United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, March 7, 2004

Warm Greetings from Norma Kehrberg, Chair UMMA
Lenten Message by Fred Price
Our Members Write
Missionary Milestones
Notes and Membership Dues by Richard Schwenk, editor

1. Warm Greetings from Norma Kehrberg, Chair UMMA

Dear Members of UMMA:
We have just entered the season of Lent, a journey during which we focus our hearts and minds on the passion of Jesus, as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice given by Jesus on the cross. This year, the start of Lent was the time that Mel Gibson chose to release his newly produced film called "The Passion of the Christ"....

Perhaps you will have an opportunity to see the film. I haven't decided if I will go or not but if I do, it will probably be on Good Friday. However, I will be interested in the ongoing discussions. It is rare in the US today to have sustained discussion about Jesus' life and passion. If it takes a Hollywood style movie to do this, we should welcome such an opportunity As the media dwells on the movie and the political campaigns, a wall "grows" in Palestine, Haiti "boils", refugees flee and are returned, there is no viable plan for withdrawal of uniformed service personnel from Iraq, and thousands of pages of documents are being read by elected representatives to the General Conference meeting in Pittsburgh in April. Life, and death, go on.

UMMA Matters

During the past two months, Fred Price has taken on the responsibilities of Coordinator of UMMA. It was a smooth turn over from Gil Bascom who so ably carried these responsibilities from the beginning of UMMA in 1996. The bank account has been transferred from Tacoma to New Jersey and corporation papers have been sent from the US to Germany, to Mexico and back to New Jersey in order to complete all the formalities.

March 22-25 are the dates for the last GBGM Board meeting this quadrennium for the current directors of GBGM. Fred Price, UMMA Coordinator and Howard Heiner will be the official representatives from UMMA. I cannot report on any new decisions regarding mission personnel. Perhaps something will be forthcoming at the March meeting. I have heard hints of various discussions related to increasing financial support for mission personnel.

Mission Events

There are various mission events happening around the country. Rev. R. Randy Day will give the keynote address at the California-Pacific Annual Conference Mission Day on March 6, 2004. I plan to be there and hope to have some time for conversation during the day. Glen Rowley, MIIR in the Western Jurisdiction and UMMA member is also planning to attend.

One of our colleagues Phil Wingier-Rayo is leading in the establishment of a mission symposium at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina in mid-September this year. We plan to have at least two UMMA members participate in the symposium with one designated to be on a panel. Jim Gulley, Treasurer of UMMA has been instrumental in setting up a mission event in the Denver area in September, 2004 organized around youth of the church. Hawaii District has been blessed with a missionary visit from Dr. Elma Jocson, surgeon in Nepal, and we are expecting Rev. Sandra Olewine in late March and Dr. Romeo del Rosario in mid-July. These three visits are for only one District of our church and I am assured that other missionaries are criss-crossing the U.S. interpreting their involvement in mission to the congregations that support them in prayer and finances.

Prayer Requests

During the past two months we were saddened to learn of the deaths of three long time mission personnel: Tom Lung, retired and living in Pilgrim Place; and Peg Vreeland due to a tragic traffic accident. More recent, we received news of Roxanne Webster's battle with cancer is over. Please join in prayers for the families and friends of these three faithful servants and witnesses for Jesus Christ through the mission program of our church. Also pray for Fred and Howard representing UMMA at the coming GBGM meetings as well as for all those who will be involved in General Conference of our church.

Walk firmly and resolutely during this journey of Lent to the cross and beyond.

Yours in Christ, Norma Kehrberg, Chair UMMA

2. Lenten Message by Fred Price: Embracing the Cross

"The Passion of the Christ" has gotten more than its share of commentary and I do not intend to add to it. But, having seen the movie, there is a scene that comes back again and again.

Jesus carries the cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He stumbles, falls, and has to take it up again. On his knees he places his left shoulder next to the cross and puts his arm around it. "Am I seeing this correctly?" I asked myself. "Is he embracing, hugging the cross?" Even as I was thinking this, one of the two thieves also being led to crucifixion, yells and berates him for embracing, hugging the cross.

I saw the scene, but it was not until four or five hours later that I understood it. Duty carries the cross, love embraces it. And, with the embrace of the cross comes the embrace of humanity. When we embrace humanity we embrace God.

