2009 Gathering -- Trauma Healing: Preparing Churches to Receive Returning Military Personnel, Nashville, Tennessee, April 1-2, 2009

JUSTPEACE, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Discipleship (UMC) will co-sponsor the annual Gathering event April 1-2, 2009 (1:00 p.m. on 1st to 12:00 p.m. on 2nd) at the Upper Room Denman Building of the United Methodist Center, 1908 Grand Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year's event will focus on Trauma Healing – Preparing Churches to Receive Returning Military Personnel. Our speakers will include Shelly Rambo and Laura Bender. Shelly is Assistant Professor of Theology at Boston University School of Theology. She is the author of Trauma and Redemption: Witnessing Spirit between Death and Life, forthcoming by Westminster John Knox Press. Laura is a chaplain with the US Navy. She is a United Methodist minister, who is currently the command chaplain on the USS New York.

On WEDNESDAY, April 1, Dr. Rambo will help us understand the phenomenon of trauma and its effects on persons and communities. She will also help us explore how our theology informs and is informed by trauma and healing

On THURSDAY, April 2, Chaplain Bender will present ways in which churches can more effectively respond to the needs of returning troops. We will conclude our time together with a panel of military and church leaders.

Participants will receive a draft of materials to be provided to local church leaders to assist them in a healing ministry with returning veterans, with an eye to both their needs and our ability to address these needs. We will also have a chance to add our suggestions for improving these materials. The Gathering is open to all.

This year's Gathering is the ninth annual event for the JUSTPEACE movement - committed practitioners on the journey of the ministry of reconciliation. Practitioners and friends in the JUSTPEACE Network will be with us. Staff colleagues of the Nashville agencies of the United Methodist Church are invited to participate. Leaders within the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church of America will join us. Military chaplains will be invited to attend.

REGISTER TODAY!
You can register online at http://www.justpeaceumc.org/ or send an e-mail to the JUSTPEACE office at
justpeace@justpeaceumc.org. State that you would like to come to the Gathering and provide your complete contact information (name, title, mailing address, phone fax, e-mail, etc.).

The participation fee for this year's Gathering is $100. A meal on April 1st, and snacks during the Gathering time are included in this fee. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements. Please make your check payable to JUSTPEACE and send it to our office at 100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington DC 20002.

JUSTPEACE Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation is a mission of The United Methodist Church to engage conflict constructively in ways that strive for justice, reconciliation, resource preservation and restoration of community in and through The United Methodist Church and with the Church universal to the world in which we live.

The General Board of Discipleship is an agency of The United Methodist Church committed to Christian discipleship and leadership development.

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry leads and serves The United Methodist Church in the recruitment, preparation, nurture, education, and support of Christian leaders—lay and clergy— for the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

United Methodist Leaders Call for Hope, Outreach in Economic Crisis

NASHVILLE: The global financial crisis underscores the importance of a renewed focus on mission and ministry for the church and reminds Christians to maintain hope during fearful times, said three key United Methodist leaders.

In an open letter to the people of The United Methodist Church, church leaders acknowledged that the global financial crisis is bringing hardship and suffering to people in every part of the world as well as generating increasing global unrest and violence, while all levels of the church are also facing economic constraints that require them to assess how they carry out ministry to a world in need.

“We are reminded that our faith does not rise and fall with the financial markets but resides in the enduring love of God who is present with us as we struggle and strive to love God and our neighbors,” said the letter.

The letter is signed by Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops, Bishop John Hopkins, chair of the Connectional Table (an organization within the church that reviews missions and ministries), and Neil Alexander, chair of the Table of General Secretaries (top staff executives of the church’s general agencies).

Church leaders said that the current economic climate only underscores the need for the four long-term “areas of focus” adopted by The United Methodist Church in 2008 at General Conference, a meeting of the denomination’s top legislative body which occurs every four years.

“We urgently need principled Christian leaders for the church and the world. People searching for meaning are seeking new places of welcome and hospitality for worship, prayer and spiritual growth. It is abundantly evident that United Methodists must engage in ministry with the poor and tackle the diseases of poverty that rob people of the fullness of life, health and wholeness.”

The letter suggests that the beginning of Lent be a time to recommit to practice the traditional Wesleyan values: do no harm, do good and stay in love with God.

A church-wide conversation called “Rethink Church” is asking United Methodists to envision ways to reinvigorate the denomination’s outreach to a hurting world and offer hospitality to those seeking deeper spiritual understanding.

To read the entire letter in its entirety CLICK ON www.umc.org/messageofhope

General Board of Church & Society praises quick passage, parts of stimulus package
Calls bill flawed because of tax breaks for wealthy at expense of education, housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) applauds the U.S. Congress for passing the $787 billion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” (ARRA) because it will provide funding for critical programs that serve those hit hardest by the ongoing recession. The statement also praises efforts to orient the U.S. economy towards a sustainable environmental future.

