Volume 6Number 1FEBRUARY 2006

INDEXCALENDAR............ 2THE NATION ......... 4THE WORLD .......... 5CLASSIFIEDS ........ 11

INDEXCALENDAR............ 2THE NATION ......... 4THE WORLD .......... 5CLASSIFIEDS ........ 11

“Celebrating theConnection” -Annual Confer-ence 2006Page 8

“Beyondthe

Border”

Page 6

“Stewardship inToday’s World”-hosted by theEastern PA -Peninsula UMFoundation.Page 11

Summer Camp2006

Military chaplain deploys Christmas joy in IraqBy Suzy Keenan

Major Clyde Scott conductedan unusual military operationin Iraq on December 22. Scott, aUnited Methodist pastor, is chap-lain with the 1st Brigade CombatTeam of the 101st AirborneDivision.

This military operationbrought Christmas peace, joy,and love to 160 children in aChristian school in Kirkuk, Iraqthrough Major Scott’s “Opera-tion Christmas Toys.”

Scott, deployed to Iraq sinceSeptember, 2005, came up the ideafor “Operation Christmas Toys”after several local Iraqi clergyrequested that the 1st BrigadeCombat Team bring Christmasgifts to the children of twoChristian Churches. AlthoughIraq is predominately Arab andMuslim, a diverse population ofArabs, Turkomen, and Kurdishpeoples, of both Christian andMuslim faith, live in this par-ticular area north of Baghdad.Wanting to be impartial, he de-cided he would deliver the gifts

EPA Conference pastor, Chaplain Clyde Scott, center, and Iraqi soldiers present Christmas gifts to Chris-tian school children of Kirkuk, Iraq in “Operation Christmas Toys.” Photo courtesy of Chaplain Clyde

By Suzy Keenan

Bishop Marcus Matthewsreturned on December 6from a visit to Old Mutare,Zimbabwe on the continentof Africa. Old Mutare ishome to Africa University,the United Methodist-related university thatserves the continent ofAfrica.

Bishop Matthews, whohas been instrumental inthe founding and growth ofAfrica University, sits onthe university’s Develop-ment Board. This board hasa goal of seeing AfricaUniversity be self-support-ing by under girding it withan endowment. The endow-ment, which began at $10million, has been built up to$40 million, but more isneeded to provide forgroundwork and growth.

Africa University isunique in that its studentscome from all over theAfrican Continent. “It is atrue blessing,” said Bishop

Bishop Marcus Matthewsvisits Africa University

For article; see “Charles Tindley Celebration” on page 10

Flags of 20 countries fly over the campus ofUnited Methodist-related Africa University.UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

Continues on page 12

Continues on page 9

www.epaumc.org

2 2 2 2 2 FEBRUARY 2006

the Planning Committee 215 855 0797vcolliver@comcast.net SEPTEMBER 29 – OCT. 1United Methodist Marriage Encoun-ter in Pittsburgh Area— “Rediscoverthe one you love on a Marriage En-counter Weekend! Marriage Encoun-ter is 44 hours where married couplescan get away from jobs, kids, choresand phones—and focus only on eachother. If you would like greaterdepth, growth, and enrichment inyour relationships, you’ll like thedifference a marriage EncounterUnited Methodist Weekend can make!For registration information pleasecontact Dick & Donna Risinger 224Main Ave., Warren, Pa 16365 ; (814)723-1296 or Bernell & Jola Shoff (717)244-4848; 936 Old Commons Rd,Windsor Pa 17366 or on line atwww.encounter.org

JUNE 19-27, 2007WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISMINSTITUTE 25TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATIONS IN 2007 EIGHTHINTERNATIONAL EVANGELISMSEMINAR IN ATLANTAAll worldwide Methodist/Wesleyanconferences and districts are invitedto send lay and clergy delegates tothe upcoming World Methodist 8thInternational Evangelism Seminar inAtlanta. Contact: Dr. Winston O. R.Worrell, Director World MethodistEvangelism Institute of the WorldMethodist Council. 1703 Clifton Road,F-3, Atlanta, GA 30329, Tel. 404-727-6344, Fax. 404-727-5236. Website:www.wmei.ws

Conference Calendar

Published 10 times per year byThe Eastern Pennsylvania Conference ofThe United Methodist Church

Valley Forge Corporate Center980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403

Bishop Marcus MatthewsSuzy KeenanIleana Rivera

Philadelphia Area BishopDirector of CommunicationsGraphic Design and Layout

Annual subscription $12Please submit articles for publication by the 10th of the month to:

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church,P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820

or via e-mail to communications@epaumc.org

Periodical postage paid at Norristown, PA 19403, USPS #0019604POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

NEWSpirit at EPA Conference, P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820

FEBRUARY. 7, 21Debtors AnonymousMeets at Thorndale UMC the first andthird Tuesdays at 7:00 pm; 3505 Lin-coln Highway, Thorndale, PA; 610-384-2433.

FEBRUARY. 9, 16, 23AA, AlanonMeets each Thursday at ThorndaleUMC at 6:30 PM; 3505 Lincoln High-way, Thorndale, PA; 610-384-2433.

FEBRUARY 9-12Aldersgate Renewal Ministries pre-sents Worship Conference 2006A fellowship, teaching, training andworship event to equip your ministry!To be held at the Aldersgate RenewalCenter, just outside of Nashville inGoodlettsville, TN.Get information and register online:http://www.regtable.com/register.php?eventcode=656604-1803Some of the topics that will be ad-dressed will include: * “Power to For-give; Grace to be Forgiven” - Rev. GaryMoore, “Church Members are PeopleToo: Biblical Insight for PlanningWorship” - Jonathan Dow, “Lessonsfrom the Desert: Minister ing inDry Places” - Rev. Dr. Frank Billman,“Breaking Barriers to Intimacy withGod” - Margie Burger, “‘ProductiveRehearsal’ Doesn’t Have to Be an Oxy-moron” - Steve Krenz, “Eyes to Hear -Ears to See: Sound Advice for Techiesand Musicians” - Dana Harding, “In-corporating the Ministry of Bannersand Dance into Your Church” - Jim &Marilyn Walker, and the AldersgateExpressive Worship Team, * andmore!!!!

FEBRUARY 25Financial SeminarFor local churches - training,information, and resources onstewardship, church budgeting, clergytax, and property and liability. BishopMarcus Matthews will be the keynotespeaker for this seminar.Participants will be able to selecttwo out of four workshops offered: Property & Liability with Jeff Phillippi& James Lewis, Engle- Hambright &Davies Inc.Clergy Tax with Michael J. Holmes,Holmes, Simmons & Oswald, P.C.Church Budgeting with David Napo-leon, Eastern Pennsylvania Confer-ence. Investments and Endowments withStacy Martin, Eastern PA & Pen DelFoundation . This seminar is to beheld at Drexel Brook Corporate EventsCenter, Drexel Hill, PA.Workshop Session 1 - 9:30 to 11:30 am;Lunch - 12 pm - Key note SpeakerBishop Marcus Matthews; WorkshopSession 2 - 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Registrationfees: $20 per person - Cost includesmaterials and lunch. Look for flyers, which were mailed onJanuary 6, 2006. For more information,contact Moses Kumar, 1-800-828-9093,ext. 209 or moses.kumar@epaumc.org

FEBRUARY 28 -BISHOP’S LENTEN DAYAPART - SEE PAGE 3 STEWARDSHIP IN TODAY’SWORLDWORKSHOPpresented by the EasternPennsylvania Conference andEastern PA-Peninsula UMFoundation, featuring the Rev. David

S. Bell, Director of Stewardship,Center for Christian Stewardship, TheUnited Methodist ChurchTwo Dates Available:

Friday, March 24, 20064:30 appetizers, 5:30 dinnerShady Maple, LancasterFull Buffet - included in fee $25

Sunday, March 26, 20061:30 refreshments, 2:00 startTindley Temple, PhiladelphiaLight refreshments, included - $10Book: Creative Giving: Understanding Planned Giving and Endowmentsin the Church Included in fee)Registration: information to follow -save the date now! For more informa-tion, contact Ms. Stacy Martin, execu-tive director, 1-800-828-9093, ext. 247 orstacy.martin@epaumc.org.

APRIL 1A Day Apart for the Diaconate of theEPAUMC - “Our Mission in the Churchand in the World” With Rev. Dr. BenHartley, Professor of Mission Studies atPalmer Theological Seminary and Or-dained Deacon in Full Connection in theWestern Michigan Conference. AllDeacons, Diaconal Ministers and Dea-con Candidates are encouraged to at-tend. To be held at Simpson House, 2101Belmont Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131;215- 878-3600. Watch for additionaldetails to follow at a later date! Or, forfurther information, contact SusanWorrell: 610-436-9298 orjsworrell@aol.com.

APRIL 25Sabbath Retreat: Recreation for theSoul. Tuesday, April 25th, 2005, 9:30am-3:30pm at Pocono Plateau ProgramCenter, Cresco, PA. Leader: Susan Cole,D.Min., Spiritual Director and UMClergy. This Sabbath retreat day offerstime to listen for God’s voice in musicand poetry or watch for God’s hand inart and the created world; space to sim-ply rest in God; solitude as well as groupprayer and sharing; reflection on holytime and space: sacred boundaries; op-portunity to let God do a new thing inyou. Bring your journal, if you haveone, and comfortable clothes and shoesfor walking outside. Cost: $25 , checkpayable to EPAUMC. This workshopfulfills the requirement for .5 CEU inAdvanced Sexual Ethics. To register:Contact Clarita Krall,clarita.krall@epaumc.org, c/o EastDistrict Office, Huntingdon Valley UMC,3470 Huntingdon Pike, HuntingdonValley, Pa. 19006; 215-914-2130.

