Bishop receives Virginia Council of Churches’ highest honor
Virginia United Methodist
$2.00AdvocateJune 2012
General Conference 2012
Little accomplished amidst lots of frustration From the Editor’s Desk Virginia United Methodist Advocate How to fix General Conference Vol. 180, June 2012, No. 6 Single Copy Price: $2.00 ne of my college roommates frequently uses that ______old axiom about not liking sausage “after you see “We envision faith communities how sausage is made.” I’ve returned from two where all God’s people are O weeks at General Conference, the place where a thousand welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be indecisions were launched, and there was plenty of sau- Christ to others in the world.” sage-making on display. Yuck. — Virginia______Conference Vision Statement Marc Brown said that the 2012 General Conference was like a novel: “It had a plot, lots of sub-plots and a surprise ending.” It was certainly a surreal experience for Inside This Issue Neill Caldwell most of us. So I offer five ways to fix General Conference: Editor 1. Two weeks is too long. The exhaustion Features: Make it shorter: and ill will builds daily, meaning everyone is tired and GC2012 is much ado about very crabby in week two. Legislative committees need to find a way to use mod- little 3 ern technologies like Skype to meet in the months leading up to General General Conference cannot agree Conference to work through their legislation. Then shorten the big session on a new structure 4 to a week. Guaranteed appointments go out 2. Make it younger: Shortening the gathering will also allow more young adults with a whimper 5 and youths, who have jobs and school, to participate. Ten of our 13 Virginia Gay Issues at GC2012 6-7 Conference lay delegates are retired, and while I love each of those people Delegates reject divestment 8 dearly as individuals, that’s not a happy statistic for a church that needs to be looking toward the future. The way General Conference is set up now, SU students attend GC2012 8-9 retirees are the only people who can go. Still, annual conferences need to be Lorenza Andrade Smith more purposeful in electing young people in the future. at General Conference 10 3. More discernment, less Robert’s Rules of Order: OK, I know Henry Martyn Robert Imagine No Malaria 11 created his rules after a frustrating church meeting (true story), but it’s still not a great way to run a gathering of nearly 1,000 church people. Savvy Reflections on GC2012 12-13 delegates use and manipulate Robert’s Rules to block and delay progress. What really burns my buns is that someone in the committee’s work will SectionS: make an amendment to something, they’ll spend two hours debating it, it will get voted down, and then the same person will make the exact same Virginia 16-21 amendment on the plenary floor (with the same result)! Nation & World 22-23 4. Change a flawed system: It’s great to be a global church and to have delegates Local Church news 24 from around the world, but it’s no way to legislate. The level of understand- Upcoming Events 25 ing of what was going on was very low among Central Conference delegates Living the Word 26-27 (well, among U.S. delegates too, for the most part). The solution — make the Letters & Commentary 28-29 USA its own central conference and allow each central conference to meet Clergy & Diaconal 30 separately and enact its own rules — was actually approved at the 2008 Gen- Grace Notes 31 eral Conference, but failed to get the two-thirds support needed in annual conference voting to change the church constitution. 5. We need some new faces: Sometimes people joke that their congregation will not make progress until there are “a couple of key deaths.” At General Con- ©2012 Virginia Advocate National award-winning newsmagazine ference there are a handful of delegates — I won’t name names — who have USPS 660-740 ISSN 0891-5598 Published monthly by Virginia United Methodist Communica- had control of the church in their grip for 20 years or more. Not to wish ill tions, Inc., an agency of the Virginia Annual Conference of The health on anyone, but… United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Glen Allen, Va., and at additional mailing offices. The Virginia United Method- ist Advocate is owned by Virginia United Methodist Communica- tions, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Virginia United Meth- odist Advocate, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Editorial and business offices are located at 10330 Staples Mill Rd., Glen Allen, Va. Mailing address: P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Telephone:1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; local (804) 521-1100. Fax: (804) 521-1173, E-mail:
2 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 General Conference 2012 is much ado about very little he Rev. Marc Brown, Virginia Conference director of Connectional Ministries, said on the last day of TGeneral Conference that he was “hopeful in my dis- couragement.” Brown, a member of the Virginia delegation, emphasized, “I am hopeful because I have faith in God.” No doubt, Brown spoke for many other delegates and observers in Tampa. The quadrennial meeting was filled Virginia delegates huddle to discuss possible restructuring options on the with scratch-your-head, “say-what?” moments. final day of General Conference. UMNS photo/Mike DuBose For example, eliminating guaranteed appointment Why to refer the dead proposal escaped many del- for clergy was approved, while establishing term limits on egates’ understanding. And the prospect of spending in the bishops was not — barely. The petition to set term limits vicinity of $3-5 million to hold a special General Confer- for bishops came out of committee with a 28 in favor, 25 ence appalled almost everyone. against and 9 not voting. The motion on the plenary floor The proponents of restructure fought off tabling their was rejected 463 to 462. motion, which would likely have put it aside indefinitely. Despite what could hardly be called a vote of confi- But in yet another head-scratching moment, they them- dence, the Council of Bishops nonetheless aggressively selves agreed to table their motion so the plenary could pursued establishing a “set-aside” bishop who would serve consider a series of petitions from the denomination’s gen- as its full-time president in addition to other duties estab- eral agencies that offered to reduce the number of mem- lished by at least one restructure plan. The motion to have bers on their boards of directors. These were approved, and a full-time set-aside bishop was defeated 490-399. the presiding bishop called for adjournment. Speaking of restructure, three plans were put forth. All A delegate jumped to his feet to point out that the mo- were defeated in committee. A fourth, developed by pro- tion to refer “Plan UMC” was still on the table. It needed ponents of two of them, somehow made it to the plenary to be removed so it could be referred. The plenary voted to floor for consideration. The 88-member General Adminis- leave it on the table and adjourned. tration legislative committee could not in three days come The seeds of this farcical end to General Conference up with an acceptable restructure plan to present to the were perhaps planted earlier in two incidents. plenary for consideration (see committee member Marc The Rev. Adam Hamilton, a delegate from Kansas and Brown’s related story, pg. 4). But the negotiated proposal, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, was an out- known as “Plan UMC,” sailed through the full plenary — spoken advocate of restructure. He was a member of the nearly 1,000 delegates — in just two hours. Interim Operating Team of the Connectional Table that Ultimately, the nine-member Judicial Council unani- had proposed one of the restructure plans. mously declared “Plan UMC” “constitutionally unsalvage- In a meeting with young adults to discuss restructure, able.” In its decision, the council pointed out that “the he reportedly avoided answering questions about details adoption of ‘Plan UMC’ by the General Conference came of restructuring by responding that he was more attuned through a tortured course and outside of the established to the vision than to the details of restructure. It was the legislative processes. At the request of the General Confer- details that doomed restructure, though. ence, the Judicial Council reviewed the plan to determine Most disconcerting — and probably the defining mo- whether any part, portion or all of ‘Plan UMC’ can be ment for the 2012 General Conference — was a vote on saved.” The council concluded that “it cannot.” including the words “God’s grace is available to all” in the Proponents of restructure disregarded this assessment preamble to the church’s Social Principles. Adding the and asked the plenary as General Conference began its fi- words was approved 532 to 414 (56% to 44%). Does that nal session to refer “Plan UMC” to the Connectional Table mean 44 percent of delegates to General Conference do not and Council of Bishops to perfect. They also suggested call- believe God’s grace is available to all? ing a special General Conference before 2016 to consider -Wayne Rhodes is director of Communications for the whatever the bishops and Connectional Table perfected. General Board of Church & Society
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 3 General Conference fails to come away with new restructure plan for the church
he 32nd chapter of Genesis tells plans – six Central Conference delegates and three racial/ the story of Jacob wrestling with ethnic members from the United States. As a group, the TGod throughout the night by the General Administration committee members could not agree Jabbok River. In this story of calling, by majority vote on any of the plans that were presented. Jacob becomes Israel as God refuses to An alternate “Plan UMC” was presented by a second- let go of Jacob as morning dawns. The ary group to the plenary of the General Conference. With story concludes with Jacob crossing amendments, this plan was approved along with a request the Jabbok into a new day with a new for a Judicial Council ruling on whether the restructuring identity. by the Rev. plan was in accordance with the constitutional provisions I had the privilege of sitting, along Marc Brown of the Book of Discipline. In the late afternoon of the final with Ron Hardman, on the General day of General Conference, the Judicial Council announced Administration Legislative Committee at the 2012 Gen- that “Plan UMC” was in conflict with the Book of Disci- eral Conference. This committee had the responsibility for pline. In response, the plenary approved the downsizing of considering disciplinary concerns related to the structure of boards and agencies as recommended by General Adminis- General Church boards and agencies. Advance preparation tration committee. Delegates shrank agency boards by 266 for this legislative committee was printed in the Advance members, cutting the number of board members for the 13 Daily Christian Advocate. Included in these pages were agencies nearly in half. 97 petitions related to the Book of Discipline, eight non- As I sat through the final session and thought about the disciplinary petitions, and two plans for restructuring the struggle between the various restructuring plans, I reflected functioning ministry of The United Methodist Church. In ad- on Jacob by the Jabbok River and came to two conclusions: dition, another proposed restructuring plan was presented 1) God is refusing to let go of The United Method- to the committee. All three plans were concerned with align- ist Church in spite of our differences of opinion on ing the resources of our global denomination so we might restructuring and other matters of faith and witness. fulfill our stated mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Each had a different 2) God is calling The United Methodist Church into area of emphasis for the fulfillment of this mission. a new identity as a global denomination as we Over the course of 21 hours, the committee dealt with struggle to understand how we shall fulfill the Great these various pieces of legislation by dividing into three sub- Commission of Matthew 28:16-18. committees. Ron and I were on the subcommittee that dealt I am not sure how our story will conclude, but I am with the restructuring requests of boards and agencies. The certain of this: God is with us as we travel into the dawning last two and a half hours of the total committee’s time was of a new day. spent in review of a compromise restructure plan that was -The Rev. Marc Brown is the Virginia Conference director of the result of nine persons representing the three proposal Connectional Ministries
