ORLANDO, FL (ABNS 11/17/06)―Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), told the denomination's General Board this week about his trip to Lebanon in October, and urged that the United States and the world do more to address the Palestinian issue.
Policymakers need "to hear the Arab viewpoint," he said, and there needs to be more fostering of Christian/Muslin/Jewish dialogue. More aid to the area is also needed, he added.
Medley was one of an eight-member delegation visiting Lebanon to meet with political and religious leaders.
In an address at the board's opening plenary Tuesday, Medley also urged wide publicity for plans to celebrate the denomination's 100th anniversary at its biennial meeting next summer in Washington, D.C.
He also invited board members and others to take part in February ceremonies marking the completion of a Habitat for Humanities house-building project in Porto Allegre, Brazil. The project was initiated by the World Council of Churches during a meeting in Porto Allegre, and ABCUSA board members financed the construction of one house.
In other matters, Medley reported that he and other denominational leaders have been conferring with a steering committee established to work with churches in the former Pacific Southwest region who want to remain in the denomination despite that region's withdrawal from the national body.
Finally, Medley paid tribute to Charles Jones, the outgoing acting director of the Board of International Missions; to Margaret Cowden, who is retiring as treasurer of the Board of National Missions; and to Cheryl Wade, who is resigning as associate general secretary and treasurer for the Office of the General Secretary.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/