APRIL 28 - 30United Methodist Marriage Encounterin YORK— “Rediscover the one youlove on a Marriage Encounter Week-end! Marriage Encounter is 44 hourswhere married couples can get awayfrom jobs, kids, chores and phones—and focus only on each other. If youwould like greater depth, growth, andenrichment in your relationships,you’ll like the difference a marriageEncounter United Methodist Weekendcan make! For registration informa-tion please contact Dick & DonnaRisinger 224 Main Ave., Warren, Pa16365 ; (814) 723-1296 or Bernell & JolaShoff (717) 244-4848; 936 Old CommonsRd, Windsor Pa 17366 or on line atwww.encounter.org. Also September 29– Oct. 1, 2006 in Pittsburgh Area.

MAY 12Innabah Golf OutingSave the date!More information will be forthcom-ing.

JUNE 11, 2006Peace with justice Sunday Six timesthroughout the year, United Method-ist congregations celebratechurchwide Special Sundays withofferings. Your support is critical tothe survival of these importantministries and for sharing God’s giftsaround the world.

JUNE 17Save the date!!United Methodist Day at HersheyPark - a day filled with performancesof live Christian music, fun, food, andfellowship. For more information,contact Mr. Jim Wilkin, director ofcamping and nurture ministries,jim.wilkin@epaumc.org or 1-800-828-9093, ext. 225.

JUNE 19, 21-23, 2006Annual Conference 2006·The Executive Session for Clergy atHempfield UMC - June 19, 2006, from1:00-5:00 p.m. ·Annual Conference atthe Wyndham Franklin Plaza, 17thand Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA.June 21 to 23, 2006 - Opening Worshipwill begin at 6:00 pm on June 21, andthe conference will conclude with theService of Ordination on the eveningof June 23. For more information onthe Wyndham, go to: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PHLFP/main.wnt

JULY 29at 7:05 - United Methodist Day at thePhillies. Phillies vs. Florida MarlinsFor more information, contact Mr.Jim Wilkin, director of camping andnurture ministries,jim.wilkin@epaumc.org or 1-800-828-9093, ext. 225. AUGUST 11-13The 23rd Academy for LaityThe Inn at Reading, 1040 Park Road,Wyomissing, PA“Growing in Faith to Serve Christ—inthe local church, the community, andthe World” Offering the Basic Courseand Advanced Courses for ChristServant Ministers. Open to all Laityin Eastern Pennsylvania ConferenceVisit the Conference Website atwww.epaumc.org or the Christ Ser-vant Minister Website at www.gbgm-umc.org/csm for further details.Contact person: Verna M. Colliver,Dean of Laity Academy and Chair of

For Philadelphia Area clergy - please place theseimportant dates with BishopMarcus Matthews on yourcalendar:

2006November 28 - Bishop’s AdventDay Apart

2007January 16-18 - Bishop’s Midwin-ter RetreatFebruary 20 - Bishop’s LentenDay ApartNovember 27 - Bishop’s AdventDay Apart

2008January 15-17 - Bishop’s Midwin-ter RetreatFebruary 5 - Bishop’s Lenten DayApartNovember 25 - Bishop’s AdventDay Apart

www.epaumc.org

FEBRUARY 2006 33333

Mrs. Sylvia FranceschiSylvia Franceschi, wife of retired associ-

ate member, the Rev. Francisco Franceschi,died Wednesday, November 23 at the age of68.

Rev. Franceschi had served La TrinidadUMC. He retired in July of 2002.

Condolences may be sent to Rev.Franceschi at 403 S. West St., Allentown PA18102-4537.The Rev. Henry F. Hamer, Jr. January 8, 2006. He had been a residentof Simpson Meadows in Downingtownsince 2004. Rev. Hamer served the follow-ing appointments, his first being in 1937:Analomink;Wooddale; Cherry Lane;Chapman Quarries; Bushkill; WillowStreet: Boehm’s; Parkside; Goodwill;Ebenezer; Berwyn; Phila.: Taylor Memo-rial; Phoenixville: First; Reading: WindsorStreet; Lykens: Grace; Phila.: Bustleton;Former Phila.: Siloam. He retired in 1979.In 1930 he graduated from Northeast HighSchool in Philadelphia. In 1937 he gradu-ated from Albright College (A.B.), and hereceived his M.Div. from Drew TheologicalSeminary in 1939. He is survived by hiswife, Elizabeth, a son, Henry B. Hamer ofReading, PA, and a daughter, MarilynSabol, of Chadds Ford, PA.Condolonces should be sent to Mrs. Eliza-beth Hamer, c/o their daughter MarilynSabol, 3751 Knole Ln, Chadds Ford, PA19317-8930.The Rev. Stephen A. Herczeg, Jr.

The Rev. Stephen A. Herczeg, Jr., pastorof Salem United Methodist Church inPottstown (part-time local pastor), on Octo-ber 31, 2005. He was 53 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn;condolences may be sent to her at 2340Harmonyville Road, Elverson PA 19520-0299. Also surviving are his parents andthree sisters. The family requests that inlieu of flowers, donations be sent to Gift ofLife, 401 N Third St., Phila. PA 19123.

In MemoriamThe Rev. Russell R. Hoeltzel

Retired elder, The Rev. Russell R.Hoeltzel, on Christmas, December 25, 2005,after a brief illness. He was 93 years old.Rev. Hoeltzel was a resident at HeritageTowers in Doylestown for the past 16 years.

He was educated at the Northeast HighSchool for Boys, University of Pennsylva-nia, Temple University, and Drew Theologi-cal Seminary, where he received hisdivinity degree with honors in 1939.Following his ordination he went on toserve a total of 11 appointments. He alsoserved on extension ministry as director ofthe Conference Television, Radio and FilmCommission from 1970 to 1976, and wasexecutive secretary of the ConferenceBoard of Pensions from 1978 to 1983, thefirst person to head the pension area.

Rev. Hoeltzel was predeceased by hiswife, Virginia (Jeannie) in 1984. He issurvived by one daughter, Jann, and threesons: Keir, Leslie, and Jeffrey. Condolencesmay be sent to Keir Hoeltzel at 8201 ForestHills Drive, Elkins Park PA 19027.Mrs. Joyce McCurdy

Joyce McCurdy, widow of the Rev.Alexander McCurdy, on Monday, December26, 2005.

Rev. McCurdy died in 1994 while servingTrinity UMC in Lickdale, PA.

Condolences may be sent to theMcCurdy Family, 3377 SR 72, Jonestown,PA 17038. The Rev. Robert (Bob) M. Neely

The Rev. Robert (Bob) M. Neely, retiredelder, on Wednesday, December 28, 2005. Rev. Neely served the following appoint-ments: former Phila.: Siloam; Phila.: St.Luke’s Snyder Ave.; former Phila.: Faith;Easton: Calvary; and East Stroudsburg. Heretired in 1981.

Rev. Neely is survived by his wife,Esther, and three children: Ilene, Beth, andDan. Condolences may be sent to Mrs.Esther Neely at 4070 Jacksonville Rd.,Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Bishop leads the search for Shalom at Mid-Winter RetreatBy The Rev. Robert R. Shank*

Over 250 clergy and their spouseswere searching together for Shalom inRehoboth Beach, Delaware this Janu-ary. The largest gathering for theannual retreat in the past 6 yearsspent time in study, prayer, and wor-ship as they conducted their search.

The stage was set in the openingworship when Rev. Mandy Millerassured the participants there wouldbe signs along the way to let themknow they were on the right track.She quoted the lyrics of a popular U2song:

“You broke the bonds and youLoosed the chainsCarried the cross

Of my shame, Of my shameYou know I believed it

But I still haven’t foundwhat I’m looking for”

—U2, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’mLooking For”

The question was obvious: Haveyou found what you are looking for?If not, then keep search-ing. Let us search to-gether for Shalom.

Dr. Maxine ClarkeBeach, the Vice Presi-dent and Dean of DrewTheological School, wasthe presenter and chal-lenged the pastors andspouses to join in thesearch for Shalom. Shebegan with an intrigu-ing look at some wordsunique for this event:

Winter, Retreat, Clergy, Bishop, United,Untied, and Methodist.

The initial task was to define whatShalom is and what it looks like. Syn-onyms include peace, safety, tranquil-ity, health, and friendship. Upon closerexamination, Shalom looks a lot likeThe Kingdom of God.

An overriding assumption was thatwe struggle with justice every day.“Why,” Dean Beach asked, “do reallybad things happen to good people?”She then took the group to the Bibleto begin searching for Shalom report-ing Walter Wink’s observations con-cerning the presence of violence inthe Bible: there are over 6,000 passagesof explicit violence in the HebrewBible, 1,000 verses where God’s ownviolent actions of punishment aredescribed and 100 passages whereYahweh expressly commands othersto kill.

“What are we to do with these pas-sages?” Dean Beach asked. “How canwe come to terms with all this vio-lence in our search for God’s justice

and Shalom? Should wedisregard these difficultpassages?” She evenobserved that most ofthese texts are not inour lectionary, so theyare easy to avoid.

Her suggestion wasto accept and strugglewith the entire text ofscripture, includingthose passages whichare difficult or challeng-ing for us. We seek Sha-lom especially in texts

of great conflict and violence. Thescriptures offer ways to find justicewhich is fair and equitable to allpeople, even to Samaritans andpeople who are different. As wesearch the scriptures we will findways that speak and teach howGod’s justice can and should be partof our own experiences.

A poignant moment occurredwhen Dean Beach asked, “What’sgoing on in our churches that peopleare beating each other up?” And notonly in local churches either. Thereare clergy and parishioners gettingbeaten up at the Annual and Juris-dictional Conferences, too. She askedhow can we create a place where wecan be reconciled and experienceShalom even in our differences.”

Dean Beach also introduced theAfrican word “ubuntu,” whichmeans “one who is open and availableto others, affirming of others, andbelongs to the greater whole of soci-ety.” The concept is we are all con-nected to each other. When you hurt,then I hurt. One South African lan-guage has no word for the “indi-vidual.” God’s justice is intended forall people.

You do not need to have attended theBishop’s Retreat to help in the searchfor Shalom. The search can include allthose who desire God’s justice to be areality in their homes, churches, com-munities, and the world.

The formula to search for ShalomDean Beach offered is straight for-ward:

1) Remembering2) Truth Telling

3) Repenting4) Forgiving5) Healing

We live and work and play in a de-nomination called The United Method-ist Church where we desperately needShalom. Together, may we find ways tobring Shalom to God’s people in ourchurches and communities.

