Côte d'Ivoire event promotes cross-cultural music

Eileen Guenther (right) teaches students to play keyboards during a United Methodist Global Praise training event at the Methodist University of Cocody in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. UMNS photos by Isaac Broune.

By Isaac Broune*

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire (UMNS)-Cross-cultural sharing to enhance United Methodist music ministries across the globe was the focus of a week-long training event at the Methodist University of Cocody in Côte d'Ivoire.

Thirty-five United Methodists from the church in Côte d'Ivoire and an international team of musicians engaged in reciprocal teaching and learning Aug. 3-10. The event was organized by the Global Praise program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Global Praise emerged as a United Methodist mission initiative in the 1990s to gather, receive and share the songs of Methodists and other Christians around the world.

An overarching concept is that the church is indeed global and that all parts need to be familiar with the gifts of music that various cultures contribute to the whole. This is especially true for Methodists, who belong to a Christian heritage born in song.

Sharing gifts of music
Bettsy Curtis plans to take back to North Carolina the new drum rhythms and Ivorian Christian songs she learned to use with elementary school-age students. She directs music ministries at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Wilimington, and works with fifth-graders in a performing arts magnet school.

Eloise Bodje, a 20-year-old Ivorian with no previous experience in music, made impressive progress in piano skills-"the equivalent of six months of intensive courses," according to Jacques Kangni, a Togolese organist with 15 years of experience.

Ivorian Methodist worship incorporates many musical idioms, according to Michael Hawn, a professor of church music and director of the Master of Sacred Music Program at Perkins School of Theology, Dallas.

"There is a wide variety of songs from Anglican chants to traditional hymns, gospel songs and short choruses, a lot of singing in worship," said Hawn. "It is impressive to see how the whole body is involved in songs, not just the voice, how spontaneously a director can continue and vary a song longer in the Spirit.

All these are gifts from the Côte d'Ivoire United Methodist Church that we need in the United States."

At the same time, the Ivorian church is in need of music leadership, greater skills in teaching the wide variety of songs, and training in electronic keyboards, which are growing in popularity across Africa.

Global Praise brought 10 electric keyboards to leave with the church in West Africa. Abraham Arpellet, director of the National Board of Music in Côte d'Ivoire, has set up a ''strategic plan to do the follow-up in order to increase the current level so that, in a 12-month time-frame, all the students can play all the songs in the churches.''

Hawn and the Rev. Debra Tyree, a Global Praise staff member who is minister of music at Bellevue United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn., hosted two groups in voice development and choir conducting. They taught music theory, promoted the use of new songs and shared techniques for effective leadership during worship.

The Ivorians learned how to sing ''Alleluia'' in languages from Syria, India, Zimbabwe, Argentina and the Caribbean.

Attie Agovi Lazare, a 25-year-old musician, anticipated the training will lead to qualitative and quantitative changes in the two choirs he leads: M'Pouto United Methodist Church with 45 members and Locodjo United Methodist Church with 150 members in his mother's village. He also wants to improve the music skills of the children of his local church.

Cross-cultural teaching and learning
Visitors from the U.S. and Europe learned about the use of traditional Ivorian dance in worship. Their teacher was Daniel Konan, an expert on traditional dance with 11 years' experience teaching at the National Institute of Music, Drawing and Performing Arts.

Every day, following morning devotions led by the Rev. John Thornburg, a hymn text writer, participants separated into four groups to attend various classes.

The Global Praise team included:
.Jorge A. Lockward, Global Praise program coordinator and co-founder and conductor-in-residence of Cántico Nuevo (New Song), a worship and arts ecumenical project in New York City;
.The Rev. Debra Tyree, business manager of Global Praise and minister of music at Bellevue United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn.;
.Michael Hawn, professor of church music and director of the Master of Sacred Music Program at Perkins School of Theology, Dallas. in Dallas;
.Eileen Guenther, president of the American Guild of Organists, associate professor of church music at Wesley Theological Seminary and lecturer in music at George Washington University, both in Washington D.C.;
.Bettsy Curtis, director of Music Ministries at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington, N.C.; and
.The Rev. John Thornburg, an accomplished hymn and anthem text author.

