School of Congregational Development Ready to Renew Church, Chicago Area, July 29 - August 2, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 25, 2009/GBOD/ -- The 2009 School of Congregational Development will bring together hundreds of church leaders looking to renew their congregations and create new ones. Jointly sponsored by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Global Ministries, this year’s main event will take place in the Chicago Area July 29 through August 2.

“At GBOD, we believe that every congregation can be vital and vibrant. Every leader can lead in an excellent way in any congregation—be it new or existing. Every leader can grow in his or her faith and figure out how to lead well in that congregation. The School of Congregational Development provides an opportunity for training and reflection on best practices for church leaders at all levels,” says the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.

Started in the 1980’s, the annual school began as a way to train leaders of new church starts. While that remains an important part of the school, according to Craig Kennet Miller, director of pastoral leadership with GBOD, “its purpose is really to train leaders in congregational development." It is a holistic look at the first focus area of The United Methodist Church, to start new churches and renew existing congregations.

“The heart of the school is really the ministry tracks," Miller says. These provide training targeted to the specific needs and settings of the attendees. The variety of congregations and leadership roles necessitate the focused training.

Recently the school has developed ministry tracks for bishops, superintendents and other conference leaders in congregational development. This enables bishops to join with their cabinet leadership in learning and planning how they will strengthen congregations in their area.

New this year are four-hour intensives. They include topics such as “Living Out the Wesleyan Way,” “Effective Cross-Cultural Outreach” and “Identifying Your Congregational DNA.”

About 500 people attend each year with a growing number returning. This year’s location based in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, will provide ease of access to all parts of the school as well as the beauty of Lake Michigan and life within the city.

The Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary host the school. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, episcopal leader of the Chicago Area, will also be part of the event leadership. Other speakers and leaders include the Reverend Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio; Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. of the Holston Area (East Tennessee and surrounding areas); Dr. Layece Warner of Duke Divinity School; Dr. Cecilia Harris of Chicago; and Dr. Irving Cotto, director of congregational development for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Kelvin Sauls from GBGM, Craig Miller from GBOD and Bener Agtarap from Path1 (an initiative housed at GBOD) are the main designers of this year’s school.

Outside the United States, Norway will host its second-ever Nordic School of Congregational Development, September 2-6. The first Nordic school was held two years ago, and was successful.

For more information about the School of Congregational Development, please visit www.scdumc.org or join the school’s facebook group (click groups and type in School of Congregational Development). Questions may also be directed to GBOD at 877-899-2780.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.gbod.org for more information or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio hosts workshop on women's place in the New Testament

Widely held assumptions about women’s roles in New Testament times will be discussed and challenged during a workshop hosted by Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Lee Johnson, associate professor of New Testament in the Riley Chair of Biblical Interpretation at MTSO, will lead discussion on the topic “Women and Social Class in the World of the New Testament.”

Lee Johnson

The workshop, part of the school’s annual Williams Institute on Theology, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, March 16, in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio.

Johnson expects the Williams Institute workshop to give participants a more complete view of women’s involvement in the cultural and religious life of biblical times.

“Most of the depictions of women’s roles in the New Testament era came from history as recorded by its most powerful, best educated people—and those, of course, were overwhelmingly male voices. But some archaeological discoveries show women in a much broader range of roles. We’ll consider that, and we’ll look at how biblical figures fit into this deeper understanding.”

This year’s Williams Institute workshop coincides with a major international, interdisciplinary academic conference: “Women in Ancient Religion.” Hosted by MTSO, the three-day conference is cosponsored by Yale Divinity School, the Ohio State University Center for the Study of Religion, and the Ohio State University Department of Greek and Latin. It will open at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15, with a keynote address by Loveday Alexander, professor emeritus of biblical studies at the University of Sheffield, England. Williams Institute attendees are encouraged to attend the keynote address. More information on the conference is available at www.mtso.edu/collinsconference.

“The Williams Institute workshop is based on perspectives developed in the research of conference participants and other scholars,” said MTSO Academic Dean John Kampen. “It will place that research within a context that pastors and church workers can employ to enhance the understanding of the role of women in New Testament times in their congregations.”

The Williams Institute honors the late Ronald L. Williams, a member of the MTSO faculty who was beloved and respected by students for his theological contributions to religious scholarship. It provides an annual opportunity to share the academic accomplishments of scholars with the community beyond the campus.

