Past Issues

UMMA Update, Epiphany January 6, 2004

1. Christmas Eve E-mail from Bethlehem by Alex and Brenda Awad
2. Epiphany E-mails of Fred and Lanie Price, Bud and Millie Carroll, and Jim Dwyer
3. Elected UMMA Officers and Steering Committee by Gilbert Bascom
4. Request for Resource Persons for Training by Safiya Fosua, GBOD
5. Request for Language Interpreters for General Conference by Don Reasoner
6. Missionary Reunions, Mark Your 2004 Calendar and Register Your Interest Early
7. Notes and Membership Dues by Richard Schwenk, editor

1. Christmas Eve E-mail from Bethlehem by Alex and Brenda Awad

The abridged email from missionaries serving in Bethlehem gives an inside look about this Christmas season that continues on until January 6 in their area "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee..." at this time. - ed.

December 24, 2003 in Bethlehem
Dear Friends,

How we wish, in this special and holy season, that we could share with you different and better news from Bethlehem and from Jerusalem. We wish we could report to you that Bethlehem is free and her people are anticipating a Merry Christmas... Regretfully, Bethlehem is not there yet. We wish we could tell you that things are better for the average citizen but alas, things are not better in Bethlehem. For though we experience a degree of calm from time to time, we feel the next storm is coming. The suffocating noose that Herod and his troops have placed around the city is getting tighter every day.

This Christmas, the little town of Bethlehem is suffering silently as a result of a blanket closure. If Jesus were cradled in Bethlehem this Christmas (and he is in the lives of ordinary Palestinian men and women), he would be encircled by barbed wire fences and checkpoints. Mary and Joseph would have difficulty getting a permit to take him to the temple in Jerusalem or to get him out of Bethlehem for the flight to Egypt. The siege-like closure on Bethlehem is causing unimaginable hardships and miseries to the inhabitants of the city. The restrictions on commerce and trade are destroying the economy, impoverishing the bulk of the Palestinian population and threatening the extinction of the Christian community. And yet, the situation in Bethlehem is far better than in most Palestinian cities. We continue to place our trust in Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, The Mighty One. Mary, the mother of Jesus, who also lived under military occupation, said in her song:

...for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Luke 149-51 (NIV)

The Mighty one is doing mighty deeds around the world. We trust that Bethlehem will soon see better days. Emmanuel is with us!

Our Prayer ... is that people would contemplate the oppressed citizens of the city of Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns and cities. Perhaps, a prayer could be whispered for all who suffer and are depressed in this land, be they Israelis or Palestinians...

As a result of the occupation ...and the consequent economic collapse, many families in the Bethlehem area can't afford to visit a doctor or go to a hospital... Our congregation is still surviving by the grace of God; this, in spite of all obstacles... We have also developed something like a sister congregation relationship with a Messianic Jewish Congregation in Israel. Through this fellowship, we have been able to overcome physical, psychological and spiritual walls of separation and discover our unity in the love of Christ. Alex and Brenda Awad, GBGM missionaries in Bethlehem

2. Epiphany E-mails of Fred and Lanie Price, Bud and Millie Carroll, and Jim Dwyer

Fred Price wrote on December 4

On Monday night the historic Pitman United Methodist Church, pastored by my wife, Lanie Price, was destroyed by fire. Interviewed by a reporter she was asked how it felt to be watching her church burn down. She told the reporter he needed to point his camera in the other direction. "The church is not burning down, a church building is burning down. The church is standing here with me. The church is not a building, but the people." The 1,000 member church is responding well. The community is very supportive. Long and difficult days ahead, but God is faithful and is opening a new day for the church. May God richly bless you in this glorious Advent season. - Fred Price

Dear Lanie and Fred,
We share our sorrow and grief as you all experience Advent in the ashes. But what a miraculous way to move towards re-creation. We recall John Wesley's admonition to that young cleric, "Set your self on fire and people will come watch you burn." Also Martin Luther's words, "The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still." Well the body as in a building! With you we rejoice that the New Testament tells us the church is people in a place, not a building. Please send us a mailing address for Pitman so we can share Advent Hope with you all. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! - Bud and Millie Carroll, Saipan

Dear Lanie,
Rumor has it that you confronted the condolences upon the recent church fire at Pitman UMC in a most "missionary-like" manner, proclaiming that the church was gathered nearby watching as the flames consumed their building. All of us in UMMA leadership circles have taken note of your stance and are pleased to be able to count you (and Fred) as our own.

As you face the issues which rebuilding the church's home will entail, we pray that all the members of the Pitman Church may as courageously locate their spiritual home in the Body of Christ and not in the old or the new church building. I can well imagine that the challenge of celebrating Christmas in "borrowed rooms" will have a real impact upon the church's awareness of the needy in this world and of the true nature of their own home with God, which is not made with human hands.

All of us in the Steering Committee offer our prayers that you may be given strength and courage for the peculiar tasks which unexpectedly confront you and the congregation, and that out of the disaster of fire and destruction you may reap blessings beyond those anyone could expect. Our prayers are with you and your congregation and with Fred and your family as you face the year 2004 under starkly altered local circumstances. May you all experience an abundance of GodŐs own love, grace and peace in this time of unanticipated transition. Jim Dwyer, vice chair, for UMMA.

A New Year's Eve e-mail from Rev. Lanie Price, Pitman UMC, 4 South Broadway, PO Box 7, Pitman, NJ 08071

We are all well. Tonight our services are at the Baptist Church, last week at the Presbyterian Church, Sunday at the middle school, Christmas Eve at the High School. We have a new sense of Emmanuel, God with us at every turn, in every church, school, building or lack thereof. Our former steeple cross goes with us where we go, leading us into a facility and out again into the world where Christ sends us. We are tabernacling for awhile with Christ at the center. I pray that the Christ will continue to lead us into the future. May the love of God enfold you and yours into the New Year, Lanie and the people called Methodist in Pitman who still burn with a passion for their Lord.