4 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 Guaranteed appointments go out with a whimper any delegates were surprised and even shocked “Although I knew it was coming, I’m shocked at how by how quickly a far-reaching proposal that takes fast it just passed right by in front of us,” said the Rev. Maway the security of guaranteed appointments for Gloria Kim, pastor of Marysville (Wash.) UMC and delegate ordained elders breezed by General Conference. of the Pacific Northwest Conference. She said she is “griev- The item was approved as part of a large number of ing” the loss of United Methodist heritage this petition proposals in the assembly’s consent calendar, a tool used brings. by General Conference to expedite legislation wherein rec- “I am a true disciple of Jesus Christ, I am United ommendations from legislative committees with no more Methodist and I am an effective clergy,” she said. However, than 10 negative votes are grouped and approved together. as a woman from an ethnic minority, she has experienced There was a motion to reconsider the item but that motion discrimination. failed by a vote of 564 to 373. The Rev. Vance Under this new legislation, bishops and cabinets will Ross, pastor of “Although I knew be allowed to give elders less than fulltime appointment. Gordon Memorial The legislation also would permit bishops and their cabi- UMC, Nashville, it was coming, I’m nets, with the approval of their boards of ordained ministry Tenn., said guaran- and annual conference’s executive session, to put elders on teed appointments shocked at how fast unpaid transitional leave for up to 24 months. Clergy on have been critical transitional leave would be able to participate in their con- to discouraging cul- it just passed right ference health program through their own contributions. tural bigotry. “We Under the legislation, each annual conference is asked have put something by in front of us.” to name a task force to develop a list of criteria to guide in place that allows the cabinets and bishops as they make missional appoint- an awful amount of ments. opportunity to move in ways that are not part of the diverse The cabinets shall report to the executive commit- and inclusive values that we get from Jesus of Nazareth.” tees of Board of Ordained Ministry the number of clergy Security of appointment was established in 1956 to without fulltime appointments and their age, gender and protect women clergy and, later, clergy of color. ethnicity. Cabinets also will be asked to report their learn- In the United States, one in three churches has fewer ings as appointment-making is conducted in a new way. than 40 in worship on Sunday, said the Rev. Ken Carter, Earlier the assembly voted down a proposal that would chair of the Western North Carolina delegation and co- have allowed elders and deacons to be eligible for ordina- author of the ministry study report. “What we have done tion as soon as they complete their educational require- is to displace local pastors often in poor and marginalized ments and after serving a minimum of two years as a areas or created charges that are sometimes artificial and provisional elder or deacon. not helpful to the local churches to try to provide employ- The commission stated security of appointments for ment for elders,” he said. “They have continued despite elders has been a major stumbling block for missional ap- ineffectiveness and this has done harm to local churches.” pointments. -Kathy Gilbert, United Methodist News Service
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 5 Church cannot even agree to disagree
he United Methodist Church cannot agree that it disagrees over the issue of homosexuality. After Tmore than an an hour of passionate debate and clear disagreement, two items stating Christians have different opinions about homosexuality were not approved by the 2012 General Conference, leaving the original language in the Book of Discipline intact. Paragraph 161F states: “The United Methodist Church Leaders canceled votes on does not condone the practice of homosexuality and con- siders this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” homosexuality issues The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Method- ist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., and the nited Methodists concluded General Conference Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg Church, Tipp May 4 without voting on gay clergy or same-sex mar- City, Ohio, proposed a substitution to 161F that sought to riage, a surprising end to a disappointing week for U clarify that United Methodists disagree on whether homo- gay activists. On Thursday, the nearly 1,000 delegates soundly re- sexual practice is contrary to the will of God and urged jected two motions that would have amended The United unity over division and respect for co-existence. Their Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline, which calls the prac- substitution replaced the last paragraph of a petition sub- tice of homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teach- mitted by the Global Convocation of Young People after its ing.” After those votes, protesters flooded the convention 2010 conference. floor, briefly shutting down the conference. Conference planners, evangelical leaders and gay and “Though we cannot think alike, lesbian advocates met later and determined that there was little use in holding additional contentious debates on ho- may we not love alike? May we not mosexuality, according to several sources. Proposals to or- dain gay clergy and bless same-sex unions held little chance be of one heart, though we are not of passing, the parties agreed, so they would not be debated. of one opinion? Without all doubt, “Leaders of the demonstration were told that the leg- islation was postponed to avoid more harm to LGBT (Les- we may.” JOHN WESLEY bian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) people and their supporters,” the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. “The United Hamilton reminded delegates to the 2012 United Methodist Church had an opportunity to offer love, grace, Methodist General Conference that John Wesley once said, and hope,” the coalition said. “Sadly, we did not take that op- “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May portunity.” we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? The UMC’s policy remains that ministers cannot marry Without all doubt, we may.” same-sex couples and churches cannot host same-sex wed- dings. Clergy in same-sex relationships are likewise banned. As discussion on the petition began, many who sup- Leading up to General Conference, gay advocates had port including lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender argued that momentum favored their cause. About 1,200 people quietly stood outside the bar of the plenary floor United Methodists clergy have agreed to break church rules praying, holding hands and signs. Throughout the days and marry same-sex couples, surveys show young Christians leading up to the legislation, members of coalitions seek- favor expanding gay rights and other mainline Protestant ing equality and inclusion for all had been protesting and denominations have adopted gay-friendly policies in recent praying for change. After the vote to keep the original years. But the UMC, which is the largest mainline Protestant wording in the Discipline, they moved to the altar singing denomination in the country, is shrinking in the U.S. while “Let us Break Bread Together.” growing in Africa and Asia, where very conservative views “Many feel we need to take a strong stand against on homosexuality predominate. The conservative Institute on Religion & Democracy homosexuality,” said the Rev. James Howell, of the Western credited African delegates for upholding UMC’s “incompat- North Carolina Conference “What matters is God’s will. We ible” stance on homosexuality. “Delegates from Africa, com- have said for a long time we do not condone homosexual- prising about 30 percent of the total, were decisive in votes ity, but they are here, they are in our delegations, they are ... on wording that sought to soften the church’s position.”. serving our churches. They keep coming back … there is a -Daniel Burke, Religion News Service 6 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 Church cannot even agree to disagree
kind of miracle in that.” The Rev. Maxie Dunham of the Kentucky Conference spoke against the substitution saying, “It leaves out good teaching.” There is no reason at all to state we disagree, because we disagree about almost everything, he said. Slaughter said agreeing to disagree was necessary because there are people within his church and others that do disagree. “At Ginghamsburg, we have Christ-centered, Bible-believing Christians who are against this and for this and somehow it is working when we agree to disagree. … It’s making one heaven of a difference in Dayton, Ohio, and in places as far as Darfur, Sudan.” Love and hate on full Ralph Williams, a lay delegate from the Baltimore- Washington Conference, said some of the lesbian, gay, display in Tampa bisexual and transgender Christians attending this confer- he notorious Westboro Baptist Church came to The ence “have been told they should be stoned, that this is United Methodist Church’s worldwide assembly on what the Bible prescribes for our sin.” Tthe last day of their two-week meeting with a mes- When asked the intention behind the substitution, sage: “God Hates the Methodist Church.” Hamilton replied it would not change the church’s stance The Rev. Troy Plummer and other pastors and lay mem- on same-sex marriage or ordination of gay clergy. bers of The United Methodist Church formed a human shield The discussion around the petition also included in front of the Westboro demonstrators. Westboro posi- debate about whether homosexuality is incompatible with tioned themselves outside a white tent where the Love Your Neighbor Common Witness Coalition held daily lunches in Christian teaching. support of full inclusion of everyone in the church. Kashal Kabung, South-West Katanga Conference, said Inside the tent they were signing “Draw the Circle Wide,” he did not believe homosexuality was created by God. “The while outside the visitors sang their own words to “God is grace of God does not allow us to sin,” he said. Going to Watch You Burn” to Rhiana’s song “Love the Way -Kathy Gilbert and Tita Parham, You Love.” United Methodist News Service Plummer, director of Reconciling Ministries, was con- stantly being taunting by one man hurling hateful words like “Methodists are fag enablers.” In the hot Florida sun, Plummer keep his cool. Audrey Krumbach, a member of MOSAIC (Methodist Students [Young People] for an All Inclusive Church), was holding rainbow-decorated stoles which are a symbol of solidarity with lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. “This is the first time I feel like I am protecting The United Methodist Church with these stoles instead of stand- ing outside looking in,” she said. -Kathy Gilbert, United Methodist News Service
Adam Hamilton (left) and Mike Slaughter make their appeal.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 7 Delegates reject divestment in companies supporting Israeli occupation of Palestine
elegates to General Conference approved petitions deal- ing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but they did not Dapprove a measure to divest from specific companies. Delegates instead approved a report calling on the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits to explore “se- rious peace-making strategies in Israel and Palestine, including positive economic and financial investment in Palestine.” Volunteers hold up a banner asking delegates to approve a plan The Israeli-Palestinian issue dominated the May 2 after- of divestment from Caterpillar, Motorola and Hewlett-Packard. noon session. The petition originally called for divestment from UMNS photo/Paul Jeffrey Motorola Solutions, Hewlett-Packard and Caterpillar, which provide products that are used by the Israeli military in the occupation of Palestinian lands. The Finance and Administra- churches to take into consideration a company’s involvement tion Committee instead substituted language urging “positive, in Israeli occupation when making investment decisions was rather than punitive options,” according to Jessica Vargo, East rejected. Ohio delegate and committee chairperson. Those opposed to the committee’s recommendation said it The petition also asked United Methodist general agencies did not go far enough in helping end the struggles of the Pal- and boards to ask companies to adopt United Nations Guid- estinian people and that past efforts encouraging companies to ing Principles on Business and Human Rights and to consider change their behavior had not worked. economic sanctions with companies that refuse. Robert Lee, 19, a student at Appalachian State University, Vargo noted this petition did not mean that divestment Boone, N.C., and a delegate from Western North Carolina, from companies would not be considered. Rather, the petition said he was moved by stories about those who were injured or placed the decision to divest into the hands of the Board of killed when Palestinian homes were bulldozed to make way for Pension and Health Benefits, as has been historically done, not settlement building. “If we’re trying to show this is a confer- General Conference. ence of change, it’s time to put our money where our mouth A minority report urging divestment and calling on United is,” he said. Methodist boards, agencies, annual conferences and local -Tita Parham, United Methodist News Service Students get an up-close look at General Conference
