As bishops meet, spouses experience mission, Dallas style
5/1/2003 News media contact: Tim Tanton · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn.
NOTE: Photographs are available with this report.
By Joan LaBarr*
Twila
Stowe Bryan joins the Sing and Sew with Senior Citizens program at
Wesley-Rankin Community Center in Dallas. Bryan, wife of retired United
Methodist Bishop Monk Bryan, was among 44 spouses of bishops who worked
in churches and other mission sites across the city as the United
Methodist Council of Bishops met for their weeklong spring gathering. A
UMNS photo by Joan LaBarr. Photo number 03-160, Accompanies UMNS #253,
5/1/03
No Long Caption Available for this Story
A UMNS file photo courtesy Joan LaBarr
Faye Fannin helps serve lunch at Crossroads Center/Harwood Crossing, a ministry with the homeless in Dallas.
Faye
Fannin helps serve lunch at Crossroads Center/Harwood Crossing, a
ministry with the homeless sponsored by First United Methodist Church
and First Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Fannin was among 44 spouses of
bishops who worked in churches and other mission sites across the city
as the United Methodist Council of Bishops met for their weeklong spring
gathering. A UMNS photo by Joan LaBarr. Photo number 03-161,
Accompanies UMNS #253, 5/1/03
DALLAS (UMNS) - As United Methodist bishops met in
business sessions in a suburban hotel, 44 of their spouses rolled up
their sleeves and went to work in churches and other mission sites
across the city.
The spouses fanned out across the city April 28,
assigned to several sites as the United Methodist Council of Bishops
met for their weeklong spring gathering in the Dallas suburb of Addison.
Kay Croft, a volunteer who helped coordinate the day with the
preschool children at Bethlehem Center in South Dallas, described the
scene as spouses--many retired educators--sat down to read with the
children. One child looked up and asked Ann Hearn, wife of retired
Bishop Woodrow S. Hearn, "Will you be my grandmother?"
Sarah
Wilke, North Texas Conference director of urban strategies, said the
husband and wives of United Methodist bishops spent the day embracing
children, serving food and drink to homeless people, sewing with senior
citizens, painting rooms and assisting immigrant families.
The
spouses accomplished much more than helping needy people, Wilke added.
"They affirmed our ministers and mission workers in the value of their
daily efforts."
The concept of "Hands On Mission Experience"
began eight months ago as the Dallas Area host committee for the
bishops' gathering planned activities for spouses. "We wanted a week of
activities that would highlight the best of what the North Texas
Conference is about," said Wilke.
The
international Council of Bishops, which meets twice a year, includes
nearly 100 active and retired bishops from the United States, Europe,
Africa and the Philippines.
# # #
*LaBarr is director of communications for the United Methodist Church's North Texas Annual Conference.
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