wfn.org | Methodists, Wesleyans to mark millennium together

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

Aug. 5, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom**(212) 870-3803**New York
10-21-71B{405}

By United Methodist News Service
 
Representatives of Methodist and Wesleyan churches across North America will
gather Nov. 18-21 in Houston to mark the 2,000th year since the birth of
Jesus Christ.

The North American Section of the World Methodist Council and its North
American evangelism division are the sponsors. The conference will meet at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel and at First United Methodist Church.

The event, "Jesus Christ: The Hope for the New Millennium," is a successor
to a gathering 25 years ago in Dallas that led to new relationships among
the members - both lay and clergy -- of the churches. Many had never met
together before in such large numbers, according to the Rev. Joe Hale, the
council's top staff executive. At the time of the event, he added, Time
magazine called it an historic conference.

A direct link to Bethlehem, the place of Jesus' birth, will be part of the
conference. A Christian artist there is casting several thousand candles for
use in Houston. A young child who lives in the traditional Shepherd's Field
adjoining Bethlehem, Kameel Rishmawi, will bring a candle lighted at the
birthplace of Christ. Accompanied by his parents, he will participate in an
open-air ceremony in Sam Houston Park.

Hale said Kameel will first light candles held by children representing the
next generation of Wesleyan Methodists, then light candles of all gathered
in the park.

In the event's Nov. 18 opening service at First United Methodist Church,
representatives of the nine denominations will carry banners into the
sanctuary. Bishop John R. Bryant of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
will be the keynote speaker. A block party in the street will follow with
live music and refreshments.

The remainder of the program includes Bible study, plenary gatherings and a
choice of 28 seminars and workshops on topics ranging from "Wesleyan
Apologetics" to "Ministry in Post Y2K." Participants also can take part in
work team experiences in the greater Houston area.

The Rev. John Maxwell, a Wesleyan pastor and founder of INJOY Inc., an
organization offering leadership development and training, will be the Nov.
19 keynote speaker.

Bible study leaders are Bishop Graciela Alvarez, the first woman elected
bishop in the Methodist Church in Mexico; Bishop Thomas Hoyt, a renowned
theologian and preacher of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; and the
Rev. Grace Imathiu, a young leader from the Methodist Church in Kenya
currently living in Nashville, Tenn. 

Houston area youth are being invited to join the Nov. 20 evening program,
which will feature the Watermark Youth Band and the Rev. H. Eddie Fox,
director of world evangelism for the World Methodist Council, as speaker.
During the evening, Fox will call participants to make a commitment as
Christians to address the challenges of the coming age.

The event will conclude with the Nov. 21 morning communion service, led by
the Rev. Robert Blackburn of Asheville, N.C. Each participant will receive a
personal diary and will be asked to record hopes and intentions for the new
millennium. The event will close with reflections on Christ's mission in
North America for the 21st century.

The nine bodies involved are the Wesleyan Church, United Methodist Church,
African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist
Church, Methodist Church in Mexico and the United Church of Canada.

United Methodist Bishop Neil Irons, president of the council's North
American section, and Christian Methodist Episcopal Bishop Nathaniel Linsey,
also regional secretary of world evangelism in North America, are
co-chairmen of the Houston gathering. Houston Mayor Lee Brown, a member of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is honorary chairman. The Rev.
William Hinson, senior pastor at First United Methodist, is the local
chairman.   

Registration information is available from World Methodist Evangelism,
Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1008 19th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212-2166 or
by calling (615) 340-7542.

# # #

______________
United Methodist News Service
http://www.umc.org/umns/
newsdesk@umcom.umc.org
(615)742-5472