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"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 (300
notes).

Note 300 by UMNS on Sept. 4, 1997 at 15:32 Eastern (2407 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:  Linda Bloom                          488(10-21-71B){300}
          New York (212) 870-3803                    Sept. 4, 1997

Methodist Church in Lithuania
is official again after 50 years

                    by United Methodist News Service

     After an absence of more than 50 years, the Lithuania
District Conference of the United Methodist Church officially has
been reconstituted.
     About 100 people met Aug. 23 at the church in Kaunas to mark
the occasion, according to the Rev. James White, a United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries executive.
     The date has historical significance. On Aug. 23, 1939,
Germany and Russia signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Agreement, which
led to the occupation of Lithuania.
     Bishop Hans Vaxby, the United Methodist bishop for Northern
Europe, led the conference. Representatives were present from the
five new congregations in Lithuania -- Kaunas, Siauliai, Birzai,
Pilviskiai Circuit and Taurage -- as well as the fellowship in
formation in Vilnius.
     White said there is no formal membership count for the church
there, but he estimated its constituency at about 150 people.
Sunday schools also are in formation, he added.
     The conference adopted a constitution and elected members to
an administrative council, auditing committee and humanitarian
organization. Nine people -- members of the Lithuanian Methodist
Church before it was shut down in 1944 -- shared an emotional
moment with new members standing beside them, according to White.
     Conference goals include building a new congregation in
Vilnius; remodeling the Kaunas church; repairing the Siauliai
church; establishing ecumenical relationships; developing work
with women, children and youth; and working in service ministries.
     At present, the Rev. William Warnock, a Board of Global
Ministries missionary, will serve as superintendent for the
district. David and Kristin Markay also serve as missionaries in
Lithuania.
     Toomas Strimaitis was appointed a lay missioner to the
Pilviskiai circuit; Grace Warnock was appointed as a Christian
educator and Laila Horby of Denmark named as a community-based
health worker.
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