Th ey through heifer.org. It was my best “What if Jesus really meant all that pay him, but the competitor doesn’t to help get everyone started. face a quandary: If they don’t hit Christmas ever; because I knew that stuff he said?” want to accept payment, he can Th at was September. Since then, Christmas just as hard and just as people who hope for a better life had I’m not ready to go to the mall instead ask for a donation of any size the competition has really taken off ! early as other stores, will they lose some of their needs met. this Christmas. But I am ready to be to his adopted cause. Th e neighbor In the short time that we’ve been business? I also wrote about some part of a miracle. will naturally be curious, so now the involved with the game, excitement Th e Nordstrom department Arkansas churches participating in player has an opening to engage his has grown. Based on the money store chain has a policy of not Advent Conspiracy, which puts the To reach me, send an e-mail to neighbor in conversation about his already gathered, we project that for decorating for Christmas until the focus on providing sources of clean [email protected]. adopted cause and his church—and the fi rst time in several years, Omaha day aft er Th anksgiving. It hasn’t to invite the person to church. UMC will pay 100 percent of seemed to hurt them—in fact, they’ve We kicked off the competition apportionments, in addition to used it in a marketing campaign, so it with a dessert party on Sept. 12, supporting several local causes. may have led some folks to shop at where we laid out the rules: All the Our congregation has learned a Nordstrom before other stores. Volume 158 • No. 029 November 18, 2011 Arkansas Conference Communications Martha S. Taylor • Director of Communications 800 Daisy Bates Drive money collected will go into the lot about where our money goes, and But this year a Seattle blogger Amy Forbus • Editor Little Rock, AR 72202-3770 Patrick W. Shownes • Communications Coordinator www.arumc.org 501-324-8000 same apportionment fund, but we why the gift s make a diff erence. Just caught them playing fast and loose www.arumc.org will give recognition and prizes for a few months into this experiment, with a “party season” display Th e Arkansas United Methodist is the newspaper Subscriptions of record for the Arkansas Conference of Th e United - $15.00, 1 Year the three largest generators of we can already see that our giving is window theme that looked an awful Methodist Church. It is published once monthly, on - $25.00, 2 Years the fi rst Friday of each month, and four special issues - Free, Online interest and money. Th e game transforming the world—for other lot like Christmas in October. Is during the year for a total of 16 issues per year. For more information, visit continues for a full year. people and for us, too. Nordstrom starting to think they www.arumc.org/aum or call 501-324-8006. Send correspondence & subscription updates to: Th e game is helping us to raise Since September we have added won’t get an invitation to the party if Arkansas United Methodist, 800 Daisy Bates Drive, Advertising is welcomed. For a rate sheet or more Little Rock, AR 72202; or e-mail to information, contact Martha Taylor at 501-324- awareness within our own fi ve new members to the roll, and they don’t play the game? Patrick Shownes at [email protected] 8005 or [email protected]. While all advertising congregation of these worthwhile they are active participants in the I’m guessing that within the is reviewed before acceptance, it should not be POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: considered endorsed by this newspaper or the Church. causes that have been historically game. Watch out world—Omaha past decade, most of our readers Th e United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. Submission Deadlines supported by United Methodists in UMC is living out their calling to have heard the phrase “war on Issue Date Submission Deadline Arkansas. Some of the state’s fi nest build up the Body of Christ! Christmas.” Most recently, it has Th e United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is Jan. 6 Dec. 14 published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Feb. 3 Jan. 18 schools, colleges, camps and retreats been associated with retail Profi t Drive, Dallas, TX 75247. Periodicals Postage March 2 Feb. 17 were founded by Arkansas United Th e Rev. Bodenhamer serves as pastor establishments that use generic Paid at Dallas. Methodists. Organizations beyond of Diamond City and Omaha UMCs. terms like “holidays” in place of

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org November 18, 2011 3A Two ways to help wipe out malaria: giving and advocating BY SARA D. BAYLES AND revitalizing hospitals and clinics in Senator John Boozman and DANIELLE WILLIAMS Africa so they have appropriate Representative Tim Griffi n to lobby Special Contributors testing supplies and medication for for continued support for malaria diagnosis and treatment. Th rough funding. Every 45 seconds, a child dies our radio stations and Our request was not that they from malaria. Th at’s 2,000 children communications infrastructure, we increase spending for malaria or that every single day, and 2,000 sets of have the ability to fi ght malaria by they reduce spending in another parents who were not ready to spreading health care messages. area; we simply asked for funding to prepare for that child’s funeral. Finally, we train health care be maintained so the gains which And malaria is a completely workers—local volunteers who have been made will not be lost. preventable and treatable disease. educate communities about this We were not alone in this eff ort. What are you going to do about disease and help families set up their United Methodists from across the it? bed nets. country joined with us for Imagine You have options. You can Our work has been incredibly No Malaria Advocacy Days to ask participate in Imagine No Malaria, successful in Africa, as has the work their own representatives to maintain which is a comprehensive eff ort of of our partners. Child death rates humanitarian aid spending. the United Methodist Church to have been reduced from a child You can join with us now. We eliminate malaria deaths in Africa dying every 30 seconds to every 45. need the U.S. government to by 2015. It’s easy to give by visiting Nevertheless, our progress may be continue supporting anti-malaria imaginenomalaria.org. You can undermined. projects, such as the President’s make a gift in honor of a relative or Congress is proposing to cut Malaria Initiative, so that children friend—a Christmas gift that humanitarian aid spending as a are protected from this preventable changes the world. means to reduce the U.S. budget and and treatable disease. Or you can advocate for the U.S. our country’s debt. While Please, contact your Why us? Why now? Congress to maintain humanitarian humanitarian aid makes up only one representatives. Let them know that aid spending. But you should do percent of the nation’s budget, in reducing our spending by less than The goal of the Imagine No Malaria campaign is to raise $75 both. terms of lives saved, this amount of one percent is not worth jeopardizing million to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. And we are Imagine No Malaria is a money is absolutely critical. 3.8 million children’s lives. making progress! campaign of the United Methodist If the House of Representatives’ If you would like further Why is the United Methodist Church such a powerful force in Church that fi ghts malaria in Africa budget recommendations are information or are interested in this fight? Here’s a word from the Imagine No Malaria website, through prevention, treatment, approved, 3.8 million children will becoming an advocate, please imaginenomalaria.org: communication and education. Our be at risk for malaria, because they contact the Rev. Steve Copley at “The UMC has worked in Africa for more than 160 years. church is focused on Africa because will no longer have access to [email protected] or 501-626- We operate churches, schools, hospitals and clinics across the 90 percent of deaths from this medications. Th is risking of young 9220. continent in places where no one else will go. Wherever the disease occur in sub-Saharan Africa. lives will save us less than one road runs out, you’ll find us bringing hope to the hopeless and We provide prevention tools like percent of the federal budget. Bayles is active in the Wesley empowering the powerless.” insecticide-treated bed nets— On Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, we, Foundation at the University of Partners such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and because the Anopheles species that along with the Rev. Steve Copley and Central Arkansas, and serves as a the United Nations Foundation recognize the church’s power to carries malaria feeds from dusk until Melissa Th omas, traveled to student pastor for Cleveland and transform lives, and that’s why they choose to work with us in this dawn—and methods for draining Washington D.C. to serve as Overcup UMCs. Williams, a native effort. stagnant water where mosquitoes advocates for the children of Africa of Cabot, serves as an Imagine No To learn more, visit imaginenomalaria.org. You can make a gift breed. who face the threat of malaria every Malaria annual conference liaison for through the site, and 100 percent of your donation will be used to In addition, the church is day. Th at week we visited with United Methodist Communications. help eradicate this deadly disease. Society of St. Andrew pairs giving, Giving, learning, serving: churches teach devotions for Advent Each Advent, the Society of St. a gift of food by making a small joy of Christmas in many ways Andrew publishes a series of daily daily donation to the Society during devotions and a giving program the season. Th ese contributions help Christmas can seem to be all Th is year, the kids will collect baby Intermediate School to provide designed to draw participants closer the Society of St. Andrew to feed the about what Santa Claus brings. But food for the pantry, in honor of presents for children who might to God’s gift to the world: Jesus. nation’s hungry at a cost of about every year, churches across the Baby Jesus’ birthday. not otherwise receive any Perhaps best known for its two cents per serving. state work to teach children the At Leslie UMC this year, kids Christmas gift s. Church members ministry of gleaning—the biblical Th e Society is an ecumenical, meaning of the holiday. who attend the church’s Power shop for each individual child’s practice of gathering crops that non-profi t organization dedicated In recent years, St. Paul UMC Express aft er-school ministry will needs. would otherwise be left in the fi elds to leading others into lives of Jonesboro has given up the receive a visit from St. Nicholas— Each student on the Angel to rot or be plowed under aft er Christian community and service. traditional gift exchange as part of the fourth-century Bishop of Myra. Tree list—students at Watson and harvest—the Society of St. Andrew It works to fulfi ll the mandate of their kids’ Christmas party. Now, Th eir special guest will tell them their siblings—receives clothing, has a partnership with United the Gospel by striving to adhere to each person brings something to about the origins and faith of the accessories and an age-appropriate Methodist Men. Th e organizations the words of I John 3:18, “Let us give to others in need. In 2009, the man they now know as Santa toy. work together through programs love not only in words, but in deed group brought goods for the local Claus. “Th e school counselor told like the Hunger Relief Advocate and in truth.” food pantry, and took a tour of the And at many churches, kids of me last year that when one parent Initiative and Meals for Millions. Th e Advent devotions starter facility. all ages learn about giving to came to pick up gift s, he cried and Th e Society of St. Andrew kit includes a sample devotional “Th e children saw how their others through Angel Tree said it was the fi rst Christmas his encourages those who participate in booklet and instructions for church gift would be used to help others,” programs. For example, Highland children had ever received gift s,” the Advent devotions program to leaders. To learn more, visit said Tami Freeman, children’s Valley UMC in Little Rock has a said Carla Coleman, a member of give, in the name of the Christ Child, endhunger.org/advent.htm. ministry coordinator for St. Paul. partnership with Watson Highland Valley. www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 4A November 18, 2011 Rethink Two new books call for

