wfn.org | Bishops launch initiative

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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 (3135 notes).

Note 3133 modified by UMNS on Aug. 22, 1996 at 15:10 Eastern (5194
characters).

SEARCH:  episcopal, initiative, children, poverty
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
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CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                    419(10-21-71){3133}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Aug. 22, 1996

Bishops launch initiative
on children and poverty

                 by United Methodist News Service

     God is calling the United Methodist Church to a "new level of
dedication and commitment on behalf of children and the
impoverished," according to an initiative being launched by the
denomination's Council of Bishops.
     The biblical and theological foundations for the episcopal
initiative were released Aug. 1 with a letter asking United
Methodist congregations to designate a Sunday in October to
observe a "Children's Sabbath."  Church members are also asked to
study and reflect on the eight-page foundations document and to
pray for the bishops Oct. 30 as they meet at St. Simon's Island,
Ga., to "discern the next steps of God's call."
     Chairing the nine-member task force developing the initiative
is Bishop Marshall "Jack" L. Meadors Jr., of Jackson, Miss.  Other
bishops on the task force are: Kenneth L. Carder, Nashville,
Tenn.; Elias G. Galvan, Phoenix, Ariz.; Felton E. May, Harrisburg,
Pa.; Susan Murch Morrison, Valley Forge, Pa.; Emerito P. Nacpil,
Manila, Philippines; Alfred Norris, Albuquerque, N.M.; Donald A.
Ott, Detroit; and Hans Vaxby, Helsingfors, Finland.
     "For the first time in history it is possible to create a
world in which all children share in at least the basic
opportunities for life," the bishop say in their letter.  "Yet
worldwide every year approximately 10 million children die of
poverty-related causes."
     The bishops also note that an increasing number of U.S.
children suffer from "spiritual and economic poverty, violence,
neglect and inadequate health care."
     "Children deserve our support," the bishops declare.  "What
we do for children, our greatest natural resource, we do for
Christ."
     The biblical and theological foundations document begins by
describing the crisis among children.
     While child sacrifice has been taboo among the world's great
religions for at least 3,000 years, the bishops observe that
today's children are being "sacrificed to the gods of consumerism,
violence, and neglect.
     "Economic injustice, racial and ethnic and religious hatred,
and the abuse of political power are resulting in genocide of the
world's most vulnerable citizens -- children who live in poverty,"
the bishops say.
     In a second section, the bishops give numerous references
from both Old and New Testaments and conclude that the church
"must identify with those with whom Christ identifies and to whom
he ministers.  Indeed, the faithfulness of the church is measured
by the presence of the response to 'the least of these,'
especially to children and to the poor."
     The bishops remind their readers that Methodism was born
among the impoverished of 18th Century England and that the poor
were the central focus of the early Methodist movement.
     "Gradually the church distanced itself from the poor, who
became objects of mission rather than constitutive to the life of
the church," the bishops observe.  "That trend has continued to
this day, and the poor are seldom present in our worship and
fellowship."
     The bishops also note that United Methodism in the United
States is experiencing an "alarming loss" of middle class as well
as impoverished children.
     In a section on challenge and opportunity, the bishops say
God, though technicians and scientists, has brought the goals of
removing and preventing needless suffering within reach.  "What is
needed," the add, "is a renewed vision of God's reign of justice,
generosity, and joy for all people.  Being empowered by that
vision is the challenge and opportunity before the United
Methodist Church and the world."
     The primary goal of the initiative, according to the bishops,
is evangelization, "the proclamation in word and deed of the
gospel of God's redeeming, reconciling, and transforming grace in
Jesus Christ to and with the children and those oppressed by
poverty."
     The church, they continue must;
     ** "be a means of grace to the vulnerable,"
     ** "be open and hospitable to God's transforming grace
through the vulnerable,"
     ** "go beyond social service delivery... (to) nurture and
build just, hospitable, and compassionate communities in which the
least have access to God's table of abundance."
     In conclusion, the bishops said the focus of their initiative
is on "communicating and living the gospel of Jesus Christ with
all children and intentionally reaching out to impoverished
persons as recipients and means of God's grace in Jesus Christ."
     
                              #  #  #
     NOTE TO EDITORS:  A full text of the Biblical and Theological
Foundations document may be ordered by calling Cokesbury 1-800-
672-1789.  Give title and explain that it is available through Pat
Correll's office.
            

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