group of students from Shenandoah University and the Calling21 internship program had the opportu- Anity to study United Methodist Church polity taught by the Rev. Dr. Rhonda VanDyke Colby, Dr. Justin Allen, and Amy Howard. These 11 students journeyed to Tampa, Fla. to observe the global gathering of The United Method- ist Church at General Conference. “In addition to learning the process of General Confer- ence, our goal is to help students learn complex decision- making, critical thinking and writing skills. They don’t necessarily have those skills when they enter,” said Van Dyke Colby, who leads the class Global Nature and Minis- Students and the Rev. Dr. Justin Allen, dean of Spiritual Life and try of The United Methodist Church. director of the Institute for Church Professions, joined with the Rev. Students were from many different faith backgrounds Dr. Rhonda VanDyke Colby, a delegate from Virginia and vice and had many different opinions about issues being dis- president for Student Life at Shenandoah University, for a group cussed. Each student was asked to choose a different leg- photo at General Conference. (continued on next page)
8 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 (“Students” continued from previous page) ings of the church. islative committee following the selection process used by Even though there is a great divide in The United the Virginia Conference delegates and to also follow a lob- Methodist Church about rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisex- bying group. Some students followed groups that aligned ual, Transgendered (LGBT) community, our group partici- with their convictions, while others stepped outside of pated in several holy conversations, and as a whole, we all their comfort zones and followed groups that challenged agree that no matter where we stand on this question, we their beliefs. need to stand in unity with those who have been oppressed As a group, we enjoyed the diversity within the body and hurt. During conference, our group stood with our of Christ as we listened to more than seven languages spo- sisters and brothers during a vigil that yearned to mend ken. We also noticed that there was the body of Christ. a larger population of young people How is the young adult During the vigil, a person from at GC2012 than we expected to en- a Central Conference approached counter, and we really enjoyed talk- voice of today and some students, embraced them ing with these young leaders. Sadly, tomorrow supposed to and proclaimed, “Those who are many were attending to observe, just oppressed and hurt stand with you as we were, and not as delegates. be heard when it is not and love you.” This showed us the This raises the question, how is the hope that is present for the recon- young adult voice of today and to- more widely represented ciliation of the church. morrow supposed to be heard when During the week, our group it is not more widely represented in the voting delegation made a covenant to live in holy in the voting delegation at General at General Conference? community with one another. We Conference? In order for young peo- became one and learned to respect ple to have an opinion and help strengthen our church, we the viewpoints of others while expressing our own. Even have to be elected and supported by our conferences! though there were moments of strife between us, we We do want to recognize the Virginia Conference for quickly realized our faults and corrected the mistakes that its steps toward a resolution on this issue as we work were made. We pray that in the future the Church can do together to become more fully equipped to lead our body the same on a worldwide level. forward by empowering the young people around us. “Stu- “There is a risk in bringing them to General Confer- dents asked questions of our delegates during breaks and ence,” said VanDyke Colby. “The risk is that some or all of were encouraged by the fact that every Virginia Conference them might be so turned off by the issues or the process delegate took time to talk with them and explain what was that they no longer want to be part of the church. I’m happening on the surface and what was happening behind pleased that it has not been the case. They don’t all agree the scenes to enact change,” said Allen. on the issues, but they all agree that what they have seen Having attended General Conference, we now have and learned is relevant and interesting.” experiences that give us a unique eye as we critically and Two members of the group are Calling 21 students joyfully participate in and observe the workings of United from Virginia Tech and Blue Ridge Community Col- Methodist polity. We found great strength in the partner- lege. The rest of the students are from Shenandoah. The ships we made with other observers. We worked together students were: Virginia Greer, Emily Howdyshell, Matt with brothers and sisters in Christ so all of us could fully Knonenborg, Brooke Layne, Joshua McCauley, Mary Claire understand what was going on during sessions. In the Miller, Sara Miller, Nicholas Ruxton, Michelle Viljoen, Mi- future, it is our hope to partner with others regardless of chelle West and Alex Woody. age, sex, race, gender or sexual orientation to ensure that -By Nicholas Ruxton, Virginia Greer and Emily Howdyshell. all are properly represented and respected during gather- The Rev. Judy Worthington also contributed to this article.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 9 A chalice, a paten and a vow of poverty She carries a chalice and a paten with her wherever The Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith talks about her ministry. she goes. She was banned from entering a homeless shel- ter because they said the chalice she carries could be used as a weapon. So she slept on a park bench where she was arrested for sleeping on public property and thrown in jail. When she appeared before the judge he ordered her to do community service — and sent her to the very shelter she had been thrown out of. For her the chalice is a tangible way that she brings Christ with her into the community of the poor. When people ask her about her chalice she tells them about the presence of Christ. One man crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S. said, “Now I know I am no longer alone.” Andrade Smith is concerned about the criminalization of immigration. She says, “The Arizona law SB1050 that criminalizes immigration is a precedent. What is happen- he Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith arrived at General ing in Arizona is being recognized around the world and Conference with nothing more than a small back- will have a global effect if it goes forward. We have to be Tpack and a bedroll. She took up residence outside on forward-thinking and prophetically stand in the pulpits, in the ground near the Common Witness Tabernacle. She is our local churches and in our schools. We need to work an ordained elder in the Southwest Texas Conference who alongside all peoples in our areas.” has taken a vow of poverty and sold her house, her car She tirelessly cam- and most of her possessions in order to be in ministry with paigned on behalf of the “There is a warrant those living on the streets in her community. DREAM (Development, Re- When she tried to enter the Tampa Convention Center lief and Education for Alien for my arrest she was asked to leave because she had no shoes. She says, Minors) Act that allows il- because I was “I walk with no shoes because I want to be intentional legal immigrants who en- about my movement, to slow down, to feel the earth under tered the U.S. as children sleeping outside my feet. It is a spiritual discipline and a way that I can be to apply for conditional an advocate for the very poor who have no shoes, and a legal status after attending on a park bench. way that I am in community with them.” college or serving in the “Poverty is a symptom of even larger issues going on military for two years. She That type of around our world,” she said. “The biggest concern for me believes the DREAM Act is the criminalization of the poor and it is happening here. will change the landscape criminalization of It is happening all over the world.” of this country — allowing Andrade Smith has arrest warrants against her for young people, who would people of poverty sleeping on public property. On otherwise not qualify for one occasion when she tried to work permits because of needs to come to an enter the courthouse, an officer their immigration status, end.” got a mop and hit her with it. to work legally. She left and went outside and When asked what was the hardest thing for her regard- put on her clerical collar and ing her vow of poverty she answered, “The hardest thing is went back inside where she survival on the streets. I work on advocacy. I go to churches walked up to the officer who hit and build community. The church has been good to me. Peo- her. She says, “I didn’t say any- ple on the streets have been a loving, hospitable community thing. I didn’t shout or demean who care for me. Here in Tampa a man stopped me and said him. I just stood before him. His it was going to be cool outside at night and he gave me his jaw dropped. He said, ‘Are you a blanket.” -The Rev. Judy Worthington serves Belle Haven and nun?’ I said ‘Not quite.’” Bethel churches, Eastern Shore District
10 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 ❖❖ Establish 12 health boards of trained and equipped Imagine No Malaria indigenous leaders to oversee the malaria program in Africa. takes Nothing But Nets To be successful, each country’s malaria program relies on the ability to effectively plan, organize and implement to a whole new level its program at the community level so that it is a communi- ty-led, community-driven initiative. n World Malaria Day, General Conference was According to Bishop Thomas Bickerton of West Penn- abuzz with activity. A flash mob of youth invaded sylvania, “The United Methodist Church’s malaria clinics the conference worship service dressed in blood-red O have become the most trusted delivery system across the t-shirts with the logo: Imagine No Malaria. A 6-foot tall, continent of Africa. New churches are forming across black mosquito buzzed in their midst, bringing to our at- Africa because of the awareness of the malaria mission by tention the real threat that malaria holds for much of our The United Methodist Church.” world. Bishop John Yambasu, episcopal leader of the Sierra Infants, children under five years of age and pregnant Leone Conference, takes very seriously the responsibility of women are at risk of dying from malaria. Those older than the church in Sierra Leone to help in the campaign. Earlier five years are often able this year the Sierra Leone Conference took a special offer- to survive the disease ing for Imagine No Malaria. Bishop Yambasu said, “Truly, but are at risk of loss of we all have an important role in this fight against the killer income and productiv- disease, malaria. Imagine No Malaria is changing lives in ity due the chronic and many ways in Sierra Leone.” debilitating nature of Since the start of the Imagine No Malaria campaign, the disease. $20.2 million has been raised, 850,000 bed nets have been Since the launch of distributed and 5,000 health workers have been trained. Nothing But Nets in 2008 The United Methodist Church When the campaign was started, the statistics showed has learned a great deal about the needs of communities that a person died every 30 seconds from malaria. Today subjected to this deadly disease. As a result, the initiative, that rate has been reduced by half to every 60 seconds. which started as an effort to supply bed nets, has expanded A goal of raising $75-100 million has been set. “Our and become more comprehensive. The goal of the new cam- goal of ending malaria deaths is bold and ambitious,” Bick- paign, Imagine No Malaria, is to eliminate malaria deaths erton said. “But, when we stand together as United Meth- by 2015. odists, God can do far more than we can possibly imagine.” Imagine a world in which no infant or child ever dies To learn more, go to www.imaginenomalaria.org. because of malaria. Imagine a world where no pregnant -The Rev. Judy Worthington woman dies from the disease. Imagine a world where no one ever dies from this disease. We, The United Methodist Church, in partnership with the United Nations Founda- tion, the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and regional gov- ernments, are helping to make it happen. By partnering with local governments the campaign hopes to distribute treated bed nets, educate the public to know where to go when children get sick and provide effective treatment. Imagine No Malaria has three distinct initiatives aimed at eliminating malaria deaths: ❖❖ Train Community Health Workers: Community Health Workers will take the lead in educating their communities about the disease; the importance of using bed nets; and where to go to receive treatment. The Community Health Workers will also be part of a door-to-door campaign to educate and inform their communities. ❖❖ Establish Community Health Clinics for treatment of Beatrice Gbanga of Sierra Leone holds an insecticide-treated those who have malaria: This second tier of the No Malaria mosquito net during a celebration of the work of the Imagine No campaign will provide affordable and effective treatment Malaria campaign during General Conference. UMNS photo/Mike through community health clinics to those who are infected. DuBose.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 11 Reflections on GC2012
