wfn.org | Plans progress for 'Forum on the Future' teleconferences

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 1, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S. McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn. 10-34-71B{505}

NOTE: For related coverage of the General Council on Ministries meeting, see
UMNS stories #502 and #504.

MIAMI (UMNS) - A series of five teleconferences will begin in the fall of
next year to engage United Methodists in conversation about significant
issues, trends and ideas affecting and shaping the future beyond 2004.

Members of the General Council on Ministries, meeting Oct. 26-30, approved
in principle a working plan for the "Forum on the Future" project.  

Each of the forums will focus on one of five transformational directions
developed by a Connectional Process Team during the 1996-2000 quadrennium
and referred to the GCOM by the 2000 General Conference. The
transformational directions call for centering on Christian formation,
calling forth covenant leadership, empowering the connection for ministry,
strengthening global and ecumenical dialogue and relationships, and
encouraging dialogue related to church doctrine and theological
understandings.

GCOM staff executive Dan Church said the project is a good example of
cooperation among United Methodist agencies. "This is not a GCOM project,
but one developed by a network of United Methodist agencies that do
research," he explained.

Each forum will be delivered via teleconference with an opportunity for
immediate conversation throughout the church. Once completed, the
teleconference and any subsequent comments will be made available on the
GCOM Web site for continued dialogue throughout the quadrennium. By the
summer of 2003, the data and findings from the five forums are expected to
be analyzed and summarized for the GCOM. Four of the teleconferences will
originate from the United States; the fifth will originate from a United
Methodist conference elsewhere.

In other action during their semi-annual meeting in Miami, the 68 voting
members of the council:
7	Received in contributions and pledges nearly $20,000 toward a goal
of $250,000 for the church's work in the Philippines. The council will hold
one of its semi-annual meetings in the Philippines during the 2001-2004
quadrennium, and it hopes to contribute an amount equal to expenses to the
church there.
	
7	Learned that giving to the Advance through Sept. 30 totaled more
than $21 million and that contributions of $454,000 had been made to "Love
in the Midst of Tragedy," the special Advance fund created to help those
affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
	
7	Agreed to publish an ethnic local church concerns newsletter for
church leaders that will be available on the GCOM Web site. Ethnic
initiatives will be linked to the page, and caucus events and dates will be
included.
	
7	Requested $650,000 for the balance of the 2001-2004 quadrennium from
the General Council on Finance and Administration for the GCOM World Service
Contingency Fund. The money is used to meet requests from program agencies
for projects that were unanticipated when budgets were approved by the 2000
General Conference. 
	
7	Agreed to create an interagency task force on racism. Its agenda
will include issues raised during the Act of Repentance for Reconciliation
at the 2000 General Conference. 
	
7	Referred to the Board of Church and Society a request from the 2000
General Conference asking GCOM to "consider which parts of the Social
Principles are considered fundamental and, therefore, valid for all
Christians."
	
7	Agreed to co-host with the denomination's Native American
Comprehensive Plan a consultation with the GCOM, meeting in the spring of
2003, to consider opportunities for new Native American ministries.

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United Methodist News Service
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