The statement by GBCS General Secretary Jim Winkler points out, though, that the package is not perfect. “We regret the decision to include tax provisions whose benefits accrue exclusively to relatively well-off persons,” the statement says. “While some relief for those taxpayers may have merit, it should not have been pursued at the expense of other low-income priorities and projects designed to promote the common good such as education and housing.”

ARRA passed primarily along party lines on Feb. 13. The bill, according to its proponents, which include President Obama, will create or save 3.5 million jobs. It breaksdown to $575 billion in spending and $212 billion in tax breaks

No Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for ARRA, which passed by 246 to 183; seven Democrats opposed the bill. That evening, the Senate passed the bill, 60 to 38, relying on three Republican votes to reach the 60 necessary to avoid a filibuster.

Republicans and most Democrats perceive the solution to the economic crisis differently. Democrats proposed a massive program of government spending to create jobs. Republicans favor more tax cuts.

GBCS saluted Congress for acting quickly on ARRA. “It is increasingly clear, though, that the cost of inaction or delayed action is a far great threat to our economy,” its statement emphasizes. “Our present financial system mismanagement is forcing the U.S. government to borrow resources from our children’s future.”

President Obama said he will sign the act into law this week.

GBCS is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church, which has more than 11 million members worldwide. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City.

The GBCS statement follows:

Statement on U.S. Congress passing 'American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009'

Our collective failure to serve as stewards of God’s great abundance is now wreaking havoc on the global economy. As always, the storms of greed, unchecked individualism, and predatory profiteering hit hardest those living in or near poverty. Our message to the U.S. Congress has been and will continue to be that the concerns of our brothers and sisters on the economic margins must be squarely at the center of our recovery efforts.

We applaud Congress for providing much-needed funding for critical programs that serve those hit hardest by the recession as part of HR 1, “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.” Food nutrition assistance, including significant increases for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Woman Infant and Children (WIC), National School Lunch Program, and Emergency Food Assistance Program are essential. In addition, unemployment benefits, Medicaid aid to states, and the state stabilization fund are critical to the health and well-being of millions of men, women and children across the United States.

Likewise, we appreciate the efforts to reorient our economy towards a sustainable future. By providing increased funding for weatherization, energy efficiency, renewable energy programs and green infrastructure projects, this legislation takes strong steps toward protecting God’s creation.

No package or process is perfect, however. We regret the decision to include tax provisions whose benefits accrue exclusively to relatively well-off persons. While some relief for those taxpayers may have merit, it should not have been pursued at the expense of other low-income priorities and projects designed to promote the common good such as education and housing.

It is increasingly clear, though, that the cost of inaction or delayed action is a far great threat to our economy.

Our present financial system mismanagement is forcing the U.S. government to borrow resources from our children’s future. Weighed against the cost of inaction, this is a regrettable necessity. We must make certain as we spend these monies that we are leaving our children not simply a legacy of debt but a legacy of life where God’s creation is valued and all God’s children share in its abundance.

—Statement by Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society, The United Methodist Church

Devozine Features Top New Christian Artist
By Andrew Schleicher*

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 10, 2009/GBOD/ -- The best selling, most played new Christian artist appears on the current cover of devozine, the Upper Room’s devotional magazine for young people. The group, Tenth Avenue North, shares how they intentionally seek to live out their faith.

Now the band is celebrating its third No. 1 with the song “By Your Side,” according to R&R’s Christian chart. R&R has already declared Tenth Avenue North as the Best Selling and Most Played New Artist of 2008.

Lead vocalist and songwriter, Mike Donehey, says in devozine that “all the songs [on the group’s debut album, Over and Underneath,] were sort of forged out of that collision between what we believe is the truth of God’s word and our struggle to believe it and to live up to it.”

Devozine encourages youth to spend time with God and to explore how their faith applies to their everyday lives. It uses a variety of reflections often written by other young people. Jeff Owen, Tenth Avenue North’s electric guitarist, encourages devozine’s readers to “get your friends together. Read together and wrestle through your faith.” Using devozine can help young people to do just that.

“Our readers have asked for interviews with musical artists and celebrities — not to hear about their latest hits but to discover what they struggle with and how they live out their faith,” says Sandy Miller, editor of devozine. “The story behind the music for Tenth Avenue North reveals that their deeply real and vulnerable music arises from hearts that are grounded in God’s word.”

Since 1996, devozine has featured the writing of youth and adults who work with and care about youth. Each bi-monthly issue has nine week-long themes with daily meditations and weekend features. The article about Tenth Avenue North is one of the features in the January/February 2009 issue.

In addition to the magazine, youth ages 12-18 are invited to connect online at www.devozine.org. The website helps connect young people across the world in creating a global Christian community. Youth are invited “to share your poetry, your opinions, and your writing,” as stated
on the site. Upper Room Ministries also produces a Guide for Mentors and Small Groups alongside each issue.