“Everyone said to me, ‘Go, make a dif- “It is amazing to be here. It is clear that it “We have huge trust issues. Some of the ference.’ But, I don’t feel like there is is a global church. But it is also painfully things we’ve done here were helpful . . . any way to make a difference. I think clear that we are very U.S.-centric. The like the conversations around the tables. it is easier for those outside the bar to Global Young People’s Convocation in As you get to know people, look them make a difference. There is just so much Johannesburg that I attended last year in the eyes and hear their story – that fear here. We are making our decisions was much more intentional about the helps a lot. I think it’s going to take more based on fear.” global nature of the church. There was years of that. It’s going to take trust – The Rev. Amanda Garber, much more focus on spending time to- building between Central Conferences first-time Virginia Conference delegate gether and getting to know each other and U.S. I think we need to build more [across the boundaries of nationality].” trust between the bishops and the laity “This whole morning has been very – The Rev. Kristen Holbrook . . . bishops and clergy. Clearly we have frustrating. I can’t imagine how our the trust issues between the left and non-English speaking delegates had the right. … I think sitting down with any idea what they were voting on. ‘Plan people and giving people the benefit UMC’ was never even published in any of the doubt is important. Building trust other language. I had a hard time know- is going to be sitting down, talking to ing what I was voting on and I stayed people and hearing their stories.” up late last night trying to read through – The Rev. Adam Hamilton, Church of the 79 pages. I’m not even sure anyone the Resurrection, Leawood, Kan. knew what they were voting on.” – Dot Ivey, lay Virginia delegate “We made many false steps leading up to and during this past General Conference, to be sure. We need to learn from those. I believe we can. I am committed to do- “I will never complain ing what I can to reflect that learning in about Annual my work. But the Spirit has opened up for us many new possibilities through Conference again.” and despite what we did there. We can – Lay reserve delegate Rachel Hundley and, I trust, will build on those, as the Spirit continues to lead.” – The Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards
12 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 “The 2012 General Conference had a “General Conference revealed the ugly difficult time passing a new way of be- side of our connectional processes, the ing the church. A church with declining unholy realities of strict procedures and membership, worship attendance, new self-preserving structures. The Judicial disciples and money should be ready Council decision that undid days (even to take bold steps. Instead we opted for years, depending on your perspective) small changes or no change. I believe of work and deliberation by ruling that in part this is due to a lack of trust. Plan UMC unconstitutional offered The We have a hard time trusting leadership, United Methodist Church a candid view trusting people with different theologi- of our denomination’s systems. Despite cal beliefs, and trusting people promot- support from approximately 60 per- “Everybody take a deep breath. It’s going ing change. We will need to take bold cent of General Conference delegates, to be okay. As the mushroom cloud risks to become a vital church. Our faith Plan UMC died on May 4th. ... General surrounding the end of General Confer- is not in humanity or human leader- Conference unveiled harsh procedural ence slowly dissipates, United Method- ship but in God at work in and through obstacles to change, and those realities ist leaders are in a frenzy of frustration. the church including our leaders. Trust highlight the necessity of institutional The delegates are frustrated that, after builds as we humble ourselves before introspection. The gasps of delegates the failure to adopt a valid restructuring God, as leaders lead in the midst of the after the Judicial Council statement plan, their work seems for naught. Non- people rather than over the people and signaled the need for a level of self- delegates are angry that our represen- as the community of believers pray daily examination that extends beyond tatives are coming home with little to for their lay and clergy leaders.” hackneyed theological sound bites and show except the removal of guaranteed – Bishop John Schol, Twitter wisdom. The hope is that, in appointment, which hardly enjoys uni- Baltimore-Washington Conference the aftermath of General Conference versal popularity. And everyone is upset 2012, we may have the clarity of vision at the prospect of another quadren- to accept a fundamental truth: Our nium of wondering what we should system will not change unless United do next. … If we are going to thrive as Methodists believe with intentionality Wesleyan Christians, our first and most and enthusiasm that our structures and important task is not to formulate an processes require transformation.” efficient church. It’s to develop and live – Ben Boruff, a young adult member of out a passionate love for both God and the Connectional Table neighbor.” – The Rev. Eric Van Meter, Wesley “As I watched my church rip itself and Foundation at Arkansas State University its members into shreds over the issue of homosexuality, I could do nothing “In the closing hours of General Confer- but weep. I wept for the words of my ence, as the Judicial Council announce- “Let’s just say I didn’t think it would be brothers from Africa who equated be- ment came through that ‘Plan UMC’ was pretty from the beginning.” ing gay with bestiality. I wept for Adam ‘constitutionally unsalvageable,’ on the – The Rev. Tom Berlin Hamilton and Mike Slaughter’s loving large video screen that broadcast the . act of seeking compromise between the session, a delegate held up a sign: ‘John “To be in full communion is to be related diverse opinions of the Church. I wept 11:35’ – ‘Jesus wept.’” to one of the great churches of Ameri- as I saw many moderates, some who are – Melissa Lauber, Baltimore-Washington can society and the world. truly seeking to be inclusive but strug- Conference – Christian Methodist Episcopal Church gling with old frameworks, be pulled by Senior Bishop Thomas Hoyt Jr., the mantras of ‘it’s a sin’ of the right and commenting on the passage of full the human desire to acknowledge the communion relationships with other beauty of difference.” pan-Methodist denominations – Dr. Maria Dixon . “I stand here broken-hearted, knowing the church has done harm to my friends. As a straight, married woman, I have privilege, but I am also expecting a child in September. I want my church to love my child no matter who they grow up to love.” – Laurie Rossbert, Tennessee Conference
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 13 Full communion approved with Pan-Methodist cousins fter several hundred years of separation, members of six Pan-Methodist denominations have committed to Aministry together. The United Methodist Church is the last of the denomi- nations to adopt the full communion agreement, which was celebrated May 1 during the 2012 General Conference. The affirmation establishes a new relationship among the African Methodist Episcopal (AME), African Methodist Tyler Sit of the Candler School of Theology (center) led a ‘flash Episcopal Zion, African Union Methodist Protestant, Chris- mob’ dance during a break of the 2012 United Methodist General tian Methodist Episcopal (CME), Union American Method- Conference. UMNS photo/Kathleen Barry. ist Episcopal and United Methodist denominations. Bishop Sharon Rader, ecumenical officer for the United Young adults come away hurt, Methodist Council of Bishops, noted that acknowledging past difficulties is part of the process. “We believe this is a feeling excluded significant moment in all of our histories,” she said during he Rev. Stephanie Gottschalk, 31, a first-time del- a news conference preceding the celebration. egate from Western Pennsylvania, said she came to For the CME church, an outgrowth of the Methodist TGeneral Conference to “be in holy conferencing and Episcopal Church South, this moment is one of lasting grow together.” Instead, she said the gathering “opened significance, said Bishop Thomas Hoyt Jr., who has a long my eyes to a painful reality — the pain of coming to the history of involvement with United Methodists through the table with a heart open to listening and finding closed- Pan-Methodist Commission and ecumenical organizations. door meetings, manipulation of the process and systematic “I believe the best for Methodism is yet before us,” add- prejudice against those of color and those of gender and ed AME Bishop John White. “This full communion gives us those of different ages, whether young or old.” an opportunity to make our witness around the world.” Throughout the 11-day assembly, young adult delegates There is a temptation to look at the new relationship of urged greater inclusion of young people in the decision- The United Methodist Church and smaller black Methodist making of the church. Many felt their voices were ignored. denominations as a situation of the big fish swallowing the Delegates rejected a motion to increase the number of smaller fish, said United Methodist Bishop Alfred Norris, youth and young adults represented on the denomination’s but that is not so. “In this case,” he explained, “the big fish general agencies and boards. and the little fish will be swimming together.” -Tita Parham, United Methodist News Service -Linda Bloom, United Methodist News Service Mix of languages, cultures is both frustrating and a blessing By Ileana Rosario ate their own diversity. At times it was overwhelming, as we navigated this sea of inging, dancing, greeting, arguing… it seems that people speaking so many different languages. Other times everything at General Conference happened in were simply frustrating as we waited for interpreters and multiple languages at the same time. translations. But most times it was just powerful to hear S the stories, the ideas, the dreams of others who come from As a member of the Commission on the General Confer- so far away and somehow share the same goals and dreams ence, I know that most of our planning was centered in the that we do. idea of creating a holy space for the encounter of many At the end we all want a united church, a church with a cultures where the delegates around the world could experi- vision of hope, a church that will serve the world, a church ence God together in a new and amazing way. From the that will make disciples of Christ from all around the circular tables to the mixing of the delegations and the use world. of many languages during worship, everything was planned -The Rev. Ileana Rosario Rosario is pastor at Wesley Chapel to allow the delegates to encounter each other and appreci- UMC in Suffolk and was a reserve delegate.
14 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 Rigid parliamentary process is not keeping pace with our modern ministry needs Your House... By Alex Joyner and a holy headache as we try to deal with radically different environments ’ve found it hard to explain Gen- for ministry. The rigid structure of eral Conference to curious friends our parliamentary deliberations stifles Iand neighbors. Which part of meaningful interactions. And the en- General Conference? The spontaneous ergy that accompanies issues with very Celebrating 80 years moment when African delegates began narrow constituencies is not matched of service a midmorning break with smiles, by an energy for embracing the great singing and dancing in the aisles? common purpose of The United Meth- Can become a That was thrilling. The dedication and odist Church. seriousness with If that sounds like a negative as- very special home which delegates sessment, it should also be heard with for retired United Methodist took their work? this caveat: The kind of church that pastors and their spouses in Inspiring. The is needed for this new age has never the years to come. grueling day-long existed before. To take a movement The Retired Clergy Housing sessions in which that has functioned well in previous Corporation of the Virginia people spoke past times into this new period is going to Conference maintains a program each other? Not involve a lot of pinching and pain. to provide retirement homes for so much. We didn’t take a radical step forward eligible United Methodist What was abundantly clear to me is into the future at this General Confer- pastors who need them. that our denomination no longer has ence. There’s more discomfort on the This program has been made possible by the gift of homes a structure adequate to the challenges way. I just hope that we can be honest willed to the Corporation for this about what we experienced while we we face. purpose. Other contributions come That’s true of our board and agen- were together and be open to where through the Covenant of Gratitude cies and of the General Conference God is calling us to go. whose members contribute $1.00 itself. The global character of our -The Rev. Alex Joyner is pastor at a year for each person ordained a church is both our greatest blessing Franktown UMC, Eastern Shore District commissioned probationer at the Virginia Annual Conference. If you would like to consider will- ing your home to the Retired Clergy Housing Corporation of the Virginia Conference or if you would like to share through the Covenant of Grati- Coming in JULY! An ALL NEW tude, please mail in the coupon below with your name andJuly address. 2012 Virginia United Methodist c/o Thomas L. Coffman, President $2.00 4837 Village Lake Dr., Richmond, VA 23234
Phone: (804) 271-7219; Fax: (804) 271-4558 E-mail:
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 15
2012 General Conference Two key issues rise to the surface for gathering in Tampa The United Methodist Connection in . . .