They were joined by:
.The Rev. Martin Heider, Lutheran pastor, composer and musician from Germany;
.Godfrey Taylor, author and organist from Jamaica; and
.Simei Monteiro, worship consultant at World Council of Churches, Geneva.

On the Web: http://www.globalpraise.org/

*Broune is a United Methodist communicator for the Côte d'Ivoire Annual Conference.

Africa University Dream Farm Celebration, First UMC, Murray, Kentucky, September 6th

More than 350 students from 16 African countries graduate June 7 from United Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The school now has more than 2,600 alumni at work as agriculturalists, pastors, educators, businesspeople, health workers and other professionals in communities across sub-Saharan Africa. A UMNS photo by Andra Stevens.

By Cathy Farmer

Mickey Carpenter and Marsha Dorgan had a passion for the people of Africa University that transcended the distance between the two continents. Time and again, the Carpenters raised the money to send Marsha to Zimbabwe where she could propose and found the Dream Dairy and begin plans for the Dream Farm. But it was never easy for them.

Now, after Mickey’s recent and unexpected tragic death, the people of the Nashville Area are being offered the opportunity to “help continue the dream.”

“Basically,” said Marsha Dorgan as she talked about the upcoming Celebration at Murray (KY) First United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 6, “I hope everyone will come to the Celebration and listen to the speakers talk about Africa University, what it does, who it prepares for life, and what some graduates have done, so that they can understand where the money goes when they pay their apportionment for Africa University.”

Dorgan explained that 70% of the students are on financial aid or full scholarships. In the past 17 years, the university has graduated over 3,000 students.

“We have around 1400 students right now,” she said. “Africa University is apolitical with students from all walks of life and all political parties and from many African countries.

“I believe that the students at Africa University today are the future leaders of the continent of Africa tomorrow. I know that some of our graduates have already gone on to serve in responsible governmental positions.”

Dorgan said she hoped to have a full house, 500-600 people, at the celebration. Those who come will have the opportunity to see what the university does now and how they can be part of making a difference in the future.

“We have Volunteer in Mission teams that go to Africa University yearly,” Dorgan said. “You can also go as an independent Volunteer in Mission. No matter what your capability, there is a volunteer job waiting for you at Africa University.”

Building the Dream Farm
The money being raised at the Celebration will go to the Dream Farm project, a demonstration and training farm for the smallholder farmer, or to an Africa University scholarship in the Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Simply mark your check for either the Dr. Mickey Carpenter Scholarship Fund or the Dream Farm.

“Mickey believed in teaching people to fish so they could feed themselves for a lifetime,” Marsha said. “On the Dream Farm, we will have a tilapia pond where we will raise tilapia fish. It will teach the small holder farmers to feed themselves by raising fish.”

The organizers of the event hope to raise $120,000 for the Carpenter scholarship. Members of the Board of Directors of Africa University will be present at the Celebration to answer questions.

Marsha added, “Thank you for me and my family for all the money raised so far for the Dream Farm in memory of Mickey. It will make such a such a difference.”

Getting There
The Dream Farm project event will be on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at 6 p.m. with reception to follow. First United Methodist Church, 503 Maple Street, Murray, Kentucky. All are welcome.

Tennesseans Help Continue the Dream at Africa University

United Methodist missionary Larry Kies checks on cattle at Africa University's dairy farm in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The 32-member Pisgah United Methodist Church near Dresden, Tenn., has raised $1,000 to help support the dairy, which helps feed students, faculty and staff at the university. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

By Cathy Farmer and Tom McAnally*

United Methodists in Nashville, Memphis and middle Tennessee are coming together in two significant events to help continue the dream at Africa University. A Nashville area celebration is planned Saturday night, September 6, at First United Methodist Church in Murray, Ky., to honor the late Mickey Carpenter, a clergyman in the Memphis Conference, and his wife Marsha Dorgan, whose passion for United Methodism's African University has transcended the distance between the two continents.

