| UMMA Update, Thanksgiving and Advent 2003 |
- A Blessed Thanksgiving and Advent by Norma Kehrberg, UMMA Chair
- Budget Woes Stall New UM Missionaries, UMNS Report by Linda Bloom
- UMMA Gathering in Stamford, Conn. Highlighted by Fred Price, Coordinator-elect
- Request for Resource Persons for Training by Safiya Fosua, GBOD
- Request for Language Interpreters for General Conference by Don Reasoner
- A Spiritual Nurture Note by Carolyn Cowen
- Missionary Reunions, Mark Your 2004 Calendar and Register Your Interest Early
- Announcements, Corrections and Repeats for Emphasis by Richard Schwenk, ed.
| 1. A Blessed Thanksgiving and Advent by Norma Kehrberg, UMMA Chair |
The "horn of plenty" was an ever present symbol during the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival in my rural community church. Each farm family brought produce andplaced it on the table in front of the altar in the "horn of plenty." Pumpkins, squash, red and yellow corn, beans, potatoes, onions, apples and pears filled the harvest vessel to overflowing. How like our world today! Supermarkets, malls, even our homes are overflowing and yet, so many have so little.
Creator God forgive us.
At this time of the calendar year, our thoughts turn to the past. Days have rolled into seasons, seasons into the year. Each day we are reminded of God's creation, though alas we need reminders to include God amidst our crowded thoughts. Prod us to move from comfortable neutral ground which excuses our silence.
Creator God forgive us.
To be silent is to side with those in abusive power. "The kingdom of God exposes our compromises with a world that is often defined by consumer culture and marketplace mentality; individualism and the illusion of self-sufficiency, violence, keeping score, and getting even. We are called to live and love like Jesus, to be nurturing communities that are signs of God's upside-down reign; partners with God in transforming the world so the first are last and the last really are first. The hungry are filled, and the poor find justice. Wounds are healed and sins forgiven." (Quote taken from Janet Wolf's November 22, 2003 devotion in Disciplines.)
I pray that we dare to act that this may be so. Happy Thanksgiving and Blessed Advent.
| 2. Budget Woes Stall New UM Missionaries, UMNS Report by Linda Bloom* |
Nov. 3, 2003,NEW YORK - Lower than expected budget projections for 2004 by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries will mean a continued hold on new full-time missionaries. Despite that reality, the Rev. R. Randy Day, the board's chief executive, has announced his "firm commitment" to training and assigning new missionaries in the future.
"I expect that in 2005 we will achieve a sustainable level of mission personnel," he said, during an address at the board's annual meeting in October. "I hope that we can commission some deaconesses and short-term young adult (missionaries) sooner."
Norma Kehrberg, chairperson of the United Methodist Missionary Association, told United Methodist News Service that while she appreciated Day's words of affirmation, the organization was concerned about the two-year gap in the appointment of long-term missionaries.
In response, UMMA is urging the board to launch a renewed fundraising campaign to support missionaries, including the use of an appeal for funds through the denomination's Council of Bishops.
During 2003, the mission agency did not renew the expiring contracts of 18 full-time missionaries because of financial shortfalls. Fifteen missionaries retired in 2003 and another 18 asked not to be reassigned, leaving 93 in the category of standard support missionaries. A freeze on recruitment of mission personnel in any category also has been in effect through 2003.
Statistics released during the October meeting showed a total of 711 commissioned personnel in all categories. That figure compared to 949 in 2002. The overall total, including other types of non-commissioned mission personnel and partner church mission personnel, was 1,050, a decrease of 1,001 from 2002.
One of the reasons for the drop in numbers, Day said, was that "several time-limited mission service categories," including the 10-10-10 missionaries and Korean missionary pastors in the United Statesand Missionaries of Hope in Africa, are being phased out. "These programs were never intended to be permanent and they cannot be continued beyond their mandates," he told board directors.
"We also will see a decline in the number of persons in mission and international persons in mission funded through block grants to partner churches," he added. "The reason is this: our grants for those purposes are smaller."
The new statistics also reflected the deletion of the category of rural chaplain, because there are no grants at present, and the fact that employees of the nongovernmental organization formed as an offshoot of the United Methodist Committee on Relief are no longer being categorized as mission personnel.
Day said he "cannot imagine" the United Methodist Church would ever phase out career missionaries, but added he does perceive a need for standard support missionaries to be "mobile in terms of geography and in the employment of their cultural expertise and language skills.
In a recent report to the missionary association, Kehrberg pointed out that support of long-term missionaries has weakened under the Board of Global Ministries' present structure. "This comes at a time when our church and its communities need more face-to-face mission emphasis and interchange with other cultures and religions to lessen misunderstanding," she said.