Shalom to you, my friend.

* The Rev. Robert R. Shank is pastorof Stroudsburg United MethodistChurch in Stroudsburg, PA.

Resources for the Search forShalom:

“Leadership and the New Science”by Margaret Wheatley

“The World Café”by Juanita Brown

Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 8:30 am - 12:30 pmAt Aldersgate United Methodist Church

2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803Phone: (302) 478-2575

We are excited that the presenter for the Bishop’sLenten Day Apart will be the Rev. HiRho Park fromthe General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.Rev. Park is the coordinator for the 2006 InternationalUnited Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation inAugust, 2006. We will have light refreshments duringour fellowship time beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thepreacher and communion celebrant will be BishopMarcus Matthews.

The Rev. HiRho ParkPresentation: “Bringing the Body of Christ together”

The Rev. HiRho Park is Director of Continuing Forma-tion for Ministry for the United Methodist General Boardof Higher Education and Ministry. Park oversees the con-tinuing education and spiritual formation for clergy andprovides support for United Methodist clergywomen, aswell as racial and ethnic clergy in areas of theologicaleducation, enlistment, and research. With Angella Current-Felder, Office of Loans and Scholarships, she coordinatesthe Women of Color Scholarship and Mentoring program.She relates to Boards of Ordained Ministry, clergywomen,racial and ethnic clergy, annual conferences, and seminar-ies. She coordinates the Georgia Harkness Scholarshipprogram.

RSVP: To register for this event, please email 1) your name, 2) telephone number,and 3) conference, district, and local church name to Amy Botti, Bishop’s Adminis-trative Assistant, at amy.botti@epaumc.org or call her at 1-800-828-9093, ext. 233. Weare asking that everyone RSVP for this event to give us as accurate aheadcount as possible.

Bishop’s Lenten Day Apart for clergyEastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences

Bishop Marcus Matthews, PhiladelphiaArea, at retreat

Bishop Marcus Matthews,Philadelphia Area

Dean Maxine Clarke Beach

www.epaumc.org

4 4 4 4 4 FEBRUARY 2006

The Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in Brief

In The Nation

A UMNS ReportBy Vicki Brown*

When 1,500 clergywomen gather inChicago for the 2006 InternationalUnited Methodist Clergywomen’s Con-sultation next summer, they will reachforward to a new generation, even asthey celebrate the historic 50th anniver-sary of full clergy rights for women.

The Rev. HiRho Park, coordinator ofthe Aug. 13-17 meeting, which is spon-sored by the UnitedMethodist Board ofHigher Education andMinistry, says the gath-ering provides an oppor-tunity to address barri-ers that remain forwomen in ministry. Thefinal plenary session willbe devoted to consideringthe future ofclergywomen in TheUnited MethodistChurch.

“The gender gap be-tween achievement ofmale and female clergypersists in spite of theincreasing number ofwomen coming into theministry,” says Park,director of ContinuingFormation for Ministryat the board.“Clergywomen are still strugglingbecause of lower salaries and resis-tance to accepting female pastors at thelocal church level.

“Many clergywomen are still in alower to mid-level placement, oftentimeson a token level. Gender, race, educa-tion, family, mobility and politics of thechurch all affect clergywomen’s minis-tries. Clergy - male and female - in lead-

ership positions must be advocates forwomen and racial-ethnic ministers.”

Park hopes the consultation will helpdevelop strategies to strengthen andnurture the next generation of womenleaders. Those strategies could includeestablishing a support system in eachannual conference, encouraging womento explore global leadership opportuni-

ties and developingseminary curricu-lum that encouragesgreater diversity. Inaddition, she hopesthe conference canlook at why ethnicminorityclergywomen areless likely to stay inlocal church minis-try.

“It is a tragedythat the church islosing its rich diver-sity when thesewomen leave localchurch ministry,”Park says.

Registration bro-chures were mailedin November, andmore clergywomenare expected at the

2006 consultation than at any of theprevious seven gatherings. That ispartly because of interest in the 50thanniversary of the historic vote at the1956 General Conference in Minneapo-lis, which gave full clergy rights towomen. The anniversary will be ob-served at a banquet during the meeting.

The Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, topstaff executive of the Board of HigherEducation and Ministry, describes the

significance of observing the anni-versary at the meeting.

“The United Methodist Church,and especially its predecessor body,the Methodist Church, will observea defining moment in its quest tobe ‘fully church’ when it celebratesthe 50th anniversary of grantingfull clergy rights for women in set-apart ministry,” Del Pino says.“While the 1956 General Confer-ence addressed a vexing social,political and justice issue by itsaction, the greater significancewas, and is, that the full inclusionof women in the ordained leader-ship of the church affirmed thefullness of God’s creation andGod’s expectation that the churchmodel God’s will for God’s creationto the world.”

Park agrees, saying the presenceof clergywomen is the evidence ofan egalitarian belief of the church.

“God calls all people into minis-try, especially to the ministry ofreconciliation,” says Park, the firstKorean-American clergywoman tohead up the consultation. “We needto commemorate the contributionand sacrifice that women made tobe faithful to their dedication toordained ministry.”

In addition to the banquet andplenary session, workshops deal-ing with such issues as the statusof racial-ethnic clergywomen, howto mentor the next generation ofclergywomen, and bridging the gapbetween clergywomen and lay womenwill be offered. Spirituality groups of-fered each morning will explore suchissues as spirituality on the go, interces-sory prayer and living the Sabbath.

Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly, the firstAfrican-American woman electedbishop, foresees an ever-growing role forwomen clergy in The United MethodistChurch.

“As I listen to the young women bish-ops, we’ve got bright, able, well-trainedand clear-thinking women,” says Kelly,now retired. And those bishops arelikely to appoint more women to postsin “high-steepled” churches, the large

churches that have typically been aroute to the episcopacy, she adds.

Kelly credits the changing face ofministry - about 9,500, or one in fiveUnited Methodist clergy, are women -partly to the civil rights movement.

“I don’t think we’d have seen themovement in race or color in ministrywithout the kind of movement we hadin civil rights,” she says. “And womenwere very much a part of that, too.”

*Brown is an associate editor and writerin the Office of Interpretation at theUnited Methodist Board of HigherEducation and Ministry.

Clergywomen’s event wiil celebratemilestone, address challenges

•HURRICANE RITA RECOVERYHurricane Rita roared into East Texasand Southwest Louisiana on the heelsof Hurricane Katrina. The UMCORDisaster Response network is hard atwork helping the survivors of Rita torecover their homes and livelihoodsthrough the annual conferences. In theTexas Annual Conference, Rita recov-ery is well underway with 126 volunteerteams arriving to assist in relief andrecovery between October and the endof 2005. Many more teams are sched-uled in 2006. Family advocates andothers are undergoing training to helppeople not only repair their homes, butalso their lives. Your gifts to UMCORAdvance #982523, Hurricanes 2005, helpall those affected by last year’s terriblestorms to recover. If you would likeyour gift to go to a specific hurricane orregion, please note that in the memoline of your check.•IMMIGRATION REFORMAn immigration reform bill (HR 4437)that passed in the House of Representa-tives last December and will reach theSenate floor later this month is of greatconcern to anyone involved with therights and welfare of immigrants in theUS. Section 202 of the bill wouldcriminalize “any relative, employer, co-worker, co-congregant, or friend of anundocumented immigrant.” Under this

provision, a church group that providesassistance to undocumented immi-grants could be considered an “aliensmuggler” and a criminal. If passed,this bill would jeopardize the life andlivelihood of an estimated 11 millionundocumented persons in the US andincreases detention and limits access tofederal review for asylum seekers. Youcan let your congress person know howyou feel about HR 4437 by calling his orher office and sending letters. For moreinformation, visit the Church WorldService website: http://www.churchworldservice.org/ SupportUMCOR’s ministry to immigrants inneed of legal assistance by giving toUMCOR Advance #901285, Justice forOur Neighbors.•HOUSING INVESTMENT HELPS NA-TIVE AMERICANS OVERCOME ADDIC-TION

A new $12 million building openedrecently in San Francisco, allowing theexpansion of a holistic addictiontreatment program emphasizing NativeAmerican culture and values. With anew facility, the Friendship HouseAmerican Indian Healing Centerexpanded from 30 to 80 beds, lengthenedtreatment from 90 days to six monthsand added a six-month transitionalhousing and job training program.About 85 percent of the Friendship

House clients are from Native Americantribes in California and other states.Most leave with a strong commitment tosobriety. Construction was madepossible in part through a $1.8 million,30-year loan purchased by the UnitedMethodist Board of Pension and HealthBenefits as part of its affordablehousing investment program.•NEW RESOURCES ADDRESSCHURCH’S SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIPNEED

The United Methodist Church’sdiscipleship agency has announced twonew initiatives aimed at addressing thelack of spiritual leadership amongpastors and within congregations. Thenew initiatives, designed to help pastorsand congregations build those leader-ship skills, were introduced Jan. 11 atthe Board of Discipleship. “These twocompanion resources squarely addressthe most pressing issue of the churchtoday,” said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt,top executive of the agency. “Bothinitiatives are dedicated to creatingspiritually formed leaders who want toimprove their skills and deepen theircongregation’s commitment to disciple-making. The impact these resources willmake will be felt for years to come.”

The L Leadership Incubator and theChurch Vitality Indicator, more thanthree years in the making, use a combi-

nation of technology and prayerfuldialogue to strengthen leaders andreshape disciple-making faith communi-ties, said discipleship agency staff. The Lstands for “love, learn and lead.” Fordetails, go to www.L3incubator.com orwww.CVIndicator.com, or contactBetsey Heavner, project coordinator,toll-free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7295, or bye-mail at bheavner@gbod.org.•MARYLAND CHURCH, VICTIM OFHATE CRIME, RESPONDS IN LOVE

On Jan. 12, members of St. MarksUnited Methodist Church in Boyds, MD,church leaders, county officials and acandidate for governor of Marylandstood on the front steps of the churchto denounce the hate crime thatoccurred there: the spay-painting of aswastika on the church door. The Nazisymbol was spray-painted on the doorJan. 10. At a press conference held onthe front steps of the church, the Rev.Tim Warner, pastor of St. Marks,thanked the many church members,conference clergy and communityleaders who had come to support hiscongregation and community. BishopJohn R. Schol, who spoke at the pressconference, called upon all pastors ofthe conference and religious leadersacross Maryland to explain, teach andpreach to their faith groups that racismis a sin and not to be tolerated.

