wfn.org | Conferences form partnership

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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 (509
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Note 509 by UMNS on Dec. 15, 1997 at 16:58 Eastern (3415 characters).

CONTACT: Linda Green				697(10-31-71B){509}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	Dec. 14, 1997

Baltimore-Washington, Zimbabwe
conferences establish partnership

by Linda Green*

	OLD MUTARE, Zimbabwe – A formal partnership between United Methodists in
Zimbabwe and the Baltimore-Washington area has been approved to deal with
issues such as poverty and drug addiction in the African nation.
	Delegates from local churches across the country stood and applauded here
Dec. 11 after Baltimore-Washington Bishop Felton E. May presented the
proposal.  Forty-two members of the conference traveled to Zimbabwe in support
of the plan.
Methodism began here 100 years ago when U.S. Bishop Joseph Crane Hartzell
preached to about 35 people. Today membership in the Zimbabwe Conference
surpasses 100,000 with more than 1,000 joining each year.
The partnership will focus on ministries to children and residents of poor
communities; drug abuse rehabilitation; short-term missionary support for
theological training and medical work; and communications. 
	The concept of a partnership materialized after May and 35 members traveled
to Zimbabwe in August to share their faith, spiritual experiences and gifts
with the students of Africa University and other United Methodists throughout
the  area.
	After arriving, May said, the group discovered spiritual revival, rapid
church growth, and a critical shortage of resources.  Zimbabwe United
Methodists expressed  particular need for Christian education materials and
resources to help educate people about the AIDS epidemic ravaging many
communities.
	With 500 people dying of AIDS-related diseases every week, Zimbabwe Bishop
Christopher Jokomo said the church must find creative ways to educate poor
people. "AIDS is becoming the disease of poor people," he said. "The lack of
money as well as illiteracy prohibits the poor from 
receiving effective communication about AIDS."	
United Methodist orphanages are filled because of the death of parents or
abandonment because of the lack of money, he said. Children, he added,
comprise 56 percent of the Zimbabwe population and the demand for services
exceeds available resources.
	To alleviate some of the social issues in the country, Jokomo said the
Zimbabwe Conference must become part of the global community of faith and
become intentional about strengthening partnerships that will benefit
everyone.
In the partnership agreed upon here, May said the Zimbabwe Conference has much
to offer United Methodists in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.  He cited:
· skills in church growth and congregational development;
· experience in using worship as an evangelism tool;
· expertise in the implementation of the class leader and class meeting system
in highly populated areas;
· skills in children’s ministries.
Delegates celebrated the third year that the Zimbabwe Conference budget has
not had to rely on overseas support.  A proposal is being studied which would
create more than one conference in the country.  Thirteen individuals were
ordained elders here.
Delegates recognized the Rev. Kenneth Carder of the Wyoming Annual Conference,
who presented a check for $50,000 to endow a scholarship at Africa University
in honor of Ed and Betty Lou Furman, former missionaries at Old Mutare. 
# # #
*Green is News Director of the Nashville, Tenn., office of United Methodist
News Service.
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