wfn.org | United Methodist Women to meet in Philadelphia

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

March 26, 2002       News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New York
10-21-71B{130}

By United Methodist News Service

Advocacy for children will be among the major concerns of the nearly 10,000
women attending the United Methodist Women's Assembly April 25-28 at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

The April 25 opening worship service will include a children's musical, with
professional actors, to introduce the call to communion.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund,
will address the assembly on April 26 and discuss how participants can help
children in need. A mass letter-writing effort to Congressional leaders will
follow the speech.

During the April 27 Bible study, the Rev. Hea Sun Kim, an author and United
Methodist pastor, will compare the children of Jesus' time with the children
of today, and explore the challenge of working for peace and justice for the
sake of children.

Other speakers during the assembly also will address issues of concern to
children, youth and women. Musimbi Kanyoro, top executive for the World
YWCA, and Michele Beg, the organization's communications director, will
focus on racism, poverty and education. Celia Esparaza, director of United
Community Centers in Fort Worth, Texas, will consider the plight of U.S.
women trying to get off public assistance, out of neighborhoods that lure
youth into drugs and prostitution, and into lives of independence and
empowerment. The Rev. Barbara Lundblad, a Lutheran pastor and seminary
professor, will offer a Bible study from the book of Joshua.

The assembly, which occurs every four years, also will feature more than 60
workshops, a hands-on exhibit area and evening musical performances. The
April 26 performance will feature Sisters' Grace, a musical trio from
Nashville, and recording artist Tish Hinojosa. On April 27, members of the
United Methodist-sponsored Youth Mission Chorale 2001 will perform songs and
share personal stories about their tour through Southeast Asia.

Day registration for the event is available on site as space allows, at $35
daily April 25-27 and $25 on April 28. General registration also remains
open, although participants must now reserve their own hotel space. For
general registration information, call (513) 821-5896 or send an e-mail
message to tcameron@fuse.net. 

A million-member organization, United Methodist Women is dedicated to
fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice.
Members raise more than $20 million annually for programs and projects
related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than
100 countries around the world.

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United Methodist News Service
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