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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3021 notes).

Note 3019 by UMNS on June 18, 1996 at 16:35 Eastern (3701 characters).

SEARCH: Carcano, Presbyterian, healing, closing worship,

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Contact: Linda Green                        305(10-32-21-71){3019}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             June 18, 1996

United Methodist minister invited to 
preach at annual Presbyterian gathering

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The Rev. Minerva G. Carcano, a United Methodist pastor, has
been invited to preach during the closing worship service of the
208th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in
Albuquerque, N.M.
     Carcano is the minister-in-charge of the South Albuquerque
Cooperative Ministry, which includes United Methodists in both New
Mexico and the Rio Grande Annual Conferences, the Presbyterian
Church (USA), Mennonites, and United Churches of Christ. She will
lead the service of "healing and anointing" July 6. The assembly
will meet June 29-July 6.
     According to Karmen VanDyke, chairwoman of worship for the
assembly, Carcano was chosen as preacher for the service not only
because "she is a friend of the denomination" but she has the
"ability to observe the meeting from an objective position."
     Calling Carcano a "hopeful and reconciling person," VanDyke
is certain that as the leader of the closing worship service,
Carcano will be able to reflect on the actions and activities of
the week and give her vision for the denomination. 
     Carcano shares the minister-in-charge of the South
Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry position with a clergyman from
the Presbyterian Church (USA).      
     Carcano is pleased by the invitation to address the
Presbyterian General Assembly. She said to speak during their
closing service is a "wonderful opportunity to give witness to the
fact that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been extremely
hospitable as I have worked in their midst. My ministry has been
blessed by their hospitality."
      A primary purpose for a "healing and anointing" service at
the close of the meeting is because the week will be filled with a
wide-range of opinion that could cause tension and fragmentation,
VanDyke said.
     One issue in particular will be the denomination's study on
homosexual ordination.
     "This is the area where a lot of energy will be spent," Van
Dyke said. There will be other issues where people will have to
make compromises and look at their faith, she said. 
     Another area of discussion will center around the church
covenanting document or the Consultation on Church Union (COCU).
The covenanting proposal allows members of denominations to
recognize each other's churches, baptism and ordained ministries
and enables them to celebrate the eucharist together.   
     Carcano said that wherever the Presbyterian Church (USA) may
be in terms of their discussions around this issue, "I believe
they are committed to being ecumenical and are recommitted to
being the reconciling body of Christ.
     "The Presbyterians are committed to leaving the General
Assembly whole and together in the spirit. Thus a service of
healing on the last day of the meeting, " she said.
     VanDyke said services centered around baptism and the Lord's
Table were considered, but a "healing and anointing service is a
more visible way to close the meeting. It gives us the opportunity
to become reconciled and blessed as we return to our home
churches," she said.
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