wfn.org | Iowan Takes Helm of Fellowship

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (231
notes).

Note 230 by UMNS on July 21, 1997 at 16:07 Eastern (2843 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                       418(10-71B){230}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             July 21, 1997

Iowa pastor takes helm of Fellowship 
of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts

     HOUSTON (UMNS) -- The church needs artists because they help
people see, asserted the new president of the Fellowship of United
Methodist in Music and Worship Arts during installation services
here July 14.
     The Rev. Fred Lewis, pastor of Clear Lake (Iowa) United
Methodist Church, said artists represented by the Fellowship have
the gift to open the way for others to honestly see themselves and
the universe.
     "God calls and uses us, by the ministry that we do as
artists, to introduce people to the depth dimensions of human
nature and destiny," he said.  "Through the creation of poems and
legends, mosaics and carvings, painting and sculptures, songs and
dance and theater, the artist makes the world stand still long
enough for people to glimpse its mystery -- that's why the church
needs us."
     Lewis was elected to a two-year term, succeeding Brad Kisner,
director of music and fine arts at First United Methodist Church
in Corpus Christi, Texas.
     Installation of new officers came on the opening night of the
organization's biennial convocation July 14-19.  Other officers
are:  president-elect -- Dan Francabandiero, Jacksonville, Fla.;
vice president -- Tonya Harris, Houston; and secretary, Pam
Wright, Rochester, Minn.
     In addition to the officers and the immediate past president,
the organization's national council includes representatives of
the church's five U.S. jurisdictions: North Central -- Constance
Fang, Stevens Point, Wis.; Northeastern -- Grace Bradford,
Washington; South Central -- Allen Webner, Galveston, Texas;
Southeastern -- Trish Hicks, Cary, N.C.; Western -- Judy Lewis,
Montclair, Calif.
     Debi Tyree, Mechanicsville, Va., chairperson of the 1999
convocation in Nashville, Tenn., will serve on the council.  Other
council members are David Wiltse, Rockford, Mich., editor of
Worship Arts, the Fellowship's bi-monthly magazine, and David
Bone, Nashville, Tenn., staff administrator.
     The Fellowship, organized in 1956, has more than 2,000
members. It exists "to promote the importance and centrality of
worship in the life of the United Methodist Church ... (and) to
provide a nurturing organization for musicians, worship artists,
clergy and laity ..." It offers practical resources for church
musicians, pastors, worship leaders and those involved in the
visual arts, drama, dance, and architecture in the church.  
                              #  #  #

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

 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

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