BY SAM HODGES from the denomination’s General Council on Finance and the story of Jesus’ birth. United MethodistChristmas Reporter Administration (GCFA). “We all kind of know the general story of Christmas, even Hamilton’s innovative approach to church leadership and people who don’t go to church,” he said. “But I don’t think we Hamilton and Slaughter sounds like a law fi rm one wouldn’t organization has won him high standing within the fully grasp it or fully understand the story as it unfolds, or what want to mess with, but those are in fact the last names of two denomination and attention beyond it. the details are pointing us toward.” well-known United Methodist megachurch pastors. Th ey are Indeed, the blurbs for Th e Journey come from such Th e journey Hamilton writes of is the one taken by Joseph good friends and close collaborators on eff orts to renew the prominent non-Methodist megachurch pastors as the Rev. John and Mary from her home town of Nazareth to Bethlehem, for UMC. Ortberg, the Rev. Joel C. Hunter, and the Rev. Bill Hybels. Jesus’ birth. And he stresses the small size and utter obscurity of And, as it happens, the Rev. Adam Hamilton and the Rev. Brian McLaren, an emergent church leader and popular Nazareth, especially in relation to nearby Sepphoris, a relatively Mike Slaughter each has a book on Christmas that’s just out. author, recommended an earlier book by saying, “Adam prosperous city nearby whose amazing history has come to light Hamilton’s Th e Journey and Slaughter’s Christmas Is Not Hamilton is, in my opinion, a national treasure. He embodies the only in recent years through archaeological excavations. Your Birthday are both published by Abingdon Press, part of the kind of generous orthodoxy so many of us have been dreaming “God goes to this little town of relatively poor people United Methodist Publishing House. Both have as their market of and praying for.” [Nazareth] to fi nd the mother of the Messiah, not to the wealthy not just individual readers but also small groups within a church Slaughter, 60, came to Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, community across the way,” Hamilton said. setting. Ohio, in 1979. Worship attendance averaged 90. Last year, the Hamilton notes that much about the Christmas story is Th is would seem to be a highly competitive situation, at average was 4,552. Th e 2009 GCFA report had Ginghamsburg open to debate, and argues that Joseph was most likely from odds with the Christmas spirit and perhaps endangering their ranked fourth in attendance among UM churches. Bethlehem. Th e pastor used car, van and foot to take what he egos and friendship. But both pastors insist they are cheering on Like Hamilton, Slaughter is regarded as a denominational thinks is their most likely route from Nazareth, a trip that would the other one and his book. leader in innovation, be it in small group ministry or use of have taken them nine or 10 days. “Anything Adam does, I enjoy and appreciate,” Slaughter cyber communication. And like Hamilton, he’s a busy author, As for the “no room at the inn” idea, Hamilton believes the said. having contributed such titles as Upside Living in a Downside best translations of key words suggest the inn was really Joseph’s Hamilton noted that his ideas about the missional aspect of Economy, Momentum for Life, Unlearning Church and Change the family home, and that a birthing room was created in the family Christmas have been strongly infl uenced by Slaughter. World. stable because the home was crowded and Jewish customs would He added: “I hope that if people do Th e Journey this year, Under Slaughter, Ginghamsburg has become a widely- have considered her discharge of blood and water at birth to they’ll do Mike’s book next year. I really think they provide a recognized leader in mission work, both in its part of greater render her ritually unclean. two-year emphasis for Advent that could set the church on a new Dayton and in the African nation of Sudan. Slaughter won the Step by step, Hamilton takes on the Christmas story, course.” Foundation for Evangelism’s “distinguished evangelist” award in including the virgin birth (“Is it really so hard to believe that the 2003, and has twice received the foundation’s Denman God who created the laws of biology and who designed our DNA Authors and leaders Evangelism Award for promoting the could bring about a virginal conception?”), the visit of the Wise UMC’s commitment to evangelism. Men, and whether Jesus’ birth really happened on Dec. 25. Hamilton, Together, Hamilton and Slaughter Toward the end, Hamilton deals with the purpose of God’s 46, is perhaps have worked toward UMC renewal sending Jesus to earth, and gets personal about the gift of the biggest through Leading Edge, which brings salvation represented by Jesus. name among together pastors of the denomination’s “He has saved me from becoming my worst possible self current UM largest churches to share ideas, stories and, to whatever degree I actually seek to care for others, to give clergy, as a and strategies, and the Young Pastors’ of myself for them and to work for justice and to off er prolifi c author of Network, a leadership development accessible books program for young clergy of the UMC. on Christian “Both are remarkable leaders,” said faith, a sought- Lovett Weems, director of the Lewis aft er speaker at Center for Church Leadership at Wesley church Th eological Seminary in Washington, conferences and D.C. “Th ey are immensely gift ed, work especially as leader very hard and have bold visions that of Church of the include yet go beyond themselves and Resurrection in their congregations.” Leawood, Kan. He started it in Nazareth to Bethlehem 1990 with four people, holding the Just as the UMC has embraced fi rst meetings in a the slogan “Rethink Church,” funeral home. Since Hamilton and Slaughter are, through then, the church has their new books, asking readers to grown to more than rethink Christmas. 17,000 members, with Hamilton’s previous books current average include 24 Hours Th at Changed the weekly worship World, an intensive look at Jesus’ attendance at 9,180. It crucifi xion, and inTh e Journey he ranked fi rst among UM follows the model, drawing on churches in attendance close readings of the Gospel in 2009, the most accounts, recent archaeological recent year for which fi ndings and his own most recent statistics are available trip to the Holy Land to try to wake up readers to

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org November 18, 2011 5A making the most of the holiday

compassion in a broken world,” he writes. Slaughter speaks of his own debt to Hamilton, and of their close friendship. Matching gifts “I’ve said to him, ‘Adam, when I die, you do my funeral.’ I love that guy. He’s a great leader and Slaughter had long been attuned to the materialism that example in our denomination.” goes with Christmas, and had pushed his congregation to be an Th e pastors are clearly commercially important exception to that. But in 2004, bent on getting Ginghamsburg authors for Abingdon Press and the United Church seriously engaged with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Methodist Publishing House. Both Christmas books he went farther. are being sold in print and e-book format, and “I said to the people, ‘Christmas is not your birthday, it’s Hamilton’s is packaged with editions for children, Jesus’ birthday. What would honor him?’” he recalled. youth and devotional reading. Slaughter had a goal in mind, and shared it with the But Neil Alexander, president and publisher congregation. He asked that they total how much they’d spent on of the United Methodist Publishing House, prefers Christmas presents for family and give an equal amount to to emphasize the spiritual eff ects. hunger relief in Sudan. Th e church raised a special off ering of “Adam and Mike share extraordinary gift s as $300,000. they reach tens of thousands through their Soon, Ginghamsburg had formed a partnership with the writings,” he said in a written response to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to establish questions about the authors. “Both discern with the Sudan Project. Since then, that project—enlisting other clarity and humility God’s calling and presence churches, schools and businesses—has invested $5.1 million in and they help us see what God is doing and Sudan, focused on sustainable agriculture, clean water and wants us to do.” education. Ginghamsburg has balanced its international eff ort with Th is article originally appeared in the Oct. 28 giving to social ministries in the Dayton area. issue of the national edition of the United Christmas Is Not Your Birthday tells the story in more detail, Methodist Reporter. Reprinted with and presents Slaughter’s argument for why and how other permission. churches can follow suit in matching family gift giving with charitable giving that is focused on missions. One that has done so is Church of the Resurrection. “Mike Slaughter’s been doing this for years, and we started about four years ago,” said Hamilton. “I stole the idea from him.”

The Rev. Mike Slaughter (left) and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, seen here at Ginghamsburg Church, are close friends and have collaborated on efforts to renew the UMC. PHOTO COURTESY GINGHAMSBURG CHURCH

