wfn.org | Mission agency seeks former US-2s for celebration

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Jan. 23, 2001 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-30-71B{030}

By United Methodist News Service

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its US-2 Program, the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries is trying to contact as many former
participants as possible.

The agency has scheduled a "Happy Birthday" celebration for Aug. 2-5 at the
Sheraton Conference Center in Birmingham, Ala. All current and former US-2s,
their families and special guests are invited

The event will include preaching and addresses by bishops and church leaders
who have been close to the program; a banquet featuring reflections from
US-2s representing each decade; opportunities to work on local service
projects; a panel of former US-2s discussing social justice issues; an
evening program, including a concert, at Birmingham's civil rights museum;
opportunities for worship and singing; and a commissioning service for the
US-2 class of 2001-2003. The Rev. Nancy Grissom Self, a member of the first
US-2 class in 1951, will lead a memorial service for deceased US-2s.

Designed to develop leadership and provide opportunities for faith-based
community service, the US-2 program is aimed at young adults ages 20 to 30.
A three-week orientation and training program takes place at the beginning
of the two-year term, followed by placement in diverse ministries throughout
the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Current examples of US-2 placement sites include the Susannah Wesley
Community Center in Honolulu; Calexico (Calif.) Neighborhood House; Bread
for the World, Silver Springs, Md.; United Methodist Native American Parish,
Philadelphia, Miss.; Gum Moon Women's Residence, San Francisco; Casa del
Pueblo, Washington; and Alaska Children's Services, Anchorage.

Anyone who knows former US-2s is encouraged to send their current addresses,
phone numbers and e-mail addresses to Laura Fightmaster, Board of Global
Ministries, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10015. She also can be reached
by telephone at (212) 870-3660 or by e-mail at miryap3@gbgm-umc.org. 
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United Methodist News Service
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