It is said that as St. Francis of Assisi embraced a "leper" the "leper" became the Christ. Mother Theresa held abandoned orphans in her arms and looked into the eyes of Christ.

Somewhere, an elderly person who can no longer see sits in a church nursery rocking chair and hears in the cries of an infant the promise of God. Somewhere a person in mission is on scene with the "masses" when disaster leaves hundreds, thousands homeless or dead. A single mom or dad weary with life's responsibilities, nonetheless, faithfully teaches a child to pray, "Now I lay me down to sleep," or to sing "Jesus loves me." In Macedonia recently deceased President, Boris Trajkovski, (also President of The United Methodist Church in that country), put his shoulder to the cross and brought together in the embrace of love both Christian and Moslem.

Sisters and brothers as we journey through this Lenten season, whatever shape the cross may take, let us put our shoulders to it and embrace it with love. We embrace the world and we embrace God.

3. Our Members Write

Paul Jeffrey writes to his supporting churches:

I spent three weeks in Cuba last month, working on a series of articles that will appear in United Methodist publications in coming months. Cuba is the geographic focus of the ecumenical schools of mission this summer, and my writing and photos will help folks understand what's happening on the island these days....

From the dozens of interviews I did, one comment still sticks in my mind. I was talking with Carlos Kamps, the general secretary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Cuba, and near the end of our talk I asked him what the Cuban church needed from its sisters and brothers in the United States. I confess I expected an appeal to help end the U.S. government's anachronistic and immoral blockade against Cuba, a common refrain from Cubans of all backgrounds. Or an entreaty to persuade the U.S. government to let Cuban religious leaders visit the United States, something Washington has repeatedly denied in recent years. Or thankfulness for the support that the United Methodist Church and Church World Service have provided lately to health care programs throughout Cuba.

Yet Carlos responded by talking about prayer. "Although it may sound foolish to some, as a pastor and a religious leader I think what we need most are your prayers. When you open up to God, you open up to others. A spirit of prayer will help you understand us better, understand our people and our churches," he said.

Prayer is at the center of real mission, because real prayer invites us to listen. To God. To our sisters and brothers. Real prayer deletes from our agenda our preconceived notions of how to respond to others and invites us into new adventures of mission.

Prayer makes me curious. The more I pray for someone, the more curious I am about them, their life, their family, their personal and social struggles. The more I pray for someone, be they Cuban or Iraqi or just someone who lives across the street from me but who is different than me, the more I want to know about them, the easier I can learn from them. They cease being cardboard cutouts, stereotypes of their group, and become real living, breathing people "with homes and dreams as true and fair as mine."

When I really pray earnestly for someone else, particularly someone whom I've been told to distrust or hate, God's grace undercuts the encouraged tendency to convert that person into an object, which is the first step in doing violence to them. Praying for someone, really praying, stops violence in its tracks.

Prayer thus fosters authentic, effective mission. Rather than responding to the world with what we think is best, a paternalistic urge to help "those people," prayer invites us to listen and thus respond with what real people really need. Prayer helps us to discover God's take on the world, something which, not surprisingly, is often at odds with what our government or church or media have told us. Prayer helps us discern a form of mission that invites us deeper into the pain of the world.... Shalom, Paul Jeffrey, Santa Lucia, Honduras (pauljeffrey@earthlink.net).

Jim Dwyer, Pastor of Hamburg International United Methodist Church shares this news:

1) United Methodists in Europe were deeply saddened by Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski's tragic death.

Not only was he an intentional bearer of the good news of peace and human dignity in the troubled Balkans, but served also as President of the National Executive Committee of the 6,000 member Macedonian District of the UMC. I do feel that the Trajkovski tenure as President was truly remarkable for a country which was first oppressed by Ottoman Turks until WWI, then by Serbian Orthodox restrictions, then by Communism for 50 years, and now had elected a member of an extremely small religious minority as its President who united Moslems, Orthodox and Catholics in seeking a peaceful future. (Link to UMNS article on Trajkovski.) (GBGM Missionary in Skopje, Macedonia, is Carol Partridge.)

2) Jim Dwyer also reports Kevin Malcom of People's UMC in South Portland, ME, is seeking cooperation of all nations in "Just 1 Day" of Peace on August 22, 2004. See the website of "A Circle of Friends" for information.

