wfn.org | Bishop's Labor Day message available for use in bulletins,

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July 21, 1998	Contact: Joretta Purdue*(202)546-8722*Washington
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WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Bishops of the United Methodist Church are calling
members to remember their heritage of concern for working people and to
be faithful to that mission in the message they have released for Labor
Day.

"We follow in the footsteps of our founder, John Wesley, who ministered
alongside workers in 18th century England," says the message approved by
the Council of Bishops for use by the churches on Labor Day Sunday,
Sept. 6. "He was especially well known for his ministry with the coal
miners."

Following his example, Methodists developed their Social Principles and
resolutions of the church, which proclaim biblical concern for just
treatment of working people, emphasize workers' God-given dignity and
declare that all economic systems are under the judgment of God, the
message notes.

The bishops also announce a global consultation of the United Methodist
Church and Working People: Joining the Struggle for Workplace Peace and
Justice to be held Nov. 13-15 in Atlanta.
The consultation will bring together United Methodists from around the
world to consider conditions affecting the lives of working people and
the unemployed. 

Other issues to be considered will include ministries with farm workers,
organized labor, immigrant workers and unemployed and underemployed
workers; minimum wage and living wage; alternatives to welfare reform;
and workplace downsizing and plant closings.

The bishops' Labor Day Sunday Message and a Labor Day Litany are
available free in a format suitable for copying as a bulletin insert by
downloading from the website of  the United Methodist Board of Church
and Society by typing http://www.umc-gbsc.org/litany.htm or by
contacting the United Methodist Board of Church and Society,  100
Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002.

# # #

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