www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 6A November 18, 2011 ‘Christmas in October’ for Counter-cultural (continued from page 1A) “We have people who come up organizations like Heifer International, Make a diff erence here and say, ‘You know, I come to buy Harmony Health Clinic, UMCOR my gift s here because when I do, I feel Disaster Relief and more. It also Searcy girls’ home for MFH ministries like I’m giving twice,’” Th orne said. included items for purchase: At Mount Eagle Retreat Center, Shoppers could buy pendants to BY JANE DENNIS Methodist Family Health has the selection is smaller, but the support a local women’s shelter, Special Contributor some great ideas for alternative intent is the same. hams to support Camp Aldersgate, Christmas giving: “Supporting the use of fair gift baskets to benefi t Arkansas Rice Members of First United Th e MFH Bible Fund trade products is about justice, and Depot and bags of Equal Exchange Methodist Church Searcy on Oct. 9 provides age-appropriate Bibles to justice is about everybody having Coff ee—the same brand used by hosted a home makeover “shower” children, youth and adults served enough,” says the Rev. Lu Harding, Mount Eagle Retreat Center. for their local Methodist Family by Methodist Family Health the center’s director. Health Girls’ Home. programs, including Methodist Mount Eagle serves only Buy less, give more Held at the church, the special Children’s Home, Methodist fairly-traded coff ee purchased shower was planned by DeAndra Behavioral Hospital, Arkansas through the UMCOR Coff ee Project. Last year, the Arkansas United Tate Gibson, Susan Adams and Tina CARES and more. To donate, It costs more, but “the use of fair Methodist profi led two churches Ziegenbalg. Refreshments were make checks payable to Methodist trade items is a faith issue,” she says. participating in Advent Conspiracy provided by the Friends in Service Family Health Foundation, Guests may buy fair trade coff ee, (adventconspiracy.org). Th e idea for Him (FISH) Sunday school class. designating Bible Fund, and send chocolate and hot cocoa mix to take involves each person reducing their “Th e outpouring of gift s from to: MFH Foundation, P.O. Box home as souvenirs of their stay—or shopping list by one gift , and giving the church was astounding,” said 56050, Little Rock, AR 72215. Or as gift s for their loved ones. that amount to an organization that Ashley Coldiron, executive director contact Maggie Beeler at “We are helping make a provides clean water in parts of the of the Methodist Family Health 501-661-0720 ext. 7299 or diff erence in the lives and world that need it most. Foundation. “One of the girls [email protected]. communities of these farmers and With those eff orts, both First opening the gift s said it was like Balls and outdoor sharing fellowship with our global UMC Conway and Lakewood UMC Christmas in October. Another recreational equipment are neighbors,” Harding said. “What a North Little Rock raised enough commented she had never seen so always on the Wish List to be wonderful way to celebrate the birth money to build a water well in the many presents.” enjoyed by children served by the of the Christ child.” Democratic Republic of Congo Th e teaching parents and six Methodist Children’s Home, through the Arkansas Conference’s residents of the group home A resident of the Methodist Family Methodist Behavioral Hospital Alternative markets Congo Well Project. participated by completing a gift Health Girls’ Group Home at and other MFH programs. For Neither church is using Advent registry and identifying favorite Searcy opens one of the numerous more information, contact Maggie First UMC Paragould is among Conspiracy this year, but they continue items at a local store. Groups and shower gifts given by members of Beeler at 501-661-0720 ext. 7299 the churches holding special events to encourage celebrating Christmas in First UMC Searcy. individuals from the church then COURTESY PHOTO or [email protected]. as benefi ts for mission and ministry. a less consumer-driven way. purchased items and showered the Donations of diapers and Its “Joy of Giving Market” on Nov. 12 First UMC Conway plans to home with an assortment of kitchenware, bedding and bath accessories and other baby-care items are featured gift items such as handmade build another well. Th e congregation’s decorative items, as well as a fl at-screen television and gaming system. welcome gift s to be used by the baskets, craft s and baked goods. annual Merry Mission Fair will In addition, the congregation collected a “noisy off ering” of loose change infants and toddlers of mothers Purchases supported a variety feature glass “water drops” made by that totaled $600 for the girls’ home. And earlier in the week, church member participating in the Arkansas of missions locally and worldwide. artist James Hayes, available for a John Byrd led the Sons of Th under mission group in fully stocking the pantry CARES (Center for Addictions Th e event also served breakfast and donation of $25 or more to the Congo at the home. Research, Education and Services) lunch; proceeds from the meals Well Project. “Methodist Family Health is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the program. Contact Ashley Coldiron benefi tted the hunger relief work of “Th ey could be worn on a Searcy church and the love they have shown these girls,” Coldiron said. at 501-661-0720 ext. 7300 or Witt House, the church’s food pantry. necklace, used as an ornament or hung Th e Searcy Girls’ Home is one of seven therapeutic group homes that are [email protected]. “In this time of year where too somewhere in the home as a reminder part of the Methodist Family Health continuum of care. Th e home provides a Send a child to camp! Th e oft en we focus on ourselves, what a of the mission to provide drinking family-like setting for residents who receive help and treatment for emotional Rev. Regnier Memorial Camp great opportunity to focus on what water to those in need,” said the Rev. and behavioral issues. Th e teaching parents in the home are foster parents as Fund gives children in Methodist God wants us to do for others in Lynn Kilbourne, associate pastor. well as treatment professionals. Children’s Home residential their life’s journeys,” said the Rev. At Lakewood UMC North Little programs a chance to enjoy a Angie Gage, associate pastor. “In one Rock, last year’s Advent Conspiracy Dennis serves as director of communications for Methodist Family Health. United Methodist summer camp day we fed people for a lifetime, project raised money by giving out experience. Make checks payable provided scholarships, wheelchairs water bottles in exchange for to Methodist Family Health and more. It’s unreal to think about donations of any size. Th is year, Find the Arkansas Conference of Th e Foundation, designating Camp how far-reaching this can be.” they’ll do the same with votive United Methodist Church on Facebook Fund, and send to: MFH One of several alternative candles to benefi t local missions Foundation, P.O. Box 56050, Little Christmas markets in central serving the homeless and hungry. at facebook.com/arkansasumc Rock, AR 72215. Or contact Maggie Arkansas was held on Nov. 6 and 13 “Th e candles can then be given Beeler at 501-661-0720 ext. 7299 or at First UMC Little Rock. An annual as gift s under the Christmas tree, but [email protected]. tradition for the congregation, the gift s that represent the Light of Christ Honorariums and market invites shoppers to give gift s breaking into the darkness, rather Be sure to recycle memorial gift s to Methodist of love, friendship and service. than gift s that represent self- your copy of the Family Health, given in memory Giving to support an destructive consumerism,” says Joe or in honor of friends or loved organization can be more meaningful Roitz, director of communications. Arkansas United Methodist ones, make meaningful Christmas than a physical gift , said Patty Barker, And another counter-cultural when you’re À nished gift s. Send to MFH Foundation, coordinator of the market. “For Uncle move: To acknowledge that P.O. Box 56050, Little Rock, AR John, instead of a tie this year, let’s give Christmas may not feel joyous to reading it (or share it 72215; contact Ashley Coldiron at him a gift that honors him in a special those who are alone or missing loved 501-661-0720 ext. 7300 or way, either through the church, or ones, Lakewood UMC holds an with a friend). [email protected]; or locally or globally,” she said. annual Longest Night Service of give online at methodistfamily.org. Th e market provided easy ways Hope and Healing. Th is year’s to give in honor of loved ones to service begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org November 18, 2011 7A Christmas gifts to honor Paper plates: windows into the friends, family, God struggles of those who live on BY LAURA RHEA Special Contributor

When I was a child, the Sears Christmas catalog was the best! I spent the edge hours looking through the pages, wishing I could buy the gift s pictured inside. When my grandchildren were small, they loved colorful newspaper inserts with pictures of toys. Th ey would grab an insert, hold up their arms to sit in my lap, and say, “Look Grammy, look!” Today, I’m most interested in giving gift s to people whose names may not appear on anyone’s gift list: the poor, the hungry, the forgotten. I want my gift s For a recent project to honor my loved ones, and most of all, to honor God. of the Arkansas Th ese are tough economic times. Schools report more hungry students Foodbank, people than ever before, yet we can’t aff ord to buy all the food we need to feed them. of all ages and backgrounds Filling our vans and trucks with gas is a challenge, yet at the end of each route decorated paper are hunger agencies and schools with Food For Kids programs desperately plates with needing food. Trucking costs to bring in much needed donated food are messages about higher than ever before. the role local food In times like these, people on your gift list might appreciate a card telling pantries play in them you’ve made a gift in their honor to feed the hungry. their lives. Your family, your business, or your Sunday school class might be willing PHOTO COURTESY to forgo exchanging gift s and give life-sustaining food instead. ARKANSAS FOODBANK My Christmas wish for you is the joy that is found in giving gift s both to those you know, and to those who will never know your name. May the God of all creation look on your gift s and pronounce them good. BY PHYLLIS HAYNES food Merry Christmas! Special Contributor prices, food manufacturers Rhea serves as president and CEO of Arkansas Rice Depot. Th e Arkansas Foodbank seeking greater recently handed stacks of paper effi ciencies in a down plates to our member food pantries economy (which mean fewer The Arkansas Rice Depot offers three ways to with a request that they ask serve as the “new normal”—a place donations to food banks), and a give this holiday season: recipients of food aid to write on people go so they can get through the downturn in charitable them about their experience of being month—month aft er month. contributions. Give a gift of food to the hungry. Your family, business, or Sunday hungry. According to that report, “Food Looming ahead is the fear that school class might be willing to forgo exchanging gift s and give life-sustaining We touched a nerve. Th e Banks: Hunger’s New Staple,” Congress, looking for budget cuts, food to hungry Arkansans instead. response was overwhelming. More emergency food from pantries is no will slash nutrition programs in this • $5 will give a home bound senior a generous supply of fresh fruit delivered than 1,500 paper plates were longer being used to meet only time of crisis for many families. Many with their food box. returned. Th ey describe a litany of temporary acute food needs. Many of the most critical programs help the • $5 will also give an emergency meal kit providing ready to eat food for a woes—disabled veterans trying to Americans now rely on food pantries struggling families that are most at day to victims of disasters in the state. stretch their incomes, families caught as a regular source of nutrition. Th e risk. And we should remember that • $10 will give 2 families 20 pounds each of food. in recession, older people on fi xed crisis is becoming the norm. hungry Arkansans are not nameless • $30 will provide a month’s supply of food for a child facing hunger to take incomes having to choose between How bad is it? A majority (54 statistics—they’re our neighbors, our home from school in a backpack. food or medicine, people driven into percent) of the people visiting friends and our co-workers. Spread Christmas poverty by illness, regular joes who Feeding America-partner food So it’s time for those of us who cheer by making a have lost a job or had their hours pantries have used a food pantry for are more fi nancially secure to pull gift in honor of a cut—all leading to the need for help. at least six months or more during together and help the less fortunate. friend or loved One plate says simply, “God bless the past year, and more than a third Please join us in our commitment to one. Arkansas you. We were so hungry.” of them are “recurrent” clients, continue to help those who Rice Depot will Another held but a single word: having had to visit a food pantry increasingly fi nd themselves in need. send that person “Help.” every month within the past year. What can those of us who want a special card, Another divided the plate into And for those who receive to help do? Become better informed. telling them two halves, drew a colorful scene on benefi ts from the Supplemental Look for and participate in local about the gift one half with a house, sunshine and Nutrition Assistance Program (or food drives, or help start a food drive you made in happy people, labeled “With food, a SNAP, formerly known as food yourself in your church. Donate. their honor. sunny day...” and the other colored stamps), we see that they, too, are Volunteer. Every one of us can make Give a tasty dull gray all over, labeled “...or struggling month-to-month. More a diff erence. I can only hope that we gift from the Rice nothing.” than half (58 percent) of them have to haven’t lost the ability to heed that Depot’s Simple But we shouldn’t be surprised. seek food assistance again and again. simple cry, “We were so hungry,” and Pleasures gift Th e pantries supplied by the People are relying on food banks and brighten up that gray “nothing.” shop. Not only do Foodbank have been telling us for pantries as a coping strategy to the gourmet rice, more than a year that they are seeing supplement their grocery needs. Haynes is the CEO of the Arkansas soup and bean mixes the lines growing as people come in Th is new research suggests that Foodbank, the state’s largest and gift baskets make for a box of food. things aren’t getting better for the non-governmental source of food aid wonderful gift s, all proceeds help feed hungry And a new study by Feeding millions of Americans and the and a member of Feeding America. children and families. Make purchases online at ricedepot.org, or if you live in America reveals that, more and 500,000 Arkansans who struggle to For information on how you can the central Arkansas area, visit the Rice Depot gift shop, 3801 West 65th Street more, the people we help have come make ends meet. Food banks are help fi ght hunger, visit in Little Rock, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between now and Dec. 22. to rely on us and the food pantries we fi ghting a “perfect storm” of rising arkansasfoodbank.org. www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist 8A November 18, 2011 Are you ready to make some changes this Christmas?