VIM Trip to Angola: September 18 - October 12, 2003 by Hugh Frazer, charter UMMA member

A diverse group of ten from various US locales we were a typical VIM 'work team' but without a clear indication of the work to be done. No group of this type had ever visited the Angola East and West Annual Conferences. It immediately became apparent that our hosts had an agenda that did not include "work" in the usual sense. Several did crafts with children. Others held a village clinic.

Warmly welcomed everywhere, we were introduced at small and large churches, government offices, to high officials, at the American Embassy, at industrial enterprises, at schools, clinics, government hospital, social-centers and even entertained at one of Luanda's upscale restaurants. We listened to as least 30 different beautiful church choirs. The churches are alive with enthusiasm. As representatives of the Church in the USA we were viewed by many as a link to the past and hope for the future.

From the capital, Luanda, we flew to Malanje. There were side trips over rough roads to Quiongua, the village where pioneer Methodist missionaries first proclaimed the gospel in 1885 and to the spectacular falls at Kalandula.

Most memorable was the visit to the 100 year old station at Quessua. Two of our group had lived at Quessua as children of missionary parents. Three had been short term missionaries in the late fifties. In 1960 I had been assigned to the Quessua hospital but never arrived because of the war for independence. After suffering the pillage of a long civil war and abandonment this once thriving mission, of schools, hospital, large agriculture program, dormitories, pastors training, vocational arts and more, is now in ruin. About 130 former students organized a charter flight from Luanda to Malanje and then 10 miles to Quessua where they enjoyed a nostalgic "camp-out homecoming". The team was honored to be a part of this three day homecoming culminating with Sunday worship in the Quessua church, the only building sufficiently intact despite its dangerously disintegrating ceiling.

This visionary group of church leaders, manifested a passionate desire to "rebuild" Quessua. Many expressed a great desire for missionaries to aid them in this enormous task. Other church leaders told us of their hope of achieving other high priority projects. They spoke of their need for our friendship, our support and resources.

I anticipate - with keen interest and optimism - the future of Angola with its enormous potential; and the future of the Angola Church with its promising future. The nation and the church are vibrant with hope and vision. One statistical note: there are no UMC mission personnel in Angola at this time, and to my knowledge, none are in preparation. At every opportunity we promised our prayers, our support and our friendship; and expressed our heartfelt hope that we might someday return. One thing is certain: "The harvest truly is plenteous, the laborers are few" (Math. 9:37). - Hugh Frazer

4. Missionary Milestones

In 2004 we mark an addition to our newsletter and website. We will include brief articles regarding individuals of our missionary community. We believe this addition will help the missionary community celebrate significant milestones - some sad, some happy. Suggestions and articles are welcome. Try to limit contributions to 100-150 words in length. Contact Carolyn [Belshe] Cowen (ccmission@cox.net), Spiritual Nurture Team Leader. The email version of UMMA UpDate will provide a name and a few lines for each of these Milestones.

Tom Lung was born in Ohio, he went onto his next assignment on January 21, 2004. He had been physically ill for quite some time at his last location - Pilgrim Place, Claremont, California. No near relatives survive; his "family" was the church! Max Webster (wex@europa.com), a fellow missionary in the Philippines, is serving as executer of his estate. Memorial contributions may be made to: "Pilgrim Place Book of Remembrances Memorial Fund" 660 Avery Road, Claremont, CA 91711. This fund supports the Pilgrim Place Hospital unit that cares for missionaries to the end, and this is the place where Tom died.

"The Rev. Lung's first assignment was to the Philippines in 1950 where he served as Religious Program Director on the campus of Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. His academic education included his BA degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, a STB from Boston University School of Theology and an MA from Boston University Graduate School, and studied at Columbia Teachers College and Yale University. He had been an active member of The World Association for Christian Communications, UNDA and OCIC.

In 1962, he began his career in Hong Kong with the Christian Council. His special field was communications -- pioneering the use of radio as a means of communicating the Christian message in southeast Asia for the government stations RTHK4 and RTHK3. He was a part-time lecturer at the Hong Kong Baptist College communications department, serving at the same time on three commissions of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. While serving in Hong Kong, he was the organizer/producer for the Television and Broadcasting Religious Advisory Committee. He was active in the YMCA, serving closely with the Asia Alliance of YMCA.