But Kehrberg noted that the association remains hopeful that the board will "reclaim the role of the longer-term, cross-cultural missionaries as one avenue of mission service."
As an example of action taken by another denomination, Kehrberg's report pointed out that the Presbyterian Church USA, under similar financial constraints, has launched a $40 million campaign for mission of which $21.5 million "is designated to recruit, train, equip, send and support 54 longer term, cross-cultural mission personnel, including those with expertise in the various regions of the world."
During the October board meeting, UMMA presented Day with several recommendations regarding missionary support and communications between missionaries and board staff and directors.
Besides utilizing a bishops' appeal, the association suggested using "all relevant persons," including former missionaries to assist in interpretation and fundraising in local areas and providing resource people with pertinent materials, including accurate data regarding the costs of mission personnel.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York. newsdesk@umcom.org.
| 3. UMMA Gathering in Stamford, Conn. Highlighted by Fred Price, Coordinator-elect |
Persons Present: Gilbert Bascom, Jim Gulley, Howard Heiner, Norma Kehrberg, Gene Matthews, Callie Perry, Paul Perry, Fred W. Price, Bob Rahn, Janet Rahn, Caring Schwenk, Richard Schwenk. Charles Germany and Julia Germany joined the meeting on Wednesday.
Steering Committee Meeting10/20/03AM: Discussion began around the question, "Does UMMA" have any specific goals while inStamford?" Within the context of the question, four points were considered.
- Clarifying UMMA's future, considered in detail in Howard Heiner's paper entitled, "GBGM's Mission Outreach and UMMA's Future." Please see the August 2003 issue of UMMA UpDate
Noted: (A)There is still no good vehicle for communication. (B) The relationship between the Mission Personnel Unit and Contexts and Relationship Unit is an issue to be addressed - already a part of Howard Heiner's agenda for the future and a part of the Board of Director's own agenda for Wednesday evening.
| UMMA Gathering 10/20/03 PM |
The President's Report
Using a baseball analogy, Norma Kehrberg noted the bases were loaded with possibilities for mission and that GBGM was at the plate. She then asked, "Is GBGM ready to swing?" Recognizing the obvious financial constraints facing the Board, she noted the Presbyterians with a similar situation instituted a $40 million campaign for mission initiatives. Where is the Board's strategy? Sadly noted: In 2003 no new mission personnel were sent and there was no resolution to longstanding UMMA issues. Positively, a breakthrough meeting took place in Birmingham, Alabama, which led to the Ad Hoc Committee Report noted above. The current world situation underlines the need for long-term, cross-cultural missionaries. UMMA has a role in encouraging the Board to fulfill its responsibility in meeting this need. Returning to her baseball analogy, we hope the Board will swing and connect. [Please see full report in UU#20, November 12, 2003 - ed.]
GBGM's Mission Outreach and UMMA's Future
UMMA is at a crossroads having worked hard at dialogue. Now the Board needs to share that burden. There is an immediate need for a real contact person, someone with whom we can discuss issues and who has the authority to see they are dealt with. Two major questions were raised. (1) Is the present structure adequate? (2) Is there equity with so many categories of missionaries?
Ad Hoc Committee Report
After the April 2003 meeting, material was collated and sent to the Mission Personnel Committee on 10/21/03. David Markay, one of the Missionaries in Residence, felt the door for discussion, dialogue and action was opening. Discussion focused on UMMA's priority - missionary input. Discussion refocused on the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations: (1) Reactivate the Global Mission Personnel Conference, (2) Assign Directors on the Mission Personnel Committee to the Mission Associations, and, (3) Approve new avenues of Internet communication.
UMMA Gathering Participants Welcomed as Guests at the GBGM Plenary and Unit Meetings 10/21/03
General Secretary Randy Day's Address
While there is retrenchment for financial reasons, he noted mission expansion. A more realistic number for mission personnel was given, 1,050. He spoke of transition and that long term missionaries will need to be flexible.