Ill. She was ordained deacon in 1975 and elder in 1977 in the Florida Conference. She received a Doctor of Virginia Ministry degree in 1991 from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Bishop Kammerer’s service in Virginia Council of Churches the church has included equal years in parish ministries and connectional presents its highest honor ministries, including service as a cam- pus minister at Duke University and to Bishop Kammerer as a district superintendent of the Tal- lahassee District, Florida Conference. Bishop Kammerer gives the Her longtime interests in ministry Rev. Tom Joyce a kiss after his include higher education, mission introduction of her award on and the spirituality of administration. May 15. She has served as a director of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and as a direc- tor of the General Board of Global Ministries, including chairperson of the United Methodist Committee on Relief from 1992-1996. She has been honored with Doctor of Divinity de- grees from Bethune-Cookman College (Fla.), Pfeiffer University (N.C.) and Wesleyan College (Ga.). She and her husband, Leigh, a substance abuse and addictions counselor for VCU Health Systems in Richmond, have one son, Chris, who irginia Conference Bishop Char- in Harrisonburg from 1997 until just completed more than 10 years lene P. Kammerer received the 2008, also received Faith in Action service with the United State Navy, VLifetime Ecumenist Award from awards. and three grandchildren, Christopher, the Virginia Council of Churches at a On the denominational level, Noelle and Elton. luncheon on May 15. Bishop Kammerer serves as president “It is an honor for our confer- Cooperative efforts with other of the General Board of Discipleship, ence as well as for Bishop Kammerer denominations and faiths hve been is a member of the Connectional personally for her to receive the a cornerstone of Bishop Kammerer’s Table and a member of the In Defense Virginia Council of Churches’ Lifetime ministry since the very beginning. of Creation Task Force within the Ecumenist Award,” said the Rev. Tom The bishop will retire this sum- Council of Bishops.. Joyce, assistant to Bishop Kammerer mer. Beginning in January 2013 she She is a native of Winter Garden, and former president of the Virginia will begin a teaching position at Can- Fla., where her home church was Council of Churches. “This is the dler Theological Seminary in Atlanta First United Methodist. She gradu- most prestigious award and honors and be a bishop-in-residence there. ated from Wesleyan College in Macon, those who have made extraordinary The Brandermill Church, a joint Ga., with an A.B. degree in Religion contributions to strengthening rela- United Methodist-Presbyterian Church and Philosophy. (Wesleyan is the first tionships among the various Christian congregation, was the host church college in the world chartered for the faith communities over the span of and was also honored with a Faith granting of degrees to women.) She their entire career or lifetime. Bishop in Action award. The Richmond Hill obtained a Master of Christian Educa- Kammerer is, indeed, a most worthy retreat center and the Rev. Dr. Joseph tion degree and a Master of Divin- recipient.” M. Vought, who served as senior pas- ity degree from Garrett-Evangelical The Brandermill Church was tor of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church Theological Seminary in Evanston, organized in 1977, and the vision of
16 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 an ecumenical church for the new community of Brandermill originated Foundation director retiring for health reasons in the Virginia Council of Churches. he Virginia United Methodist “Deal was “It was proposed that such a Foundation has announced the very passionate church be established by many de- Tretirement of E. Deal Tomkins, about planned nominations pooling their resources the agency’s president and executive giving and together,” writes the Rev. D. Clyde director, effective April 30. the need for Bartges, founding minister of the The retirement comes as sud- churches and church. “And although other denomi- den news, because he has been in organizations to nations did participate in the initial the position less than a year. Tomkins incorporate large encountered health issues “such that gifts into their conversations, only two agreed to Tompkins cooperate in this unique venture. he felt it was necessary to retire to be financial plans,” These continue to be the Presbyterian able to focus on his long-term health Roberts added. Church (USA) and The United Meth- needs,” said Lori Roberts, chair of the “He also began implementing capital Board of Directors for the Founda- campaign support to local churches.” odist Church. tion. “The Foundation appreciates the Tomkins was named president “The first meeting of those who leadership Deal has provided as he last June after the retirement of Jim would later form the church was held facilitated implementation of several Bergdoll, who served the Foundation at the home of Bill and Sue Akin in improvements to allow the Foun- for 12 years. Poplar Grove on Jan. 16, 1977. About dation to better serve the Virginia The Foundation’s Board of Direc- 25 people attended that Sunday night Conference,” she said. tors is developing a search process to meeting, and some of these are still One such improvement was name a new president and executive active members today.” The present the launch of a new website, www. director. In the meantime, David L. church facility was begun in 1980. vaumfgifts.org, which includes infor- Thompson will become the interim Richmond Hill is an ecumenical mation related to planned giving and president. Thompson retired from Christian community with a voca- estate planning. a 45-year banking career focused tion of hospitality, healing, prayer Tomkins reorganized office on investments, institutional funds operations so depositors are receiv- and endowments and has served and racial reconciliation for the city ing new and enhanced statements, on planned giving committees for of metropolitan Richmond. It was and he worked with several Virginia several non-profit organizations in founded by members and leaders of Conference-affiliated organizations to the Richmond area. He is a member 14 denominations to seek to establish provide planned giving support. of Brandermill UMC. a continuity of prayer in the historic monastery of the Sisters of the Visita- tion of Monte Maria on Church Hill in Richmond. Richmond Hill will Changes made celebrate its 25th anniversary this year on Dec. 4. inside UM Center The residential community of Visitors to the United Methodist Center on Richmond Hill lives by a modified Staples Mill Road in Glen Allen will notice Benedictine Rule. The community a bit of a change in the layout of offices. maintains a 45-bed retreat center, The Cabinet room is being moved to the offering individual and group retreats, old Media Center space. A new conference the RUAH School of Spiritual Guid- table is on order and should arrive this ance, a school of Pastoral Care and month. Webmaster Brenda Capen’s office Counseling, the SOZO School of has been consolidated into the Communi- Christian Healing Prayer, and classes cations Department space to allow more in centering prayer, Christian Social area for the Cabinet Room. The Treasurer’s Transformation and the Unhealed office is expanding into the former Cabi- History of Richmond. The center also net room, while the Richmond District staffs the Micah Initiative, which in- office is reconfiguring its space upstairs, as volves 125 faith communities in sup- is the Center for Congressional Excellence port of 25 highly impacted elemen- downstairs. Additional meeting space tary schools in the city of Richmond. is being added downstairs in the space -Neill Caldwell behind the main staircase.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 17 Board of Discipleship to recruit Vital Congregations coaches, specialists during Annual Conference Do you need help with your “Vital Congregation” goals? Would you like to assess your church’s current reality? If your answer is “yes,” visit the conference Board of Discipleship’s display at 2012 Annual Conference. There “Harvest of Volunteers” tree at the Board of Discipleship you can discover who the Regional Team Leader is in your display. area. That person can help you get the answers you are Have you done something that really worked for your looking for. church? “The Harvest is Plenty, but the volunteers are Few.” We would like to know about success stories related to Please come and join our team. evangelism, worship, spiritual formation, Christian educa- The Board of Discipleship is currently seeking volun- tion or age-level ministries. We will have cards at Annual teers to help local churches assess their current reality and Conference for you to use to share your “Best Practices” reach their Vital Congregation goals. We need “Assessment with us. You can hang these cards on the “Harvest of Best Coaches” who will partner with local churches that contact Practices” tree at the display. the board for assistance. They, in turn, will use our as- We can help your church once we know what your sessment tool to advise if the church needs an expert in a needs are. certain area to help them achieve their goals. Visit the Board of Discipleship’s display to see how Our second volunteer need is for experts in various ar- your church can begin to receive the help you need. eas of church work. If you could be an “Assessment Coach” or a “Specialist,” please fill out a leaf and hang it on our -Virginia Conference Board of Discipleship
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• This fascinating tour to England and Germany is limited to 20 participants and the tour fee is $3,250. The cost may be tax-deductible!
September 6-13, 2012 804-254-9450/[email protected]
18 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 School of Christian Mission has new name: ‘Mission Encounter’ The annual summer training In addition, there will be a youth event, previously known as the School section of the Haiti study taught by of Christian Mission, has a new name Tim Craft and a children’s section of for 2012: “Mission Encounter.” the Poverty study led by Tracey Hall. The teaching sessions will be of- This teaching experience is fered July 27-29 and July 30-August 2 sponsored by the Virginia Conference at Blackstone Conference and Retreat United Methodist Women and the Center. conference Board of Global Ministries. The theme of this year’s Mission There will also be United Method- Encounter event is “That They Might ist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) Have Life.” training at the weekend session. Classes include “Immigration in Workshops on various related the Bible” (Spiritual Growth) led by topics will be offered for weekend and the Revs. Lynne Alley-Grant, Michael week sessions. The Poverty Simula- Hoefer and J.P. Hong; “Haiti” (Geo- tion Experience will be offered at graphic Study) led by the Rev. Sam both sessions. Registrar is Jo An Liskey. You can NeSmith and Darlene Rundaldue; For registration form, visit the call her at (540) 434-2997. Scholar- “Poverty Simulation” (Issue Study) led conference website, www.vaumc. shipsI haveare come available. that they may For have lifemore and have informa it more abundantly.- by Brenda Connelly, the Rev. Don Ed- org, or the conference UMW website, tion, contact Mary JaneJohn 10:10Rawley at www.vaumw.org. Because of God’s love and grace, Jesus came to earth to give each of us a life of unimaginable wards and the Rev. Nancy Robinson. (540)abundance 828-2436.if we choose to accept it. This artwork symbolizes that gift by overlapping the tree of life with the cross and crown of thorns. Lynne W. Griffey Showers of blessing: Trailer to be refurbished The 50-foot Virginia Conference shower trailer has returned to the conference for much needed rehabilitation. Built in 1986 by volunteers from the Petersburg Dis- trict, the trailer has been deployed outside of the confer- ence, through the connectional system, to various disasters in six different conferences. It has been an effective and much needed and loved ministry to both those impacted by disasters and also by volunteers who responded to assist with recovery efforts. Being on the road for so long has taken a toll on the installed facilities as well as the container itself. Rehabili- tation efforts have already begun with a goal of it being re- turned to its mission by Annual Conference in June. It will be painted, cleaned and upgraded with new washer and dryers. Air-conditioning and the chassis will be inspected and repaired as needed. If you would like to participate in this project, consider a financial gift to the Advance #5037, Virginia Conference Disaster Response and Recovery. -The Rev. Robert Pihlcrantz is coordinator of conference Disaster Response efforts
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 19 A Memoir of Coming Out and Coming Through,” is one of Ministry couple writes just a handful of books written by both spouses detailing the struggles they faced as individuals and as a family. book about their breakup Taylor decided to write the book after hearing a ser- mon, where the speaker said, “What has God done for you and why are you keeping it a secret?” “I have to write the story of how our family has been able to come out on the other side of this incred- ible challenge with a spirit of reconciliation, without judg- ment, and with this deep sense of peace,” she said. “And so many families struggle when a family member comes out, particularly if they are Christian and the only Chris- tian perspective they’ve ever heard is one of judgment and rejection. And I wanted the story to go out so that there could be a voice in this public dialogue that says there is another way of being Christian.” She says for her and her family, acceptance and reconciliation was a faithful Christian response to her By Beverly spouse’s coming out. She and Cobb have made themselves Amsler extremely vulnerable about their private struggle, hoping to help other families going through the same thing and as o an outsider, it seemed the Rev. Joe Cobb had it all. example to other Christians. In the late 1990s he was the pastor of a large United Members of the Kansas church were never fully told TMethodist Church in Kansas and had a wife and two the real story, and some feel betrayed. Cobb says what they young children. But Joe was carrying a deep, dark secret – feel as betrayal was for him and his family, a way of protect- one he shared with his wife, the Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor, in ing themselves. The pair recently returned to Kansas to the basement of their home one Monday night. read from their book, and they found love and acceptance “I had had an encounter with a man a year earlier at a from some of their former church family who were grateful conference that I had attended; that I didn’t know whether to finally learn the truth. I was gay or straight,” he recalls. Since 2000 the advertising slogan of The United Meth- What Cobb had said didn’t sink in until the next morn- odist Church is “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” ing when Taylor was getting ready for work as Minister But is the church practicing what it preaches when the of Music at the church when, she says, “the reality of his Book of Discipline requires those who come out as practic- words cut like a knife.” ing homosexuals to leave the ministry? She found herself at the mall. “I purchased a pair of “I think it’s trying to,” says Cobb. “I think it’s a bril- black velour pants and these two long, chenille sweaters liant vision for the church and I think each individual with cow necks and long sleeves and blue and purple. church is trying to figure out what that means for them, And in retrospect I thought how interesting that I dressed as are the people within those churches. I think that there myself in the color of bruises. But it was a way for me to will come a time when The United Methodist Church will care for myself and it really didn’t have anything to do with live into that.” shopping; it had to do with caring for myself.” He wants to add “open hands” to the list, “because that The couple decided to divorce about a year later. Taylor opens the possibility to receiving the gifts that gay, lesbian, moved to Blacksburg, where she’s now the Minster of Mu- bisexual and transgender people have and are offering the sic at Blacksburg UMC. After giving up his credentials as a church today.” United Methodist pastor, Cobb moved to nearby Roanoke, When everything is said and done, “Love is the bottom where he’s pastor of Metropolitan Community Church. line,” Taylor says. “We can talk all day; we can talk social Taylor had asked God to give her a way to explain to issue, political issue, theological issue, but if we’ll just keep the children about what their mom and dad were dealing love as the bottom line, that’s enough to guide us.” with concerning homosexuality. She fell asleep and when “For me, there was a moment of decision, where I she awoke, she had been given a beautiful letter/story she asked myself, at the end of my life, I’m going to be held read to the children that reassured them and encouraged accountable,” she said. “Did I teach my children to love, or them to ask questions and verbalize their feelings. did I teach them to hate?” Cobb and Taylor say their book, “Our Family Outing: --Beverly Amsler is a freelance journalist in Roanoke
