wfn.org | Rural Fellowship Hears Bishop

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

SEARCH: Rural Fellowship, racism, land, rural church 

004 {2867}                                          April 17, 1996

General Conference '96

Bishop laments racism in rural area
at rural fellowship convocation

     DENVER (UMNS) -- Resident United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann
Swenson described her area as very rural, addressing the
quadrennial convocation and banquet of the United Methodist Rural
Fellowship here April 16.

     "We are people of land, air, water, big sky and animals," she
told approximately 150 fellowship members and guests. The United
Methodist Denver Area includes Colorado, Utah and Montana.

     But Swenson lamented that in the Denver Area, "racism is
alive and well" -- a veiled reference to the Freeman standoff and
capture of the Unibomber that occurred in Montana.

     "It is painful to be aware of racism around the world," she
said. 

     When we value beauty, color, diversity, creativity and God's
grace, she said, "we will know ourselves as God's people --
Christ's  people."

     The Rev. Peggy Page, a clergy member of Detroit Annual
Conference received a citation of merit for work done for the
fellowship.

     The organization recognized four new chapters organized
during the last four years.  They are the Central Texas United
Methodist Rural Fellowship, Rex Squires Chapter in Louisiana, the
John Baxter Howes Chapter in the Central Pennsylvania Annual
Conference and the Wisconsin United Methodist Rural Fellowship.

     Among officers elected for the next four years were: Wanda
Hayes Eichler, Pigeon, Mich., president; Dale Fooshee, Topeka,
Kan., vice president; Shirley Townsend Jones, Maxton, N.C.,
recording secretary; and Edwin Eichler, Pigeon, Mich., treasurer.

                              #  #  #
                                                 -- Ralph E. Baker
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