wfn.org | Pacific Islanders Organize

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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 (3519 notes).

Note 3519 by UMNS on March 26, 1997 at 16:39 Eastern (1415 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                      165(10-33-71B){3519}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470           March 26, 1997

New Pacific Islander United Methodist Caucus
to meet in Long Beach, Calif., June 23-24

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The Rev. Eddie Kelemini, a Tongan American who is
superintendent of the Rocky Mountain United Methodist Annual
Conference's Utah Western District, and the Rev. Pita Lauti, a
Samoan American who is pastor of the Silverado United Methodist
Church, Long Beach, Calif., have been elected co-chairmen of a
newly-organized caucus of Pacific Islanders in the denomination.
     There are 77 Pacific Island congregations, ministries or
fellowships within the United Methodist Church; 42 clergy; and
between 8,000 and 10,000 members.
     Next meeting of the new National Pacific Islander United
Methodist Caucus is scheduled for June 23-24 at the Silverado
Church.
     There is a National Federation of Asian American United
Methodists in the denomination but its executive, Kathy Thomas-
Sano, said Pacific Islanders have different concerns.  The new
caucus "helps them in expressing their culture," she said.
                              #  #  #

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