wfn.org | Friday Roundup, General Conference

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2928 notes).

Note 2927 by SUSAN PEEK on April 27, 1996 at 01:03 Eastern (2996 characters).

066 {2930}
April 26, 1996

                              FRIDAY ROUNDUP

     DENVER (UMNS) -- "Soon, and very soon ... "  The words from
the spiritual seemed appropriate for United Methodist General
Conference delegates April 26 as they headed into the final day of
their quadrennial meeting with hundreds of calendar items yet to
receive action.

     After three hours of debate, a budget of almost $508.3
million to fund worldwide ministries of their church for the next
four years was approved.  The budget reflects an increase for 1997
of 1 percent above 1996, then no increase for 1998, and a 2
percent increase for 1999 and 2000.

     Included in the total is $253.6 million for World Service,
the church's basic program fund; almost $110 million for
ministerial education; $43.7 million for black colleges; $61.7
million for salaries and other expenses of bishops; $18.5 million
for general administration; $6.5 million for interdenominational
cooperation; and $10 million for Africa University.

     The askings now will be apportioned to annual conferences and
on to local churches, using a formula based on the number of
members and other factors.

     Turning to other matters, the delegates marked the 10th
anniversary of the tragic Chernobyl nuclear power accident in the
Ukraine where the loss of life was heavy.  Anton Zakharchenko, one
of two observers attending General Conference from Russia said
"people are dying from the results of radiation," especially in
the countries of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

     On another international note, Bishop Woodie W. White,
Indianapolis, said the delegation raised earlier in the conference
to seek a meeting with U.S. and Israeli officials regarding the
Middle East hoped to visit the White House next week.  In addition
to White, members of the panel are Ronald Bretsch, Norwood, N.Y.;
the Rev. Randy Day, Ridgefield, Conn.; Paulo Filipe Bunga, Angola;
Jo Ann Y. Fukumoto, Pearl City, Hawaii; and Bishops C. Dale White,
Dan E. Solomon, and Judith Craig.

     Turning to local church items, delegates approved changing
church law to provide for a lay person to be vice-chair of the
committee on nominations.  The pastor will continue as chair.

     Another action specifies that "all locations of meeting for
sanctioned church groups and agencies shall be in facilities
accessible by participants and potential participants, including
people with disabilities.

     It was announced that three special offerings received during
the conference totaled about $25,000.  The money will go as
designated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Native
American ministries, and honoraria for conference pages and
marshals.

     As the afternoon ended delegates were beginning to clear
their desks in anticipation of final adjournment, sometime before
midnight, they hoped.

                               # # #

                                                    -- Robert Lear
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