wfn.org | Re: United Methodist Daily News note 2870

[umethnews-request@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2875 notes).

Note 2873 by SUSAN PEEK on April 18, 1996 at 20:44 Eastern (1843 characters).

 TITLE: Unity Plea Draws Delegate Response
SEARCH: unity, General Conference, worship, oneness, tolerance

009 {2973}     April 18, 1996

General Conference '96

Plea for unity at worship service
draws response from delegates

     DENVER (UMNS) -- A plea for unity was the message to all
participants at the morning worship service of the United
Methodist Church's General Conference here April 18.

     A standing ovation at the conclusion of the homily appeared
to be an expression of affirmation for message of love and honor
delivered by the Bishop William Boyd Grove of the Albany (N.Y.)
Area.

     Grove told the assembled 998 delegates -- and many hundreds
of observers -- that early converts were won to the gospel by the
love Christians showed for each other. These people were not all
of one opinion, he reminded the members of General Conference who
have come from all over the world to debate and vote on the
legislation of their church.

     "There were serious differences among them," Grove said of
the early Christians, but he added, through all that, the world
first saw their unity.   Jesus has broken the wall of hostility
between individuals, making peace, Grove said.    Naming several
of the special interest groups in the United Methodist Church,
the bishop asked, "Can we pray for each other" in spite of the
great differences of opinion? Answering his own question, he
urged all to invoke the peace of the Holy Spirit.      Grove
challenged the delegates to consider the words of John Wesley,
Methodism's founder: "If your heart is as my heart" -- not your
opinion but your heart, Grove interjected -- "give me your hand."
If United Methodists could live that way, Grove said, the
resulting manifestation of unity would surprise the church and
draw the world to the gospel.      # # #     -- Joretta Purdue
 -0- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------