wfn.org | Board of Discipleship funds 11 ethnic church projects

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Oct. 3, 2000 News media contact: Linda Green·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.
10-30-71B{451}

NOTE: This report may be used as a sidebar to UMNS #450. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Eleven grants totaling $115,240 have been awarded
to United Methodist-sponsored projects and organizations serving racial or
ethnic minority groups across the country.

Governing members of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship approved
funding for projects that ranged from expanding evangelical witness to
providing sacred music instruction during a Sept. 26-30 meeting. Ethnic
local church concerns projects that received funding approval for one year
are:

Translation of Lay-Speaking Ministries Basic Course -- $5,240 
The Florida Annual (regional) Conference will use the grant funds to support
translating the "Lay Speaking Ministry Basic Course" into Korean,
Vietnamese, Creole/French and Spanish.
 

New Hope Mission, California-Pacific Annual Conference -- $15,000
The National Association of Korean-American United Methodists will use the
funds to provide two training events designed to strengthen Korean-American
United Methodist churches.

Third Millennium Evangelization and Discipleship, The Methodist Church of
Puerto Rico -- $12,500
The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico will use the grant to help develop a
manual of evangelization in Spanish, to provide for the education and
training needs of pastors and laypeople. A convocation on evangelism will
provide training in the use of the manual.

Multicultural Urban Ministries Project, Lincoln (Neb.) District, United
Methodist Church -- $10,000
The Lincoln District and a core group of pastors will use the funds to plan
an anti-racism education program designed to educate the majority population
about different cultures and to provide ministry opportunities to reach out
into the community.  
 
Vietnamese Sunday School Lessons -- $20,000
The Vietnamese National Caucus will use the grant to develop Sunday school
materials in Vietnamese.  

Building the Kingdom of God in Washington Park, Grace United Methodist
Church, Washington Park, Ill. -- $6,000
Grace United Methodist Church will use the funds to expand its evangelical
witness into the Washington Park community. The church provides monthly
Bible study meetings, family meals once every six weeks, and family nights
in the outreach center. A revival and fifth Sunday worship events are also
planned.

On One Accord Ministry to Children, Miller's Inner City United Methodist
Church, Savannah, Ga. - $10,000
Funds will be used to support Miller's Inner City's "On One Accord" ministry
with children.  The program aims to increase academic success for children,
to empower children and youth to take on positive roles in the community,
and to support the spiritual growth of children and youth.

CEM Step-Up Program, John Wesley United Methodist Church, Washington, Pa. --
$8,000
Funds will be used to support the church's CEM Project, which operates from
3 to 6 p.m. during the school year. In the summer, the project conducts a
summer day camp for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The CEM
Step-Up Program will provide Christian education, discipleship, and
evangelism for children and youth in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Youth Leadership Development, National Association of Korean American United
Methodist Churches -- $15,000
Funds will be used to train Korean-American youth to be pastors and lay
leaders. A leadership development event will be held in a summer youth camp
setting next year.

Lay Leadership Development, National Association of Korean American United
Methodist Churches -- $10,000
Funds will be used to provide a laity leadership-training event to deal with
critical issues that immigrant congregations are facing. The event will be
May 25-28 in Nashville.

Alabadle! Praise Him! Iglesia Metodista Unida El Divino Redentor, El Paso,
Texas -- $3,500
Iglesia Metodista Unida El Divino Redentor will use the funds to provide
sacred music instruction to children and youth in the church and community.

Priority for grants is given to new programs or pilot projects. All grants
are awarded on a one-year basis. For information, contact Sang E. Chun at
1-877-899-2780, Ext. 7050 (toll-free), or by e-mail at schun@gbod.org.
# # #

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