Tenth Avenue North begins a 20-city tour March 17 in Billings, Mont., where it joins MercyMe on the “Rock & Worship Road Show.” More information about the band and its schedule may be found at http://www.tenthavenuenorth.com/ and at www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth.

For more information about devozine or to order subscriptions, please visit www.devozine.org or call 1-800-925-6847.

*Andrew Schleicher is the former editor of United Methodist Newscope and a freelance writer living in Nashville, Tenn.

Handouts for the Homeless: Are You a Servant? Or Just a Sucker?

Nashville: It’s happened to most everyone. Chances are someone has come up to you on the street and asked for a handout. They might share a hard luck story, or just plead for spare cash. What do you do? Ignore them? Hand over some money? Refuse, fearing the money will go for alcohol or drugs? Give only to organized charities that help the poor? What’s the best way to help someone in need without feeling you’ve been taken?

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, approximately 3.5 million people are likely to experience homelessness in a given year.

“People who panhandle come from every social class, all types of backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they beg because it works. While some are victims of failed social policies, economic realities, discrimination and addiction, others bring their situations upon themselves. Pulling oneself up by the bootstraps isn’t as easy as it sounds,” said the Rev. Beth Lindsay Templeton, who directs Our Eyes Were Opened, a program that teaches people how to make wise and compassionate decisions for helping people in poverty. “But, giving people money on-the-spot does not necessarily help them pull out of a cycle that gets them no where,” she adds.

Ministry with the poor is one of four long-term “areas of focus" for The United Methodist Church. However, many people who want to reach out don’t know the best way to really help.

A new resource from United Methodist Communications <http://www.umcom.org/> provides a five-session, small-group DVD-based study (hosted by Templeton) that helps viewers discern appropriate, Christ-centered actions when it comes to addressing poverty on a personal or organizational level. Servant or Sucker? Wise and Compassionate Ways to Help the Poor includes realities of poverty including the concepts of time, relationships, money and values; a poverty tour; interviews with those who are homeless or poor; interviews with those who have helped and/or have been suckered; and steps you can take to be an effective servant without getting suckered.

“As people of faith, we know we are called to reach out to others,” said Templeton. “A lot of us just don’t know how. Servant or Sucker? shows, in very practical terms, how to do that.”

The resource can be used by churches, civic and community organizations and individuals to gain insights into various issues related to poverty and giving the poor and homeless what they need rather than what they want.

Templeton says that, ironically, sometimes the best thing to do is tell someone “no”—but there are certain ways to do that. She offers these tips for how to respond to those who are poor and marginalized in a kind, respectful manner that actually does some good rather than harm.

* Find out the person’s name to acknowledge his or her humanity
* If a person asks for food: give food, not money
* Don’t believe everything you hear

Produced by EcuFilm, Servant or Sucker? is now available for $39.95 from United Methodist Communications by visiting the Web site (www.ecufilm.org, calling toll free 888-346-3862 or e-mailing csc@umcom.org.

Over 350,000 troops receive historic book of daily devotions

By J. Richard Peck*

NASHVILLE, Tenn.––Over 350,000 copies of Strength for Service to God and Country, a historic book of daily devotions, have been sent to U.S. troops.

Evan Hunsberger

The effort, led by the Nashville-based General Commission on United Methodist Men, began in 2002 when Evan Hunsberger, a California Boy Scout, saw a tattered copy of the book on the nightstand of his grandfather. Eugene Hunsberger, a World War II corpsman, told Evan he had carried the book through two wars.

Noting what comfort the book gave his grandfather, Evan made his Eagle Scout project the republishing of the book. He secured permission from the United Methodist Publishing House, the original publisher of the book, and he added devotions from contemporary leaders.

While he had the modest hope of giving out a couple of hundred books, the commission has helped him raise funds so 350,026 copies have been distributed.

New Edition of "Strength for Service"

Colonel Tom Clark, commanding officer at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, says he was given a copy of the original 1942 edition in 1980s while he was a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Years later, he found the volume had been republished.

“I found this little blue book to be incredibly useful in my daily devotionals as a guidebook that contained a suggested Bible passage, a sermonette, and a prayer,” said Clark. “Moreover, each entry was focused on service—a mindset and lifestyle with which I could identify. Strength for Service helped lead me to my faith in Jesus Christ.”

The commission has received hundreds of thank-you letters from grateful service men and women (see website StrengthforService.org). However, these expressions of gratitude belong to hundreds of churches that have raised funds for the printing and distribution of the books.

Evan’s grandfather did not live to see the results of his grandson’s efforts, but 350,000 service men and women are grateful to him.

*Peck is communications director of the General Commission on United Methodist Men