wfn.org | United Methodists urge support for public education

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CLEVELAND (UMNS) - Continuing a 250-year tradition of supporting schools,
delegates to the United Methodist Church's top legislative meeting have
adopted a resolution supporting public education in the United States.

The United Methodist Church has been an advocate of public education, "and
now at a time when public education has become a political battleground, the
church is called to remember ... the well-being of all God's children," the
resolution stated. The church has a moral responsibility to strengthen,
support and reform public schools, which are the entry point of most
children into economic, political and community life, delegates said in the
resolution, adopted May 12.

Education also has been a factor in the development of religious faith, but
the resolution urged parents to resist the temptation to use public schools
to advance any one religion or ethnic tradition.

In 1996, delegates adopted "Education: A Gift of Hope," as a United
Methodist study document that calls for reclaiming the Methodist heritage
and commitment both to public and private education. At that General
Conference, delegates noted that education will remain at the center of the
church's mission and is significant for preparing a new generation of
Christian leaders.  

By passing the new resolution, delegates to the 2000 General Conference said
that local churches and all communities of faith must become better informed
about the needs of public schools.

Delegates, through the legislation, called on local churches, annual
conferences and the churchwide agencies to support public education with a
22-point plan that includes:
·	Establishing partnerships with local public schools, such as
after-school programs or literacy and reading programs.
·	Monitoring reform efforts in public schools, including the creation
of charter and magnet schools and classes sized to meet the needs of all
children.
·	Encouraging school libraries to provide quality materials to expand
students' understanding of human life throughout the world.
		# # #
						          --Linda GreenMay
12, 2000	GC-076

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United Methodist News Service
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