United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, May 14, 2005 (pdf version)

Brief Report on Spring Board Meeting by Fred Price, Coordinator
UMMA Matters by Norma Kehrberg, Chair
Missionary Milestones by Elizabeth J. Clarke
Missionary Reunions and Gatherings
Spiritual Nurture Note submitted by Carolyn Belshe Cowen
Hopefully Timely Tips as recommended by the editor and others
United Methodist Missionary Association Membership/Renewal for 2005

1. Brief Report on Spring Board Meeting by Fred Price, Coordinator

With so many new members for the quadrennium, the Board of Directors is still being oriented. General comments - music and worship was inspired and moving. Preaching - dynamic. Presentation by Don and Minnie Cobb was, perhaps, the highlight of the week. At one point, Don shared that after eight years of visiting a distant village in Sarawak the elder approached him and said that the entire village wanted to become Christian.

After the President of the Board, Bishop Joel Martinez' opening remarks Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer, gave his report. He reviewed revenue and expenditures for the past quadrennium. Revenues decreased from $67.4 million to $63.3 million. Expenditures decreased from $92.9 to $70.0 million. GBGM unrestricted net assets declined from $117.1 million in 1999 to $16.7 million in 2004 - (this as we all know deeply impacted the mission personnel unit - $25.3 million in 2001 and only $15.6 million in 2004). The recommended (projected) income for 2006 is $55.9 million about $2 million less than 2005's $57.8 million. While not in the report, it is largely due to less revenue from UM Women.

This was followed by a lengthy presentation on Director's legal responsibilities. They clearly paid attention here. The evening program centered around the music of Global Praise #3. Tuesday morning saw a brief devotional followed by Don and Minnie Cobb's presentation. In the continuing orientation of new Directors, there was a presentation from the Office of Research (usable demographics and statistics) and a presentation on the Comprehensive Plan for Town and Country Ministries. The rest of the morning was spent in mission program areas. In the Mission Personnel area we met the group of deaconesses (14) and Church and Community Workers (6) who were to be consecrated in the evening.

I went to lunch with the MIRs whom I knew from Atlanta. They are an asset to the Board and UMMA. They feel they have good rapport with staff and can be an effective avenue of communication for UMMA.

After lunch I returned to the Mission Personnel Program Area meeting and it was very interesting. Before they could get going, some of the Directors had questions. They were like dogs on a bone. They would not let go. This is very different from previous meetings. (This is a good sign!) They wanted to know more about why we consecrate deaconesses, if they arrange their own employment, etc. A long discussion followed. It was the first of a number of such discussions. Edith Gleaves, Deputy General Secretary of Mission personnel, gave her report. The three things of most interest were: (1) The statistical report. Total number of missionaries is down to 867 (a decrease of approximately 100). Note, 20% of missionaries are from outside the United States. The decrease is primarily due to the termination of programs such as Missioners of Hope, 10-10-10, etc., (2) The news that 8 Mission Interns and 8 US - 2's will be trained. A June 26th commissioning date is envisioned. (3) The training of ten new Standard Support Missionaries. (The good news - at least we are training some new missionaries. The neutral news - many of these will be in finance and are urgent needs of the Board's new initiatives. The negative news - nowhere during the days did I hear or sense a sense of urgency in recruiting, training and deploying standard support missionaries, except from Steve Goldstein. Perhaps it is there, and I just missed it, but....

There were lots of discussion around finances. The most encouraging thing about this meeting was the Directors. They were involved. They asked questions - and kept asking until they got answers. They were very serious about their responsibilities, moral and legal. One of them, the Rev. Denise Honeycutt got a motion passed that a missionary, or missionaries speak at each Board meeting. The motion will be referred to the Cabinet.

There were two policies presented for information to mission personnel. The first concerned a sexual abuse policy (far too complex for a full report) and a new Letter of Agreement. Visitors were not given one, but Edie readily gave me her copy after the meeting. Legal Counsel, Paul Bankes, was present and his input was helpful.

Edith Gleaves said the changes were implemented to bring clarity and, also, make it more equitable for the missionary. An attempt has been made to clarify that "non-renewal" is not "termination." Since New York is an "at will" state, there is an attempt to make its meaning clear. "4. Term b. Because your relationship to the Board is a close and confidential relationship, either you or the Board may terminate this Letter of Agreement if either should conclude that a continuation of the employment relationship described in the Letter of Agreement would not be in his/her best interest. That means that you are employed at the will of the Board and that this Letter of Agreement may be terminated, without notice and with or without cause, at any time by the Board. It also means that you may terminate this Letter of Agreement without notice at any time for any reason or no reason." Should the Board terminate a Letter of Agreement for no cause, mission personnel will be entitled to 3 months salary, 3 months benefits, plus transportation.

