wfn.org | Logo, theme chosen for 2000 United Methodist General Conference

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

June 2, 1998	Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.           {336}
 
NOTE: A copy of the logo in color and black/white is available with this
story.

PHILADELPHIA (UMNS) -The open arms and wounded hands of Christ welcoming
all persons to the table is the central feature of a new logo approved
for the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The church's top-legislative body will meet in Cleveland May 2-12, 2000.
A logo, developed by the host committee in Cleveland in cooperation with
Nashville artist Bret Haines, incorporates the Scriptural theme, "We who
are many are one body."  Haines is a staff member of the denomination's
Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

A 15-member churchwide commission responsible for planning the 10-day
conference unanimously endorsed the proposed logo and theme during its
meting in Philadelphia May 29-31. Mollie Stewart of Valhermosa Springs,
Ala., is chairperson of the group.

This is thought to be the first time a host committee has played a
significant role in the development of  a logo for the church's
quadrennial governing body and the first time a logo has been adopted
unanimously by the Commission on the General Conference,  according  to
host committee chairman, the Rev. Ken Chalker, pastor of First United
Methodist Church in Cleveland.

The local committee participated in a three-month concept development
effort for the design which Chalker said  "reflects something of the
theology as well as the hopes and dreams of the host committee for the
ecclesiology of the church in the world as a new millenium opens."

The design was prepared so that no one feels excluded by color, sex or
nationality, Chalker explained.  "All are embraced by the open arms of
Christ."

The shape - an oval - is also intentional.  "The church is not a perfect
circle," Chalker said.  "Just as Wesley (Methodism's founder) taught, we
are going on to perfection.  It is the hope of the host committee that
as a new century opens for the United Methodist Church at Cleveland's
General Conference - amidst what may very well be one of the most
contentious climates in the church - we will remember that it is Christ
that we all serve and in whose arms we all rest."

During their deliberations, members of the Commission on the General
Conference discussed agenda, arrangements, costs, and special needs.  

The 10-day event costs the church more than $3 million dollars and
involves 1,000 delegates - half clergy, half laity - from the United
States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines.   The delegates will be
elected by regional units called annual conferences in the spring of
1999. Following each quadrennial conference, a revised Book of
Discipline and Book of Resolutions are produced.  

Only the General Conference has the authority to speak for the church.
Bishops attend the assembly, and individual bishops preside over
business sessions, but they do not vote.

General Conference manager is Gary Bowen, staff member of  the church's
General Council on Finance and Administration.   Other members of the
Commission on the General Conference, in addition to Chalker and
Stewart, are: Harry Shaner, Walnut Creek, Calif.; James M. Perry,
Minneapolis; Robert  B. Brandt, River Edge, N.J. ; Aileen L.Williams,
Rochester, Minn.; Rodolfo C. Beltran, the Philippines; Carole
Cotton-Wynn, New Orleans; Nancy Foster, Tulsa, Okla.; Roberto L. Gomez,
San Antonio, Texas; Anita L. Iceman, Santa Ana, Calif.; Shirley Parrish,
Brooklyn, N.Y.; Kimball Salmon, Sacramento, Calif.; Phylemon D. Titus,
Detroit; Charles D. White Jr., Charlotte, N.C. Ex-officio members, in
addition to Bowen, are Carolyn M. Marshall, Veedersburg, Ind., secretary
of the General Conference, and Sandra Lackore,  Evanston, Ill., General
Secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration.

Next meeting of the commission is October 1-2 in Cleveland. 

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