The ideas presented in this issue represent just a fewcounter-cultural ways Christians can make this Christmas more like Giving options If there’s a cause or ministry that holds special meaning for a person you love, there is probably a way to give to the very first one—a world-changing event. Here are that cause in their honor. Many non-profi t organizations off er ways to make gift s through their websites, and will even provide a card to send to the person you’ve chosen to honor. a few places where you can get started. Th e Advance is an accountable, designated-giving arm of Th e United Methodist Church that ensures 100 percent of each gift reaches its intended mission or ministry. You decide which program or ministry to Fair trade shopping options support through Th e Advance. To view their online gift Th is list, while not exhaustive, seeks to provide a sampling of places catalog with a wide array of options, choose “A Gift Catalog” under the “How to Give” menu at advancinghope.org, to begin when shopping for fair trade products. or get there through this direct link: new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/give/gift catalog.

Clinton: Mount Eagle Retreat Center, 935 Beal Road Visit arumc.org/donate to make gift s to a number of causes Fayetteville: Th e Fair Trade Gift Shop at Mount Sequoyah, 150 NW The Arkansas Conference supported by the Arkansas Conference, including Imagine No The United Methodist Church Skyline Drive. Making Disciples of Jesus Christ Malaria, the Congo Well Project and the Arkansas Conference Little Rock: Ten Th ousand Villages, 301 President Clinton Avenue; ® Disaster Relief Fund. Shop @ Heifer, the gift shop at Heifer Village, 1 World Avenue. Perryville: Heifer Ranch gift shop, 55 Heifer Road (for directions, visit heifer.org/ranch, as some mapping soft ware gives inaccurate Heifer International, an Arkansas-based non-profi t directions). organization, helps lift communities out of poverty here in our Online: UMCOR Coff ee Project is a year-round eff ort in partnership own state and around the world. Visit heifer.org to view the gift with Equal Exchange. Visit interfaith.equalexchange.com to place an catalog and learn more. order or learn more.

Arkansas United Methodist www.arumc.org umportal org

Remembering lens Gen-X Rising Holy marketing Section B UM pastor photographs On Wesley, stewardship Can churches make a pitch abandoned churches | 4B and Count Dracula’s cape | 6B without losing their souls? | 7B November 18, 2011 Q&A: German bishop ready to lead in era of change Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, 56, begins a two-year term as president of the UMC’s Council of Bishops during the 2012 General Conference, set for April 24-May 4 in Tampa, Fla. She has been serving as president-designate, and her episcopal colleagues con- firmed her as president through a unanimous vote at their recent meet- ing in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Bishop Wenner, who studied at the United Methodist Theological Semi- nary in Reutlingen, oversees three conferences in Germany. She was the first woman outside the United States to be elected to the UM episcopacy, and she will be the first woman out- side the United States to be Council of Bishops president. Before her election as bishop in 2005, she served as a pas- tor and as superintendent of the Frankfurt District. She studied at the United Methodist Theological Semi- nary in Reutlingen, Germany. FILE PHOTO BY KEN BENNETT, WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY During a break in the Lake Ju- An annual campus-wide Advent service at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel in Winston-Salem, N.C., is among the largest Moravian- naluska meeting, she answered ques- style “Love Feast” worship services held in the U.S. tions from managing editor Sam Hodges.

How did you become a United UM churches savor simple Advent service Methodist? we should change,” says church mem- always look forward to it as a time of “Love Feast”—worship or fellowship Actually that was through my B Y M ARY JACOBS  See ‘Wenner’ page 2B Staff Writer ber Donald Myracle. “He gets the mes- reflection. centered on a simple meal—has a solid sage right away—this is the one thing First UMC in Brevard is one of Wesleyan heritage, as well as roots that Every year during Advent, since you don’t change.” many United Methodist churches in hearken back to the early church. the mid-1970s, church members at Brevard’s Love Feast includes tra- North Carolina each Advent that cele- And it’s a concept that many Chris- First United Methodist Church in Bre- ditional Christmas carols, prayers, a brate the Love Feast, a popular tradi- tians would benefit from rediscover- vard, N.C., have repeated the drill. few Moravian hymns and an offering tion adopted from the Moravian ing, says Paul Stutzman, author of They unpack the special mugs, the benefiting a local charity. As worship- church, which has a large number of Recovering the Love Feast (Wipf & aprons and caps from storage; they pers quietly enjoy Christmas music, congregations in North Carolina. The Stock, 2011). order the yeast buns from a bakery in the young women of the church— state is also home to what is likely the “The church was founded on a Winston-Salem, and they buy the many on break from college—don the largest Moravian-style Love Feast in meal, the meal that Jesus shared with beeswax candles and wrap them in lace caps and aprons and pass out the the U.S.—an ecumenical gathering at us,” he said. “The act of eating together red paper skirts. buns. Young men distribute mugs of Wake Forest University in Winston- is important to us as Christians.” It’s all in preparation for a special hot cider. Then the candles—made of Salem, N.C. Attendees imbibe 90 gal- Christmas Eve service called the beeswax, symbolizing Christ’s pu- lons of coffee and 175 dozen yeast Early church roots Moravian Love Feast, and it packs the rity—are handed out. The lights are buns, and the college’s Wait Chapel is While its modern forms vary church every year—with members of lowered, the candles are lit and the aglow with 2,200 beeswax candles. widely, the Love Feast “is basically a the church as well as folks from the service concludes in candlelight. way of gathering that goes back to the community. “It’s a very pretty service, very rev- A simple meal book of Jude,” according to C. Michael “Every so often we get a minister erential and contemplative,” said But Love Feasts aren’t just for Hawn, director of the Sacred Music Bishop Rosemarie Wenner who thinks this might be something church member Sarah Lee Myracle. “I Christmas. The broader tradition of the  See ‘Feast’ page 8B 2B FAITH focus FAITH WATCH  WENNER Continued from page 1B mother. She joined the church when I I stand behind that agenda. I really ‘Parade of horrors’ was a child. That was through the think that refocusing on helping each suppresses religion counseling of a Methodist preacher other to gain vitality—not through our Religious freedom has de- who helped in a time of mourning, efforts but through listening to the clined in parts of the world when my grandmother was sick. Then gospel and moving towards spiritual and the United States hasn’t I grew up in that church from the time renewal—will help us to see God in the done enough to protect it, I was 8 years old. And that was a very people to whom he sends us. Because advocates said at an Oct. 26 small church. They needed me in God is already there, out with the peo- forum sponsored by the con- leadership when I was quite young. ple. I think we are on the right track. servative Family Research And that was very encouraging to me. Council. “What a parade of I really grew up with people who were The Call to Action reforms might horrors,” said Georgetown nourishing my faith. And I also was seem to some U.S.-centric. Are they University professor Thomas seeing the gifts I was able to bring to applicable to your churches? Farr, after noting such recent the church. In the goals, yes. The methods incidents as Coptic Chris- have to be different. But at least where tians massacred in Egypt, Where was this? I come from, Germany, we are on the dissidents jailed in China, This is a very small town, about same page in the decline of member- and a pastor burned to 10,000 inhabitants, in the southwest of ship. The reasons might be slightly death in Nigeria. Germany. The name is Eppingen. But different. However, refocusing on vi- Episcopal Church nobody knows it here. talization of congregations and re- still losing members gaining the missional spirit—that’s What’s your response to being on top for us as well. The Episcopal Church con- UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE PHOTO BY RONNY PERRY tinues to shrink, though elected president of the Council of And I think even in other coun- New officers for the UMC’s Council of Bishops are, from left to some dioceses are growing. Bishops? tries where congregations are grow- right, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., Membership in U.S. dioceses It’s a privilege to serve in this posi- ing, we need to be helping each other Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. and Bishop of the denomination tion and to lead the council in this to focus on leadership training so that Peter Weaver. The election took place Nov. 3 during the council’s dropped under 2 million in challenging time—a time of change the churches are served well, finding meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C. 2010. Overall membership has declined 16 percent ‘The main point is: Do I, do you, are. Unfortunately, they have no ex- place for European members of the since 2000. Average worship pectations to go to the churches. That church to be peacemakers or offer a attendance in 2010 was live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, means we have to go where people are. different solution? 657,831, compared to We cannot expect that they come to I hope so, actually, because in Eu- 856,579 in 2000. “Churches answering his call to ministry? And us—not necessarily. And we have to rope, and in Germany, the area where I that turn inward will die,” go where people are, living with them, serve, we are in a similar situation. said Bishop Stacy Sauls, the do we continue to live in prayerful sharing their journeys, serving them, The people in our congregations have church’s chief operating offi- listening carefully to their questions, different judgments [about] whether cer. “The numbers call us to and even realizing that God is right it’s compatible with [Christian] teach- strengthen our commitment relationship in this question?’ to turn outward.” there, as St. Paul realized it when he ing to live in a homosexual partner- when we really refocus on the mission ways to live in a connectional church, was in the Athens marketplace. It’s a ship. However, we say—and we Lawyer goes after of making disciples for the transfor- and not seeing the [Book of] Disci- long journey. The growth of the live—that we trust God’s grace, lead- Catholic University mation of the world. I trust that God pline to be the only connection. It’s an church in Western Europe—that’s not ing all of us in that struggle. And we A lawyer has filed a com- through the Holy Spirit will lead me, important connection, of course, but a quick effort. It really means relation- trust each other that we are faithful plaint against Catholic Uni- as a part of the leadership team, to- it’s not the only one. ship building. Christians, moving forward, seeking versity of America for not gether with the whole council, to lead But there are successful models, God’s will in all of that. . . . The main providing Muslim students the church in the direction we really There’s a widely held view in the and there is a strong wish, not only in point is: Do I, do you, live as a disciple with prayer rooms free of think that God calls us to go—so that United States that Western Europe the United Methodist Church but also of Jesus Christ, answering his call to Catholic iconography. John we are not inward focused, but out- has gone nearly completely secular. in other churches, to really live out the ministry? And do we continue to live F. Banzhaf III, a law profes- ward focused. Almost no one goes to church. Is mission of the church. in prayerful relationship in this ques- sor at George Washington that simplistic? tion? So I hope that could be an offer University, filed the 60-page Do you have an agenda beyond, say, The secularization is more than Germany has a rich tradition of to the church, seeing that conferences complaint with the Washing- the Call to Action or what the here. This is, at least, my observation. theological scholarship. One figure in our connection live in this way. ton, D.C. Office of Human bishops have agreed on should be However, that does not mean that peo- who is revered here is Dietrich Rights. He earlier filed a the priorities of the church? ple are not interested in religion. They Bonhoeffer. Is he a hero of yours, You’ll preach at General protest of CUA’s decision to and someone you’ve studied? Conference. Have you been switch to same-sex dorms. THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER (USPS954-500) is published Probably he is a hero of all of us in thinking of what you’ll say? weekly by UMR Communications Inc., 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas Harper Collins to buy 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional Germany, and not only in Germany. Thinking, yes. But that’s the only Thomas Nelson Inc. mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE UNITED He was really a person who not only thing. I haven’t written anything METHODIST REPORTER. PO Box 660275, Dallas Texas 75266-0275. inspires us through his theological in- down. I’m privileged to preach in the Thomas Nelson Inc., a pub- THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER has provided lisher of Bibles and other re- www.umportal.org denominational news coverage since its beginning as the Texas sights—which were prophetic—but closing worship service. And I really Methodist newspaper in 1847. The Reporter has no official ties to the also through his personal witness and hope that I can serve as a servant of ligious books, is being [email protected] United Methodist General Conference or to any of the denomination’s acquired by HarperCollins. general boards or agencies. This newspaper aims to provide readers through living his faith, especially his God in reminding us that we are sent with a broad spectrum of information and viewpoints consistent with letters from prison. He was saying forth in making disciples for the HarperCollins, part of Rupert the diversity of Christians. Murdoch-controlled News Alan Heath, CEO All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted by UMR God is there even in the deepest dark. transformation of the world, no mat- Corp., already owns reli- Communications Inc. unless otherwise noted. Reprint of material from ter where we have to go and how the Sam Hodges, Managing Editor this newspaper must be authorized in advance by the Editor, and fees gious publisher Zondervan. are assessed in some cases. To request reprints, e-mail The issue of homosexuality is circumstances are. And we are not the If the Thomas Nelson sale Bill Fentum, Associate Editor [email protected], or fax a request to (214) 630-0079. Telephone divisive within the U.S. part of the only persons doing so, but are part of clears regulatory review, requests are not accepted. United Methodist Church, and a big connection, helping each other HarperCollins would control Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer Send Correspondence and Address Changes (in- clude mailing label) To: P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, TX there’s a view that conservatives to keep on in that mission. 35-40 percent of the evan- 75266-0275 Telephone: (214) 630-6495. Subscriptions are Cherrie Graham, Advertising Manager within the United States are in Because it’s not our mission. It’s gelical Christian publishing $26 for 52 issues per year. Click on “subscriptions” at Please recycle. www.umportal.org, e-mail [email protected] or send We do! common cause with the African God’s call for us. market, The Tennessean of Dale Bryant, Senior Designer a check to UMR Communications, Attn: Circulation, 1221 members of the church, who are Profit Dr., Dallas, TX 75247. Nashville reported. socially conservative. Is there a [email protected]