Mission Personnel Committee
There were two significant actions. (1) The Ad Hoc Committee Report was referred to the Mission Development Committee for action and to the Finance Committee for information. (2) The Committee authorized the use of Collins "C" monies to fund a gap from $50,000-110,000 in insurance for a group of 5-8 catastrophic cases. This raises issues concerning equity of benefits for potential missionaries. H. Heiner was to prepare a one-page summary of the Collins Fund.
| UMMA Gathering Reconvenes 10/21/03 PM |
Concerning the Meeting with General Secretary Randy Day
Would he elaborate on the recruitment and orientation of missionaries? Discussion followed on three recommendations to the General Secretary. (1) Missionary Support - Institute a Bishops' emphasis/appeal. Use all appropriate personnel including retirees as interpreters for GBGM. And, provide resources for such persons. (2) Communication Channels Ð restated the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations, (3) Action Items Ð determine a time and place for discussion by UMMA, Directors and Staff regarding ongoing issues: (a) Collins Pension, (b) Equity of Benefits, (c) Theology of Mission, (d) Missionary Recruitment and Training and (e) Contractual Legalities and Letters of Agreement.
| UMMA Gathering Reconvenes 10/22/03 AM |
Retired Mission Personnel as Advocates for GBGM
Paul Perry presented a proposal for retired personnel to advocate on behalf of the Board. Such persons could raise funds for persons serving in the retirees' former area/s. Gil Bascom has a database that will be useful in contacting retirees.
Proposal from the General Board of Discipleship
Safiyah Fosua asked if retired missionaries would be willing to do trips of 2 to 3 weeks for Central Conferences to share in areas such as Christian Education, Basic Theology, Wesleyan Studies, etc., etc. There was enthusiasm for the proposal. [Please see article [4] below. - ed.]
| UMMA Gathering Reconvenes 10/22/03 PM |
The Coordinator's Report
Gil Bascom reported that the membership drive was disappointing. We have 357 paid members to date. [But it is not too late to appeal to the others.] Finances are solid, but we will need to dip into UMMA's $6,000 reserve by year's end. Total assets as of10/17/03 were $10,576.44. Finances will be audited at the end of the year. Gil's service as Coordinator was recognized with much appreciation. His tenure as Coordinator will end on December 31, 2003. The Bylaws concerning the composition of the Steering Committee were changed from "two representatives from each of the regions and two from Retirees, i.e.: (1) Africa, (2) Europe/Middle East/India, (3) Asia, (4) South America, (5) North America-East/Guyana, Caribbean, Central America, (6) North America-West: United States, Mexico, Canada" to "(1) Sub-Saharan Africa, (2) Europe/South Asia/N.Africa (3) East Asia/Oceania, (4) South America, (5) USA, (6) Mexico/Central America/Caribbean, (7) Retirees."
Elections were as follows for Steering Committee Representatives to serve until 2007:
Sub-Saharan Africa: Jeff Hoover; Europe/EastAsia: Jim Dwyer; East Asia/Oceania: Tim Boyle; South America: Gordon Greathouse; Mexico/CentralAmerica/Caribbean: Cherie White, and Nan McCurdy; Retirees: Norma Kehrberg. One position each for the USA and Treasurer are to be decided by the Steering Committee. Gil is to follow through with the election of the Administrative Council.
Those also presently serving, up to 2005, are: Ron Ray, Carol Seckel, Sonia Strawn, Dakin Cook, Phil Wingeier-Rayo, and Howard Heiner.
The Archives Center
Charles Germany reported that L. Dale Patterson (dpatterson@gcah.org) Archivist at Drew University is looking for archival material. Tel: 973.408.3195, Fax: 973.408.3909, United Methodist Church Archives, Madison, NJ 07940.
Wrapping Up
Reports were assigned. Charles Germany read a paragraph from a 1992 letter in which he suggested it would be critical in the future to have people trained in Islamic language and culture (editorial comment from the Secretary, "O my, if only!). This highlighted the value of long-term expertise. Norma suggested a position paper, or a series of position papers be developed for dialogue and discussion with the wider church.
| 4. Request for Resource Persons for Training by Safiya Fosua, GBOD |
As staff on the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) and former missionary in Ghana and co-Missionary in Residence at GBGM, I'm inquiring if UMMA could build a data base of individuals who would be available to assist GBOD staff in conducting trainings as needed. These trainings usually last 2-3 weeks and would be conducted in conjunction with a GBOD staff. Airfare, ground travel, housing and food (in the manner of which missionaries are accustomed) would be covered. There would be no stipend.
Seminar requests are received by GBOD from UMC Central Conference Churches and from time to time outside experts are needed. The most frequent requests relate to Christian Education, Basic Theology or Wesleyan Studies, Stewardship, Evangelism and Church Growth, Discipleship and Small Group Ministries.
The beginning survey would include at least the following:
- Name
- Active, Retired or Inactive Missionary
- Contact Information
- Areas of expertise in teaching
- Specialized credentials or academic degrees
- Publications (U.S.and international)
- Have you written textbooks, handbooks, training manuals on subject listed that you would make available to leaders in UMC Central Conference?
