umportal org ‘Act of repentance’


Owning up to history is not just symbolic | 3B


Vision for Christ


Fledgling university carries on in Congo | 4B


Restructuring


Proposed changes are ‘bad medicine’ | 6B


Section B November 11, 2011


Church goes all out to help unemployed


BY KATHY GILBERT United Methodist News Service


ROSWELL, Ga.—“I have $800 left.


No house, I’m living with a friend. I’m lost. I’m scared.” “I have been without a job for a


year. I never thought it would happen to me.” “I’m technically homeless. I travel


back and forth from my sister’s place and my parents.’” Clay Redmon, 43; Lisa L. Lampkin,


53; and David Hampe, 25, came to Roswell United Methodist Church on a rainy Monday afternoon because they need help: They need a job. Every second and fourth Monday,


the doors at 7,000-member Roswell UMC are wide open for job seekers. Dinner, understanding, encourage- ment and networking are all served free. “With dinner, we think we set


UMNS PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BARRY


Emeral Duncan, who recently lost his job as a software programmer, wipes away a tear after the dinner blessing at RUMC Job Networking, Roswell (Ga.) United Methodist Church’s career ministry.


something in motion that says we care. There’s white tablecloths. There’s real silverware. And it all starts with that handshake when you first walk in  See ‘Careers’ page 8B


Council of Bishops pushes hard for major change


BY SAM HODGES Managing Editor


LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C.—The


United Methodist Church Council of Bishops has strongly backed a reform agenda aimed at reinvigorating the denomination and reversing declines in membership, attendance and giv- ing.


Meeting here Oct. 30-Nov. 4, the


bishops voted overwhelmingly to en- dorse a range of changes, including re- organizing and streamlining general agencies, redirecting $60 million in church funds to help boost the num- ber of vital congregations, and giving annual conferences more organiza- tional flexibility. Of the vote, Bishop Larry Good-


paster, council president, said, “It was a sign that we’re ready to head off in a


new direction.” The bishops also elected officers,


choosing Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany—who had been president designate—as president. She’ll begin her two-year term during the 2012 General Conference, set for April 24- May 4 in Tampa. Bishop Warner Brown Jr., of the


California-Nevada Conference, was chosen president designate. After the election, Bishop Wenner


invoked Psalms 5:8 (“O Lord . . . make your way straight before me”). “Thank you very much for trusting


me that I am the person to lead all of us, as we lead,” Bishop Wenner, 56, told colleagues. “I am committed to bring my gifts to that task.” By mid-week (deadline for this Re-


porter) the bishops had not had public debate on the latest chapter in the


church’s long struggle over homosexu- ality. Since summer, more than 1,000


UM pastors have pledged to disobey church law and officiate at same-sex unions. Thousands of other UM clergy and laity have countered by signing petitions demanding bishops enforce the Book of Discipline against that group. Bishop Goodpaster noted on


Wednesday, Nov. 2, that a “unity team” had reported to bishops in executive session here, but wouldn’t say whether the discussion was over clergy and same-sex unions. Asked if the bishops would re-


spond publicly to the issue during this meeting, Bishop Goodpaster said, “By the end of the week, we’ll have some- thing.”


 See ‘Bishops’ page 2B UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE PHOTO BY RONNY PERRY


Bishop Larry Goodpaster preaches the sermon at the opening of Council of Bishops meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C.


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