N OVEMBER 18, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH focus 3B UM CONNECTIONS Maintain connections, UM top court rules Bishop Ernest Lyght maintained, clearly identified and de- The Rev. John Fiedler, senior pastor ence “has failed to match all the disci- to retire in December B Y L INDA B LOOM United Methodist News Service fined and the connectional relation- of First United Methodist Church, Dal- plinary requirements for conference United Methodist Bishop ships shall be clear and obvious,” the las, and chair of the strategic planning structure.” Ernest S. Lyght of the West SAN DIEGO—When annual con- council said in Decision 1198. “Any team that developed the new struc- The plan’s deficiencies include lack Virginia Conference an- ferences of the United Methodist equivalent structures must be defined ture, noted that working groups now of programmatic provisions for the nounced Oct. 27 that he will Church decide to change their struc- by name, function, connection and exist for mission areas such as church mandated commission on archives retire on Dec. 31 due to tures, they are obligated to retain membership.” and society, global ministries, ethnic and history and failure to link a coun- health issues he has strug- some specific connectional relation- During an Oct. 27 local church development and Chris- cil on youth with a conference council gled with since last February. ships. oral hearing, tian unity and interreligious concerns. on ministries or an alternative struc- The denomination’s Council That message was delivered to the William Herscher, a “Mr. Herscher’s concerns have ture, the decision said. of Bishops named retired North Texas and South Carolina an- lay member, said he been answered but on the leadership Bishop William Boyd Grove nual conferences by the Judicial Coun- had raised the issue team’s timetable and not his,” Dr. Civil-union penalty to serve as episcopal leader cil, the denomination’s top court. during the North Fiedler added. The 2011 clergy session of the in the conference through Northern Illinois Annual Conference next August. A new bishop In separate decisions from its Oct. Texas 2011 Annual Bishop Bledsoe, who was also adopted a resolution regarding a “sug- will be elected in July during 26-28 fall meeting, the council found Conference session Bishop present at the hearing, confirmed the that restructuring plans implemented because he believed committees “are up and running” and gested maximum penalty” for any the Northeastern Jurisdic- W. Earl tional meeting. by both conferences failed to comply the restructuring did said while the process for nominating clergy member charged, tried and fully with church law. not maintain the re- Bledsoe members has been slow, it will be ac- convicted of officiating at a same-sex Nascimento named to The council also ruled that the quired denomina- complished by the 2012 annual con- civil union ceremony. global education post Northern Illinois Conference does not tional committees or encourage ference session. The suggested penalty was “sus- Amos Nascimento, a native have the authority to suggest a maxi- leadership roles for laity. He praised the conference’s new pension of said convicted minister of Brazil and an associate mum penalty for any clergy member “One of the ways we transform the operational plan. “I think the struc- from the exercise of pastoral office for professor of philosophy at convicted of officiating at a same-sex world . . . is [by] providing a connec- ture is a lot more nimble,” the bishop a period of 24 consecutive hours.” the University of Washing- civil union. tion for ministry beyond the local said. The Book of Discipline states, “Cer- ton, began serving Nov. 1 as church,” Mr. Herscher told the council. While not conducting a complete emonies that celebrate homosexual special assistant to the gen- North Texas decision John Croft, chancellor of the North review of the amendments made to unions shall not be conducted by our eral secretary for global ed- Reversing a decision of law by Texas Conference, argued that Bishop accommodate the new North Texas ministers and shall not be conducted ucation and new initiatives Bishop Earl Bledsoe, the council asked Bledsoe’s decision finding the new structure, the Judicial Council found in our churches.” at the United Methodist the North Texas Conference to revise structure met the requirements of the its creation of a Center for Missional In Decision 1201, the Judicial General Board of Higher and complete a strategic plan adopted Discipline was correct. He expressed Outreach “fails to delineate how the Council declared the resolution “null, Education and Ministry in 2010. “serious doubts” that Mr. Herscher’s function, connection and membership void and of no effect.” The Discipline (GBHEM). He succeeded While an annual conference can question “was properly before the of the operating board or committee makes clear, the decision said, “that Ken Yamada, who retired adopt rules for its own governance, 2011 annual conference in the first of the center will comply with the Dis- only a trial court has the power to set Oct. 31 after 45 years in the boards, commissions and com- a penalty in a church trial which re- United Methodist education. place,” since the restructuring had cipline.” mittees mandated by the denomina- sults in a conviction.” Dr. Nascimento’s work will been deliberated upon and decided tion’s Book of Discipline“shall be S.C. transition plan Those options include revoking include helping create insti- the year before. tutional partnerships be- The Judicial Council also found the minister’s ordination, suspending tween those in developed “defects” in the South Carolina Con- the minister from exercising the func- and developing nations, as Agencies urge Congress: ference’s transition plan for new pro- tions of office or imposing a lesser well as seeking resources for grammatic structures and is requiring penalty, according to the Discipline. the Methodist Global Educa- the conference to submit a revision no Any effort by an annual conference tion Fund for Leadership De- later than 30 days after the council’s to modify or limit penalties intrudes velopment. Don’t cut funds for poor October 2012 session. upon the authority of the Discipline In Decision 1204, the court cited and alters legislative action by General government’s fiscal year 2012 budget, United Methodists hold B Y L INDA B LOOM several examples of how the confer- Conference, the court said. these leaders say. 250 DREAM Sabbaths United Methodist News Service Of more than 500 DREAM “Basically, what the Senate has Sabbath events held across Legislation affecting how the U.S. proposed is the flatlining of defense the country this fall in sup- addresses global poverty will be under spending and development assis- port of the congressional scrutiny as the U.S. Senate considers tance,” said the Rev. John McCullough, DREAM (Development, Relief the 2012 appropriations bill. a United Methodist pastor and top ex- & Education for Alien Mi- The bill, which was expected on ecutive of Church World Service. nors) Act, 250 were at the Senate floor in mid-November, “Any amendment that would be United Methodist churches, will affect many programs and places forthcoming would translate into a re- according to the Interfaith where United Methodists are attempt- duction . . . especially of development Immigration Coalition. Ob- ing to improve—and even save— assistance money,” he said. servances included worship people’s lives, says Mark Harrison, That, he added, would mean a loss services, prayer meetings United Methodist General Board of of “the basics” for the world’s poor— and conferences; many of Church and Society. food and water assistance, shelter, the events featured undocu- “If you’re concerned about malaria medical care and educational support. mented young people as funding, if you’re concerned about Up for approval is Fiscal Year 2012 speakers. The legislation HIV funding, this is the bill you need Appropriations for the Department of would provide some undocu- to be spending time with,” he said. State, Foreign Operations and Related mented immigrant students During the past year, religious Programs, which funds many of the the opportunity to earn legal leaders have been speaking out about U.S. programs that assist families in status if they came to the how changes to the U.S. budget for some of the world’s poorest countries. United States as children, are long-term U.S. residents, 2011 and 2012 could negatively affect Jim Winkler, top executive of the have good moral character the poor. Board of Church and Society, is urging and complete two years of Now, for the first time, poverty-fo- church members to call their members college or military service. cused development assistance for of Congress to “support the highest other nations is competing directly possible spending figure for poverty- —Compiled by Bill Fentum with military spending in the U.S. related assistance internationally.”