In addition, nine United Methodist churches in Middle Tennessee and one in Kentucky will participate in an Africa University Saturation Event Sunday, September 7.

With her husband’s enthusiastic support, Dorgan, an agriculturist, traveled to the campus in Zimbabwe where she proposed and helped develop a “Dream Dairy” and made plans for an innovative “Dream Farm.” The Dream Dairy, related to the school’s Faculty (College) of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has already proven valuable during difficult economic times by supplying milk and other products to the students and faculty.

Now, after Carpenter’s recent tragic death, United Methodists of the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences are being offered the opportunity to “help continue the dream.”

Carpenter, who served as a pastor and district superintendent in the the Paris District of the United Methodist Church drowned in April while fishing at Bush Lake, near Huntington. He was 60. He and Marsha, married 33 years, have twin girls.

Speaking about the upcoming celebration, Dorgan said, “I hope everyone will come and listen to the speakers talk about Africa University, what it does, who it prepares for life, and what some graduates have done, so that they can understand where the money goes when they pay their apportionment for Africa University.”

She explained that 70 percent of the AU students are on financial aid or full scholarships. About 1,300 students are currently enrolled and more than 2,700 have graduated since classes began in 1992.

“I believe students at Africa University today are the future leaders of the continent of Africa tomorrow,” she said. “Some of our graduates have already gone on to serve in responsible governmental positions."

Dorgan is hoping for a full house--500 to 600 people--at the celebration in Murray. “Those who come will have the opportunity to see what the university does and how they can be part of making a difference in the future.”

Clergy and lay people from across the two-conference area are invited to participate in the event being sponsored by Nashville Area and the Development Office of Africa University. Among guest speakers will be Fanuel Tagwira, interim vice-chancellor of AU and dean of its Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources and an AU graduate.

Money raised at the celebration will go to the Dream Farm, a demonstration and training project for farmers, or to an endowed scholarship in the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Congregations and individual donors are asked to mark their check for either the Dr. Mickey Carpenter Scholarship Fund or the Dream Farm.

Sunday's saturation event will be in the form of sermons, presentations in classes, or in congregational mission moments. Connecting with the bi-annual meeting of the Africa University Advisory Development Committee, several committee members will be speaking at the following United Methodist congregations in middle Tennessee: Bethlehem Franklin, Belmont, Christ Church Franklin, Connell Memorial, First Church Franklin, First Church Hendersonville, First Church Murfreesboro, Forest Hills, and Madison Street.

Prof. Fanuel Tagwira will speak at First Church, Murray, Ky. Among other presenters are Bishop Ernest Lyght, Rev. Yollande S. Mavund, , James H. Salley, Elaine Jenkins, and Rev. Lloyd Rollins. Their purpose is to thank the congregations for their support and to introduce the university to others. Presenters want to emphasize the success of AU and its critical role in the future of Africa and explain why Tennessee Christians should care about what happens globally.

About Africa University
Africa University, located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, is a private, Pan-African institution. An extraordinary example of good news out of Africa, the United Methodist-related university has produced more than 2,400 graduates in its brief, 15-year life, however many people don't even know it exists. The university is not only thriving, it is spreading wings, making partnerships with major institutions including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Health Care of Memphis, and Chevron of Africa.

In 1984, two African bishops, with the support of thousands of African Methodists, issued a call to create Africa University. It opened in 1992 with 40 students in 10 temporary buildings.

The university has expanded dramatically over the years. It is unique with 25 African countries represented among the 1,300-member student body, 32 buildings on campus, including student residences, staff and faculty housing, and 119 faculty and staff from 14 countries. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Management and Administration, and Theology.

Africa University is supported by individuals and congregations across the globe. To attend one of the saturation events, please contact the Africa University Development Office at 615.340.7438; email: audevoffice@gbhem.org. To learn more about Africa University, log on to http://www.africau.edu/.

*Farmer is Director of Communications for the Memphis Conference. McAnally is retired director of United Methodist News Service.

