wfn.org | Methodists Will Stay in Atlantic City

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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 (401
notes).

Note 400 by UMNS on Oct. 21, 1997 at 16:38 Eastern (3281 characters).

CONTACT:	Ralph E. Baker				588(10-71B){400}
		Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470	Oct. 21, 1997

United Methodists are sure bet
for troubled Atlantic City

A UMNS Feature*

ATLANTIC CITY (UMNS) —- The one sure bet in Atlantic City is the continued
presence of United Methodists in New Jersey’s only inner city with a boardwalk
and the trappings of casinos.  
Recently, about 30 United Methodists joined Bishop Alfred Johnson in meeting
with officials and representatives of the community to discuss a variety of
issues.  The meeting sent out a clear signal that the United Methodist Church
intends to continue its presence in this complex city.
The Rev. Jack Johnson, Southeast  District Superintendent, organized the
meeting attended by clergy and laity from across the district. Those present
included pastors from Atlantic City and the surrounding communities, the Rev.
John Janks, conference council director, and laity  representing  the local 
churches and the district.  Mayor  James Whelan  and several city officials
addressed the group.  Community organizers shared their opinions.
"The United Methodist Church has always stood for transforming the world
through scriptural Christianity," Bishop Johnson said in his opening remarks. 
"We want to be a positive influence in this community."  He pointed out the
unique role that the church plays in the moral and social  life of the
community and pledged his support to continuing a tradition of outreach in
Atlantic City.
One area pastor said after the meeting, "I think we have opened up clear lines
of communication here today and I think there will be a new accountability as
a result of this gathering."  District Superintendent Johnson said later that
evening, "It was a good beginning."
The plight of children in the city, unemployment, the traffic, crime, housing
and the educational system were topics raised at the meeting.  The mayor
pledged an open door policy  to those who would reach out to his
administration. 
In a direct follow-up to the meeting, the bishop was joined by clergy and a
group of young people as he led in symbolic support for children by taking
part in a flag raising at the old High School.
The young people who took part had come from Ocean City.  They took time out
from an Annual Conference Youth Weekend to show their support for the ministry
to Atlantic City youths. 
Problems related to the condition and use of the school had become a visible
symbol of the inability of city officials and the Board of Education to work
out their differences and responsibilities for the benefit of the citizenry.
Under community pressure, however, the school administration got things ready
for a temporary use of the building and city officials cooperated in that
process. The school was opened for children from fifth through eighth grades.
The prominent involvement of United Methodists in the community was portrayed
in a picture that appeared the following day in the Atlantic City Press, the
area’s largest newspaper.  It featured the bishop; the Rev. Garfield Greene,
Salem United Methodist Church, Pleasantville; Ellis; and the rest of the
United Methodist contingent in the middle of the flag-raising ceremony.  At
that time, Williams pledged

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