Located in Greater Columbus on U.S. Route 23, Methodist Theological School in Ohio is an ecumenical graduate institution, preparing transformational leaders for service to the church and the world. MTSO offers master’s degrees in divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and Christian education, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree. The school’s president is the Rev. Jay Rundell. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

Large Church Initiative 2009 – “Partnerships Play in Peoria,” Peoria, Illinois, April 21-24, 2009

Location: The Initiative will be held at First United Methodist Church, 116 NE Perry Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 (309-673-3641)

Registration: The registration fee is $325 which includes lunches and dinners. The event will include a visit to Springfield First UMC and the Lincoln Museum, as well as a concert by Ken Medema and the Irving School Choir.

To register go to: http://www.fumcpeoria.org/lci09/index.html

Hotel: Holiday Inn City Center, 500 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria, IL 61602 which is one block from the church and the rate is $99 per night, which includes breakfast, free internet access, free parking, and many more amenities. This rate is available until March 21, 2009.

The theme of the event is Partnerships Play In Peoria. The focus is upon developing partnerships within the community which lead to ministries of transformation. We will be highlighting the ministries of Peoria First as well as partnerships between Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio and UMCOR, large church and the ADVANCE, larger churches with smaller churches, learning how to develop partnerships, and experiencing the fruits of ministries that are working for the transformation of the church and community.

Featured speakers and presenters are: Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg Church, Tipp City, Ohio; Bart Campolo, Walnut hills Fellowship Church, Cincinnati, Ohio; Sam Dixon, Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries and Director of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); Jan Davis, Executive Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas: Janet Forbes, pastor of St. Lukes United Methodist Church in Highland Ranch, Colorado; Joshua Smith, of Joshua Smith Coaching Group, Washington, D.C.; Ron Crandall, Executive Director, SCLI/ABIDE; Joy Moore, Associate Dean, Duke University Divinity School; and Debbie Wallace-Padgett, pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church, Lexington, Kentucky. And Abraham Lincoln may make a special 200th birthday appearance. You can read more about each of the speakers by visiting: http://www.fumcpeoria.org/lci09/index.html

The Large Church Initiative has been making a difference in the life of larger churches in our denomination over the past 20 years.

Contacts: Mike Illuzzi 309-673-3641, ext. 120; milluzzi@fumcpeoria.org or Sue Heytman 309-673-3641, ext. 114; sheytman@fumcpeoria.org.

Virginia Bishop Kammerer to address United Methodists at Ecumenical Advocacy Days

'Enough for All Creation' is theme of 7th annual lobbying event.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Bishop Charlene Kammerer of the Virginia Conference will be featured speaker at the lunch meeting Saturday, March 14, of United Methodists attending the 7th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

Kammerer is a member of the Council of Bishops taskforce revising the historic 1986 document and pastoral letter, “In Defense of Creation,” that addressed the dangers of nuclear weapons. She will discuss the broader scope of the revision expected to address threats such as pandemic poverty, ecological degradation and a world awash in weapons.

The gathering of United Methodists, at which Kammerer will speak, is 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, headquarters for Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

The taskforce’s work complements the theme of this year’s advocacy event: “Enough for All Creation,” Friday to Monday, March 13-16. During the weekend, participants will learn how to engage as advocates on climate change, migration and poverty. Experts on these issues will offer workshops on policy issues and advocacy on Saturday and Sunday, culminating on Monday with lobbying visits on Capitol Hill.

Last year 800 persons representing a broad range of Christian denominations took part in the Ecumenical Advocacy Days. One hundred United Methodists attended.

The United Methodist Church, its General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries are sponsors. GBCS and the Women's Division have staff members participating in leadership for the event.

Besides Bishop Kammerer, other notable presenters include
· the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, (Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]), General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA;
· the Rev. John McCullough (United Methodist), executive director and CEO of Church World Service;
· Tyler Edgar, who heads the National Council of Church's work to address global warming; and
· Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire, executive secretary, JPIC Commission of the Union of Superiors General of Men and Women Religious Institutes.

Workshops will focus on Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, the United States, eco-justice, global economic justice and peace, and global security.

