| UMMA Update, August 2003 |
- Current Issues of UMMA by Norma Kehrberg
- GBGM - Mission Outreach - "UMMA's Future" by Howard Heiner
- A Spiritual Nurture Note by Carolyn Cowen
- UMMA Gathering by Gilbert Bascom
- New Membership and Renewal Form
| 1. Current Issues of UMMA by Norma Kehrberg |
UMMA Gathering
If at all possible, please try to make the UMMA Gathering in Stamford, Connecticut from October 20-23, 2003. (Details follow at the end of this update.) Your presence is needed to help discern the future of UMMA and its relationship to mission programs of the church.
Encouraging Signs Deborah Bass is the new Deputy General Secretary of GBGM which is the position formerly held by Rene Wilbur. When I wrote to Deborah regarding the UMMA Gathering being held at Stamford at the time of the GBGM Director's meeting, she responded within hours with details about providing chairs and spaces for members of UMMA to be present at the plenary and sections of the GBGM meetings. Also, it has been reported that there has been some modification in the letters of agreement, relating to the "at will" clause. I do not have the details, but if so, a very welcome step.
Possibilities For The Future
At the April 2003 meeting of the Mission Personnel Unit of GBGM, a Sub-Committee of the MPU was established to discuss ways in which mission personnel of GBGM could give input to Directors of GBGM as they make decisions. Lack of communication links between missionary personnel and GBGM Directors are a major flaw in the design or execution of the reorganization of the GBGM.
Financial woes have been stated in the past 12 months as the reason that previous venues for such missionary contact can no longer be implemented. However, in the April 2003 meeting of Mission Personnel Unit, President of the Board Bishop Martinez, said, "Do not let the financial issues deter you. If MPU needs to make a decision for programmatic reasons, make it. The Finance Committee makes the decisions about financial issues."
Based on that information, Curtis Henderson, Chair of Mission Personnel set up a sub-committee to look at ways to provide dialogue among directors, staff and the missionary community. Judy Nutter, Director of GBGM is the chair. The committee is composed of two other directors, the MIRs, staff from MPU and the Chair of UMMA.
About three weeks ago, Dave and Kristin Markay, the MIRs requested the three associations to suggest or "brainstorm" about ways in which communication avenues could be established. In view of tight finances, it appeared that it would not involve face to face communication, but communication among interested parties via the internet. The MIRs in consultation with staff and Judy Nutter were to solicit suggestions from the associations.
This information was shared with the Steering Committee of UMMA and suggestions forwarded to the MIRs. However, the response from UMMA included a wide variety of contacts including country meetings, regional input, consultations, the Global Mission Personnel Conference, "feedback" sessions when staff and directors are in various parts of the world and internet connections. In discussion with Judy Nutter, the chair of the sub-committee, it is her intent that a plan of action is to be presented to MPU at the October meeting.
Retirement Recognition
At last report, special recognition for mission personnel who are retiring will not be done at the GBGM meeting at Stamford in October. The retirement recognition is being planned in November and will be held at the GBGM offices at 475 Riverside Drive. UMMA had been tentatively reserving time during its Gathering in October to recognize the retirees at the UMMA Gathering, but it appears that that will not now be possible. Plans are to make available the retirees' names and addresses for UMMA.
| 2. GBGM - Mission Outreach - "UMMA's Future" by Howard Heiner |
For many decades the former World Division sent hundreds of missionaries around the world. We were confident that God was blessing us to share the Gospel and work with people who were suffering. The pace was steady, staff turn-over manageable and a strong level of confidence inspired the organization whose staff and missionaries believed that the established goals could be obtained. Yes, there were personnel, funding and conference support problems but somehow the work went on.
Times have changed. Board structure, staff instability and employment longevity have shifted. Under Randy Nugent, there was not a perceived need for long-term support mission personnel. Meanwhile, human and social needs continued to increase, globalization brought about an even larger gap between rich and poor and environmental degradation caused untold misery via floods, erosion, loss of jobs, etc. The list goes on and on.
Perhaps we must again ask the question: "What is the vision of Christian mission outreach in the midst of an exploding world population, massive economic power of globalization and the ability of humankind to threaten the stability of the biosphere through global warming?" We are attempting mission outreach to six billion people living in violent times on a shrinking natural resource base.
The above conditions raise a multitude of serious and broad questions about the ability of the GBGM to respond. We would like to narrow the focus in the following manner.
- Is the present GBGM organizational structure adequate to formulate goals from among the overwhelming needs? To develop efficient plans and mobilize the UMC and other organizations to respond?
- How do directors, staff, missionary personnel and others develop an efficient system to strategize, set and implement priorities, and monitor personnel and programs?
- What interconnection can there be and should there be between the 25 categories of GBGM missionary service?
All three questions will need an insightful discussion among all participants. For the moment I would like to respond from my perspective concerning the options for UMMA's future.
By design or default, for the past seven years UMMA has played a more unique role in its relationship to directors and staff than the other two Associations. They - on the other hand - have a longer history, are officially recognized and have formal relationships and activities under GBGM sponsorship.
UMMA members have been the newest participants and most vocal about our concerns over the management of the Board. We have challenged the management power structure. However, there is opportunity for change from this past role with the election of a new General Secretary.
