wfn.org | New study guide offers bishops' reflections on Sept. 11

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Jan. 18, 2002  News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{012}

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A new study guide initiated by the United
Methodist Council of Bishops is available to help local congregations deal
with hard questions in the aftermath of Sept. 11.

The 12-page book, Be Not Anxious: A Guide for Study from the Council of
Bishops, contains personal reflections by bishops, as well as suggested
Scripture readings and questions for discussion and reflection. The United
Methodist Board of Discipleship produced the guide at the bishops' request,
made on the opening day of the council's Nov. 5-9 meeting.

The book opens with comments by Bishop Elias Galvan, president of the
council and leader of the Seattle Area. The council's pastoral letter,
issued Nov. 9, follows Galvan's remarks.

The study sections cover key topics that have emerged since the terrorist
attacks on America: anxiety and comfort; suspicion and hatred; the war on
terrorism; lasting changes in American life; asking the questions of life;
and Christians and patriotism. 

"The guide tries not to provide answers but to provide questions, and out of
those questions then people can craft their answers," said the Rev. Karen
Greenwaldt, top staff executive of the board. "We didn't refer people to the
Book of Resolutions, for example, for things the church has said about war
and peace and terrorism. Those are other additional resources that are
available. So what we tried to do with this material was raise questions
from a variety of viewpoints and let the questions emerge as guides rather
than provide answers."

The main audience is lay people in local churches, primarily adults and
older youth, Greenwaldt said. "The questions were written for small-group
sessions." However, she added, individuals could read the book and listen on
their own to an optional companion tape.

Each study section begins with a reflection by one of the bishops, including
those whose areas were most directly affected by the attacks - Bishop Alfred
Johnson of the New Jersey Area, Bishop Ernest S. Lyght of the New York Area
and Bishop Felton E. May of the Washington Area. Other comments are offered
by Bishop John Innis, Liberia Area; Bishop Hae-Jong Kim, Pittsburgh Area;
Bishop Walter Klaiber, Germany; and Bishop Leo Soriano, Davao Area,
Philippines.

Be Not Anxious concludes with a list of worship resources from the United
Methodist Book of Worship, the United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing
songbook.

The optional cassette contains expanded comments from the bishops about the
aftermath of Sept. 11. Those reflections were taped during the council's
fall meeting, and the cassette was developed with production support from
United Methodist Communications.

With the guide, the board has tried to provide a biblical and theological
framework in which people can discuss how they feel and what they think, "as
opposed to telling them what to feel and what to think," said Diana L.
Hynson, director of learning and teaching ministries at the board. "We can't
do that."

The church has people who are in very different places theologically, she
said. "We need to try to provide a resource that will let everyone's voice
be respected because this is a resource for the entire church, not just
folks who think war is a bad thing or folks who think war is a good thing,
for example."
 
The book has been sent to the denomination's bishops, general secretaries
and directors of connectional ministries, said Steve Wilburn, editor of
special projects in the board's Upper Room unit. It can be downloaded from
the board's Web site at www.gbod.org. The book and cassette can also be
ordered together or separately by calling (800) 972-0433. Copies of the
study guide and tape are available at no charge while supplies last.

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United Methodist News Service
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