20 Virginia Advocate/June 2012
ission is about relationship. Shenandoah nursing students work As we seek to build relation- Mships with our sisters and on medical mission boat in Brazil brothers around the world, we try to listen authentically and adequately help them meet their needs. We ac- knowledge that with every person we meet, we are meeting the risen Christ. The Shenandoah University Spiri- tual Life office worked with the Divi- sion of Nursing to provide a unique mission trip catered to the talents and academic needs of students. Nine 3 col (5 1/2) x 6 nursing students and faculty and a Sonny Merryman, Inc. Spiritual Life leader, who was also a pediatrician and student at Wesley Lovern Advertising, Inc. Theological Seminary, boarded a 434-384-8431 boat in Brazil and headed to isolated villages to provide health care. More than 700 children and adults received care, and 1,000 toothbrushes were dis- tributed with a lesson on oral hygiene. The Virginia Conference Initiatives VIRGINIA’S BUS COMPANY of Hope provided the connections and support that were needed to make this trip possible, along with the Methodist Church of Brazil. Safe and The team learned of the injus- tices facing the Brazilian people, but Sound! witnessed a great hope for the future. While the team provided medical care, For safety’s sake, they received so much more from the relationships they built with their your church needs a bus, not a van Brazilian sisters and brothers. Also, a team of Shenandoah Let us show you how easy it can be for your church to own University Conservatory students and a safe new bus. Tell us the size bus you’re thinking faculty traveled to Guatemala, through about. (We offer over a dozen different models the Highland Support Project, and used their artistic talents to teach the and sizes.) We can bring the right bus to arts in local schools. They learned you for key church members to test that because the Guatemalan school drive. We'll quickly give you a price and system was previously so regimented, excellent terms. We'll even take your the children were not taught the arts, and now they are trying to introduce old bus or van as a trade. the children to this important field. This was the second year for each trip and it was quite obvious by the enthusiasm and passion of the stu- dents that they all hope to return. In both cases, the teams truly witnessed the risen Christ among their sisters (800) 533-1006 and brothers across the world. Central Virginia • Hampton Roads • NOVA -Amy Howard
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 21 Religious News from Around the . . . Nation & World
UMC in Nigeria showing explosive growth
he United Methodist Church in Nigeria is growing — so much, in fact, there aren’t enough pastors to Tserve all its members, leaders say. Within the past two to three years, 15 to 30 new churches have launched — each with 200 to 300 members. And since 2006, the total number of members in the Nige- ria Area has doubled from an estimated 600,000 people to 1.8 million, according to John Wesley, administrative assis- tant to Bishop Arthur Kulah, interim bishop of Nigeria and a member of the 30-person Nigerian delegation attending the 2012 General Conference. Delegates from the Nigeria Conference gather on the steps of the Two of the area’s three annual conferences have been Tampa Convention Center, site of the 2012 United Methodist Gen- renamed from cities to regional areas to better reflect the eral Conference. UMNS photo/Mike DuBose expanding reach of the church. Gwateng Conference is now the Central Annual Conference; Pero is the Northern The catalyst for growth was the realization among lead- Annual Conference. Those join the area’s Southern Confer- ers that the church couldn’t continue amidst the turmoil. ence. “Instead of pushing them forward, all of that conflict Bishop John Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Area says had just taken the church backward,” Yambasu said, add- that growth comes after years of struggle and conflict. ing they realized they were “all just the same people in Yambasu is secretary of the Council of Bishops of the Jesus Christ.” West Africa Central Conference and coordinator of the pro- “All of the leaders in the area came together to say, gram for Nigeria. He was appointed to serve on a special ‘No more of this. We are brothers and sisters. We need to task force on Nigeria, he says, to pave the way for a smooth go ahead with the church,’” Yambasu said. transition to elect a new bishop this year. A national peace and reconciliation conference several When missionaries first founded the church in the years ago, that was replicated in each district, was the early 1980s, its headquarters were located in a remote start. And a team was formed to develop a plan for the area of the country, Yambasu said. As time passed and the conference that included a major evangelism emphasis. country expanded, the location became even more isolated, Now, Yambasu says, there are too few pastors to meet he said, and church leaders decided they needed a place the church’s needs, prompting increased efforts at inten- that was more centrally located, “where communication tional theological education and training of pastors. and everything else was easy.” The headquarters is now in New ministries, such as water and sanitation projects Jalingo in the northern part of the country. that are providing wells for hospitals and schools, and a re- Early church leaders “felt deprived of their heritage,” organization of the conference’s men’s, women’s and youth Yambasu said, which caused tension. Tribal influences have groups, are other signs of the church’s growth, Yambasu also played a role. Where the church was founded, a small said. tribal group was welcomed and included, but with a focus Those efforts, as well as a number of retreats and reviv- on evangelizing the country’s other tribes, the church als for all ages, are “bringing many, many people to the grew and new leadership began to dominate decision-mak- church,” Kulah said. ing in the church, Yambasu said. “Even non-Methodists are coming back to the church,” “It was difficult for the original group that founded it Wesley added, “because they feel The United Methodist to accept the leadership of this new people who came into Church has a positive bearing on people’s lives.” the church,” he said. -Tita Parham, United Methodist News Service
22 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 he 2012 United Methodist Society of St. Andrew again offers General Conference paused Vacation Bible School mission program on May 1 to remember T he Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) those killed in a wave of violence introduces “It’s A Miracle!” as in Nigeria and to pray for peace its Vacation Bible School (VBS) in that country. The uncle of a Ni- T mission program for 2012. gerian seminary student present Each day of VBS, students will be in Tampa was killed in a bomb introduced to one of Jesus’ miracles, blast in the city of Jalingo on from feeding the multitudes to cleans- April 30. The student is enrolled ing the lepers. Included in the VBS in a seminary in the U.S. packet are student sheets containing Delegates to the confer- a short scripture story, facts about ence from The United Methodist hunger and the SoSA ministry, “Go Church in Nigeria were deeply Green” statistics, mission adventure concerned about family and opportunities and a pencil activity. friends in both Jalingo and Kano. SoSA also includes song suggestions, The church is headquartered in craft ideas and yummy snack choices Jalingo, in the northeastern part with your regular VBS program this for each day of VBS that compliment of the country. A suicide bomber summer -- or as a stand-alone VBS the “Miracle of the day!” All of the attacked a police convoy there program. pages are reproducible, so you can on April 30, killing at least 20 and You can order your packet by e- make as many copies as you have wounding others. The day before, mailing the Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore students. a gunman invaded a church at [email protected], or call This year, make the SoSA Po- service on the campus of Bayero 1-800-333-4597. You can also order or tato Project your VBS mission. This University in Kano. At least 20 download online at www.endhunder. program is designed to use along persons were killed there as well. org/vbs. “This is a very serious situa- tion,” said Bishop Arthur Kulah, SoSA produce drop at the current episcopal leader in Nigeria. He said information he General Conference received indicated that twice nets 40,000 pounds as many people were killed in Jalingo than the 10 originally of cucumbers estimated by news media. He uring the 2012 also said that some of the other General Confer- victims are United Methodist. Dence, the Society The seminarian whose uncle of St. Andrew hosted a was killed was in Tampa with a produce drop, delivering student contingent observing about 40,000 pounds of the General Conference. cucumbers to the steps Bishop Hope Morgan Ward helps bag cucumbers for the Bishop Charlene Kammerer of the Tampa Conven- Society of St. Andrew. UMNS photo/Mike DuBose of Virginia was in the chair when tion Center. Volunteers a delegate announced the death bagged the food for distribution to food banks throughout Tampa. of the student’s relative. She It was just one of the ways The United Methodist Church used its asked the nearly 1,000 delegates gathering to raise awareness of hunger and poverty issues. to pray for peace in Nigeria A May 1 event, “Break Bread with Tampa,” featured singing groups from and to ask God to comfort the Tampa and Africa and exhibitors from various ministries working with the poor. families of those killed: “Hold Florida Bishop Tim Whitaker, a native of Virginia, said it was a way to “lift them in your hands in this time of up the Church’s vision of how anti-poverty ministries look and act in the 21st impenetrable horror.” Century.” The food was prepared by an entrepreneurial initiative where proceeds -Elliott Wright, General Board of are reinvested in providing meals to homeless and other hungry people in the Global Ministries Tampa Bay area.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 23 Faith in action at the . . . Local Church
In March, 19 people left Salem UMC in Evington for Aurora, N.C. There are more than 140 families in Aurora still living in FEMA trailers as a result of Hurricane Irene. Those trailers are scheduled to be picked up over the next couple of months, yet many homes are still far from inhabitable. While in Aurora the team from Salem managed to work on three homes. Work included installing ▲ Great Bridge UMC in Chesapeake insulation, sheet rock, wiring, plumb- recently put on a church-wide variety ▲ ing, painting trim and framing a wall. show entitled “Twisted Wicked Good The Confirmation Class at Luray We were visited by FEMA, state, and – The Land of GBUMC.” The sold-out UMC, Harrisonburg District, led by the local representatives, all expressing event began with a meal served by Rev. Erich Bennett, took their studies their thanks. The local TV station did a church youth. The show that followed to Camp Overlook in March. The young special report on our team, and we were kept the audience in stitches as Doro- people began their spiritual journey by featured in the local newspaper. Every thy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the studying Christianity and how it differs member of the team received a blessing Cowardly Lion encountered a variety from other faiths, plus how Methodism from the people of Aurora for the work of characters from other classic mov- differs from other denominations. They that was accomplished. All came home ies on their journey to find their path took time on the Massanutten Mountain looking forward to March 2013. While to God. In addition to being a major feeling closer to God. Pictured, from left: this year’s team was the largest to date, tool for fellowship and evangelism, the Jordan Nealis, Berkley Bennett, Jeremiah it is almost certain next year’s team will event also raised more than $2,000 for a Bennett, Carolyn Vickers, Megan Os- be even larger. Church youth are gear- newly-established fund called “GBUMC borne and Joel Osborne; and at top, Ben ing up for a mission trip of their own Cares for Chesapeake,” aimed at provid- Vickers and Danielle Martin. this summer. Last year they worked on a ing financial support to areas of concern home in Pulaski, this year they will be in within the city. Aurora or, possibly, Liberty, Ky. Burnt Chimney UMC in Wirtz celebrat- ed its 50th anniversary on April 21 with Effective July 1, two Annandale church- a “Songfest” and dinner, then a special es will become one congregation. Sunday morning service on April 22 Annandale UMC on Columbia Pike and honoring former members and pastors. Immanuel UMC on Heritage Drive will become one congregation. Worship services at the Annandale location will continue to be held at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays; worship services at the ▲ Children of Main Street UMC, Suf- Immanuel location will continue to be folk, were honored on April 29 at a Chil- held at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The Revs. dren’s Festival. Since April is Child Abuse Clarence Brown, Eduardo Carrillo and Prevention Month, blue ribbons became Cynthia Johnson-Oliver will lead wor- the symbol of the day. Everyone wore ship services and provide pastoral care ribbons and the church was decorated for the newly merged congregation. ▲ The Rev. William Thompson, author with them as well as handprint ban- Leaders from both congregations have of “Bad Friday,” was the guest speaker ners that were made by the children. worked for nearly a year to bring this for the Farmville UMC’s Senior Adult The Rev. Myrtle Frances Hatcher joined merger to fruition. The merger proposal program recently. Pictured, from left: in the fun and had her face painted was approved separately at church con- Melissa Ward, Jane Crute, Dr. William (pictured). There was also a kid-friendly ferences held by each church’s congre- Dorrill, Thompson and Gary Pridgen. lunch, pony rides, crafts and games. gation in February.
