wfn.org | Condolences pour in from across worldwide 'connection'

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Sept. 14, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-71B{395}

A UMNS Report
By Tom McAnally*

The "connection," a central concept in United Methodist polity, organization
and theology, has taken on a new meaning following the terrorist attacks in
the United States.

Thanks to quick e-mail communications, messages from Methodist bodies and
individuals from around the world have been pouring into church offices in
the United States.

Members of the European Methodist Council, meeting in Moscow, sent greetings
to several United Methodist bishops in the United States, expressing concern
and offering prayers. "Our prayers go out to you and the people to whom you
minister as you come to terms with your great loss," council members said.

The group, representing United Methodist and Methodist traditions in 33
different European countries, had just completed its meeting when it
received news of the Sept. 11 attacks. "Words cannot express the sorrow we
feel," the council statement said. "Several of our guests here are American
and many of us have family, friends and colleagues in the United States."

In a message from Mozambique, United Methodist Bishop Joao Somane Machado
said churches across his country were holding prayer services. "After
listening and seeing what happened to your country, it has shocked us a lot,
and we miss all our words. ... We are in solidarity with you in this grief
and sorrow time."

In a two-page letter, the seven-member college of bishops of the Methodist
Church in Brazil expressed sympathy and solidarity and decried violence
around the world. "Although its greatness, this attack is not unique in the
world," they observed. "Every day people die, slain by the violence of war
in small and big countries.  ... The cruel death is the same for the people
from different nationalities. They are missed the same, the spilled blood is
not distinguished among ethnic groups. The nonsense is the same, no matter
who is right in the conflict. The war doesn't bring winners, just
survivors."

The bishops expressed hope that the "Christian and Wesleyan inheritance of
defense for peace, for life and for justice will be before the presidential
eyes." The bishops have asked the Brazilian people to pray for the victims
and their families and to "remember all the people slain in attacks and
conflicts daily all over the world."   

Writing on behalf of Korean Methodists, Bishop Kwang-Young Chang expressed
fear and shock, calling terrorism the "most inhuman" act of violence. "We
pray that the unforgivable violence like this terrorism should be condemned
and eradicated from the earth. And also we promise to strive to uproot it."

The Rev. George Freeman of Lake Junaluska, N.C., top staff executive of the
World Methodist Council, said his office started receiving e-mail messages
within minutes of the tragedy unfolding.

Those who wrote included the Rev. Ross Olivier, secretary of the Methodist
Church of Southern Africa. "I write on behalf of our wider connection to
convey our profound sorrow and solidarity to the people of the United States
of America in respect of the horrific acts of infamy which have so callously
been inflicted upon your motherland," he said. "Though an ocean separates
us, our love and prayers are near to all of you."

Maimunah Natasha, a World Methodist Council member from Indonesia, said
Methodists throughout her country are in prayer, and she reminded Methodists
in the United States to "remember Psalm 23." In his televised address soon
after the tragedy, President Bush, a United Methodist, quoted from the
familiar biblical passage. 

Like most of the others, Rosemary Wass of England, president of the World
Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, said words were inadequate
to describe the pain. "We pray that you will all find solace in knowing that
we are praying and remembering our American brothers and sisters," she
wrote.

"The indescribable hate behind the terrible attacks of terrorism has shocked
us; the suffering which came over thousands of people makes us speechless,"
said United Methodist Bishop Heinrich Bolleter of Switzerland. People across
his country are praying that "those who lost dear ones may be comforted;
that those who have been injured may be healed; that those whose hearts are
crying for revenge may find peace; that those carrying the political
responsibility in the United States and around the world may have wisdom,"
he said.

The Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt, a United Methodist pastor in Berlin and a
governing member of the denomination's Board of Higher Education and
Ministry, sent greetings and reported that the Berlin Cathedral was crowded
with people attending an ecumenical prayer service.

The Rev. Mihail Cekov, a United Methodist pastor in Strumica, Macedonia,
sent greetings from that country, which has been prominently in the news in
recent months because of political strife. 

The Rev. Hartmut Handt, a United Methodist clergyman who directs the Radio
Mission for the church in Germany, visited several United Methodist offices
in the United States last year. "Several times I was on those places which
are destroyed now, and it strikes me emotionally really hard to see what
happened there. We pray for you, the victims, and their relatives for
strength and comfort."

Bishop Ruediger Minor, leader of the United Methodist Moscow Area, expressed
similar dismay. "A little more than a year ago, I was there myself, admired
wonderful New York from the observational level of the World Trade Center."

He said many Russian people are coming to the American embassy in Moscow
with flowers and candles. "I pray for all my friends and thank God for He
gave me all of you - my dear friends.  Because when such terrible tragedies
happen, we realize very clear and feel very deep how wonderful and priceless
our lives and friendships are. My heart and my thoughts are with you and
with all American people."

# # #

*McAnally is director of United Methodist News Service, the official news
agency of the United Methodist Church headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.,
with offices in New York and Washington.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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