wfn.org | Conference Continues Ethnic Ministries

[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 (2894 notes).

Note 2892 by SUSAN PEEK on April 22, 1996 at 22:48 Eastern (3505 characters).

SEARCH: Native American, plan, comprehensive plan, spirituality,
Hispanic plan, Asian, language ministries 

030  {2894}                                         April 22, 1996

General Conference '96

General Conference approves ethnic ministries
plans, pending budget approval

     DENVER (UMNS) --    The Native American Comprehensive Plan
was approved by the United Methodist Church's top legislative
body, pending approval of its budgetary implications, as in the
same session here April 22, three other ethnic plans were adopted,
also pending provision for their financial support.

     The delegates also approved, pending consideration of the
budgetary implications, continuation of the National Plan for
Hispanic Ministries and a proposal for providing resources in
languages used by Asian-Americans.

     The 20-member task force on the Native American Comprehensive
Plan (NACP) requested the 1996 General Conference delegates
support continuation of the comprehensive plan through the 1997-
2000 quadrennium.

     The NACP is composed of four elements:  the first represents
the north -- symbolizing power, associated with denominational
presence; second is the west -- religious heritage, signifying
Native American spirituality; third is the south -- healing,
representing the congregational development component; and fourth
is the east -- new life, representing leadership development.

     According to the Rev. Sam Wynn, Chair of the NACP, the plan
is helping the United Methodist Church reach grass roots Native
American ministries. "A major emphasis of the plan is to
strengthen rural and reservation ministries," Wynn said.  

     "We hold our meetings in areas where we can hear, first-hand,
the needs and issues of Native American ministries and through the
plan's four components offer them hope for a brighter future, new
dreams and new life."

     Throughout the 1992 quadrennium the NACP launched several
programs including a rural/reservation initiative, training events
for rural chaplains, a denominational presence campaign to help
every annual conference establish a Committee on Native American
Ministries and held forums to discuss Native American
spirituality. 

     The NACP task force is requesting $1.2 million to continue
programs into next quadrennium. 

     In other business the General Conference rejected a proposal
that would have the Board of Pension and Health Benefits make
health coverage for extended family and domestic partners to those
bodies of the church that wish to offer it.

     A constitutional amendment to allow annual (regional)
conferences of the church to use structures other than the
mandated structures in the Book of Discipline to meet their area's
needs was passed but, as with all constitutional amendments, will
require approval by two-thirds of the aggregate total vote of all
the annual conferences before becoming church law. Another
amendment would add the chair of the annual conference college
student organization to the list of officers who make up the
annual conference.

     Delegates also defeated a proposal to have presidents of the
Council of Bishops serve a four-year term free of the
responsibilities of an episcopal area. Several items were referred
including further consideration of adding deaconesses as voting
members of the annual conference.

                              #  #  #

                             -- Ginny Underwood and 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

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