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | N OVEMBER 18, 2011 upononce churcha

ABOVE: The abandoned Hurricane Lake Lutheran Church, in Pierce County, N.D., has been a frequent photography subject for the Rev. Rick Craig. LEFT: Klara Lutheran Church ceased to have regular worship in 1997, according to Mr. Craig’s best information. The PHOTOS BY RICK CRAIG building is on the North Dakota prairie, in Benson County. North Dakota pastor uses camera to document faded sanctuaries As time from pastoral work per- from managing editor Sam Hodges. Do you have any particular that I photograph them, I know that at in our rural areas. Market pressures mits, the Rev. Rick Craig rambles strategy, or do you just get in the some time in the past, these now and advances in agricultural technol- around North Dakota with his cam- How did you get started taking car and ramble? weather-worn structures were built at ogy mean that more acres can and era, and his beautiful, often haunting photographs of old churches? On occasion I will notice some- considerable cost to their congrega- must be farmed by fewer people. The images of old, inactive churches have I have always been interested in thing that catches my interest while I tions. For many years these churches once numerous small family farms won him a following on flickr, the “old” things such as old farm machin- am driving from one place to another, were the hub of their respective rural have given way to fewer and larger photography website. ery, old farmsteads, old rural schools, and if time allows, I will make a de- communities, and so many of the farms. The advances in technology Mr. Craig, 55, is a licensed local and old churches, and I have also long tour to take photos. At other times, I events that people and families hold that enable more acres to be farmed pastor who felt a call to ministry after been interested in photography, so it will intentionally explore certain dear took place in these churches. by fewer people mean that fewer em- many years in the construction indus- didn’t take too long to bring those two areas. I am able to buy detailed maps After the churches stop holding regu- ployment opportunities exist in our try. He and his wife, Cindy, have three interests together into one hobby. of the area where I live that show lar worship services, they slowly begin rural areas. children and two grandchildren. He Once digital cameras became avail- where every road (paved, gravel, and to decline, and one by one they disap- As young people mature, they go currently serves UM churches in able at reasonable cost, I found that I prairie trail) exists as well as the loca- pear. Some are burned down, others (as they must) to where employment Cando, Rolla and Rock Lake, N.D. could visit and photograph the things tion of every structure both occupied are torn down, many are moved to dif- opportunities can be found, and as He answered questions by email that interest me to my heart’s content. and unoccupied. I have found these ferent places and “recycled” to serve as more people leave our rural areas, maps to be quite helpful in finding storage sheds or granaries. Once their even fewer jobs are left behind. As the and photographing old churches. people leave, they no longer have any- population moves into urban areas, one to take notice of their existence. I our small rural churches close, one Is this something you do on your try to keep at least a memory of them after the other, due to a lack of people day off? in my photos. who can support them. While I do take the occasional photograph in the course of my trav- Do these abandoned churches say Does photographing an old church els around the rural parishes that I something in particular about the tend to give you particular serve, the bulk of my photos are ac- history of the Dakotas frontier? emotions? If so, what are they? quired on the “photo safaris” that I The abandoned churches speak The old churches never fail to give take on my days off. With the aid of volumes about the history of the me a sense of respect for the sacrifices the maps that I have, I will plan a Dakotas frontier. Their very existence that were made to build and then route, load my dog or dogs into my ve- says that the people who came to the maintain them for so many years. I hicle, and drive out to see what we can prairies with dreams of a better life look at the old churches that I find explore. were people of faith. The lives of these and wonder as to how many babies early settlers were far from easy, yet were baptized there, how many people The photos here are of inactive they managed to give the money and were married there, how many people churches. Are you drawn to those, labor required to build so many gathered there to help each other in and if so, why? houses of worship. The fact that so their walks in faith, and how the PHOTO BY CINDY CRAIG I am drawn to the inactive many of these rural churches are now church acted as a gathering place in The Rev. Rick Craig prefers the company of his dogs Stumpy Jack churches. Although they often look empty or gone completely also speaks good times as well as difficult times. (left) and Gwendolyn when going on a “photo safari.” quite a bit worse for wear by the time to the changes that have taken place As much as I like to photograph old

4 B | N OVEMBER 18, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER ABOVE: Frieden Lutheran Church in Emmons County, N.D., was built in 1919 and closed as a regular house of worship in the 1950s, becoming a storage shed. LEFT: Ebenezer Evangelical United Brethren in McIntosh County, N.D., closed many years ago and was moved to a nearby farmstead.

ABOVE: Linton Methodist Church in Linton, N.D., was sold in the 1960s after the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist congregations merged. It was turned into a house, which still stands. LEFT: The long-closed St. The former Mylo Lutheran Church, in Mylo, N.D. “I can still hear John’s Lutheran the choir singing,” said one commenter on this photo, part of a Church is in collection of the Rev. Rick Craig’s work that is posted to flickr. Arena, N.D. churches, seeing them empty and de- Keep the ones you like, and toss the dolyn, and she is now learning the caying always makes me sad. I mourn rest.Don’t be afraid to try new things. “photo safari routine” from Stumpy. I the loss of community that is pro- I continually experiment with differ- take the dogs with me whenever I can. vided by a worshipping congregation. ent camera settings and perspectives. The only times that I don’t take them Whenever possible, I will time my on photo safaris are when weather or For our photographer readers, what visit so as to get sunlight on my sub- site conditions would be too much for kind of camera do you use, and are ject at the angle I think best for a good them. there any tips you would share for photo. We can do wonderful things those wanting to get effective pho- with photo processing software, but Do your parishioners and pastor tos of old buildings like this? there is no substitute for the light that colleagues know about your hobby? I have used a variety of cameras in God provides. I make no secret of my photo- my hobby. After wearing out a couple graphic hobby, and my clergy col- of “point and shoot” cameras I now Do you always take your dogs leagues and parishioners have been use a Nikon D 60 DSLR most fre- when you go off photographing? very supportive. My parishioners are quently paired with a Tamron 18- We have two dogs. Our oldest, a used to seeing my vehicle stopped 250mm lens. Westie/Corgi mix is named “Stumpy alongside rural roads, and do not As far as photographic tips are Jack.” Stumpy has been my compan- worry so long as the hood is not concerned, the old adage “practice, ion on photo safaris for many, many raised. They know I’m taking a photo practice, practice” certainly holds true years. Stumpy knows the “signs” of a of something. in photography. Digital photography pending photo safari. If Stumpy sees enables me to take lots of pictures (I me putting on boots, or loading maps The Rev. Rick Craig can be shoot around 10,000 images per year). and a camera bag into a vehicle, he be- reached at [email protected]. I keep the ones that I like, and simply comes very excited because he loves to To see more of his photos of churches and other subjects, delete the others. Take multiple shots go with me. We recently got a Corgi go to http://www.flickr.com/ from different positions and angles. puppy that we have named Gwen- photos/imrickndakota/.

