wfn.org | UMNS# 609-Minnesota bishop makes Christmas Eve football game

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

Minnesota bishop makes Christmas Eve football game opportunity for evangelism
 

Dec. 22, 2004	 

By Victoria Rebeck*

Mention Dec. 24, and people in Minnesota and Wisconsin will think of a major
event. But they may not be thinking of Christmas Eve.
 
The National Football League's Minnesota Vikings will battle their rivals,
the Green Bay Packers, for the Northern Division Championship at 2 p.m. on
Dec. 24. This has stirred up significant conflict among the Minnesota
faithful-those faithful to both Christ and their beloved Vikes. 
 
Some Christians have denounced the National Football League for scheduling a
football game on a significant church holiday. The controversy drew
front-page news coverage. However, Bishop Sally Dyck of the United Methodist
Church in Minnesota saw the game as a golden opportunity.
 
"As soon as I took the office of bishop in Minnesota on Sept. 1 of this year,
I heard complaints about the Christmas Eve Vikings game," she said. "I
realized that, at that point, nothing could really be done to change the
scheduling. But I began to think that this could actually be an opportunity
rather than a liability."
 
Instead of chiming in with the grumblers, Bishop Dyck is encouraging
Minnesota United Methodists to join her and her husband, the Rev. Ken Ehrman,
in Christmas caroling to Vikings fans as they enter Minneapolis's Metrodome
stadium on Christmas Eve.
 
"This is a great opportunity for us to share the good news of the joy and
light of Christmas," she said. "This is a message that can be meaningful to
everyone."
 
At least 20 Minnesota United Methodists have already given advance notice of
their intention to carol. Many more are expected to show up that day. The
carolers will meet at noon on Christmas Eve at the new light-rail commuter
train station across from the Metrodome, put on buttons to wish passersby a
Merry Christmas from the people of the United Methodist Church and grab
buckets of candy canes to distribute to the fans. Depending on the
temperature-which promises to be in the single digits-the carolers will
wander the area and sing for up to two hours.
 
After hearing many objections from church people about the game, reporters
across Minnesota were fascinated with Dyck's positive approach and featured
it in 
follow-up coverage to their initial stories on the complaints. 
 
Bishop Dyck began her service in Minnesota by establishing reaching the
unchurched as a priority. She told Minnesota United Methodists that she
planned to be "the bishop of the 'nones'"-those who check "none" on surveys
that ask religious preference. The Christmas caroling event is one of the
first steps she is taking to nurture a culture of hospitality and welcome
among Minnesota United Methodists.
 
"This is not a protest but an opportunity to share something we value," she
said. "What better place than downtown intersections, where thousands of
people will be walking?"
	
*Rebeck is director of communications for the Minnesota Annual Conference.

News media contact: Tim Tanton, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

 

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United Methodist News Service
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