wfn.org | Indonesia study coincides with breaking events

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 28, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York       {327}

NOTE:  This is a sidebar to UMNS story number 325.

By United Methodist News Service

When United Methodists focus on Indonesia in schools of mission across
the country this summer, it won't be the first time a study theme
coincided with an international news event.

United Methodists learned about South Africa the year of the riots in
Soweto; contemplated China the year of Nixon's historic visit; and
studied the peoples and churches of the Soviet Union as Gorbachev
initiated the beginning of the end of Communism. 

"We have to read with our study book in one hand and a newspaper in the
other," said Mary Grace Lyman, the executive in charge of mission
studies for the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries in New York.

But she noted that the Women's Division's ability to choose relevant
topics for its geographic study each year results more from "collective
wisdom" than crystal ball gazing. By tapping into local church and grass
roots elements, the division has a better sense of long-range
developments in various regions, she explained.

In addition, "there's a bit of the Holy Spirit that intervenes."

The three 1998-99 mission studies - which include "The Bible: The Book
that Bridges the Millenium" and "Refugees and Global Migration" as well
as the Indonesia geographic study - will be taught at five regional
schools, beginning in mid-June. The annual conference schools of mission
start July 5.

Among the reasons Indonesia was chosen for study was its location in
Asia, its status as the largest Muslim nation and the human rights
issues connected with East Timor. "From our perspective, it's a place
where the Methodist Church is growing," Lyman added.

The study on refugees is an update of a 1983 study on the "World's
Uprooted." At that time, she said, there were 16 million people
considered to be "uprooted" from their homes. Now, the world has an
estimated 50 million refugees and another 50 million who are displaced
within their own countries.

"While it's not in the headlines at the moment, it certainly has become
a great worldwide problem," Lyman pointed out.

About 20,000 United Methodists will attend the schools of mission this
summer, including a growing number of children and youth. The children's
study also will focus on Indonesia.

But the themes are carried out through the year as more conferences add
fall and winter study events or hold district-wide schools, according to
Lyman. Units of United Methodist Women and individual congregations also
use the study guides. 

"There's a strong multiplier effect," she explained. "We have thousands
of  (UMW) units overall that report they've done at least one of the
studies." 

Information about individual schools of mission is available through
annual conference council on ministries offices.

The Indonesia mission study also is introduced in the May-June issue of
New World Outlook Magazine. Other resources are a basic study book and
leader's guide, children's materials and visuals. All can be ordered
from the board's service center by calling 1-800-305-9857.

# # #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/