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | N OVEMBER 18, 2011 | 5B 6B FAITH forum GEN-X RISING Together on a journey On stewardship and Dracula’s cape from darkness to light someone pays 2 MILLION DOLLARS for yourself or your children. And walking toward my friend in the dark. B Y A NDREW C. THOMPSON for a Dracula cape. Such a precedent then, give all you can, or in other B Y A LYCE MC K ENZIE When my friend appears, we will UMR Columnist Special Contributor can only lead to cultural catastrophe. words, give all you have to God.” walk together as the light dawns. Bela Lugosi’s Count Dracula cape As I said, for Christians this kind For those living in a consumer cul- As a recovering workaholic I’m God is the ultimate reliable friend is going up for auction. Expected of thing gives us a great opportunity ture, these words might strike us as trying to schedule more spontaneous, and walking companion. I believe price: $2 million. to talk about our stewardship. The fig- extreme. And to his credit I think Wes- leisure activities into my week. that God is always walking toward I heard this remarkable bit of in- ure of John Wesley himself looms ley realized that his pastoral counsel I know the irony. Scheduled spon- me. I believe that every time I pray, it formation driving to work a few days large in any conversation about stew- would be difficult for many to receive taneity. is because the Holy Spirit has been ago. A Reuters news release later con- ardship for Methodist folk. in his own day. Anyway, a friend and I had talked praying in me. I believe that, every firmed the blurb on If Wesley has a contribution to “It is no small thing,” Wesley cau- about walking a couple times a week time I think I’m the morning radio. make to that conversation, it is clearly tions in another sermon, “to lay out now that the relentlessly oppressive reaching out to God, The cape worn by in grappling with the point that the for God all which you have received summer heat in Texas has given way inviting God into my the vampire from way we use our wealth is a moral exer- from God.” It requires “more than ever to autumnal coolness. She, by her life, I’m actually Transylvania in the cise. you had by nature, but not more than own admission, is a recovering rsvp-ing to God’s 1931 film, Dracula, Wesley insists that there is a right you may have by grace.” workaholic too. prior invitation to will be auctioned off and a wrong way to use the material We live in a fairly frivolous time. The only time we could come up me. next month as part things. This is so because they don’t Our economy encourages our ap- with to walk was 6 a.m. on Thursdays. “Good morning, of an “Icons of Holly- ultimately belong to us. He explains petites for all sorts of things. The no- This past Thursday morning I woke Alyce.” There she wood” sale organ- Andrew this as the meaning of stewardship in tion that we should spend our money up at 3:27 a.m., 4:19 a.m., and 5:41 was right before me. Alyce ized by the Thompson a sermon entitled “The Use of on something other than our own a.m., apparently anxious about over- She’d been walking McKenzie auctioneer, Profiles Money”: comfort and luxury—and even more, sleeping. We live on the same street so on the other side of in History. “[W]hen the possessor of heaven that we have a moral obligation to do agreed to each start walking toward the street and suddenly, crossing it, Lugosi was actually buried in his and earth brought you into being and so—will strike many as offensive. the other’s house at 6 a.m. I had for- seemed to materialize in front of me. Dracula costume when he died in placed you in this world, he placed I think Christians should rather gotten that it would be dark and that She hadn’t forgotten. She hadn’t over- 1956. Buried in it except for the cape, you here not as a proprietor, but a think that the truly offensive act is it was a day and time when, despite slept. that is, which remained in the posses- our water rationing, it was OK for We’ve walked one time so far, so sion of his family. people to run their sprinklers. we’ll see if it becomes a weekly ritual. Now it’s for sale. And the auction- ‘Wesley’s point is that the use of all I walked down the dark street, I hope it does. Because I need that eer believes that somebody, some- eyes on the lookout for my friend weekly reminder that the life of faith where is prepared to pay 2 million goods should have as its guiding Jeanie coming toward me. Was that is walking in the dark toward a friend dollars for it. her? No, that was a hefty man in a yel- who is, at the same time, walking to- For Christians, the story about Lu- motivation the response to God’s gift low bathrobe saving his newspaper ward us. And then walking with that gosi’s cape raises all kinds of ques- from being soaked by the sprinklers. friend as the darkness turns to day- tions about stewardship. But more on of salvation.’ Was that her? No, that was a tall light. that in a minute. woman with blonde hair jogging with Beyond the metaphorical inspira- Walking up the stairs to my office steward. As such he entrusted you for that we often spend our treasure on her cocker spaniel. tion, I need that weekly walk because the same morning that I heard about a season with goods of various kinds. absurdities when there are so many I walked for quite a while and I need to walk and talk with my the Dracula cape on the radio, I found But the sole property of these still churches, schools, hospitals and mis- began to wonder: Is she coming? Did friend along a dark street, sprinklers myself preoccupied. I kept turning rests with him, nor can ever be alien- sion projects in need of vital re- she oversleep? spritzing our ankles with fine mist as over in my mind the astonishing ated from him. As you yourself are sources. So far, no sign of my slight, darkness turns to dawn. prospect of someone actually forking not your own, but his, such likewise is It’s not just that an item like Bela brown-haired friend. I thought to my- over $2 million for an 80-year-old all you enjoy. . . . And he has told you Lugosi’s cape seems silly. It’s the sheer self, this is like our life of faith. We’re The Rev. McKenzie is the Levan Professor of Preaching and Hollywood costume prop. in the most clear and express terms lack of creativity involved in the pur- walking in the dark looking for a Worship and the Altshuler “Can you imagine what you might how you are to employ it for him, in chase that boggles the mind, the friend who is, we hope, in that same Distinguished Teaching Professor do with $2 million OTHER than buy a such a manner that it may be all an pedestrian nature of spending $2 mil- moment, walking toward us. I’m at Perkins School of Theology. Dracula cape?” I kept asking myself. holy sacrifice, acceptable through lion on a piece of kitsch. The whole thing made me trot out Christ Jesus.” It isn’t true that all wealth is a zero a little mental game I sometimes play Wesley’s point is that the use of all sum game, where a dollar spent here with myself. Goes like this: Hundreds goods should have as its guiding mo- robs the poor over there of their daily of years from now, our civilization is tivation the response to God’s gift of bread. But it is true that the steward- likely to be gone. If another civiliza- salvation. The formula that Wesley ship of one’s wealth takes a certain tion takes our place, then those people uses for this process is gain all you kind of virtue. (Wesley identified that will eventually ask themselves the can, save all you can and give all you virtue as Christian prudence.) question of what caused our downfall. can. Not that the person who plans on In my little game, I like to imagine His explanation of the three terms doing such a thing would care. what our future selves will think was is instructive. Wesley goes on: So God bless him. And if he needs the culprit. Was it the creation of cable “Gain all you can, without hurting something to go with that cape, he’s in television and the Internet, which are either yourself or your neighbour, in luck. slowly turning us into techno-zom- soul or body, by applying hereto with Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The bies? Or could it have been that point unintermitted diligence, and with all Wizard of Oz are going up for auction sometime in the last few decades the understanding which God has next month, too. when news media and politicians given you. Save all you can, by cutting stopped referring to us as “citizens” off every expense which serves only to The Rev. Thompson is an instructor and started calling us “consumers”? indulge foolish desire, to gratify either in historical theology & Wesleyan studies at Memphis Theological Now I’ve got a new candidate for the desire of the flesh, the desire of the © 2011 DESIGN PICS Seminary. Reach him at Official Marker of Cultural Decline. It eye, or the pride of life. Waste nothing, athompson@Memphis “The life of faith is walking in the dark toward a friend who is, at might just end up being the day that living or dying, on sin or folly, whether Seminary.edu. the same time, walking toward us,” says the Rev. Alyce McKenzie.

N OVEMBER 18, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH forum 7B REFLECTIONS Tip for church marketing: Looking deeper, when Focus on clarity, not spin In these bleak days, she says, when a tions, we Methodists love our three- B Y JAMES HOWELL “dark night of the soul has descended fold chime, “Open hearts. Open Special Contributor it’s hard to give thanks upon the church,” we need to look to minds. Open doors.”—but I’d wager I’d be content if the postal service the “wisdom of the great spiritual gi- most of us question whether we suc- And I also think of those for whom delivered mail less frequently. Like ants.” The church is in “the kind of ceed consistently on even two out of B Y B ISHOP WOODIE W. W HITE offering Thanksgiving prayers will be everyone else, mostly I get junky, im- trouble that requires leadership from three. How can we be clear about who UMR Columnist difficult. For so many there will be no personal ads—no matter how snazzy those who are holy.” we are? Clarity about reality is achiev- During my seminary days, I had a table around which to gather. For oth- some marketer has tried to make the Is there such a thing as holy mar- able, possibly holy, and might not lure wonderful summer ministry experi- ers there will be no one to gather mailing. Some are from churches, and keting, or is marketing inherently un- in as many consumer-minded spiri- ence, which brought together about 25 around the table. Or there will be an some are from marketers who pledge holy? The essence of marketing is the tual shoppers. students from different countries. We empty chair as a painful reminder of to give my church the edge over oth- technique of persuasion—and while The second objective would be ex- lived together in smaller groups in the absence of one so loved who sat ers. How? By sending more junk mail? we are in the persuasion business, we cellence. So many bulletins and rented apartments in Cleveland, Ohio. there last Thanksgiving. How do we “market” the church? always tip-toe perilously near the edge newsletters, so many carelessly draped We were each as- There are those who have hit upon Or should we refrain of “spin.” Harry Frankfurt of Prince- banners in churchyards, so many signed to a ministry hard times. Everything in their lives from marketing? The ton wrote an enormously important print pieces or YouTube videos are in various parts of seems to have fallen apart, and they newspaper wants us little book on the topic, in which he kitschy, not well-done, full of mis- the city. simply do not feel there is much for to pay for spreads, analyzes this overwhelmingly domi- spelled words, or with weeds growing Each evening we which to be thankful. Then there are but we decline, per- nant mode of communication in our around the “Welcome” sign. Can’t we discussed our expe- those for whom a spirit of thanksgiv- haps because we era. The essence of spin, Dr. Frankfurt do whatever we do with excellence, as riences, observations ing left long ago. suspect this will be argues, isn’t lies or truth, but rather if we take a little pride in who we are and learnings. Our I sometimes think about how easy ineffective, or per- the determination of the “spinner” to and in who God is? Granted, our am- mentors directed us Bishop it is to be thankful, even faithful, when haps because it feels James say whatever must be said to talk the bition for excellence can easily morph as we reflected on one’s cup runs over. When the table is too gimmicky. In “spinnee” into something. Church into spin, but excellence can be holy, Woodie Howell what we had seen full and there is more—much traffic I find myself marketing stands a solid chance of too; there is an excellence about holi- and experienced. White more—than needed. When all the behind cars with slipping into spin. So do we not mar- ness, right? Those discussions children have done well and life is bumper stickers for well-marketed ket? Or risk the danger of spin as a I want to reach people. But I want answered our many questions and in abundant. churches, but I’m never comfortable means to some hopefully greater to be holy. I despise spin. But I can be turn raised more. That summer is still I suppose it is easy to sing songs of with “pitches.” Is my uneasiness just good? clear: Come here and we will maybe etched indelibly in my storehouse of thanksgiving when a church is full aesthetic, not wishing to be thought of Our church doesn’t advertise, or at try to love you, and we will talk about a memories. and the community around it re- as too bawdy, not risking the fact that least not much. We count on word of God who will ask you to sacrifice a Five young adults living in the sponds to every invitation and new we don’t have anything all that “hip” to mouth, of course, but we are especially whole lot. I can strive for excellence, same apartment made for interesting outreach effort. sell? Is my wariness more theological attentive to whatever we do in public cut the weeds, spell words correctly interaction. It was a time of both It is important, indeed expected, to in nature? Or rooted in some delicate and whatever we put into print. What and suggest by our attention to detail growing and learning, and some days give thanks to God for all of life. To do holiness? is the message we push out into the that what we do, we do for God. We’ll were more challenging than others. I love Elaine Heath’s Mystic Way of community? How do we market our- try to be holy; we aren’t just going to One experience stands out. Evangelism, where she points out that selves to ourselves? These are the pile additional junk into your mailbox. At mealtime, we each took turns at ‘. . . How easy it we have tried banners, bands, upbeat basic questions we ask. offering a prayer of thanks. With one programs, buses, special music events; I think we hope for two objectives The Rev. Howell is senior pastor exception. One fellow refused to offer is to be thankful we’ve had worship wars, denomina- that matter—and might even be holy. of Myers Park United Methodist Grace. Ever! It led to considerable dis- tional strategies, marketing programs One is clarity. Whatever we say Church in Charlotte, N.C. . . . when one’s This was first published in cussion that seemed to go on most of and direct-mail, but these leave us about our church must be true about Faith & Leadership the summer. His rationale was simple: “grief-stricken at our own impotence.” our church. As Melissa Wiginton men- (www.faithandleadership.com). He could not offer thanks when so cup runs over.’ many people had nothing to eat. None CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING of our arguments deterred him from less is a sign of ingratitude. But for so this strongly held position. I guess, many, they must look deeper into life EMPLOYMENT MISCELLANEOUS sometimes it is difficult to give to see evidence of “blessings” for thanks! which to give thanks. Such blessings FREELANCE PRINT SALES AGENT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN VERSION During this Thanksgiving season, cannot be measured in the abundance UMR Communications, parent company of the Readership is approximately 200,000 readers each OF THE UNITED METHODIST PORTAL! United Methodist Reporter and UMPortal.org, seeks week. Rates are per word or group of figures or ini- News from your local church, stories from the families and friends will gather for of things alone. a freelance print sales agent from the greater Dal- tials (20 word minimum) Newspaper Only—$3.00 award-winning staff of the United Methodist festive traditions. Worship services My wife recently had cataract sur- las/Fort Worth area to sell for both our web news- per word, two consecutive weeks. Newspaper/In- Reporter, real-time information from Yahoo! News will take place reminding the commu- gery. As we returned from the hospi- paper press and our iGen3 digital press. Our ternet Bundle—$4.00 per word includes two con- and Google—all in one home page. Visit nity of blessings remembered and tal, she could not stop commenting on customers are churches, faith-based organizations, secutive weeks in print and one month on Internet www.umportal.org and see how easy it is to have a even those forgotten. how blue was the sky, how bright the educational institutions and other not-for-profit or- (www.umportal.org). Internet Only—$1.25 per Portal page for your church. Request an online ganizations. Experience and a proven track record word for one month on www.umportal.org. E-mail demonstration to learn how easy it is to bring a A tradition in our young family sun. She saw white as white instead of in both web and digital environments are preferred. your classified ad to: [email protected] or enter it customized version of the UMPortal to your church, was for each of our children seated at gray, as she had been seeing. All day We provide a generous commission structure with online on the Classifieds page at: www.umportal.org. email: [email protected]. the table to recite in litany-like fashion she was aglow with the rediscovery of bonuses based on achieving sales goals. Send cover DISPLAY & BANNER ADVERTISING LUMICON DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS one thing for which they were thank- sight. letter and resume to [email protected] by Novem- ber 30, 2011. The United Methodist Reporter and the UMPortal offer Lumicon offers downloadable worship resources ful. I suppose there are families that I suppose there are more such advertisers the ability to target unique messages re- based on the Scriptures and rooted in current still carry out this ritual. As we gather, blessings that are taken for granted FUNDRAISERS garding products, services and employment to culture, features planning guides, graphics and it is now my grandchildren who recite and waiting to be acknowledged. Even church leaders and clergy, as well as individuals in video. Online library provides your church with as their parents once did. for those for whom giving thanks is MYSTERY DINNER FUNDRAISERS the pews. Reach thousands of Christian households, range of resources, from Scripture commentary, Raise FUNDS, have FUN, share FELLOWSHIP! Wes- agencies and organizations by advertising in UMR’s drama and visual ideas to finished images and At Thanksgiving, I often think of difficult! leyan Thespians Mystery Dinner Kits. Contact 781- products. Variety of display ad sizes and rates to fit videos. Browse the search bank by topic, lectionary my friends of more than 50 years ago. 837-6457, or [email protected] for more any budget and objective. Contact: Cherrie Graham or verse at www.lumicon.org or call toll-free 1-866- I wonder when or if the young man Retired Bishop White is the information. at 214-630-6495, x 142 or [email protected]. 586-4266 for more information. denomination’s Endorsing Agent changed his practice of not offering for Chaplain Ministries and bishop- prayers of thanksgiving for a meal, or in-residence at Candler School of SEE MORE CLASSIFIED ADS! CHECK OUT WWW.UMPORTAL.ORG perhaps other blessings as well. Theology. You can find more position listings, services, and exciting opportunities—available only on UMPortal.org.