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly was the first African-American woman elected to the episcopacy in TheUnited Methodist Church. She finds meaning inthe Central Jurisdiction by recalling it as a timewhen her family’s home in Cincinnati hostedmany Methodist leaders of historic significance.In the Central Jurisdiction, blacks receivedtraining and skills in church leadership thatthey would not have received anywhere else insociety, she says. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

The Rev. HiRho Park

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The WThe WThe WThe WThe World in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brief

In The World

By Larry Hollon*

MANILA, Philippines (UMNS) - A UnitedMethodist delegation on human rights inthe Philippines called upon PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo to take a moreaggressive role to stop the killing of clergy,laity, journalists and human rightsworkers who work with the poor. Noting that “extrajudicial” murders hadincreased in the past year in the country,Bishop John Hopkins, head of the delega-tion, told a Jan. 6 news conference inManila, “The killing must stop.” Hopkins said the delegation hearddeeply moving first-hand testimony frommore than 20 victims and surviving familymembers from many parts of the Philip-pines, who described the pain andsuffering through murders targetingreligious and community workers. ”Our people are not armed,” said thebishop, who leads the denomination’s OhioEast Area. “They teach, provide medicalcare, counsel and educate. We implore thegovernment and military officials torecognize the important work of those whoseek to minister with the poor andmarginalized, and to distinguish their workas vital and important to the country andits people.” In hearings with victims, the delegationwas told such work is often called “subver-sive,” and individuals engaged in humanrights education are falsely accused ofsupporting terrorism or holding member-ship in political groups advocating violentresistance to the Arroyo administration. In an extended visit with Scott DouglasBellard, acting deputy chief of mission atthe U.S. embassy, the delegation sought theassistance of U.S. officials to press thePhilippine government to distinguishbetween armed terrorists and church andcommunity workers who are conductingtheir work peacefully. Bellard is the highest-ranking U.S. officialin the embassy. A nomination to fill thevacant post of ambassador to the Philip-

pines was made while the delegation was enroute to Manila. Similarly, the delegation met with MariaIsabel Gonzales-Tobias, undersecretary forreligious affairs of the Philippine govern-ment, and with several high-rankingmembers of the Armed Forces of thePhilippines. Delegation members pressed for an end tothe adverse labeling of human rightsactivists and religious workers. Militaryofficials denied that lists known as “orderof battle” exist at the national level, butconceded that commanders in localassignments might identify “knowntroublemakers.” Kristina Gonzalez, a member of thedelegation and of the church’s coordinatingcouncil known as the Connectional Table,told the news conference the security of thenation is being “inversely affected by itslack of commitment to human rights.” ”The more the government secures therights of the people, the more secure thewhole nation will be,” she said. “Similarly,when human rights are violated, thecountry is less secure.” Jim Winkler, chief executive of theUnited Methodist Board of Church andSociety, reported that witnesses andsurvivors told the delegation of armedmilitary personnel in full body armorappearing in neighborhoods and asking thewhereabouts of clergy and other workers.Those people then disappear or are foundmurdered. “We heard patterns of system-atic extrajudicial killing,” he said. He recalled other accounts of false publicaccusations against individuals who beganto receive notes with death threats slippedunder their doors, sent via text messages orthrough telephone calls. One priestreported a note threatening his death -accompanied by bullets - being placed inthe offering plate of his parish duringSunday worship services. Several families told of armed men, onmotorcycles and wearing ski masks andhelmets, ambushing individuals and killingthem. The motorcycles lack license tags or

carry counterfeit tags, making themuntraceable. Bishop Solito K. Toquero, resident bishopof the Manila Area, noted that the high-level delegation of United Methodistleaders is the second international churchgroup to visit the country and to expressdeep concern regarding worsening humanrights, especially the killings of activistsand church workers. Toquero has beenrumored to be among those targeted. The delegation called for Arroyo to takethe following actions:

·Begin an immediate and impartialinvestigation of all recent extrajudicialexecutions.

·Make a commitment not to imposemartial rule or other limitations on civilliberties or human rights.

·Revise the government’s military strat-egy for resolving the insurgency to ensure

the safety of noncombatants and to avoidindiscriminate destruction of property.

·Cease the practice by the governmentand military of labeling those who work forjustice and for the poor as subversive orcommunist.

·Conduct follow-up meetings with thethree bishops of The United MethodistChurch in the Philippines, including mis-sion partners in other communions, todiscuss progress on the investigations.

The delegation was invited to thePhilippines by United Methodist leaders inthe country.

Delegation members expressed solidaritywith the church in the Philippines andstated support for “courageous ministrywith the poor and marginalized.”

*Hollon is chief executive of United Method-ist Communications.

Stop the killing in Philippines,United Methodists say

Children learn to read in an outreach ministry of Central United MethodistChurch, Davao City, Philippines, in this 1997 photograph. A United Methodist delega-tion on human rights in the Philippines has called upon President GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo to take a more aggressive role to stop the killing of clergy, laity,journalists and human rights workers who work with the poor in the Philippines. AUMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.

•INDONESIA: ONE YEAR LATERIt’s been a year since the tsunamistruck Indonesia and nations allaround the Indian Ocean on December26, 2004. UMCOR’s operations inIndonesia have accomplished much inthe last 12 months. Download andshare the latest UMCOR bulletininsert, New Homes, New Communitiesathttp://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/bulletininserts/tsunamioneyearlater.cfm to learnmore about how UMCOR is providingshelter, livelihoods, and hope in thewake of this disaster. As interna-tional news crews rushed to documentincredible scenes of devastationfollowing the tsunami, many heartswere touched. In the end, what isestimated to be 232,000 people from adozen nations were dead or missing —most of them, 169,000, from the Acehprovince of northern Sumatra. TheRev. R. Randy Day, chief executive ofthe United Methodist Board of GlobalMinistries, believes the live coverageof the tsunami’s aftermath and thetiming of its fury — the day afterChristmas — lent a “very personal”aspect to this disaster. That giving, tothe United Methodist Committee onRelief, would eventually amount to

$41.5 million, the bulk of which wasdonated in the first eight months afterthe tsunami hit. The total is by far thedenomination’s largest giving for asingle disaster, according to RolandFernandes, the board’s treasurer.•PAKISTAN/KASHMIR: EARTH-QUAKE RELIEF CONTINUESThe rush to provide relief to earth-quake-affected areas in South Asiacontinues. UMCOR Partners such asChurch World Service, InternationalBlue Crescent, Church’s Auxiliary forSocial Action, and others are givingassistance in the form of shelter, food,and medical care.October’s quake continues to take itstoll as survivors suffer from diseaseand exposure to the Himalayanwinter. Please keep hope alive bygiving generously to UMCOR Ad-vance #232000, Pakistan/KashmirEarthquake. You can also give bycredit card online atwww.methodistrelief.org.•SUDAN: SEEDS AND TOOLS PRO-GRAM YIELDS BUMPER CROPGood rainfall, new agriculturetechniques such as planting severalcrops together in the same plot, andadequate food to eat during thegrowing season have yielded a bounti-ful harvest in the Al Daein region ofSouth Darfur, Sudan. With a grant

from Ginghamsburg United MethodistChurch, Tipp City, Ohio, UMCORdistributed seeds to some 5,200 familiesdisplaced by the Sudan war andpurchased tools from local black-smiths to strengthen the economy inthe region. Peanuts, millet, sorghum,watermelon and okra were among thecrops harvested during November.Further building the economy werethe activities of threshing, provided bynon-farm households; packaging seedfor selling at local markets; andpeanut seed storage in anticipation ofthe next growing season. UMCORworkers led training sessions infarming techniques, market prices andseed storage. This sustainable minis-try continues with your generousdonations. Please give to SudanEmergency, UMCOR Advance #184385.•UNITED METHODIST BECOMESFIRST AFRICAN WOMAN HEAD OFSTATEWhen Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf wasinaugurated president of Liberia Jan.16, she became the first Africanwoman head of state. An activemember of First United MethodistChurch of Monrovia, Johnson-Sirleafofficially became president of Liberiain an inauguration ceremony inMonrovia, the country’s capital city.“We celebrate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf ’s

election as president because sherepresents great compassion, acommitment to justice, and she is afine disciple of Jesus Christ,” saidBishop Peter Weaver, president of theUnited Methodist Council of Bishops.Weaver will present Johnson-Sirleafwith a Bible signed by all thedenomination’s bishops.•AFRICA UNIVERSITY PARTNERSWITH CHEVRON, ANGOLAN UNIVER-SITYUnited Methodist-related AfricaUniversity is joining forces withChevron Corp. in an initiative to helpwith the reconstruction and develop-ment of Angola. The $1 millioncapacity-strengthening effort focuseson revitalizing a once-thrivingagricultural zone, Huambo Provincein Central Angola, by encouragingentrepreneurship to boost incomesand improve livelihoods. Its nucleus isAgostinho Neto University and thatschool’s Faculty of AgriculturalSciences, based in Huambo. AfricaUniversity will offer professionaltraining for students and staff of theFaculty of Agricultural Science andwill also help establish Englishlanguage instruction centers andlivestock and crop production units inAngola.

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Beyond the BorderBeyond the BorderBeyond the BorderBeyond the BorderBeyond the Border - Summer Camp 2006There is no border that will keep Jesusaway from us. Whoever we are, andwherever we are, Jesus is ready andwaiting to meet us.

In 2006, our camps will provide abroad range of exciting opportunitiesat various locations for children andyouth of all ages. All of these experi-ences, as different as they are, willshare a common theme – that Jesuscrosses any border to be with us.There are not just a few places thatJesus can be found. God’s grace,through Christ, is available to allpeople, in all places.