Is there a future role that directors, staff and missionaries could agree upon for UMMA? Could we take the original purpose for which UMMA was formed -
"The purpose of UMMA is to develop and nurture a vital connectional network among active, inactive and retired missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church for the purpose of promoting Christian mission."
- and structure it to respond to some vital needs of the Board?
The following limited list could form a vital connectional network - we are sure others will have many more suggestions to add:
- A network to the past by knowledge and understanding of contextual relationships with organizations, persons, cultures, languages and governments.
- A network to the present with a pool of people willing to serve as:
- Volunteers for personnel and program project review;
- Volunteers for assignments at 475;
- Volunteers to retirees and country reunions;
- Volunteers at the Conference level;
- Volunteers as mediators for diversity of thought and action.
- A network to the future by:
- Providing support for reconciliation and understanding among the diversity of world religions;
- Providing support for social changes needed in our society to allow this country to become an advocate for peace and justice in the community of nations;
- Providing support for life style changes from consumerism to the common good of the greatest number.
UMMA was formed through the actions of a group of missionaries, primarily to provide a voice for active and retired missionaries from the former World Division. UMMA's future should be decided as a collaborative action between director, staff, the other associations, and missionaries in what is best for the mission outreach of the Church.
We would like to ask your help in our process of envisioning UMMA's future. We would like to join together to discern a new future relationship within the GBGM family for avenues to serve in a renewed call to mission.
Howard Heiner presented to participants at the St. Louis meeting on Tuesday morning, May 13, 2003 but with no time for specific discussion. Please review the document and give your thoughts regarding the next steps to heiner@ccountry.net and kehrbergn001@hawaii.rr.com.
| 3. A Spiritual Nurture Note by Carolyn Belshe Cowen |
Once someone asked Mother Teresa where she found the strength for the enormous work she did for the poor. Her answer:
"My secret is quite simple - I pray!" You should spend at least half an hour in the morning and an hour at night in prayer. You can pray while you work. Work doesn't stop prayer, and prayer doesn't stop work. It requires only that small raising of mind to him: "I love you, God, I trust you, I believe in you, I need you now." Small things like that. They are wonderful prayers.
Prayer cannot be an excuse for inaction.
| 4.UMMA Gathering 2003 by Gilbert Bascom |
The 2003 UMMA Gathering is scheduled to be held from October 20-22 at the Budget Hospitality Inn (same as last year) to coincide with the GBGM Board of Directors' Meeting in a nearby hotel.
Rooms have been reserved at the Budget Hospitality Inn again in Stamford, Connecticut for the 2003 UMMA Gathering. Steering Committee members will be arriving on Sunday, October 19 to prepare for the first UMMA session at 7:00pm Monday following attendance at the opening GBGM Board Plenary Session. The UMMA agenda will include the confirmation of the election of the Steering Committee members, the election of a new Coordinator and the development of the UMMA agenda and priorities for the following year. The subsidized price for full members will be $30 per night each for a double room, payable to UMMA at the Gathering. For others, the cost will be $85 plus tax for a double room. UMMA will make the reservation if you wish. The inn has complimentary breakfast. All other meals will be at your own expense.
Please fill out the following form as soon as possible to aid us in making accurate room reservations.
| 5. New Membership and Renewal Form |
This has been a year of tremendous effort and angst as our leaders sought better ways to make the missionary voice heard at the meetings of the GBGM Board and Staff.I believe we succeeded. A new respect for the UMMA presence at the Board was evident at the meetings in October, 2002 and April, 2003. See full details in "Reports" section of our website.
Board leaders made time for the UMMA voice to be heard. Now we have a new General Secretary, one who has already met with our leaders several times. We are poised to under gird the missionaries as never before and to fulfill our purpose of promoting Christian mission more effectively. BUT I have a concern. UMMA exists because you and other mission workers want it to exist. There is no support for UMMA except that which its members give it. As of this date we have only 181 members who have made their 2003 contribution for membership.Last year we had almost 450 members. Are we out of touch? Has UMMA become irrelevant in one year? I for one don't believe so. Help prove me right!
REMEMBER!Membership is open to active, inactive or retired mission workers of the GBGM or its predecessors. Current dues for the financial year (January 1 - December 31) are $25 per person for voting membership at the same address or $15 for an Affiliate membership without voting privileges or room and board subsidy at meetings.
So, look at your checkbook stubs for this year and if you don't have one that says "2003 membership dues for UMMA" we are waiting to hear from you.
"Witness at all times, use words when necessary."
| Please send the following basic information to Gil Bascom. Windows users can print out the membership form by right-clicking the mouse on the form to see the menu, then left-clicking to print. Mac users can just print out the membership form here. |
Dear Gil,
I'd like to support UMMA. My check is enclosed, payable to UMMA. (Contact your UMMA Area Representative if payment is difficult. See list of Area Representatives.)
| United Methodist Missionary Association Membership Renewal New Membership for 2003 |
Dues
$25 for voting membership, $15 for Affiliate membership (non-voting). Make checks payable to UMMA and remit to:
Gilbert Bascom, Coordinator
6229-B N. Park Way
Tacoma, WA 98407
Fax: 253.752.4484
Tel: 253.879.8484
email: gbascom1467@earthlink.net
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| Last Modified: 28 August 2003 Copyright © 1999-2002 United Methodist Missionary Association |
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