During his thirty years in Hong Kong, he was an active member and officer of the Hong Kong Oratorio Society - a 100 voice choir giving concerts of religious music and tours to Asian cities including Shanghai and Beijing." - Portions above were provided by Dave Markay, MIR

"Tom was a dear friend, and I have many fond memories of him. As a 'P-3' in the Cagayan Valley in '55-56, I enjoyed some happy hours with him at Annual Conference. As mutual and close friends of Barney and Millie Clark, we had pleasant memories together.

Through the years, when I visited Tom in Hong Kong alone, he always urged me to stay with him in his small but hospitable apartment. I'll never forget Tom's infectious chuckle and the sparkle in his eye, his concern for students, his love of music, his commitment to a simple lifestyle. Remarkably, while having a very small number of 'relatives', he had a large family! He was unique. He was truly a Christian, and truly a missionary." - Dave Williams

"We all must have memories since Tom was what I would call a real character. While we were traveling to/from the Philippines we would stop in Hong Kong and see Tom. Once he took us out to dinner -- of course, on the second floor of a Chinese restaurant, and we ordered fried peanuts. We learned how to use chopsticks that night. Then, when he retired and moved to Portland, Max taught him how to drive! Even sold him his car. Probably one big mistake putting Tom in the driver's seat. That did not last long. Fortunately!" - Claudia Webster

"Dear friend Tom Lung has returned to his Creator. He would have been 80 years old on October 30th. He never married, but helped raise many Filipino and Chinese 'sons' that lived with him at various times as they worked their way through college or got their start as professionals in various fields. Many of these young men excelled in their careers as pastors professional singers, educators and such. He called his place, 'The Hermitage.'

He was always willing to give little words of advice like an older brother. He liked to order exotic Chinese cuisine and then later turn our stomachs a bit by telling us what kind of 'rare' meat in the recipe. He studied Chinese and was about to be sent by the Board of Global Ministries to China around 1949 when Chairman Mao took over so he was sent to the Philippines instead, to work in developing a Christian radio ministry. Tom used to tell us that his surname 'Lung' meant ""dragon" in Chinese and he wanted to be known as "HKdragon" in his email address." -- Ric and Caring Schwenk

"News of Tom Lung's death brings a flood of precious memories. Over all those years we shared so many differing experiences. Those included the death of his father and, in Tom's own emergency admission to a hospital in Portland, OR (Bless his heart, he didn't want to 'disturb' his doctor so he waited until office hours to call the doctor to say he thought he'd had a heart attack in the early hours of the morning!)

Tom's pancake breakfasts are legendary. Even to the present, when we have pancakes we make them 'Tom's way.' One of his 'boys', The Rev. Ralph Lee, is now President of the Methodist Church, Hong Kong.

We last saw Tom in November 2002 - in Hong Kong. He excitedly showed us photos of his roses and urged us to visit him at Pilgrim Place. Alas, both time and death often preclude well-meant hopes.

Bud knew him as 'Tom Boy', an affectionate term used by his father. He loved it and we love him. 'For all the saints, who from their labors rest..' thank you Tom, for your witness. We love you!' - Bud and Millie Carroll

"We got to know Tom in Hong Kong where we were fellow UM missionaries '65-78. He was a very loving and gentle person and always interested in our family. From time to time we had special pancake breakfasts at his apartment -- apple or banana. He shared some wonderful recipes with us -- especially oatmeal muffins." - Betty and Dick Blakney

***

Margaret Vreeland, known to her colleagues as "Peggy," died January 21, 2004 in Missouri. She was an active missionary since 1960. Her husband Richard survives her. Dick's email is RLVreeland@sbcglobal.net. We embrace him and the family during these times of adjustment.

Peggy was killed instantly as the result of a vehicular accident quite near the retirement cottage where she and Dick lived for the last 2 1/2 years. They moved there to be near the younger grandchildren after several years in Michigan where they had first 'retired' to see about needs of several family members of the older generation.

