Commission will promote diversity in legislative sessions
4/14/2003 WASHINGTON
(UMNS) - The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race plans to
promote diversity at the denomination's business sessions and
legislative gatherings beginning this spring and continuing through July
2004.
The commission has created an initiative called
"Inclusiveness Counts!" to address issues related to racism. Annual
(regional) conferences this year will be electing delegates to the
General Conference to be held in Pittsburgh April 27-May 7, 2004. The
commission's campaign will focus on monitoring and encouraging diversity
in the election of these delegates.
When the jurisdictional
conferences meet in July 2004 to elect and assign bishops, the
commission will focus on diversity in those elections also. At General
Conference, the denomination's top lawmaking assembly, the commission
will monitor legislative proposals for impact on the church,
particularly in terms of inclusiveness.
"The church is facing
very challenging times," said the Rev. Chester R. Jones, who heads the
commission staff. The U.S. economy, war with Iraq and expansion of
global interests are some of the circumstances requiring the church to
evaluate its ministry, he said. "Despite these challenges, we must
remember our commitment to be a church where all are welcomed and
embraced, particularly racial ethnic persons who have been historically
excluded."
Materials are being sent to each annual conference to
invite participation in the campaign. The items are addressed to the
chairperson of the conference commission on religion and race and the
conference director of connectional ministries. For more information,
contact the commission at gcorr@erols.com or (202) 547-2271.
"We
will be using various methods to reach people on all levels of the
church not, just delegates," Jones explained. The campaign is for
everyone, he added.
|
Back : News Archives 2003 Main
|
|
“We believe in God and in each other.”The people of The United Methodist Church
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions Ask
InfoServ
Purchase a $20 buzzkill t-shirt and help save a life
Buy a t-shirt
|