Getting There
The Dream Farm project event will be on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at 6 p.m. with reception to follow. First United Methodist Church, 503 Maple Street, Murray, Kentucky. All are welcome.

A UM News Service Commentary by the Rev. Judy Chung: Ministry reaches out to Asian Americans

The Rev. Judy Chung

The Asian American Language Ministry Plan is a United Methodist initiative that is expanding the church's reach to Asian-American communities across the United States.

Launched in 1996 by action of General Conference, AALM has been an important resource for developing new ministries as well as strengthening existing ones in Asian-American communities that include at least 10 sub-ethnic groups with 15 different languages.

From 2001 to 2006, AALM has been directly involved in 29 church plants, 42 congregational revitalizations and 18 partnerships with United Methodist annual (regional) conferences. I use the term directly because some of these new churches and congregations have, on their own, initiated and supported development of other church plants.

For example, a Chinese church planted in Oklahoma with the support of the AALM already has given birth to three new church plants in eight years of ministry. The Filipino community has developed its own strategic plan called "Paglagog" to support development of churches in the United States. Hence, the numbers presented here are only the first fruits of much more growth to come.

AALM also supports exciting and innovative models of mission such as a Chinese ministry launched in Louisiana to target the area's growing population of unchurched Chinese people. The initiative was launched through a collaborative effort of the Louisiana Annual Conference, the Monroe District, Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, La., and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

In its first 18 months, the ministry has received more than 24 individuals on professions of faith, including two respected elders and leaders of the mostly Buddhist Asian community. In addition, the Rev. Joseph Zhong Guo, pastor of the Trinity congregation, has established a network of small groups that meet monthly for Bible study in Chinese in the Monroe and Homer areas. This effort is connecting people to local United Methodist congregations in their own neighborhoods. As such, it is a truly a collaborative effort of many local churches in the Monroe District to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's message of abundant life to unchurched Asian Chinese Americans.

The next generation
AALM is strategically responding to the greatest need of the Asian-American community, reaching out to the next generation by hosting a strategic planning session attended by 12 Asian-American young adult leaders. As a result of this gathering, an Asian-American Young Adult Ministry network has been established for support and sharing of resources. Also, in response to needs expressed by the participants, an Asian-American Young Adult Leadership Summit is scheduled for Oct. 2-4 in Los Angeles.

These are just a few examples of the difference that the AALM is making in our church and for the kingdom of God. Moreover, with the approval of $1.6 million budget for the AALM by the 2008 General Conference, our church has affirmed its commitment to continue this effort of reaching out to an increasing number of first-, second- and third-generation Asian Americans with the emphasis on the following four goals:

.Development of new congregations
.Recruitment and training of pastoral and lay leadership;
.Development of community ministries; and
.Development of language resources and materials

Of course, all of these goals cannot be accomplished by any one individual or even one group. It can only be fulfilled when we, as the church, work in partnership with every member of our body. Whether it's the leadership of the annual conference, staff of the boards and agencies, pastors of local churches or lay leaders of our communities, there is a role that each partner can play in furthering our mission among these expanding immigrant communities.

New possibilities
Although I recognize and appreciate our churches and leaders who already have committed their resources to Asian-American ministries, there is more we can do. Here are some suggestions:
.Commit to support a new church plant project of another ethnic community by cultivating an ongoing relationship, providing financial support and sharing resources such as youth leaders, Sunday school teachers and English curriculum;
.Make an intentional effort to embrace other Asian-American youth and young adults in existing programs such as retreats, trainings and mission trips; and
.Advocate for other Asian Americans within our connectional system by serving as a candidacy mentor and speaking up for these ministries.

There are many other ways for us to support the goals of the AALM. For us as United Methodists, the most important step is to commit our time, talents and prayer to support our fellow Asian-American sisters and brothers to make disciples of all nations and to yield greater fruit for the kingdom of God.

*Chung is executive secretary of Asian American and Pacific Islanders Ministries, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Independent feature movie tells story of John Wesley

Burgess Jenkins stars as John Wesley in "Wesley," a feature film on the spiritual journey of the founder of the Methodist movement. UMNS photos courtesy of Foundery Pictures.