- Valid Passport
- Any countries you would NOT visit
- Seasons of availability
- Special Needs or Considerations
This is a preliminary notice. If you are interested in assisting GBOD staff in conducting training, please contact Carolyn Belshe Cowan at ccmission@cox.net. Carolyn will coordinate the data bank on behalf of UMMA. Do not send the information yet, just your name and expertise you are interested in teaching.
| 5. Request for Language Interpreters for General Conference by Don Reasoner |
Volunteers are needed to assist with language interpretation for the delegates to the General Conferencein Pittsburgh, PA, USA from April 27 to May 7, 2004. Interested persons need to have proficient command of English, plus one or more of the following languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swahili and Sign Language. Different levels of proficiency are needed for tasks such as: simultaneous interpretation during legislative committee meetings, conversational interpretation for accompanying delegates as they negotiate airline reservations, hotel accommodations, lost luggage, etc. Volunteers will have travel expenses, and room and board covered. If interested, please contact Don Reasoner at the GBGM: (Tel.) +212.870.3713 or DReasone@gbgm-umc.org.
| 6. A Spiritual Nurture Note by Carolyn Cowen |
"We are a community of pardon, not a community of judgment. We are told not to judge one another, and we must not. We must not judge in such a way as to reject and condemn. That is to say we must not refuse to accept the genuine good will of our brother; we must not reject his sincere and open offers of reconciliation, his true friendship. Even our enemy must not be judged, but his need for forgiveness must be recognized. We must not judge, that is to say we must always be ready to take the first step in offering reconciliation and pardon. We must not let our evaluation of a man's acts stand in the way of the Holy Spirit, who draws us to unity with the 'other' in spite of his actions which make him different from ourselves, perhaps opposed to us." - Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration, pp. 228-229
| 7. Missionary Reunions "Mark Your 2004 Calendar and Make Reservations" |
Congo Reunion 2004
July 9 (Friday dinner) to July 11 (Sunday lunch) at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Contact: ltryder1@earthlink.net, 404.303.0467, Liz and Tom Ryder, P.O. Box 1256, Kings Beach, CA 96143.
Bolivia Reunion VI
July 16-18, 2004 at C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, Little Rock, Arkansas. Contact: Grace Hamilton, Registrar, 3661A Liermann Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116, Self_actualizer@msn.com, 314.353.4672.
The Servants of Sierra Leone
July 30 to August 1, 2004 for a reunion at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. Program plans have not yet been finalized, but those interested may contact Jim Malcolm, President, jimf7@charter.net, Servants of Sierra Leone, 314 Floral Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001-4009, 507.625.9019.
Philippine Missionary Reunion 2004
August 6 (Friday evening) to August 9 (Monday a.m.) at Alton L. Collins Retreat Center outside Portland, Oregon. Elderhostel offered August 1-6 for those who register this November. Contact: Pat Williams, plwilliams62@hotmail.com, 503.295.7879, Pat Williams, 1000 SW Vista Avenue, Apt. 724, Portland, OR 9705-1137.
Chilean Gathering
August 26-29, 2004 at the LaSalle Manor Retreat Center, overlooking the Fox River in Pano, Illinois. Contact: Stan and Beryl Moore, Berylstan@aol.com.
| 8. Corrections and Repeats for Emphasis by Richard Schwenk - ed. |
Corrections
Corrections from Jane Ingerson who had served in "Malaya" after WWII with her late husband Dudley sent the following information about the McGraws after she received UU#20 through Lionel Muthiah. Jane Ingerson writes, "I must let you know about Eugene and Louise McGraw. Both returned home, having been just a few years in Malaya before WWII. So they [also] qualify for being there before 1941. They are both still living, at 213 E. Plum St, Centerville, Indiana 47330. He isn't very well, and she has leukemia and Alzheimer's... But he is still plugging away, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir. Thanks for the information on Lorinne Reinoehl. I will write to her. Sincerely, Jane I."
For other GBGM mission folks (active, inactive and retired), a few complimentary copies of UMMA UpDate are available to those interested in UMMA membership. Please join us in solidarity and become a full member by making your check payable to "UMMA" and send to: Gilbert Bascom, 6229-B,N. Park Way, Tacoma, WA 98407. ($50 for couples and $25 for a single person per year). Those with hardship, may pay $15 for Affiliate, non-voting membership. Please do it now and note, "Dues for 2003 and/or 2004 calendar year." Yes, some are even paying for two years at one time! Please send your updated email and postal address. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and Advent!
| Last Modified: 26 November 2003 Copyright © 1999-2002 United Methodist Missionary Association |
We welcome your comments: gbascom1467@earthlink.net |