In addition, a new Missionary Handbook is nearly completed. This very much reflects the international nature of the UM missionary community. For example, the Board is a New York not for profit corporation and it was one thing to deal with US citizens. Now we have, for example, a missionary from the Democratic Republic of Congo serving in Senegal.

The evening was occupied with the consecration service.

Wednesday morning after worship there was a report by UMCOR on the Tsunami relief effort. $32.4 million has been received for Tsunami relief through the end of March. A beautifully prepared and moving DVD was presented to the Directors.

The General Secretary, Randy Day, gave his report. His theme was the sacramental nature of mission. There are two strategic doorways we need to pursue: (1) Leadership Development and (2) Health Care. Under Leadership Development Randy spoke about scholarship aid, etc. In addition, he announced the formation of a Seminary Task Force to be headed by Rev. Maxie Dunam to address the issue of mission education and formation for pastors and others, as well as, Academies of Mission Renewal which would provide on-the-job and continuing education for clergy and laity. New materials finally will be developed in French. He announced the new classes on Mission Interns and US-2's. He spoke of a special program in Zimbabwe where 1,600 AIDS orphaned children are receiving support. Aloud he dreamed that among the children there might be a doctor, or bishop, etc. He used the phrase "Mission-minded denomination...." I hope it will prove to be prophetic.

Finally, he addressed health care. Citing the book The End of Poverty*, he talked of the 1.3 billion who live in extreme poverty (less than $1) per day. Among other statistics he cited the fact that every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from malaria. He issued a call to bring an end to malaria - if nothing else, get mosquito nets to people.

As I was preparing to leave, Lynda Byrd, Assistant General Secretary Director of Development approached me. She is eager to involve retired missionaries in sharing the story of mission as well as raising awareness and funds. We agreed to keep in touch.

2. UMMA Matters by Norma Kehrberg, Chair

Greetings everyone! On June 16, 2005, I will attend the meeting of the Professors of Missions of UMC seminaries in Techny, Illinois and stay on to attend the American Society of Missiology. This is the meeting which resulted in a letter being sent in June 2004 to the GBGM and the Council of Bishops from the Professors regarding the state of the mission program of our church. Dana Robert, Trinity Professor of Mission at Boston University has been the contact. It will be an opportunity to work to link with others with similar concerns regarding the mission programs of our church.

Efforts are underway to involve retired missionaries in efforts to increase support for covenant missionaries. Conversations have also begun with Lynda Byrd, GBGM Director of Development to define methods by which the retired missionary family may assist in some of their planned efforts. Fred Price initiated this contact at the recent GBGM meeting. Please let us know if you are interested in becoming involved. It is a good time to show support for this program which has the endorsement of Mission Personnel. Gil Bascom is the contact for UMMA and Glenn Rowley MIIR in the Western Jurisdiction for the Mission Personnel Unit.

Japan visit in April: I stayed at the United Methodist Guest House in Tokyo. While there Claudia Yamamoto and Hazel Terhune arranged for a time to meet the UMC missionaries on Friday evening, April 22, 2005. There were 11 present including five UMC missionaries from the Philippines serving in ministries in the Tokyo area. Tim and Yuki Boyle and Bob and Hazel Terhune had just returned from their home assignment. I shared some of the ongoing efforts of UMMA. It was an opportunity to discuss a variety of concerns.

My personal reason for being in Tokyo was to visit Hiroshima. If any of you are visiting Hiroshima, consider staying at the World Friendship Center. Excellent location and arrangements can be made for tours of the Peace Park as well as to meet a survivor of the atomic bomb blast. Sobering indeed, but a visit that I had to make as I lived on Saipan for six months with nearby Tinian Island where the aviators started and ended the atomic bomb flights. I am also a member of Harris UMC in Honolulu, originally a Japanese language church, and whose members have ties to Hiroshima.

UMMA Gathering 2005

Plan now to attend the UMMA Gathering, October 9-11 in Stamford, CT. We expect a director of GBGM to be with us. There is much to discuss. Combine with a trip to the Northeast or Broadway to see "Spamalot". Interested? Email:

3. Missionary Milestones

Ariel Zambrano, 81 years old, the husband of Mary Fitzpatrick Zambrano, passed away on February 8, 2005 at Pilgrim Place after several years of poor health. He and Mary lived at Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA for15 years. Mary, an UMMA member, met and married Ariel in Mexico where she had gone as a Methodist missionary in 1950. His work included leadership in the Evangelical Council of Churches of Mexico, serving on the faculty and later Academic Dean of Union Seminary in Mexico. In 1969 he and Mary transferred to the California-Pacific Conference where they served bilingual churches until retirement. His sons Mario, John and family, his daughter, Lucy and husband live near by. Mary's address is 527 Berkeley Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711.