A UMNS Report
By Jennifer Lind*

A perilous adventure on the high seas, a star-crossed love affair, mob violence, rioting, attempted assassination-not the elements one might expect in a film about the founder of Methodism.

The director and producer of "Wesley" believes, however, that the dramatic and often surprising story of John Wesley will attract moviegoers of all faiths, as well as warm their hearts.

"I'm hoping that we're going to hit a crossover audience, that this isn't just going to be of interest to Methodists," said John Jackman, whose films include "Passing Moment," "Windsor Knot" and "An Uncommon Union."

The independent feature film traces the life of Wesley as an outwardly religious young man who undergoes a spiritual renewal that leads to a revolutionary ministry. It is scheduled for release as early as October.

"It has all the elements that you'd want to put into a movie," said Jackman, who spent more than a thousand hours researching Wesley's life. The script is based largely on the journals of both John Wesley and his brother, Charles.

According to Jackman, the film is not a stuffy, intellectual discourse on Wesleyan theology, and it doesn't emphasize details that distinguish Methodism from other Christian movements.

"We've really had to focus on the core spiritual journey of Wesley," Jackman said. "Some of the stuff that would be very sectarian also, of course, is not going to appeal to a modern audience-and probably wouldn't even appeal to modern Methodists."

Burgess Jenkins, who plays Wesley, applauds the film for its openness and reach. "I think the end result is something that is so far-reaching in so many ways-that if you're not Christian, you're not going to be turned off by it … and if you are (Christian), you're going to get something very profound from it," said Jenkins, whose film credits include "The Reaping" and "Remember the Titans."

Who was Wesley?
Wesley wasn't born with the convictions of grace and faith that would carry on in his name through the generations.

The film explores the vulnerable, human side of Methodism's founder, beginning with a spiritually conflicted yet pious Wesley as an Anglican priest teaching at Oxford University in 1732.

"His attitude toward religion when he was young was very external and had to do with doing good works to earn your own way into heaven," explained Jackman, who moonlights as a Moravian pastor, "and it really didn't have anything to do with compassion or love or grace at all."

As a method actor, Jenkins approached the role by trying, as much as possible, to become the character. "A lot of it came from reading Wesley's journals," he said. "Once I had a good idea of who John Wesley was … and what it was that motivated him … I started living, as best I knew how, as John.

"It was probably the most profound experience I've had as an actor in embodying another character-not just John's accent or his gait or his posture, but his ideology."

How does he describe Wesley?

"Academic in mind, a bit naïve in heart, a bit lost in soul … ultimately earnest. … But, at the core of all of that was a desire for God's will, a desire for greatness for God, and to glorify God in everything he did. I do believe that that's at the core of John, however humanly fallible. That, to me, is what makes him so identifiable for all of us."

'Strangely warmed'
It is now 1735. John and his brother Charles, played by Keith Harris ("Big Fish," "Junebug," "Chicks101"), sail for the British colony of Georgia in hopes of ministering to American Indians.

A violent storm breaks the main mast of the ship. Terrified for their lives, the Wesley brothers are stunned to observe a group of Moravian missionaries calmly singing and praying, seeming oblivious to the storm raging around them.

In one scene, Wesley falls in love with Sophy Hopkey, portrayed by Carrie Anne Hunt.

Once in Georgia, John falls in love with the local magistrate's niece, Sophy Hopkey, played by Carrie Anne Hunt ("Sunset," "Forgotten," "Move Cary"). The romance ends bitterly, and a discouraged Wesley returns to England where he encounters Peter Boehler, a Moravian missionary who speaks of "heart religion."

Wesley wrestles with his inner turmoil and eventually, during a religious meeting on Aldersgate Street in London on May 24, 1738, experiences the peace he had been yearning for, expressed in his famous description: "I felt my heart strangely warmed."