Sponsored by the ecumenical Christian community, the weekend is grounded in biblical witness and shared traditions of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Goal is to strengthen the Christian voice and mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

On Monday, participants will take a coordinated message to meetings with their members of Congress. Attendees may either send e-mail to lobbyday@advocacydays.org for help in setting up appointments or schedule their own visits.

Conference fee of $160 includes two lunches and Sunday reception. Registration after Feb. 13 will be $175.

Student scholarships are available by sending an e-mail to scholarships@advocacydays.org or visiting on the Internet, advocacydays.org.

You can register online at advocacydays.org with any major credit card, or through mail with check enclosed to Ecumenical Advocacy Days, c/o Office of Public Life and Social Policy, United Church of Christ, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20002. Make checks payable to "United Church of Christ" with Ecumenical Advocacy Days written in the memo line.
For more information, contact Clayton Childers, GBCS director of Annual Conference Relations, cchilders@umc-gbcs.org or (202) 488-5642, or Molly Keane, conference coordinator, at info@advocacydays.org or (202) 386-6397, or download a brochure ”Enough for All Creation” at advocacydays.org.

To reserve space for the United Methodist luncheon, call (877) 783-8258 or (800) 445-8667. Cost of the luncheon is included in the registration fee of Ecumenical Advocacy Days. A one-day registration is $80.

Marj Pon named editor of Church School Publications

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 6, 2009—Marj Pon has been elected editor of Church School Publications, assuming the position upon the retirement of the Reverend Judy Smith.

On January 31, 2009, Smith completed 32 years of active ministry as an elder in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and as an executive with The Upper Room, the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM), and for the last 10 years with The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH).

The editor of Church School Publications is elected by the GBOD subject to confirmation by UMPH. The editor works with the Curriculum Resources Committee (CRC) of the GBOD and is employed by UMPH to oversee editorial and production of teaching and learning materials used in Sunday school, small groups, confirmation classes, and other settings for Christian education and formation.

Ms. Pon served eight years as a director of curriculum publishing with UMPH and for the past year as managing editor of Church School Publications. She was nominated for the editor of Church School Publication’s post by Karen Greenwaldt, General Secretary of GBOD and Neil Alexander, President of UMPH.

Upon her election and confirmation, Greenwaldt and Alexander said: “We have great confidence in the gifts and graces of Marj Pon who has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to fashion resources for our congregations that are rooted in sound United Methodist theological content and offer the most effective teaching methods. She takes to heart the needs of local churches and works in creative and resourceful ways to deliver products that aid ministries to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She will provide exceptional leadership in the years ahead.”

Church Systems Task Force on Clergy Health Jointly Convened by GBPHB and GBHEM

Evanston, IL—The 17-member Church Systems Task Force (CSTF), jointly convened by theGeneral Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), met in Jacksonville, FL, January 28-29, beginning their General Conference 2008 charge to study the impact of UMC employment systems and culture on clergy health.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the Mississippi Annual Conference serves as chair of this initiative, which focuses on health as wholeness across the denomination. and the effect systems have on the health of clergy by reviewing the employment systems and structures of the Church and their impact on clergy health, and to bring recommendations if needed to General Conference 2012.

“This task force will examine ways in which the Church systems contribute to the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial health of clergy as they enter and progress in ministry,” commented Bishop Ward. “We are interested in the effects our Church systems have on the health and wellness of the individual clergyperson, the related impact on local churches and, consequently, the broader health implications experienced across the connection.”

GBHEM General Secretary Jerome Del Pino also noted, “The work of this task force comes at a pivotal moment in the life of our Church when we are focusing our attention on leadership, new church starts and revitalization of congregations, poverty and global health. What is learned in the work of the task force regarding clergy health will help us move forward in achieving the goals we have set for each of the four focus areas.”

The task force will employ a rigorous research approach to examine:
• itineracy and appointment-making systems;
• supervisory systems;
• processes for entering and exiting ordained and licensed ministry;
• transitioning clergy into ministry (acclimation process);
• prevalence of health risk factors, health conditions and disability as they relate to employment situational variables; and
• key vocational factors influencing clergy health.

Center for Health
The Church Systems Task Force is one of the initiatives of the Center for Health, under the auspices of the GBPHB, which began last year as the result of the Denominational Health Task Force research and General Conference 2008 legislation.

This important work will help determine interventions to support clergy health needs and to provide specific guidelines for sustaining a healthy work/life balance.