24 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 Upcoming Events
JULY Camp Loud and Clear action plan to enact newly developed leadership July 13-15, Holiday Lake 4-H Educational skills in their districts and local communities upon Camp Rainbow Connection Center in Appomattox County return. Cost is $300. For more information, you July 8-13 and Aug. 12-17, Blackstone can e-mail
Book Discussions Special activities at the Coastal Georgia Lighthouse, New Moon Rising, Historical Society including a luncheon Beloved Invader, plus others... and tour highlighting the Eugenia Price exhibit there and the St. Simons Island Daily Meditations Lighthouse Selected from the author’s spiritual enrichment books Home Tour Enjoy and appreciate the expansive view Guided Tour of the historic Marshes of Glynn from the Visiting places mentioned in the St. Si- front yard of Eugenia’s home on her mons Trilogy, including Christ Church beloved island. (no interior entry)
For more information, please visit epworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688.
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 25 Devotions from International Lesson Series Living the Word
June 3, 2012 were shattered. Encouraged by the Nazi regime, the rioters burned or “What Does the Lord Require?” destroyed 267 synagogues, vandalized Exodus 23: 1-9 or looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and killed at least 91 Jewish people. he Anschluss had arrived in Aus- They also damaged many Jewish cem- Ttria March 12, 1938. My grandfa- eteries, hospitals, schools and homes ther had been called to serve the Nazi as police stood aside. Third Reich, and my physician Papa Have you ever turned your head was called to serve as a hospital direc- in the face of injustice? Perhaps About the Author: tor. These were not invitations one when “persons of color” move in to The Rev. “Tizzy” von refused. The family had already seen the neighborhood or, God forbid, our Trapp Walker currently friends disappear into the night never churches? Even children are not im- serves the Richmond to return. mune. They are afraid to stand up to Charge (Calvary, Oak- After six months of living under bullying, refuse to share their lunch land and Hopewell), Nazi rule, Grandfather called the tables with the new kid in school, Fredericksburg District. family together and said: “Now we and too often take part in ridiculing She also serves on the have to find out the will of God. Do physically and mentally challenged conference Commis- we want to keep our material goods classmates just to be part of the “in sion on Disabilities, the – our house, our estate, our friends crowd.” Have we, as the church, failed District Committee on – or do we want to keep our spiritual to teach our children that every cre- Ordained Ministry and goods – our faith and honor? We ated person is a child of God? Let us the United Methodist cannot keep both any longer. Listen, all chew on the words of the Prophet National Task Force on you can have money today and lose it Micah 6:8: “And what does the Lord Disability Ministries. tomorrow. The very same day you can require of you but to do justice and She earned her Master start all over again, and that can hap- to love kindness and to walk humbly of Divinity from East- pen more than once in your lifetime. with your God?” (NRSV) ern Mennonite Semi- But once you have lost your honor or nary. She is married to your faith, then you are truly lost.” June 10, 2012 Vern H. Walker, and There was really no question is stepmother to Karen in their collective mind what God “Strangers in a Strange Land” and Matthew and proud wanted. As a family it was decided Leviticus 19:9-18, 33-37 nana of Jessica Lynn they wanted to keep God, and they (10) and Kacie Bryce (3) knew they had to leave their beloved “Give me your tired, your poor, your Walker. She is the daugh- Austria (from the book Maria, by huddled masses yearning to breathe ter of Dr. Rupert von Maria Kutschera von Trapp). free. The wretched refuse of your Trapp, the oldest child of Exodus 23:2 says: “Do not follow teeming shore. Send these, the home- the renowned von Trapp the crowd in doing wrong. When you less, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my family whose story is give testimony in a lawsuit, do not lamp beside the golden door!” portrayed in Rogers and pervert justice by siding with the Emma Lazarus, carved on the base of the Statue of Liberty Hammerstein’s musical crowd.” (NIV) Yet almost exactly two and movie “The Sound months after my Grandfather and his t was October 1938. The strangers of Music.” Severely hard family became exiles from Salzburg, Iin the strange land of America had of hearing since birth, Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken no idea the path that God would open Tizzy received a cochlear Glass) occurred in Nazi Germany. before them. During the six months implant in December. “It State-sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots since the Anschluss in Austria, their has changed my whole were held against the Jewish com- homeland no longer felt like home. life!,” she now says. munity where untold numbers of The 11 family members along with windows in synagogues, Jewish-owned their musical director stood in the stores, community centers and homes immigration line at Ellis Island. There
26 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 is a family anecdote that tells the Adolf Hitler. Every little village sur- t was the summer of 1979 when I following story: “When questioned by rounding the city was celebrating the Ifound myself surrounded by heav- the Immigration officers how long she harvest. Dirndls and lederhosen were enly a cappella music during training planned to remain in America, Mutter the dress of the day, from the young- to work with a campus-based ministry. boldly announced, ‘Forever!’” She had est to the oldest. Nearby, Ranshofen As the voices swelled, so did my heart a six-month concert visa. Rupert, my was lining up the townspeople for the and I can remember thinking, “For Papa, had retained his Italian visa; the traditional procession into the church. this, I was born.” others had surrendered theirs prior It was unlike any harvest Sunday It was an echo song based on the to leaving Austria. But because of his I experienced in the United States. familiar words of Deuteronomy 6:4-5: dual citizenship, Papa was allowed Overflowing bushels of fruits and “Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is to leave Ellis Island. He became the vegetables required strong men to One! Thou shall love the Lord thy advocate for his family and they were carry them: Grandmothers carried God with all of thy heart (echo)! Thou released from detainment. What if he enormous loaves of bread; acolytes shall love the Lord thy God with all had not been able to function as their bearing candles and a crucifer led the of thy soul (echo)! Thou shall love emissary? Fortunately, the family also ensemble into the church. Laughing the Lord thy God with all of thy mind had the church on their side, which children, village “oompah” bands and (echo). Thou shall love the Lord thy begs the question in 2012: Where is the fire brigade brought up the rear. God with all of thy strength (echo).” the church today as the “illegal alien” It was a joyous celebration forever “Hear O Israel, the Lord our question swirls around us? emblazoned in my heart! God is one!” In the Jewish faith these Leviticus 19:34 makes a bold Leviticus 25:10 commands the words of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 are statement: “The alien who resides people of Israel to celebrate Jubilee: known as the Shema, which is the with you shall be to you as the citizen “Consecrate the fiftieth year and pro- central prayer of the Jewish prayer among you; you shall love the alien claim liberty throughout the land to book and is often the first prayer as yourself.” How quickly we forget. all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee a Jewish child learns. It is the first Like the Israelites held in captivity in for you.” When I think of a Jubilee prayer said upon waking every day, Babylon, Americans forget that their celebration I think wedding anniver- and often the last prayer uttered by ancestors came to their “new land” as sary. A biblical Jubilee was a time of the faithful at bedtime. aliens. Just ask any Native American. celebration of a different sort, for it Thirty-three years later, these They have a long and painful history offered the opportunity to restore words remain the very core of my with the aliens who landed on the what had been taken wrongly, to re- being. God comes first in life, and shores of their nation. evaluate lifetime priorities rejoicing everything else is just gravy. How are we, as the church, living in God’s grace. It was a time of giving The passage for this devotion out these words from Leviticus? Too back instead of hoarding possessions, from Deuteronomy fleshes out the often, we seem to circle the wagons particularly in light of the bibli- words of the Shema by instructing determined to protect what we see as cal mandate that it is impossible to that we are both to love the Lord our belonging to us: whether the church, “own,” or even to call one’s own, that God with our entire being, and to live community or country. Not only do which belongs to God. What a marvel- our daily lives in the light and under- these ancient words from Leviticus ous tradition. How could we celebrate standing of these words. We are to 19:34 make it quite clear that we are a true Jubilee in the church today? walk in all the ways of God. We are to to welcome all; the words of Jesus Cancel a financial debt? Let go of a love and serve God with all our heart continue to call us to first and fore- grudge? Return to others that which and soul and, lastly, we are to keep most love God, then love your neigh- was never ours to begin with? God’s commandments. bor. As you ask the question, “Who During that Oktoberfest in What this looks like varies in in- is my neighbor?”, think carefully. Put Austria, I was serving as a goodwill dividual lives, but in keeping with the on the eyes, heart and mind of God ambassador for my family. I was there theme of the week’s lessons, Chris- before the words spring forth from to receive an award for the years of tians are called to do acts of justice, your mouth! humanitarian efforts on the part of love with kindness and walk humbly the post-World War II Austrian Relief with our God. (Micah 6:1-8). Histori- June 17, 2012 Fund established by my family. For cally, however, the church is has been “A 21st Century Jubilee” Branau Am Inn it was a true Jubilee judgmental, loving only those who culminating in years of re-claiming fit certain criteria. We measure our Leviticus 25:8-12, 25, 35-36, the reputation of their city. service with the almighty dollar sign, 39-44, 47-48, 55 and we extend hospitality locally but June 24, 2012 struggle with global ministry. Instead t was a glorious autumn afternoon “Leftovers” of giving God our all, we give God our Iin Branau Am Inn, Austria, notori- leftovers. ously known as the birthplace of Deuteronomy 10:12-22; 16:18-20
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 27 To the Editor Letters & Commentary