Camp is an experience that canbe enjoyed by persons of virtu-ally any age. We offer day camp

opportunities for children as young as3 years of age. There are overnightprograms designed for young childrenwho have just completed first grade.Of course there are a great manydifferent programs offered for chil-

dren and youth of all ages throughhigh school.And did you know that we also have acamp program designed for collegestudents and a Spiritual RenewalCamp for adults only?How about cross generational camps?We offer Grandparents and Me, Par-ents and Me, Mommy and Me, as wellas several family camps.

Ages

Fun camp activities include arts& crafts, drama & music, swim-

ming, Bible study, hiking, naturestudy, games, sports, outdoor worship,archery, boating, low ropes, highropes, fishing, and campfires.

Activities

Travel Camps:sailing the Chesapeake –beginner, intermediate,advanced; Legs for Liberia –

biking; Algonquin experience, OuterBanks odyssey; Zion and BryceNational Parks – hiking.

SpecialtyCamps: praise &

worship; science & nature;creation caretakers; eco-explorers;World of Wonders; creative &performing arts: music & drama,awesome art, creative expression,video production; Native aAmericanvillage; adventure camps: rockclimbing, Rock & Raft, ultimateadventure challenge, youthadventure, off-road biking; children’spioneer; Trailblazers; sports camps:soccer, archery, golf, fishing,horseback camp for novice oradvanced; Sr. High H2O Camp;Mission Possible; After Hours nightcamp; Latino camp; Challenge –special needs; Camper In LeadershipTraining; adult camps: spiritualrenewal and praise & worship.

Family Camps:grandparents & me, parents & me, mommy & me, family jamboree

1. On-line at www.epaumc.org/camping2. By fax to the Camp/Retreat Centerof the event3. By mail to the Camp/Retreat Centerof the eventCall toll free 1-877-UMC-CAMP (1-877-862-2267)-Press #2 to order a 2006 summercamp catalog-Press #3 for Carson-Simpson Farm-Press #4 for Gretna Glen-Press #5 for Innabah-Press #6 for Pocono Plateau-Press #1 for the EPA conferenceCamp/Retreat office

Contact/Registration info

Day camp programs are offeredin Hatboro, Lebanon and

Spring City for pre-school through 5th

grade (6th in Hatboro). Extendedhours are available at each site.

Day Camp

Scholarshipsavailable

It is the policy of the Eastern Pennsyl-vania Conference that no child oryouth should be denied a week of sum-mer camp due to financial hardship.Camper families who cannot afford thefull fee should first contact their localUnited Methodist Church about schol-arship support.

Camps:Carson Simpson Farm Christian Center, 3405Davisville Road, Hatboro, PA 19040-4295; Phone:215-659-0232; Fax: 215-659-5129; Email:CSFarm@aol.com; www.csfarm.org; Ray Neitz, Director

Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, 87 Old MineRoad, Lebanon, PA 17042-8986; Phone: 717-273-6525; Fax: 717-273-6045; Email: camp@gretnaglen.org;www.gretnaglen.org; Paul Douglas, Director

Camp Innabah, 712 Pughtown Road, Spring City, PA19475; Phone: 610-469-6111; Fax: 610-469-0330; Email:innabahdirector@aol.com; www.innabah.org;Christy Heflin, Director

Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center, RR2, Box2747 (Pocono Plateau Road) Cresco, PA 18326; Phone:570-676-3665; Fax: 570-676-9388; Email:camp@poconoplateau.org; www.poconoplateau.org;Ron Schane, Director

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• IF YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION TOSUBMIT, THE DEADLINE IS MARCH17, 2006.Resolutions are to be submitted to theConference Secretary: The Rev. CharlesE. Weigel, Jr., 751 E. Lancaster Avenue,Downingtown, PA 19335; Direct yourquestions to: (O) 610-269-1496, (H) 610-269-0629; email: Weigel4@aol.com. Reso-lutions, in portrait format, must be senton a disk in Microsoft Word, along with ahard copy. Enclosed is a sample of theformat for setting up your document.Resolutions submitted after the March 17,2006 deadline will be referred to theAgenda Review Committee in accordancewith the rules of the Annual Conference.Copies cannot be made by the office staffat the Conference Office and will not bepublished in NewSpirit. Groups and/orindividual presenters of resolutions areto provide the Rev. Dr. Sherrin Marshallwith the name(s) of the actualpresenter(s) and any last minuteeditiorial corrections or amendmentsbeing brought by the maker(s) of theresolution by May 1, 2006.

• IF YOU HAVE A REPORT FROMYOUR COMMITTEE, AGENCY ORWORK TEAM TO SUBMIT FOR PRINT-ING IN OUR CONFERENCE JOURNAL,THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 17, 2006.Please submit reports to the ConferenceSecretary, The Rev. Charles E. Weigel, Jr.,751 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown,PA 19335. Reports, in portrait format,must be sent on a disk in Microsoft Word,

along with a hard copy. Enclosed is asample of the format for setting up yourdocument.Presenters of reports are responsible forproviding a scripted text or expandedoutline, accompanied by the name(s) ofall presenter(s), who will be at the po-dium, and the projected length of timethe report will take. This material is to besent to the Rev. Dr. Sherrin Marshall byMay 1, 2006.

• REGISTRATION MATERIALS FORANNUAL CONFERENCE CLERGY, LAYAND EQUALIZING DELEGATES WILLBE MAILED BY MARCH 17, 2006.The deadline for returning the completedregistration materials is May 1, 2006. Forthose registering via the web site, thedeadline is also May 1, 2006.

• IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE ADISPLAY AREA AT ANNUAL CONFER-ENCE:Please contact Mrs. Evangeline Johnson.Her address is: P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge,PA 19482-0820, 610-666-9090, ext. 215 or800-828-9093, email:evangeline.johnson@epaumc.org. Spaceis limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• IF YOU ARE REQUESTING TIME ONTHE CONFERENCE AGENDA, THEDEADLINE IS MARCH 17, 2006.Please submit your request, in writing, toThe Rev. Dr. Sherrin Marshall, P.O. Box820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820, email:sherrin.marshall@epaumc.org.

Living Connected as God’Living Connected as God’Living Connected as God’Living Connected as God’Living Connected as God’s people:s people:s people:s people:s people: “Celebrating the connection”“Celebrating the connection”“Celebrating the connection”“Celebrating the connection”“Celebrating the connection”

Deadlines

For a full description of these deadlines, a complete format of the resolution settings, and to print the MediaSpecification Submittal Form, please go to:

http://www.epaumc.org/NewsDetails.asp?pageID=1216

• IF YOU HAVE MATERIALS TOSUBMIT FOR INCLUSION IN THEANNUAL CONFERENCE NOTEBOOKS,THE DEADLINE IS:April 3, 2006, if you supply copy-readyoriginals to be copied at the ConferenceOfficePlease contact Mrs. Evangeline Johnsonat 610-666-9090, ext. 215 or 800-828-9093,email: evangeline.johnson@epaumc.org.

• THE MEDIA DEADLINE IS MAY 1,2006.Please complete the enclosed MediaSpecifications Submittal Form and returnit to the Conference Office. Presentersplanning on a media presentation mustmeet this May 1, 2006 deadline.

A special Annual Conference edition ofthe “NewSpirit” will be published. Forthis issue, materials must be received byApril 3, 2006. This includes resolutionsand also includes all materials relevantto the Annual Conference edition of“NewSpirit.”

Any other questions about Annual Con-ference may be directed to:

The Rev. Dr. Sherrin Marshall, Execu-tive Director of Conference Resourcing/Director of Connectional Ministries, 1-

800-828-9093 or 610-666-9090, email:sherrin.marshall@epaumc.org

Thank you for your cooperation! Webelieve that this information will

greatly assist the work of the AnnualConference 2006.

Opening WorshipPreaching by Bishop Marcus Matthews and music by The Africa University Choir

The world-renownedAfrica UniversityChoir is an estab-lished choral en-semble of AfricaUniversity. UnitedMethodist-relatedAfrica Universityopened in March1994 as the firstprivate, internationaluniversity in Zimba-bwe, today servingmore than 1200 stu-dents from more thana dozen Africancountries.

Memorial Service and Serviceof Ordination

Preaching by Bishop Hope Morgan of Mississippi

Bible Study on Thursday andFriday mornings

with Mr. James H. Salley, Bible Study LeaderJames H. Salley is theAssociate Vice-Chancellorfor Institutional Advance-ment for Africa University.Jim serves as the chiefadvancement officer andfund raiser for the institu-tion; he is in charge of theUniversity’s institutionaladvancement program; andhe is responsible forinterpreting the programs ofthe University to localchurches, organizations, andagencies throughout theUnited Methodist connec-tion and beyond.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual ConferenceJune 21 - 23, 2006 at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center

Bishop MarcusMatthews, PhiladelphiaArea

Bishop HopeMorgan Wardcame to the Missis-sippi Area in 2004after she was thefirst bishop electedat the 2004 South-eastern Jurisdic-tional Conference.She recently led ateam from Missis-sippi to Zimbabwein support of Af-rica University.

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Continued from page 1

Bishop’s visit to Africa UniversityMatthews. “It is the only place on

the continent of Africa where peoplefrom many nations study together,breaking down walls, and promotingunderstanding.” The bishop added,“This creates models of hope for war-torn Africa, wherepeople get to knoweach other on adifferent level,people who willsomeday becomethe officials andleaders in thegovernment.”

Now that AfricaUniversity is tenyears old, it nowhas needs in termsof infrastructure –like increasedelectrical powerand sewagesystems to supportnew dormitories. These items arenecessary to accommodate thegrowing student population, but donot usually receive funding support.

Bishop Matthews related additionalneeds of the university: to providescholarships for students at a cost of

$5600 annually for tuition, room, andboard; and to build satellite schoolswhere travel distances are prohibitive,thus taking learning to the students.

The university recently completed aschool of theology and has just

approved a doctor oftheology program.Two more dorms areprojected for 2008,for which money hasalready been do-nated.

Bishop Matthews’hope is that thePhiladelphia Areacan do somethingsignificant forAfrica University.He will be forming atask force to presentideas to the EasternPennsylvania andPeninsula-Delaware

Annual Conferences, which willforward the work of Africa Universityand our common goal of makingdisciples of Christ.

As part of our celebration of thework of Africa University, the world-renowned Africa University Choir will

It would not have been such a joyfulholiday for the children and familiesserved by Methodist Home for Chil-dren without the participation ofmany members of the Eastern Penn-sylvania Conference. Our partners inmission helped us prepare a Thanks-giving dinner worthy of the finesthomes and provided more than Christ-mas 3,500 gifts for distribution toevery client served by MethodistHome for Children.

The CommunityThanksgiving Din-ner was held on Mon-day, November 21 inthe Gym of the MainBuilding, which wasoriginally the DiningRoom during thedays of the Orphan-age. More than 340clients and theirfamilies feasted onroasted turkey withstuffing and gravy,candied sweet pota-toes, macaroni andcheese, green beansand pies, cakes andice cream. The chil-dren who attendedfrom the Kensingtoncommunity wereabsolutely awestruckand thrilled thatthey could have asmuch as they couldeat! The dinner wasa volunteer outreach by 16 UnitedMethodist Congregations as well asstaff and board members of MethodistHome for Children, the ReverendMary Brown Duff, a member of theMethodist Family Services of Phila-delphia Board of Directors, and mem-bers of the Simpson Fletcher Memo-rial UMC. Congregations and personswho supported the effort include

Norristown: Asbury, Cheltenham,Conshohocken, Downingtown, DrexelHill, East Stroudsburg, Living FaithChristian Center in Pennsauken, NJ,Chester: Grace Community, LincolnPark, Phila.: Old Brick, Phila:Simpson Fletcher Memorial, St.Daniel’s, Tindley Temple, Yardley,West Chester, and Reverend and Mrs.Paul Shumate.

The Christmas Toy Distributionfollowed quickly afterThanksgiving! AngeleMarie Parker, Ph.D.,President and CEOsends a heartfelt thankyou to all the membersof the participatingcongregations notingthat “we could neverhave provided thesewonderful toys to allthe children served inall the homes of ourclients without thegenerosity of so manycaring friends!” Thestaff at MethodistHospital worked forweeks raising moneyby holding bake salesin their cafeteria aswell as receiving cashso that they could pur-chase toys for the chil-dren. According toJames Robinson, Presi-dent and CEO of Meth-odist Hospital “The

staff was very excited to participatein this effort and had a wonderfultime shopping for the children!”

Dr. Parker elaborated further say-ing, “Happily, we were able to giveeach and every child in every singleprogram at least one gift, and theneediest children received additionalgifts. We were even able to give themothers living at Bridge House for

Women, the transi-tional housing pro-gram for homelesswomen, gifts for them-selves and an opportu-nity to choose a giftthat they could thengive to their childrenand grandchildren.There is nothing asheartwarming as see-ing the warm smiles onthe faces of the ladiesat Bridge House whenthey found a gift thateach one could give toher child – especiallywhen she thought thatthis would not be pos-sible this year. Wecertainly felt God’sabundance this yearand I can not thankyou enough for all thatyou did to make Christ-mas joyful for so manywho did not thinkthere would be much joy this year.”

Methodist Home for Childrenthanks those that made this Christ-mas ministry possible:

Ardmore, Atglen, Avondale,Berwyn, Bustleton, Ambler: Calvary,Chiques, Christiana, Clifton Heights,Cochranville, Conshohocken, Spring-field: Covenant, Doylestown, DrexelHill, Friendship Community,Georgetown, Glenside Abington,Green Lane, Jarrettown, Lansdale,Malvern, Mountainhome, Narberth,Newtown, Oxford, Parkesburg,Simpson Fletcher, Solebury, BrynMawr: St. Luke, Trainer, Wayne, andWest Chester United MethodistChurches. In addition, these organi-zations also contributed: the staff ofMethodist Hospital, Christian Lodge#12 of the Masons in Philadelphia,The Curtis Center, Curves in Blue

Bell, Plays and Players, and Toys forTots.

Methodist Home for Children serveschildren, individuals and familiesthroughout Eastern Pennsylvaniathrough its two agencies. MethodistFamily Services of Philadelphia pro-vides services to children in their ownhomes, foster care, adoption, transi-tional housing for homeless women,and permanent housing for formerlyhomeless women and their children.Methodist Services for Children andFamilies offers daycare, after schooland summer camp, a community cen-ter in Kensington and therapeuticcounseling services. For more infor-mation on any of these programsplease contact Theresa Haenn, Direc-tor of Development at 215-877-1925 x109 or thaenn@methodistservices.org.

perform for Opening Worship atAnnual Conference on the evening ofJune 21. Mr. James H. Salley, AssociateVice-Chancellor for InstitutionalAdvancement, the Africa UniversityDevelopment Office, will lead the BibleStudy on the mornings of June 22 and

23. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, of theMississippi Annual Conference, whohas recently led a mission trip toAfrica University, will be the preacherat both the Memorial Service and theService of Ordination.

Members of the Africa University Development Committee flank the Rev. Joseph Whalen(second from right), pastor of Marsden First United Methodist Church in Bermuda,following Whalen’s presentation to the committee during a meeting in Myrtle Beach, S.C.From left are James Salley, Bishop Marcus Matthews, Rukudzo Murapa, Whalen andBishop Ernest Lyght. Whalen brought a check for scholarship support of a student anddiscussed establishing partnerships among the university, the island of Bermuda and theMarsden congregation. A UMNS photo by Linda Green.

At Africa University, students, faculty andstaff have the beauty and tranquility of arural setting whilst enjoying a vibrant,international campus community. Thecampus, nestled in a valley about 17kilometres outside Mutare, is surrounded byhills.

Methodist Home fMethodist Home fMethodist Home fMethodist Home fMethodist Home for Children celebrates the gifor Children celebrates the gifor Children celebrates the gifor Children celebrates the gifor Children celebrates the gift of givingt of givingt of givingt of givingt of giving

Reverend Mary Brown Duff sharesThanksgiving Dinner with membersof the Methodist Home for Childrencommunity.

Members of Simpson Fletcher United Methodist Church inPhiladelphia share in the Community Thanksgiving Dinnerby serving more than 340 persons. Flanking the volunteersare two staff members of Methodist Family Services ofPhiladelphia, Laurie Corbin, Administrator of Children’sServices on the left and Patti O’Connor, Supervisor for FosterCare on the right. Volunteers from Simpson Fletcher are fromleft to right Gwen Goodwin, James Waddell and Joy Parks.

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Whenever I am asked to respond to thisquestion, I think of my 9-year-old son whois in the midst of his third wrestling sea-son. I appreciate the character buildingaspect of the sport of wrestling because itrequires preparation, a flexible strategyand there is no one else to blame for a lossthan you. The upside for my son is thatthere is a new opponent each week andtherefore plenty of room for error andlearning. The same is not true for those ofus that have responsibility for addressingthis question for the funds in our care.Every non-profit organization struggleswith this question. The competing needsof funds for missions and current ex-penses versus the desire for long-termgrowth do battle in the arena of marketconditions with inflation as the referee.Let’s take a look at some of the history

and thinking and what churches can do tohelp them in this recurring struggle.

Historically, non-profit organizationsused income from the investment portfolioto make distributions to their cause. Asinterest rates fell over the last two de-cades, many non-profits found themselvesreducing their distributions due to lowerinterest and dividend income. Or, theirasset allocation became overweighted inincome producing assets such as bondsthereby reducing their allocation tostocks, which provide long-term growth.

Due to the change in income yields,investors had to view their spendingdifferently. To that end, the idea ofcreating a spending policy based on thetotal growth or appreciation of theinvestments, from one period to the next,was born. This idea, called “total return”is the combination of income andprincipal change due to marketfluctuations. By selecting a percentagerate (usually between 2% and 7%) tocalculate the annualcharitable payout, anappropriate sum is availablefor distribution to the variouscharitable causes served bythe organization.

Because of the change inspending policy – nowlooking for the total accountto grow rather than just the

amount of interest and dividends that areearned – the investment policy/plan mustchange too. By choosing an assetallocation balanced for growth andincome, the investment portfolio shouldsurpass inflation, growing the dollarsavailable for distribution.

The asset allocation and spendingpolicy should complement the investmentpolicy. Both policies need to acknowledgeand account for inflation.

A church should first determine thegoals for its funds, which may be differentfor each fund if there are several (themusic fund, mission fund, children’s fund,etc.). What percentage of the currentmarket value is needed? As noted above,if the percentage is higher than 7% or so,the funds will probably not be sufficientenough to sustain the purpose of the fundas it will be depleted due to the highannual distributions. If the percentagefalls at 7% or less, then the current assets,with the right asset allocation of stocks

and bonds, will be able to sustainthe missions supported by thefund for a long time.

The asset allocation is a combi-nation of cash, bonds (a diverseportfolio is recommended heretoo), stocks from small cap to midcap to large cap plus some expo-sure to international companies.The estimated income yields andprojected growth of the various

assets can be calculated. Then, inflationshould be estimated and reduce the re-turn, along with any investment manage-ment fees. The resulting net income/growth return is the amount estimated tobe available on that asset allocation. Thevariables of the computation can then bechanged to determine how much shouldbe invested in each asset class to achievethe desired net appreciation.

The spending policy and complemen-tary investment policy should be re-viewed annually. This is where having aflexible strategy comes into play. Perhapsthe expectations for the markets for thecoming year call for more stocks than yourfund had last year. Perhaps interest ratesare expected to flatten. Certainly markettiming is inadvisable, but making minorchanges to a long-term asset allocationplan requires flexibility and thereforeperiodic review.

The Foundation works with its clients toaddress these questions and to provideassistance in working through the compu-tations and decisions. Should your churchbe interested in learning more about thistopic, please contact me.For more information or materials pleasecontact Stacy J. Martin, Executive Direc-torTel: 800-828-9093 x247 Direct: 484-762-8247 Email: stacy.martin@epaumc.orgP.O. Box 820 Valley Forge, PA 19482

How much endowment income can we spend?

Tindley’s work is highly relevant tothe contemporary church, according tothe Rev. Dr. S.T. Kimbrough, who headsboth the Mission Evangelism Office andthe Global Praise Program of the GeneralBoard of Global Minis-tries, and who is organiz-ing the Tindley celebra-tion. “His imagery,biblical allusions, andfolk expressions are thosewith which AfricanAmericans may readilyidentify; and yet, hishymns have reached farbeyond one group ofpeople to the largerChristian community,”Kimbrough said inannouncing the CD,songbook, and concert.

“Beams of Heaven as IGo” and “We’ll Under-stand it Better By andBy” are two of the hymns by Tindley inthe United Methodist Hymnal.

The life and work of Charles AlbertTindley, the great hymn writer andPhiladelphia pastor who died in 1933, arebeing honored with a concert and CDrelease as part of Black History Monththis year.

The General Board of Global Minis-tries, a United Methodist mission agency,is cosponsoring a memorial concert onFebruary 4 p.m. at Tindley TempleUnited Methodist Church in Philadelphia.Black Methodists for Church Renewal isthe other sponsor.

The board will also celebrate the issueof “Beams of Heaven,” a 75 minute CDand a songbook including all of Tindley’spublished hymns.

Charles Albert Tindley was a clergy-man of the Methodist Episcopal Churchand a founding figure in American gospelmusic. Born in Berlin, Maryland, in 1851,he died as pastor of a 12,500-membercongregation in Philadelphia. He alsowrote the words and music to dozens ofgospel hymns, including five publishedin the current United Methodist Hymnaland others found in the Songs of Zionsongbook.

Mission Board celebratesCharles Albert Tindley with con-cert and CD release

The CD will feature 75 minutes ofTindley hymns in diverse styles. Thesongbook will be the first major collec-tion of his words and music in 60 years.

“As one who superbly articulated theplight of the downtrodden,” Kimbroughexplained, “Tindley was a man both ofhis time and before his time. In thiseloquent poet-pastor-musician oneexperiences a theology that holds intension the anxieties of oppression withthe vision of a better world, both hereand now and beyond.”

One Tindley stanza declares:No more shall lords and

rulersTheir helpless victims press,And bar the door against thepoorAnd leave them in the distress,But God, the King of Glory,Who hears the raven cry,Will give command that ev’rymanHave plenty by and by.

The February 5 concert inPhiladelphia at the church thatbears Tindley’s name isscheduled near the opening ofthe annual Black HistoryMonth (February). Tindley

Temple and its current pastor, the Rev.Thomas Jackmon, are hosting the event.

The concert will include the hymnsand poetry of Dr. Tindley presented by

Theodore Thomas, organist and musicdirector of Tindley Temple UMC; theMainline Interdenominational Choir,directed by Harold Thompson; the ChoralEnsemble of Vandeveer United Method-ist Church, directed by Raymond Trapp,and soloists Carolyn Disnew, BessieWilliams, and Robin Wilson. The Rev. Dr.Carlton R. Young, music consultant to theGlobal Praise Program of the missionboard, GBGM, will conduct his ownarrangement of a “Suite of TindleyHymns,” composed and dedicated to TheRev. Dr. Randolph Nugent, former generalsecretary of the General Board of GlobalMinistries. There will also be congrega-tional singing.

In addition to Kimbrough, participantsfrom the mission board on February 5include the Rev. R. Randy Day, generalsecretary, Deborah Bass, deputy generalsecretary for administration, Jerald Scott-McKie, associate general secretary ofcommunity and institutional ministries,and Jorge Lockward of the Global Praisestaff.

Tindley Temple United MethodistChurch is located at 750 S. Broad Street,Philadelphia, PA. For further informationcall 215-735-0442.

To print out a poster, go to: http://www.epaumc.org/NewsDetails.asp?pageID=1205

1. Information regarding the election of a new lay leader was published in theDecember/January 2005/06 issue of NEWSpirit.

2. A first class letter with nominating information will be mailed to all annualconference lay delegates by February 1, 2006.

3. Nominating petitions will allow for a maximum of two (2) nominees.4. A person will be nominated when his/her name ha been submitted by ten

(10) delegates.5. Nominating petitions shall be returned to Carol von Minden at the EPA Con-

ference Office (marked Attention: Lay Leader Task Force) by mail or inperson, received no later than March 1, 2006. No fax, e-mail, or telephonenominations will be accepted.

6. After March 1 and the tabulation of the nominations, all nominees will besent: 1) an acceptance form requesting biographical information and a pass-port picture, and 2) a copy of the responsibilities and requirements for theConference Lay Leader. Nominees will return the acceptance/informationform by March 31, 2006 in order for their names to be published in the May2006 NewSpirit and to appear on the ballot for Conference Lay Leader at theJune 21, 2006 Laity Session.

7. A briefing for all nominees, who have returned the biographical informationand passport photo, with the Conference Lay Leader and Lay Leader TaskForce will be held on April 5, 2006 at 5:30 PM at the Valley Forge ConferenceOffice. The responsibilities and time required for the position will be re-

viewed. Nominees will be asked to make a final commitment to be consid-ered for Conference Lay Leader based on the information shared.

8. The list of nominees, biographical material and pictures will be printed inthe May 2006 NEWSPIRIT (materials due to Suzy Keenan by April 10)

9. Ballots for the June 21, 2006 Laity Session will be prepared with the names ofthe nominees and will include spaces for any persons nominated from thefloor. Persons nominated from the floor must have 400 copies of the bio-graphical form to distribute immediately to all lay members in attendanceat the Laity Session. The form can be obtained from a Task Force memberprior to the Laity Session.

10. Election shall be by sixty percent (60%) of votes. Clergy will be asked to actas tellers for the balloting.

11. The person elected at the Laity Session will be the nominee presented to theEastern Pennsylvania Conference Session for election. If persons are nomi-nated from the floor, there must be sufficient copies of biographical form tobe distributed immediately to all members in attendance at the Annual Con-ference Session. The form can be obtained from a Task Force member prior tothe Annual Conference Session. No speeches for or against any nomineepresented by ballot or nominated from the floor will be allowed. Electionshall be by sixty percent (60%) of votes.

For more information, go to: http://www.epaumc.org/NewsDetails.asp?pageID=1189

Charles Albert Tindley

Ms. Stacy J. Martin

ConferConferConferConferConference Notes:ence Notes:ence Notes:ence Notes:ence Notes: Nomination Process for Conference Lay Leader

www.epaumc.org

FEBRUARY 2006 1111111111

ClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsBy David S. Bell*

• What is the mission of the Centerfor Christian Stewardship?Our mission is “to encourage the joy ofgenerous giving in congregations andindividuals by providing church leaderswith exceptional stewardship resources,training, and consultation.” In addition tothe books published by DiscipleshipResources, we have several resources forlocal churches available on the Center’swebsite, www.gbod.org/stewardship.These resources include weeklyLectionary-based offertory prayers, stew-ardship sermon starters, and “Steward-ship Nuggets for Children and Families.”We also provide suggestions for annualfinancial campaigns, a listing of capitalcampaign consultants, and planned giv-ing programs for local churches. TheCenter facilitates stewardship workshopsacross the denomination that focus on thesocioeconomic trends that have an impacton local church giving, the pastor’s roleas stewardship leader, and a series of“best practices” for a year-round steward-ship program.

• What is Christian stewardship?Clarence Stoughton said, “Stewardship iseverything you do after you say, ‘Yes’ toJesus.” In other words, stewardship is alifestyle choice that recognizes that ev-erything is a gift from God. Our responsi-bility as Christian stewards is to manageall the gifts that we have received fromGod. God is the true owner of all that wehave in life. This concept is very difficultfor postmodern Americans to grasp. Ourculture implies that we deserve thethings that we claim as our possessions.We have earned our money, and any deci-sion that we make about our money isstrictly our own decision. The writings ofthe Old and New Testaments teach ussomething different. Jesus talked aboutmoney and possessions more than anyother topic. In fact, he mentioned moneyand possessions four times more than thesecond most popular topic, prayer. Jesusconsistently taught that our responsibil-ity as his disciples is to recognize thatGod is the provider of all that we possessand that our call is to be generous giversof our financial resources.

• What does it mean to be a “gener-ous giver”?It certainly does notmean to give moremoney than anyone else.Jesus never taught thatwe were to give thatwhich we did not have togive! Generosity is aspiritual gift. Paulstated, “We have giftsthat differ according tothe grace given to us . . .the giver, in generosity.”(Romans 12:6-8, NRSV) Agenerous giver hasadopted a lifestyle ofgiving. A generous givercontributes his or hertime, talent, prayers,and financial resourceswith a willing and joyfulspirit. I have knownpeople from millionairesto homeless people whowere generous givers. Being a generousgiver is a spiritual response to God’sgoodness.

• How does our culture influencepeople’s giving to the local church?We live in a consumer-oriented society.The popular culture promotes myths. Twocommon myths are (1) people’s happinessis related to buying new things and (2)escalating personal debt is a reality oflife. As a result of this orientation, mostAmericans are spending more moneythan they earn in a year. Consumer debtcontinues to climb to new, all-time highs.With the rise of consumerism and in-creased personal debt, smaller amountsof money are now available for personalgiving. In addition, many church mem-bers have shifted from being stewards tobeing consumers. Many church members

now view giving as a fee-for-service re-sponsibility rather than a biblical impera-tive.

Are there systemic issues within thechurch that have an impact on giving?Absolutely! I believe that talking aboutmoney and giving is one of the greatest –if not the greatest – taboos in the church.Many church leaders, both clergy and lay,have a fear of talking about money in thechurch. There are several reasons fortheir fear. In some cases, the church lead-ers or pastors have not managed their ownpersonal finances well; thus, they areembarrassed to discuss most stewardshipissues and financial matters. They may becaught in the pull of the culture and maynot have developed a stewardshiplifestyle of generous giving. Other rea-sons include the lack of church leadersmaking the important connection betweenfaith development and financial givingand the minimal professional stewardshiptraining that clergy or church leadershave received.

However, the scarcity syndrome is thegreatest systemic factor that has an im-pact on local church giving. The scarcitysyndrome is the assumption that thechurch is receiving all its potential finan-cial resources. Countless churches have ascarcity mindset, rather than an abun-dance outlook. These churches believethat no matter what they do, they will notraise the level of giving. They have con-cluded that people cannot and/or will notgive any more money to the church. Insome cases, these churches project animpression to the pastor and to churchleaders that money is a forbidden topic ofdiscussion. The scarcity syndrome is oneof the most prevalent perspectives thatimpair mainline churches from receivingmore than 2.7 percent of their members’annual household incomes.

• Who can transform this scarcitymindset?I believe that the scarcity mindset is aspiritual crisis! Although a number ofpeople within a church can respond tospiritual issues, the pastor is the primaryleader who is responsible for addressingthis spiritual crisis. The pastor can serveas a catalyst to begin the stewardshipdiscussion. The pastor can help peoplediscover the joy of giving. Through thegrace of God, the pastor can help trans-

form people from a scarcitymindset to an abundanceoutlook. In an abundanceoutlook, raising money in thechurch is not about raisingmoney for the annual budget;rather, it is about offeringpeople the opportunity torespond to God’s abundance.

• Why do people give tothe church?People give to the church for awide variety of reasons —some grounded in biblicalprinciples; others rooted inmore selfish reasons. Forinstance, some people give asa response to God’s blessing;some people give because thechurch changes people’s livesin the community and be-yond; still others give prima-rily for an income tax deduc-

tion or hoping to wield influence withinthe church administration. By recognizingthat people are at different points in theirspiritual journeys, we can understandthat people’s giving patterns and reasonsfor giving are also at different levels. Thechallenge is really a spiritual one. If wetransform people’s faith formation anddevelop their discipleship, they willdiscover the joy of generous giving.

However, if some basic principles thatinfluence people’s giving to nonprofitorganizations are not followed, then thechurch will rarely maximize the annualgiving potential of the congregation. Sothe local church needs to understandclearly people’s basic reasons for givingto a nonprofit organization:· They believe in the mission of theorganization.

· They believe that the organization ischanging people’s lives positively.· They were asked to give by someonein whom they have confidence. They haverespect for the staff and key leaders.· They perceive that the organizationis fiscally stable.

The local church needs to assure thatall its ongoing stewardship and financepractices incorporate these basic prin-ciples.• What are some of the “bestpractices” for developing an effectiveyear-round stewardship program in thelocal church?· Provide an opportunity for people to livea lifestyle with values other thanconsumerism.· Focus on the spiritual need of thechurch member to give, rather than onthe church’s need to receive funding.· Encourage pastors to embrace their roleas stewardship leaders.· Promote a vision of ministry that at-tracts people. Regularly highlight themission and ministry of the church.Consistently provide examples of how thechurch is changing people’s lives.· Inform congregations of their givingpatterns and provide numerous opportu-nities for people to give.· Establish an endowment fund. Talkabout and hold seminars on wills, trusts,and bequests. Promote giving frompeople’s assets.· Provide a course in personal budgetplanning and debt reduction.· Conduct a spiritually-based annualfinancial campaign that focuses on per-centage giving and tithing.

Please also see “Best Practices for Year-Round Stewardship” by going to: http://www.gbod.org/stewardship/article.asp?id=11848

**The Rev. David S. Bell is director of

stewardship of The Center for ChristianStewardship of The United MethodistChurch

For more stewardship information,contact David Bell at 877-899-2780, ext.7077; or dbell@gbod.org or go to:www.stewardshipcenter.org

Reflections on Christian Stewardship• CONTEMPORARY WORSHIPLEADERCornwall United Methodist Church inLebanon County, PA is looking for a parttime, 20 hour/week Contemporary Wor-ship Leader for our well established con-temporary worship service. Responsibili-ties include leading the contemporaryworship service, overseeing and leading acommitted team of volunteer musiciansand giving guidance to the direction ofthe service. Please contact the churchoffice at 717-272-0148 or email Pastor JimHeath at jimheath76@comcast.net.• CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TEAMLEADEROpening for Children’s Ministry TeamLeader for infants through grade 5. Should enjoy sharing the joys of Jesuswhile you learn from the children. Aver-age 10 hours per week. Duties includecoordinating and overseeing Children’sChurch for the 10:30 service, child carefor special services, Vacation Bible Ad-venture, and other children’s ministryevents within the church. A criminalbackground check is required. Pleasecontact the office at Hope Church (610-385-7141) or contact Pastor DeWalt di-rectly, kdewalt@dejazzd.com, for moreinformation.• FREE FOR THE TAKINGMETAL CHAIR RACKS for folding chairs. One is 81"long x 20-3/4" wide; the otherone is 112" long x 21" wide. WOODENPULPIT - 31-1/4" wide; 40" high; 17" deep -dark wood. TOILET TISSUE HOLDERS -six holders - stainless steel, holds 2 rolls -12" high x 6" wide. CIGARETTERECEPTICLES - three 24-1/2" tall x 10"square. One also has a trash disposalbuilt in - brown with stone finish. Ifinterested in any of the above items,please call Thorndale UMC office, 610-384-2433 daily 8 a.m.-3 p.m.• FOR SALEApproximately 150 extra “Purpose DrivenLife” books from Chiques UMC 40 Days ofPurpose campaign. The cost is $7 perbook. Please contact Susan Heydt atsusanchiques@earthlink.net.

The Eastern Pennsylvania - Peninsula UM Foundationpresents “Stewardship in Today’s World Workshop”

by the Rev. David S. BellFriday, March 24, 2006 at Shady Maple, East Earl and

Sunday, March 26, 2006 at Tindley Temple, PhiladelphiaTo register, please go to:

http://www.epaumc.org/BfFoundation.asp

The Rev. David S. Bell

www.epaumc.org

12 12 12 12 12 FEBRUARY 2006

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Scott added in his journal,“Through my interpreter Ishare a few words expressingthat I am looking at the futureleaders of Iraq. I bring greet-ings from children in the USApointing out the many similari-ties between them and our chil-dren, who equally enjoy playingwith balls, dolls, trucks, andtoys in general. I explain thatwe give gifts as an expression ofthanksgiving to God for givingus the greatest gift of all...andask what that gift is. In eachclass almost immediately a childbursts out with ‘Jesus.’”

Photographs of local report-ers and the Army Public AffairsOffice captured the children’sjoy and gratitude for the gifts,which consisted of everythingfrom Barbie dolls to matchboxtrucks and cars, soccer balls,coloring books and crayons, harmoni-cas, yo-yos, puzzles, paint by numberart sets, and beanie babies.

Scott’s commanding officer, Col.Gray, arrived to assist in the distribu-tion of the gifts, and the children sang“Jingle Bells” in their own language,with the American soldiers joiningthem in English.

Scott wrote, “I believe all of us areblessed and changed on one level oranother by the experience; even thosesoldiers who remain outside securingthe building still get to interact with

the local national populace. This, Ithink to myself, is what Christmas isall about, and I look forward to futureoperations which allow us to visitand support local schools, orphan-ages, etc.”

Chaplain Clyde Scott is originallyfrom Berwick, Pennsylvania, and wasordained in the Eastern Conferenceof the United Methodist Church in1986. He served at both Kemblesvilleand Ironville UM Churches for 4 yearseach, before joining the Army as aChaplain in 1993. He has been mar-

ried for 26 years, and he and his wifehave three children.

As a United Methodist chaplain,Scott served 9 years in Germany, dur-ing which time he was deployed toBosnia for 13 months; was deployed toKorea for one year; and spent 4 yearsin Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Hearrived in Iraq in September 2005 andwill remain there until September2006.

Photos and video of “OperationChristmas Toys” can be viewed bygoing to: www.epaumc.org/

which consists of Assyrian, Ortho-dox, Chaldean, and Catholic students,rather than to favor one particularchurch.

Scott reached out to his home base,the Southeast District in the EasternPennsylvania Annual Conference ofThe United Methodist Church, wherehe holds membership as an ordainedpastor, to ask the churches to supportthe operation. “The churches enthusi-astically supported this mission ofpeace and love,” said District Superin-tendent, The Rev. Susan May. “Dis-trict churches were quick to respondand send more than enough presentsfor the children and their teachers.”

On the morning of December 22,soldiers from the First Brigade Com-bat Team arrived at the elementaryschool in Kirkuk with a truckload ofgifts, and after establishing the safetyof the area, and were introduced tothe principal and teachers by an inter-preter.

In his journal entry for the day,Scotty wrote, “I immediately sense aspirit of hope and anticipation in theair as classrooms to my left and rightburst with giggles and chatter.” Thechildren serenaded Scott and the Iraqisoldiers that accompanied him on thismission with a traditional AssyrianChristian children’s song completewith arm and hand motions similar toVacation Bible School songs, as theymoved from classroom to classroomfrom grades 1 to 6.

Alaskan Explorer Cruise with Bishop and Mrs. Matthews

An extraordinary opportunity open to members of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences, their families and friends:7 day Alaska Scenic Cruise aboard Holland America’s ms Oosterdam departing Seattle, WA on May 20, 2006.

Cost per person ranges from $1408.00 for an inside cabin to $2738.00 for a luxury suite; plus $220.00 in port taxes and $45.00in government taxes. Early registration is advised - space is limited.For brochure, call the EPA Conference Office at 1-800-828-9093.

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...Chr...Chr...Chr...Chr...Chrisisisisistmas Jotmas Jotmas Jotmas Jotmas Joy in Iry in Iry in Iry in Iry in Iraqaqaqaqaq

Children at the Anestos El-Karmalee Christian elementary school in Kirkuk, Iraq open gifts sentto them by Southeast District churches as part of Chaplain Clyde Scott’s “Operation ChristmasToys.”