An invigorated Wesley begins preaching in London but is rebuffed by most churches. Unfazed, he brings his ministry, with his hymn-writing brother Charles, to the fields. There, his eyes are opened to the poor and weary masses of England who hunger for both food and faith. The brothers begin a radical and controversial social ministry that meets with fierce opposition from the gentry, who hire thugs to kill John. He escapes and ultimately triumphs as thousands of people gather to hear him preach at his father's tomb in the closing scene.

Jackman sees a need for Wesley's story in today's world.

"The pulling together of spiritual life and social action and social ministry to the poor is something that I see as very timely right now, as we get into a society where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," he said.

Array of artists
Television and film actress June Lockhart joins the cast as Susannah Wesley, Charles and John's mother, who plays a pivotal role in both sons' early spiritual growth. Lockhart was for an entire generation the quintessential "TV mom" from her roles in the series "Lassie" and "Lost in Space."

Kevin McCarthy plays Bishop Ryder, a fictional character based loosely on John Ryder, Bishop of Killaloe, who defends Wesley against attempts to defrock him.

Bruce Kiesling composed and conducted the musical score. With a background in 18th-century music, he used some early Methodist hymn tunes as subtle themes. "The music is so important," said Jackman, noting the significance of the Wesley brothers' contribution to congregational singing.

The project received financial backing from private investors. Theatrical release decisions will be up to the distributor.

The production company, Foundery Pictures LLC, was created by Jackman for the project in 2006. The company name comes from the Methodist movement's first headquarters, The Foundery in Moorfields, England, where the first meeting of the Methodist Society was conducted on July 23, 1740.

*Lind is an intern for United Methodist Communications and a senior religious studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Methodist educators focus on shaping future leaders

Outgoing president Rukudzo Murapa addresses the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities July 10 in Rosario, Argentina.UMNS photos courtesy of Tibaldo Fotografias.

A UMNS Report
By Linda Green*

Methodist leaders in higher education used global education and communication as the foundation for their 2008 worldwide gathering in Argentina to collaborate on ways to develop future Christian leaders for the church and the world.

More than 200 academics attended the July 10-13 meeting of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities at the Latin American Educational Center in Rosario. The 17-year-old association has a worldwide membership of 700 Methodist and Methodist-related institutions.

"As Methodist educators, we aspire to shape the future of our young women and men so that they can significantly impact local, national and global developments in a positive way," said Rukudzo Murapa, the association's outgoing president.

The association was established in 1991 in Brazil and has since held conferences in England, Northern Ireland and Australia. The resulting relationships have produced cooperative activities including distance education networks and exchanges of students, faculty and staff.

The 2008 gathering highlighted the newly launched distance education program between Africa University in Zimbabwe and Methodist University in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as the United Methodist Conference Education Center in Maputo, Mozambique.

Participants explored ways to develop competent, spiritually mature and ethical graduates to face critical global challenges such as sustaining the environment.

"As this conference has clearly illustrated, we have an astonishing opportunity if we work together in the solidarity of our association," said Ted Brown, who was elected to a three-year term as president of the organization.

"But with this opportunity we must also acknowledge an enormous responsibility," said Brown, president of Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. "If you think about it, our institutions are arguably the most important assets that our churches possess in this modern age. In terms of today's culture, especially youth culture-the church of the future-our schools, colleges and universities represent the most relevant and compelling of the church's ministries."

Participants applauded the United Methodist denominational focus on four critical areas for the immediate future, noting that education is key to effectively addressing leadership development, congregational renewal and growth, engaging in ministry with the poor and stamping out killer diseases by improving global health.

"What we are seeing is a craving for leadership that is widespread," said the Rev. Jerome King del Pino, top executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. "The mission of IAMSCU is even more imperative these times than in history."

Murapa, who retired in 2007 as vice chancellor of Africa University, said good leadership plays a critical role in the growth of the church, as well as in academic and educational institutions. The United Methodist General Conference has created a Global Education Fund for Leadership Development, and IAMSCU "is an important vehicle through which to bring about that new, committed and enlightened leadership," he said.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn. Evelyn Warren, a consultant to United Methodist Communications, contributed to this article.