3. Elected UMMA Officers and Steering Committee by Gilbert Bascom

Chair: Norma Kehrberg (Retiree) 712 Ainapo St., Honolulu, HI 96825. Tel: 808.394.0459; kehrbergn001@hawaii.rr.com

Vice-chair: James Dwyer, Carl-Petersen-Str. 59A D-20535 Hamburg, Germany 00149-0000. Tel: +49 [0]40 562255; jamesdwyer@mac.com

Secretary: Cherie White, Apdo. 20-846, 01001 Mexico DF, Mexico. Tel: 52-5-550-2135; email: velwhite@terra.com.mx

Treasurer: Jim Gulley, P.O. Box 1660, (108-3 Creekside Dr.) Frisco, CO 80443. Tel: 970.668.2159; jngulley@earthlink.net

MIR: David and Kristin Markay [Current Year] 344 Tenafly Rd., NJ 07631. Tel: 201.652.1241; daveandkris89@hotmail.com [or - Room 320, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. Tel: 212.870.3600]

Coordinator: Fred Price [2003-2007] 165 Grandview Ave., Pitman, NJ 08071. Tel: 856.589.3555; fred_price_30084@yahoo.com

Area Representatives

Sub-Sahara Africa

Jeff Hoover [2001-2005], United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 22037, Kitwe, Zambia, JEHoover@mwangaza.cd.

Ron Ray [2003-2007] St. Paul's United Theological College, P.O. Private Bag, Limuru, Kenya; ray@maf.or.ke.

Europe - North Africa - India

James Dwyer [2003-2007] see above

Carol Seckel [2001-2005] Akmens Lela 5A-10, Cesis, Latvia; carkseckel@aol.com.

East Asia/Pacific

Tim Boyle [2003-2007] 24-7 Higashi Arai, Tsukuba-shi Ibaraki-ken, 305-0033, Japan. Tel: 0298-55-1907; za3t-byl@asahi-net.ot.jp.

Sonia Strawn [2001-2005], 2-91 Shinchon-dong, Suhdaemoon-ku, Seoul, Korea 120-140. Tel: 822-392-3785; srstrawn@shinbiro.com.

South America

Dakin Cook [2001-2005] Casilla 13565, La Paz, Bolivia. Tel: 591-2-41215Z. dakin@ceibo.entelnet.bo.

Gordon Greathouse [2003-2007] Rua da Bahia 2577, Apt. 401, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30.160-011, Brazil. areskagg@terra.com.br.

U.S.A.

Phillip Wingeier-Rayo [2001-2005] 2803 Reece Dr., Monroe, NC 28110/ Tel: 704.292.1223; pwingeier@yahoo.com.

Jim Gulley [2003-2007] see above

Mexico - Central America - Caribbean

Cherie White [2003-2005] see above

Nan McCurdy [2003-2007] Apdo 4169, Managua, Nicaragua. Tel: 505-2-244-2786; nanmig@cablenet.com.ni.

Retirees

Howard Heiner [2001-2005] 784 Garden Way, Ashland, OR 97520. Tel: 541.488.9348; heiner@ccountry.net.

Norma Kehrberg [2003-2007] see above

Task Force Leaders

Strategy and Transition Task Force Chair: Howard Heiner (see address above)

Spiritual Nurture Chair: Carolyn Cowen, 618 N. 41st West Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74127-5008. Tel: 918-585-3353; ccmission@cox.net.

Mission Context and Relationships Chair: Gene Matthews, 3413 E. Court Street, Iowa City, IA 52245. Tel: 319.358.9464; genematt@mchsi.com.

Communications Chair: Richard Schwenk, 1130 Rexford Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91107-1711. Tel: 626.351.2311; ricschwenk@earthlink.net.

Covenant Missionary Campaign Chair: Gilbert Bascom, 6229-B N. Park Way, Tacoma, WA 98407. Tel: 253.879.8484; gbascom1467@earthlink.net.

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. 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.

7. Notes and Membership Dues by Richard Schwenk, editor

Congratulations to Maxine Bascom who received the "Volunteer of the Year" award from the correctional system of Washington state for the prison ministry work she does at the Pre-Release Center where she goes weekly. Even more than this, she cherishes the "GRATEFUL HEARTS QUILT" she received made by the women who acknowledge her award and thank her for time and friendship over the past two years.

A word of appreciation to Paul Jeffrey for his response article in the Nov/Dec. Zion's Herald. Paul has been writing as one of several well known responders to the symposium presenter each issue. The latest was William Abraham of Perkins School of Theology, writing on the "Future of United Methodism." Paul writes from the perspective of his mission experience. The ZH has a website which is updated twice a month. Check it out! If you want to subscribe write Zion's Herald, P.O. Box 458, North Berwick, ME 03906-9901.

For all GBGM mission folks (active, inactive and retired), a few complimentary copies of UMMA UpDate are available to those interested in UMMA membership (the link will take you to a page that has the membership form, as well as a page where you can easily download the membership form). Please join us in solidarity and become a full member by making your check payable to "UMMA" and send to: Fred Price, 165 Grandview Avenue, Pitman, NJ 08071. ($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 2004 calendar year." Please send your updated email and postal address. May you have a blessed New Year 2004!

Last Modified: 6 January 2004 Copyright © 1999-2004 United Methodist Missionary Association

We welcome your comments: fred_price_30048@yahoo.com