wfn.org | Bishops mark approaching centennial of Goodwill Industries

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 13, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-71B{528}

NOTE: For additional coverage of the United Methodist Council of Bishops'
meeting, see UMNS stories #520-525 and #529.

By Tom McAnally*

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - United Methodist bishops, meeting Nov. 5-9,
praised the work of Goodwill Industries as it nears its centennial and
called for greater attention to family issues.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 by the Rev. Edgar James Helms, a Methodist
clergyman who worked in the South End of Boston with the poor, children,
immigrants and people with disabilities.

In its resolution, the Council of Bishops noted that Helms' innovative
ministry reflected the approach of John Wesley, Methodism's founder, who
served similar groups in England during the 18th century. The bishops also
pointed out that in 1918 the church's General Conference allocated $1
million through its Methodist Centenary Fund to establish Goodwill
Industries. Subsequently, the Bureau of Goodwill Industries of the Methodist
Board of Missions' Department of City Work developed more than 100 Goodwill
organizations around the world.  Today, the international organization works
in 2,000 communities and 26 nations. 

Introducing the resolution to the council, Bishop Peter Weaver of the
church's Philadelphia Area, said the partnership between Goodwill and the
church "represents a model of what might happen in the future."

Another resolution from the council expressed concern for the "disastrous
effects of family breakdown on individuals and society." The bishops
commended to the annual (regional) conferences efforts by the denomination's
Board of Discipleship to produce resources for local church ministries to
married couples and families.

 They also asked the board to take to the 2004 General Conference a
resolution addressing the critical issues affecting families and calling the
church at all levels to give increased priority to marriage and family
ministries. 

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, based in Washington, was
asked to study state and federal legislation related to strengthening
marriages and families, and to make recommendations to annual conference
boards of church and society regarding the possible impact of such
legislation.

The council meets semi-annually and includes 50 active bishops in the United
States, 17 active bishops from Europe, Africa and the Philippines, and about
50 retired bishops. Serving a one-year term as president of the council is
Bishop Elias Galvan of Seattle.

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*McAnally is director of United Methodist News Service, the church's
official news agency.

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United Methodist News Service
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