Omar Hartzler died on May 4, 2005, at the age of 88, at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, CA where he lived for 23 years. He had been in declining health during the last year. Both he and his widow, Dorothy Jones Hartzler (Taiwan and Hong Kong) are UMMA members. Omar, born in Lubumbashi, Belgian Congo, of missionary parents, grew up in the Congo and later served there with his first wife, Eva. He taught at the Theological School of Springer Institute in Mulungwishi and the Free University in Luluaborg, After retirement, he was asked to return to Zaire (Congo) to establish a new Methodist Teacher's College in Kamina. During the 1980s he was GBGM Board Secretary for Africa after having served on the faculty of Scarritt College for several years. He is survived by his second wife, Dorothy of Pilgrim Place; his daughter, Linda Mott of Whittier; and a brother, Lynn Hartzler. Dorothy's address is 620 Plymouth Road, #4, Claremont, CA 91711.

4. Missionary Reunions and Gatherings

June 1-2, 2005

The 1948 Japan/Korea J-3's and other former J-3's will gather at Camp Berachah near Seattle/Tacoma WA. Contact: Elizabeth J. Clarke () at 715 Avery Rd. Claremont, CA 91711, 909.624.7455. The program will include "Japan Today" led by Joe and Keiko Stroud (UMC retired 2003) and "Korea Today" featuring Patricia Patterson, (UMC, 1957-1973). Pat went on to become Executive Area Secretary for Japan and Korea, and then became as Coordinator of Japan-North America Commission on Cooperative Mission prior to retirement in 2000.

June 2-5, 2005

Japan Mission Connection (ecumenical) will meet at Camp Berachah, beginning with evening meal and ending with noon meal on Sunday, June 5. The program theme is "Quilt of Faiths." Along with worship, fellowship and conversation, there will be five plenary sessions and discussion featuring speakers John B. Cobb, Alice Cary, Robert Mikio Fukada, and James Phillips. Contact: Gil Bascom (), UMC.

June 24-27, 2005

India Missionaries Reunion Venue: Mercy Center, 2039 North Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63131-3399 Contact: Carlos A. Welch, 1690 Denver Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Dr. Sarla Chand (nee Lall) will provide an update on the status of and challenges for Christians in India today and the Methodist Church of India. Time for re-connecting, prayer, worship and Bible Study.

July 8-10, 2005

Liberia Reunion, at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Contact: Wilfred and Stella Boayue (), 340 Wickerberry Lane, Roswell, GA 30075, 770.649.9373.

September 30-October 2, 2005

Brazil Reunion, Lake Junaluska, NC. Send registration fee ($35) before July 31. Email: Jane Spencer ().

October 9-11, 2005

UMMA Gathering 2005 Stamford, Connecticut. Plan now to join the UMMA Gathering. Join the fellowship and help in planning the future of United Methodist mission.

2006 Reunions

June 23-26, 2006

Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia Reunion. Notify before December 2005 re: extra day. Contact: Ernest Heard (), in Nashville with cc to Phil Wilson (), the new chair.

July 28-30, 2006

Biennial Servants of Sierra Leone Reunion, Holiday Inn Select, Naperville, IL. 60563, near I-88. Email: Marilyn Kopp (), 309.444.2136.

August 4-7, 2006

Philippine Missionary Reunion Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center - Lambuth Building, Lake Junaluska, NC. Contact: Claudia Webster () by June 1, 2005 (this year) send $40 (per adult) deposit check to Claudia L Webster, 7619 SW Surfland Street, South Beach, OR 97366.

5. Spiritual Nurture Note submitted by Carolyn Belshe Cowen

As missionaries living out our 'calling' in this world packed with activities, we are tuned to that every opportunity of witness of Christ's Love. Somewhere along the way I became acquainted with Lynda Randall's music. In one of her performances is the story of a concept of God. I want to pass along the words. They help me and I hope they will nurture you.

Verse

Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.

Chorus

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

Verse

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.

Chorus (repeat 2x)

Hopefully Timely Tips as recommended by the editor and others

The End of Poverty, a book by Jeffrey D. Sachs. Read excellent excerpts in TIME Magazine, March 14, 2005 . A hopeful and comprehensive call to action. Must reading for all concerned with development.

Moringa, the Miracle Tree by Lowell J. Fuglie, Church World Service, Contact by email (), 1.800.297.1516. See also http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Moringa_oleifera.html.

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