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | N OVEMBER 18, 2011 8B FAITH focus

 FEAST Continued from page 1B

Program at Perkins School of Theology, Church of the Brethren, the Moravian part of Southern Methodist University. Church, and the United Methodist Early Christians celebrated Love Church, Mr. Stutzman said. Feasts in homes, enjoying a simple While the Love Feast wasn’t men- meal together followed by commun- tioned in the 1944 edition of the ion. By the third or fourth century, Methodist Book of Worship for Church some Love Feasts were celebrated as and Home, an order of service for Love communal, charitable meals which Feasts did appear in the 1964 edition. served meat—a rare treat for the The current Book of Worship, pub- poor. By the time Christianity became lished in 1992, outlines a Love Feast in the official religion of the Roman Em- the section on “Occasional Services,” pire, the practice of the Love Feast appropriate for annual conferences began to fade in the Western church, and charge conferences, as part of according to Mr. Stutzman. Covenant Discipleship groups or con- The modern history of the Love gregational suppers, or as special wor- Feast dates to the 18th century, when ship during Christmas, Holy Week or the Moravians in Germany introduced Pentecost. a service of sharing food, prayer, reli- “The Love Feast, or Agape Meal, is gious conversation and hymns. In a Christian fellowship meal recalling 1737, John Wesley experienced a Love the meals Jesus shared with disciples Feast while worshipping with Mora- during his ministry and expressing PHOTO BY MARK BAILEY PHOTO BY DONALD MYRACLE vians in Savannah, Ga. the koinonia (community, sharing, fel- LEFT: Young women, dressed in the traditional caps and aprons, prepare to serve at the annual “After evening prayers, we joined lowship) enjoyed by the family of Moravian Love Feast service, held on Christmas Eve at First United Methodist in Brevard, N.C. with the Germans in one of their love- Christ,” according to the Book of Wor- RIGHT: A candlelit procession closes the service. feasts,” he wrote in his diary. “It was ship. Testimonies and praise are usu- begun and ended with thanksgiving ally the focal point. the Book of Worship’s format, it does “The Love Feast is a good way to bors in the Moravian church, who and prayer, and celebrated in so de- echo a traditional Love Feast theme: of talk about how God wants everyone to gifted the church with a Moravian star cent and solemn a manner as a Chris- Communal meal sharing with those in need. Zion never be at his table,” she said. “We’ve been to hang in the sanctuary. Edenton tian of the apostolic age would have For the Rev. Russ Whaley, the Love accepts money for the meal, even from fed, we’ve been invited; now we need Street’s celebration has most of the fea- allowed to be worthy of Christ.” Feast means opening the doors of his those who offer. to go out and invite others.” tures of the Love Feast at Brevard Dr. Hawn notes that the Moravians church, Zion UMC in Grand Forks, “It’s a completely free meal with no UMC—the special yeast buns, the were an oppressed people, with the N.D., to everyone in the community strings whatsoever,” said Mr. Whaley. Christmas tradition beeswax candles with the red paper earliest Love Feasts taking place on for a communal meal. The church has “The whole idea is to express the Both of these variations fit the skirts, and the caps and aprons worn the estate of Count Zinzendorf, where been holding monthly meals, called grace and the love of Christ—which is concept of the Love Feast, because it’s by the dieners (servers in German). Moravians had fled for protection. Love Feasts, free of charge, to anyone freely given. You can’t attach a price to a very flexible form, according to Dr. Edenton Street’s Love Feast takes Thus, the Love Feast “was not just for who shows up, for the past 10 years. it.” Hawn, and because both echo the place on the first Sunday of Advent, nourishment, but a symbol of their Other churches in town pitch in by For the Rev. Donna Ware, pastor of theme of sharing God’s abundance be- and year after year, always draws a big being bound together in Christ’s love,” providing food; each monthly meal First UMC in Hillsboro, Texas, the yond the church’s walls. crowd. said Dr. Hawn. “It’s the idea of unitas typically draws around 200 people. Love Feast was an experiment—a But for most United Methodists in “For us, it’s a way to start the fratrum—the unity of the brethren. “Feeding the body is almost sec- simple meal of donut holes, grapes North Carolina, a Love Feast will al- Christmas season,” said church mem- This meal was meant to bring unity.” ondary to what we’re doing,” said Mr. and water shared as part of a recent ways mean Christmas and the beloved ber Lewanna Stout. “It’s a family With Wesley’s blessing, the Love Whaley. “There are a lot of folks who worship service. Ms. Ware preached traditions of the Moravian celebra- event—children 3 and up are in- Feast became part of Methodist soci- come, who need the people contact on the parable of the wedding ban- tion. vited—and it’s quite beautiful. And ety meetings in England, and those and the fellowship.” quet—about how the invited guests Edenton Street UMC in Raleigh, when it’s over, I always think, ‘Now I who immigrated to North America There’s no preaching or formal didn’t show, so the king gathered folks N.C., has been celebrating a Love Feast can start my Christmas.’” quickly made Love Feasts an impor- worshipping as part of the meal, and from the streets to enjoy the sumptu- during Advent since 1988. The earliest tant part of early American Method- while this Love Feast doesn’t follow ous meal. organizers turned for help to neigh- [email protected] ism. But while Wesley’s inspiration came from the Moravian Love Feast, the practice among early Methodists SUPPORT CHURCH GROWTH AND EARN INTEREST Who is God? was quite different from the Christ- Who am I? Three Simple Questions 1-Year Term 1.5% United Methodist individuals, churches, and Who are we together? mas service that’s now popular in Life-Changing Answers 2-Year Term 2.0% agencies can invest in UMDF for as little as North Carolina. 3-Year Term 2.25% $100. The Fund’s sole purpose is to promote “For one thing, Wesley’s practice the mission of The United Methodist Church 4-Year Term 2.5% by providing first-mortgage loans to churches. was closed,” said the Rev. Taylor Bur- Above rates effective Oct. 1, 2011 ton-Edwards, director of worship re- This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation Flex Demand 1.0% to buy our securities. We will only offer and sources for the General Board of IRAs 2.5% sell our securities in states where authorized. Discipleship. “You had to bring with These are the three most basic and Above rates effective Nov. 1, 2011 All offerings are made by the Offering Circular. profound questions at the center of faith. Flex Demand and IRAs may not you a ticket from your class leader cer- be available in certain states. The Offering Circular contains a list of risk tifying that you were in good standing How we answer them will, to a large in your class meeting.” These Love degree, determine how we live and THE UNITED METHODIST Feast services focused on testi- how we die. Jesus himself faced these questions—and then he taught and monies—which was why the service lived the answers. Join this exploration DEVELOPMENT FUND was closed. in Three Simple Questions. Notes of The Fund are not factors that you should consider prior to an “Some of those testimonies were of Published by insured by the Federal Deposit investment decision. For an Offering Circular overcoming sin or struggling with sin ® Insurance Corporation (FDIC), or more information, call or write to us at Securities Investor Protection store, web, phone 475 Riverside Drive, 14th Floor, or other issues—not the sort of thing Corporation (SIPC), or any Cokesbury.com 800.672.1789 most folks would want to talk about in From Bishop Rueben P. Job, | other state or federally New York, NY 10115. a more public arena,” he said. author of the best-selling regulated institution. For an Offering Circular and application: Three Simple Rules Telephone: 1-800-862-8633 Modern variations Email: [email protected] Today, three denominations ob- Website: www.gbgm-umc.org/umdf serve the Love Feast tradition—the

N OVEMBER 18, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER