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Convocation on the Black Church Convenes this Fall


African-American congregations will have a chance to explore re- newal and revitalization Oct. 14-15 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. Bishop Ernest Lyght says the Con-


vocation on African-American Churches is an opportunity for fel- lowship, education, inspiration, and encouragement. “Information about resources designed specifically for African- American congregations will be shared,” he said. The Bishop noted that “the state of black congrega- tions in our conference is not unlike the state of white congregations, both are experiencing declines in mem- bership.” Rev. Thomasina


Rev. Dr. Fred Allen


Stewart, Director of Ethnic Ministries for the West Virgin- ia Conference says


this year’s event will be a bit differ- ent from those in years past. “In the past, presentations focused


on individual topics, like evange- lism, spiritual disciplines, and out- reach ministry,” she said. “This year, Rev. Dr. Fred Allen will intro- duce participants to a revitalization process that’s been used by small and large congregations.” Dr. Allen is the national director for


Strengthening the Black Church for the Twenty-First Century (SBC 21), a program of the General Board of Dis- cipleship (GBOD) in Nashville, Tenn. “Participants will learn how to en-


hance and strengthen partnership and collaboration between SBC 21, their local church, district and an- nual conference,” Rev. Allen said. Rev. Dr. Rodney Smothers, who leads


the St. Paul-Corkran Memorial Coop- erative Parish in Oxon Hill, Maryland, will lead a second presentation - an overview of a leadership formation in- cubator that includes a team coaching process for pastors and laity. “We will be sharing new tools for a


new task,” Rev. Smothers said, “Ad- dressing evolving models for reignit- ing effective models of ministry in changing settings.”


For more information, contact Rev. Stewart at 1-800-788-3746 ext. 25, or by e-mail: thomet25@aol.com


THE WEST ViRGiniA UniTED METHODiST • www.wvumc.org


CCPI/DAY OF REMEMBRANCE


The Central Conference Pension Intiative (CCPI) is the effort of the United Method- ist Church to create a pension fund for retirees and their spouses in the central Conferences of the UMC (including Africa and Eastern Europe). Many pastors in these areas retire without enough money for basic human needs like food, water, shelter, and medicine. The West Virginia Conference has responded, raising more than $139,000 toward a goal of $250,000. “This is the final year of our effort to raise funds for CCPI,” said Brenda Grant, chair of the CCPi Task Force for Conference. She says the total figure raised for CCPi will be shared in early 2011.


FALL 2010


Gifts may be made as a way to recognize all pastors in October, which is Pastor Ap- preciation Month. Offerings received on this year’s Day of Remembrance Sunday (nov. 7, 2010) will also be directed to CCPi.


Visit wvumc.org for more information on donating to CCPI.


BISHOP’S TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND


Join Bishop Lyght in January 2011 for a 10-day journey to the Holy Land that will include stops in Galilee, Jerusalem, and nazareth. The trip is facilitated by Educa- tional Opportunities Tours, prices begin at around $2100, plus taxes and tips. Call Rev. Dan Johnson if you have any ques- tions: (304) 763-7013


UMC and Healthcare Reform LETTER TO THE EDiTOR


Note: Letters to the Editor are welcome in the West Virginia United Methodist. Please include your name and the church you attend in your submission. Once submitted, letters become the property of the West Virginia United Methodist and are subject to editing for content, gram- mar, length, punctuation, etc.


To the Editor:


I rarely read the West Virginia United Methodist, and was startled and fright- ened by Richard Peck’s commentary on Health Care Reform in the April 2010 is- sue. I did not realize the United Method- ist church supports government health care – and favors other liberal causes. Mr. Peck acknowledged the highly charged reaction from some members to the health care controversy. What else would the church expect? I fear that the UMC is getting involved in politics and neglecting its real purpose. Mr. Peck refers to the Social Prin-


ciples, adopted by the UMC found in the Book of Discipline (pgs. 118-126). I was shocked to find that the church takes a favorable stand (my interpreta- tion) on issues ranging from redistribu- tion of wealth to rights of foreign work- ers. Tese emotionally charged issues alienate members from one another,


creating division rather than unity. Te real offense lies in the fact that


these hot-button issues were acted upon at General Conference and carried out by the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). Tese two entities are far removed from the average church member; the lat- ter knows little or nothing about the former. I am also disturbed that there was no debate on the floor of Gen- eral Conference in 2008 regarding the adoption of the resolution. In my opinion, it is sad, but true that


the UMC has made a gigantic leap from the spiritual realm into the po- litical arena. In a letter to Mr. Peck, I expressed how


upset I was with the church’s role in favoring government health care, and with the role of GBCS. In my opin- ion, the GBCS, based in Washington, D.C., is a lobbying arm of the church. He downplayed their role, but that did not comfort me. “Remember to keep things in perspective,” he said. “Tere are nearly 9 million United Method- ists and the GBCS receives less than $5 million - about $.50/member, and most which goes to office and building expenses. Maybe a nickel went for ad- vocacy of health care…It would seem a shame for you to put yourself through


a lot of turmoil over 50 cents.” I beg to differ with Mr. Peck; the


widow’s mite was about principle, not amount. United Methodists are some of the


most wonderful, decent, loyal people I know; the salt of the earth. How- ever, the church has put myself and others like me in a prickly situation. Do we uphold the vows that we took when we joined the UMC, by giving our time, our gifts, and our service? Or, do we go against our convictions and support an organization that has an agenda with which we strongly disagree? I know John Wesley believed in


helping the downtrodden of society; however I am not sure he would have turned that concern into a political agenda. Our top priority should be to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. So- cial change comes not through radi- cal agendas, but from people being changed from the inside out. We do not have the power to right social ills; only through the power of the Holy Spirit are these things changed. It is my prayer that the UMC recommit to spreading the message of Jesus Christ


Karen Gwinn, Richwood UMC


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