Called to be co-creators with God n the Judeo-Christian tradition, concern for social justice achieve greater and greater political power in order to gain Iis ancient, dating back to the 8th century prophets and greater wealth. This accounts for the move to eliminate before. How Israel treated the alien, the orphan, and the estate taxes (counterfeited as the so-called “death tax”), as widow (i.e., “the poor”) was the measure of its faithfulness well as taxes on capital gains and dividends. Here, too, is to God (e.g. Deut. 24). Jesus stood in that tradition when the origin of the signed pledge never to raise taxes of any he opened his ministry in Naza- kind; and, arguably, it is the origin of the idea that money reth by claiming, in the words Commentary by is speech and corporations are persons. All of which, inten- of Isaiah, that he had been Dr. Richard N. tionally or not, are designed to assure that to the one who anointed to preach good news Soulen, Ph.D has, more will be given. to the poor, release to captives, There are, however, many things that are “natural” recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the oppressed that are not beneficial to the welfare of society. Tornadoes, (Luke 4). Of course, the town folk were not pleased to hear floods and tsunamis are all natural processes whose effects it, and they tried to kill him (vv. 28-29). civilized societies do all in their power to mitigate. The It is all the more startling, therefore, to read the prov- transfer of wealth from the many to the few is also a natu- erb embedded in the parable(s) of the talents (Matt. 25) ral phenomenon, but it is not desirable. The individual and and pounds (Luke 19) that “to all those who have, more societal dysfunction to which gross inequality leads cannot will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what be accepted as just and good any more than the ravages of they have will be taken away” (Luke 19:26; cf. Mark 4:13- tornadoes and floods. Even the Roman biographer Plu- 25 pars.). tarch, a younger contemporary of the apostle Paul, called Although many interpretations have been given to inequality between the rich and the poor “the oldest and these words, one thing is certain: they are descriptive, most fatal ailment of all republics.” Plutarch’s judgment is not prescriptive. They describe what is the case, not what even truer of democracies. Systemic economic inequality should be. The saying encapsulates a phenomenon that oc- calls for a wise and systemic response, including a pro- curs throughout nature: the small and weak lose out to the gressive tax structure, equality of opportunity, affordable big and strong. Whether one is talking about the interac- education, etc. tion of diverse molecules, or cancer cells in the body, or py- Jesus quoted the proverb, but he did not accept it. In thons in the Everglades, or towns and cities, or small busi- all that he said and did, he sought to right the wrongs of nesses and chain stores, or small galaxies and black holes nature, both physical (blindness, lameness, leprosy, etc.) verses their larger counterparts, the phenomenon remains and spiritual (greed for money and power, hatred of the the same: “to the one who has, more is given; but from different other, self-righteousness, etc.). He did so because, those who have not, even what they have is taken away.” as Son of God, he saw himself called by God to become the “Nothing succeeds like success,” we say. “Money makes instrument of God’s Spirit (Matt. 12:28) to overcome the money.” Sadly, in many arenas of nature, those who “have faults of nature and human nature. The followers of Christ not” begin to self-destruct – the poor engage in deleterious are likewise called to be instruments of God’s Spirit, to be behaviors: the abuse of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling co-creators of creation with God – or, as Paul put it, minis- and so forth -- all of which lead to greater poverty, disease ters of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20). and an earlier death. -Dr. Soulen is author of Sacred Scripture: A Short History of It is little wonder, therefore, that over the past four Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 2009) and Handbook decades in this nation and around the world the rich of Biblical Criticism, 4th Edition (WJK, 2011), co-authored with have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer. It is his son, R. Kendall Soulen of Wesley Theological Seminary in a perfectly natural phenomenon, especially given the fact Washington, D.C. that money is power and that, as the saying goes, “power corrupts.” Our nation’s wealth is held in fewer and fewer hands; and these few in turn, through well-paid lobbyists,
28 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 However, this does not mean that the church needs Non-anxious evangelism to produce leaders who will triumph an aggressive march out of the darkness. We do not need better performance in a time of numerical and outputs. What we need is faithful leadership, not by those who are effective, but by those who are holy. Elaine decline in our churches Heath’s approach — and, I would argue, the biblical witness to the life of Christ in which we are called to participate t Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico, when — has nothing to do with metrics or effectiveness and Athe sun goes down, so do you. With limited electricity everything to do with holiness and kenotic love. and a schedule that begins at 4 a.m., there is no holding back The church should not be about building herself up the darkness. Sunset is not to but about giving herself away. The church can only show be fought, but embraced as a Commentary by this self-giving love as embodied by Christ when she is time of reflection and rest. Sarah Howell more concerned about faithful witness in the world than In the 16th century, St. with her own survival. Holiness is not about self-aggran- John of the Cross meditated upon what he called “the dark dizement or even self-preservation, but about being the night of the soul.” Elaine Heath appropriated that image body of Christ, who “emptied himself” (Phil. 2:7). in her book The Mystic Way of Evangelism to describe the The church’s task is not to increase its own member- state of the church today. Many denominations, including ship but to imitate and participate in the life of Christ. The my own United Methodist Church, are seeking to reverse church does this by giving itself to the world in love in a decades of decline. With falling numbers in terms of mem- gesture as wasteful and beautiful as when Mary of Bethany bership and giving, ineffective leadership and uncertainty spilled her precious nard at Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-8). about our mission, the church is indeed in a dark night of Efforts at reform cannot be about institutional pres- the soul. ervation. The realities of membership and stewardship in However, Heath believes — as St. John of the Cross a denomination facing decline cannot be ignored, but a did — that the dark night of the soul is not something to fundamental shift in posture is needed if the church is to be avoided or escaped. In fact, it is a necessary time of remain faithful to God’s call. stillness, reflection, and drawing closer to God. The monks For, in the end, this is not about the survival of a of Christ in the Desert quietly yield themselves to literal denomination or congregation; it is about a God who does night and welcome its coming without anxiety or fear. The not need rescuing and to whom we must yield for rescue church, on the other hand, has seen the oncoming spiritual instead of trying to be our own savior. The church’s dark night and rushed out to buy floodlights and generators. We night of the soul need not be a threat but an opportunity are calling for more effective leadership, more programs for us as a body to seek humility, to recover our prophetic and more styles of worship. None of these is bad, and in voice, to ask to be taught by the God who is love how to fact many of these efforts represent needed changes and live into that self-giving love. long-overdue reform. But they do not get at the heart of -Sarah Howell from Charlotte, N.C., is a third-year student the problem. What we need is not a call to action. What we at Duke Divinity School. need is a call to holiness. When people resist change in worship, worship expert Marcia McFee says, they are actually expressing fear. Fear May Advocate’s focus on around changes in worship reflects a fear of losing God. If Scouting was another someone has always connected with God through hymns outstanding issue accompanied by an organ, it is no wonder that they worry about not finding that connection through praise choruses ur family has had someone involved in Scouting in sung to a guitar. The world is changing and the church Oevery generation since the programs began. We had along with it, and we are afraid that those changes will one long-term Tenderfoot and one Eagle among eight fam- cause us to lose God. ily members. Anytime we allow fear to dictate how we react to During part of our grandson’s journey he needed a change, of course, we find ourselves responding out of Den Mother, and his father stepped forward and filled the anxiety and not out of faith. We need leaders who can calm vacancy. Our neighbor needed a little more work to achieve those fears and remind us that even as everything around his Eagle rank and became a Troop of one with a leader us changes, God never does. It says something about willing to take just one member. spiritual leadership in America that we have manufactured The church cannot ignore this valuable resource. Christian heroes from professional athletes. -Alouise Ritter, Lower UMC, Hartfield
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 29 News of Church Leaders
Clergy & Diaconal
Deaths Shirley Fines Amidon, 92, of Fred- The Rev. ericksburg, died April 30, 2012. She Cecil Eugene was the widow of the Rev. Henry S. McFarland, 81, Amidon. died on April 19, 2012, in Rich- Lucille Armstrong, mother of retired mond. He was pastor, the Rev. “Skeeter” Kenneth born on Aug. 7, T. Armstrong, died May 8, 2012, in 1930, in McClure Nassawadox. Rev. Armstrong lives in and grew up in Machipongo, Eastern Shore District. Grundy. He was McFarland a United Method- Tennie Marie Chandler Brandon, of ist minister, a Navy chaplain, Goodwill Bracey, died April 13, 2012, at Duke Industries director and president of University Medical Center in Durham, Chaplain Service Prison Ministry of N.C. She was the widow of the Rev. Virginia, Inc. He was a graduate of John Z. Brandon. Tennessee Wesleyan College in Ath- ens, Tenn., Emory and Henry College Shelton Jennings, co-founder of King- in Emory, and the Candler School of sway Prison and Family Outreach, died Theology, Atlanta, and had one year April 24, 2012. He is survived by his of post-graduate study at Harvard wife, Louise. University in Cambridge, Mass. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Charlotte Elizabeth Scott Myers, of Roanoke, died May 1, 2012. She was Riddle; two children, Bob McFarland the widow of the Rev. John W. Myers. of Richmond and Ann Collins and her husband, Mark, of Spartanburg, S.C. A memorial service was held at Cham- berlayne Heights UMC in Richmond, with a grave side service and inter- ment at Emory & Henry College.
Pipe Organ Specialists Shenandoah Organ Studio, Inc. 281 Chinquapin Dr., Lyndhurst, VA 22952-2909 Robert G. Lent, president 540-942-3056 (office) 540-836-0159 (cell) e-mail: [email protected] www.shenorgan.com
FOR RENT HOME IN CAPE COD — Fully fur- nished 3-bedroom/2-bath home in The conference Clergywomen’s Collective Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. recently honored Bishop Kammerer at a $800/week, high season (July 4-La- luncheon at the United Methodist Center bor Day); $500/week, May-October; in Glenn Allen and presented a ‘memory For information, e-mail Dave & Nancy book’ to her. Forrest at
30 Virginia Advocate/June 2012 Grace Notes Connecting with the Differences make for a different Virginia Advocate official news magazine of the Virginia Conference of kind of General Conference The United Methodist Church have been to General Conference since the 1984 gather- P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058 Phone: 1-800-768-6040 or 804-521-1100 ing in Baltimore. At first, I served in a monitoring func- Fax: 804-521-1173 Ition, then as an alternate delegate and a delegate many E-mail: [email protected] times from the Florida Conference. Now I have gone four Website: www.vaumc.org times in the capacity of bishop. Thus, I have some perspec- Detailed guidelines for the following available tive on the quadrennial gathering of United Methodists! upon request. There were some distinctions about this General Confer- Subscriptions Print subscriptions are $15/one year; $25/two ence. years; $36/three years. Special bulk rate for five Since 41 percent of the delegates came from outside the or more copies going to a single address is $12 U.S., it was truly a representation of a global church. Seven each for one year. Subscriptions are $20/year for Charlene Payne both printed copy and online access. For online languages were offered in translation to assist the delegates only, cost is $10/year. Subscribe online at
Virginia Advocate/June 2012 31 Randolph-Macon Academy
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