wfn.org | U.S. lawmakers, United Methodist leaders share concerns

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 6, 2003 News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn. 7 
E-mail:newsdesk@umcom.org 7  ALL {537}

NOTE: Photographs are available.

WASHINGTON (UMNS)-United Methodist bishops from around the globe took the
church's concerns and presence to Capitol Hill Nov. 5.
 
It is believed to be the first time the full United Methodist Council of
Bishops has gone to Capitol Hill to visit with lawmakers. Though equipped
with talking points and a briefing book, they spent most of the afternoon
listening, as elected officials updated them on issues and reminded them of
their own power to effect change.

"You have stature, you have moral authority, and you can use it to so many
good causes," said retired U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, a Democrat from Indiana.
The bishops can energize resources and play a role in addressing "the most
important problem in the world: how to get people to stop killing one
another," he said.

The afternoon at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, followed by a dinner
attended by diplomats and ecumenical leaders, highlighted the Council of
Bishops' Nov. 2-7 meeting. The visit to the seat of U.S. power underscored
the theme of the semiannual meeting, "God's World, Our Parish." Nearly112
active and retired bishops, representing 10 million United Methodists
worldwide, attended the gathering.
 
Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, leader of the church's Illinois Area, gave
the Senate's opening prayer, sponsored by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
Afterward, the United Methodist senator met with Christopher.

"We had a wonderful conversation," Christopher reported. "One of her first
questions to me was, 'What's happening with (United Methodist-related) Africa
University?' "

Clinton told reporters she was pleased by the presence of the bishops on
Capitol Hill. "In these very challenging times, our church has an important
message for lawmakers about the human family and the challenges that we face,
particularly as Americans," she said. 

A succession of lawmakers broke away from busy sessions in Congress to speak
to the bishops, spouses and guests. The elected officials came from across
the political spectrum and included several United Methodists: Hamilton, Sen.
Richard Lugar, R-Ind., Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Sen. Craig Thomas,
R-Wyo.

Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the
changes in U.S. foreign policy since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on
America, as well as his role in helping Russia dismantle its weapons of mass
destruction. 

Hamilton said the great question for U.S. foreign policy is: What does
America do with its power?

"We cannot defeat terrorism by occupying an enemy's capital," he said. To win
that battle, American power must be accompanied by American generosity and
partnership, he said. "I want to see the United States involved as a benign
power in conflict resolution all over the world." 

The United States also should be a benign economic power that supports open
trade, he said. "Trade is the way in which most of these poor countries are
going to make some improvement."

Sessions affirmed the United Methodist Church and the bishops in particular.
"I want you to be a prophetic voice in the world, and I want us to be a
prophetic voice in the world," he said. However, he said, church and politics
should be separate. 

Bishop Melvin Talbert, ecumenical officer for the council, told Sessions that
President Bush has not responded to requests to meet with the bishops from
his own church, though he has met with other religious leaders.

Sessions said he didn't know about that. "You know, people are human beings.
They may feel they've been hurt from things that are said." During the past
three years, United Methodist leaders have criticized the administration's
policies on a range of issues, including military action in Iraq.

Following Sessions, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., told the bishops that
President Bush had refused to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus as
well. "You're in good company," the caucus chairperson said.

Cummings spoke passionately about the caucus' four priority areas: health
care, education, financial assistance for families, and judicial
appointments. 

While Americans worry about terrorism and Saddam Hussein, "our biggest threat
to our national security is our failure to educate our children," he said.

"Our domestic priorities are completely out of whack," said Sen. Paul
Sarbanes, D-Md. The nation is giving large tax cuts to the wealthy, driving
itself further into debt, then turning to people with pressing needs - such
as job training, education, health care - and telling them funds aren't
available, he said. "We are not responding to the needs of the citizenry."

A few bishops, like Christopher, met individually with elected officials.
Charlene Kammerer of the Charlotte (N.C.) Area and Marion Edwards of the
Raleigh (N.C.) Area spent a moment with Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. Kammerer
brought greetings from Dole's home church, First United Methodist Church in
Salisbury, N.C.; the senator attends another church but still has her
membership at First Church. Edwards repeated an invitation for Dole to speak
at the next North Carolina Annual Conference session.

The clergy leaders left Capitol Hill feeling good about their visit.
 
"I am deeply grateful ... that in this country, there are people in political
office and responsibility who are ready to talk with the church and who are
open to conversation about God's reign," said Bishop Ruediger Minor, leader
of the Eurasia Area and president of the council. "Though we are not probably
always agreeing on all the details ... there is openness."

 
 

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org