Peggy had just been for her beauty shop appointment and was on her way home to pick up a neighbor for a dental appointment. Such loving remarks have been written about her. Here are a few:

'Margaret Vreeland first served as a manager of Vidayalam School for staff children of the Christian Medical College in India. In Bombay for ten years, she was the Methodist correspondent and scholarship coordinator, as well as the manager of the Friendship Centre-Nursery school. Born and raised in Michigan, she took her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. Her education also included an MA from Union College, KY. She was commissioned as a World Division missionary in 1960. - MIR Dave Markay

"Having just heard the shocking news it is hard to order our thoughts. Ginny and I were close friends of Dick and Peg in India for several decades. When traveling through Bombay we usually stayed with them. Peg was always so warmly welcoming. In the midst of constant guests in the flat in Bombay, no matter who came, she ALWAYS welcomed them as friends, often they were strangers.

Both in the connection with Taylor Memorial Church in Byculla, Bombay and in Kodai School community, we always were uplifted by Peg's positive attitude and smile. - Gay Johnson

"Peg Vreeland was involved in the ministries of the Beverly UMC. One of her students from this community, now on staff here at Red Bird, remembers being in her 3rd grade classroom and upon hearing of her death remarked, 'God has called one of His angel's home. I am so glad I had the opportunity to have her as a teacher.'" - Ruth A. Wiertzema

"I am a Red Bird School graduate and returned to serve as Principal and Director of Education for thirteen years (1975-1988). When I returned home to Red Bird to assume the position as Principal of Red Bird Mission School, I met Peg Vreeland for the first time. Peg Vreeland was a wonderful servant to the students, teachers and principal of Red Bird School. At that time, I was a spiritual neophyte. During my life, God has led me to meet a few models that have helped shape my spirituality. Peg Vreeland was one of them.

She was simple in her relationships with people. She was non-judgmental, giving total love and acceptance to every child no matter who the child was or what they did - no matter their condition or background. She loved and cared for each the same. Christ could be seen in her. Peg helped me in my relationships with children and adults. She modeled how I should deal with children and problems as an administrator and taught me there is no 'throw away' child, presenting a model of what I myself could some day become.

Her spirituality and love for all children set me on a path that is very different than where I might have gone as a school administrator. I have been a superintendent now for eleven years and follow Peg's model that every child is worthy of love and acceptance and a genuine effort to help them grow. She helped put me on a better path.

If I could be like Peg Vreeland I would be worthy of the name 'Christian'. She was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met and known." � Dr. Olen Taylor Collins

'On a cold day in January '84 I came to work at UMCOR. One of the first persons to welcome me was Peggy Vreeland. I had known of Dick and Peggy from their mission days in India but we had never met.

Peggy brought professional competence in her work as staff at UMCOR but also brought a caring and sensitive heart to all her work, in meeting and greeting colleagues from around the world who came to our office as well as all other staff and contacts. Peggy demonstrated 'Christ-in-me' in her work and life. Peggy, a faithful servant will be missed deeply by all the lives she touched.' - Norma Kehrberg

***

Roxanne Webster died January 27, 2004 in Wisconsin. Her husband Paul survives her. Paul's email is pwebster@wisconsinumc.org. Memorial Gifts will be accepted for the projects that Roxanne loved so much in D.R. Congo and Zambia.

Paul Webster wrote: "The inevitable happened yesterday (Tuesday, January 27th) at 6:15pm. After a long and difficult struggle with ovarian cancer, Roxanne has finally been given rest and peace with her Lord....Arrangements for a memorial service are being planned for Saturday, February 7th at our home church in Forest, Wisconsin...

"Roxanne died as she lived; bravely and with quiet grace. She looked forward to being reunited with her family and friends in the presence of God. Roxanne and I shared many adventures together over the years and now it was time for Roxanne to lead the way in the ultimate adventure. We give thanks to God for His Salvation and eternal promise. With both sadness and great joy, Paul Webster"

5. Notes and Membership Dues by Richard Schwenk, editor

Caring and I just got back from three weeks in the Philippines and my In-Box overflows. My old email address ricschwenk@earthlink.net is attracting a lot of spam these days so I'm asking that all UMMA and missionary related mail be sent to ummaschwenk@earthlink.net until further notice. I will set up a separate UMMA In-Box? I may install the "spam blocker" offered by Earthlink and set it to check suspicious emails, e.g. ambiguous subject lines or no subject. Please make your subject lines are specific and avoid attachments if at all possible.

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. Lenten blessings!

We welcome your comments:
fred_price_30048@yahoo.com