Reverse Trick-or-Treating’ to protest use of child-labor in harvesting cocoa -- United Methodist Church among lead organizations promoting Halloween educational effort.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church are collaborating again to raise awareness about fair trade this Halloween. Ten to twenty thousand groups of children will hand chocolate back to adults during trick-or-treating rounds this Halloween. The children will distribute fair-trade-certified chocolate attached to a card explaining the labor and environmental problems in the cocoa industry globally and how fair trade provides a solution.


UMCOR has a long-standing relationship with fair-trade company Equal Exchange. Many local churches participate in The UMCOR Coffee Project, which provides fairly trade coffee from Equal Exchange.

This Halloween event, Reverse Trick-or-Treating, was launched three years ago to raise awareness of the pervasive problem of child labor, forced labor and trafficking in the cocoa fields. It is hoped Reverse Trick-or-Treating will empower consumers to press the chocolate industry for more fair cocoa sourcing policies, and shift the industry toward sourcing fair-trade-certified cocoa.

Fair trade standards prohibit the use of abusive child labor, contain extensive environmental sustainability protections, and enable farmers to escape poverty.

The Reverse-Trick-or-Treating program has joined nonprofit organizations, such as Global Exchange and UMCOR and GBCS, with Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate companies such as Equal Exchange, Alter Eco, Sweet Earth, and Coco-Zen and local schools, faith groups and youth organizations to raise public awareness about Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate.

Two important developments
This year’s event comes on the heels of two important developments in the cocoa industry.

First, Interpol announced in August that it identified and rescued 54 children from slavery in cocoa fields in Cote d’Ivoire. The children were as young as 11 years old, endured hazardous working conditions, labored 12 hours a day, and were not paid for their work. This demonstrates that the chocolate industry has still not gone far enough to end child slavery and trafficking in the cocoa fields, even though the top chocolate companies committed to end these practices as part of the Harkin-Engel Protocol signed in 2001.

More than 60 national nonprofit organizations and chocolate companies have united to call on the cocoa industry to embrace stronger cocoa sourcing standards in a statement entitled the “Commitment to Ethical Cocoa Sourcing,” which can be viewed at www.reversetrickortreating.org.

Second, in 2009, Cadbury became the first major chocolate brand to achieve fair-trade-certification for its Dairy Milk chocolate bars in the United Kingdom. Cadbury has announced planned certification in additional countries.

Human rights, fair trade and anti-trafficking activists have applauded Cadbury’s leadership, while urging the company to extend fair-trade certification to its products distributed in the United States. A group of advocates has also been actively pressing Hershey’s to become the first mainstream U.S.-based company to achieve fair-trade certification.

Kids' sense of fairness
“Kids have a well-developed sense of fairness. I regularly hear stories of U.S. schoolchildren who are really outraged to learn that mainstream chocolate companies are making them complicit in the enslavement of their peers,” said Adrienne Fitch-Frankel, director of Global Exchange’s Fair Trade campaign, “Kids are eager to show solidarity and make it possible for their peers to go to school and go out and play.

“That is why so many kids are thrilled to participate in Reverse Trick-or-Treating and make a difference. Now, it’s up to the chocolate companies to listen to their important message.”

Susan Burton, GBCS director of U.M. Seminar Program, found a postcard promoting fair-trade chocolate in her child’s trick-or-treat bag a couple of years ago. Burton immediately recognized what a timely and creative educational tool the postcard was. That realization led to GBCS’s involvement in Reverse Trick-or-Treating.

"This is an example of how everybody has the ability to make some change," said Burton.

Human rights advocacy
The Reverse Trick-or-Treating campaign is an initiative of the human rights advocacy group Global Exchange, which has record of successfully encouraging major corporations to adopt new business practices.

Nearly a quarter million Fair Trade Chocolates and informational cards have been provided in the United States by Equal Exchange, Alter Eco, Sweet Earth, and Coco-Zen and in Canada by La Siembra, under the leadership of Equal Exchange. Equal Exchange is a full service provider of high quality, organic coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and healthy snacks. 100% of Equal Exchange products are fairly traded, benefiting over 30 small farmer cooperatives in 16 countries around the world.

The national organizations with a lead role in Reverse Trick-or-Treating are Africa Action, Fair Trade Federation, Global Exchange, Green America, International Labor Rights Forum, Not for Sale, Oasis/Stop the Traffik, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and The United Methodist Church.

Global poverty is one of the focus areas of The United Methodist Church. This initiative offers United Methodists an opportunity to increase awareness of systems contributing to global poverty in their churches and beyond by handing out fair trade chocolate and a post card with additional information and resources to support fair trade products. Many local United Methodist churches already serve Equal Exchange’s Fair Trade products because they recognize their ability to participate in ending the exploitation of child slave laborers on cocoa farms.

Cross to Head General Board of Higher Education’s Clergy Supervision and Accountability

The Rev. Randolph Cross

General Secretary Jerome King Del Pino is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Randolph Cross as assistant general secretary of Clergy Supervision and Accountability.

Cross’s appointment to the General Board of Higher Education’s Division of Ordained Ministry was announced upon recommendation by the search committee and approval of his bishop, Deborah Kiesey, episcopal leader of the Dakotas Annual Conference.

Cross, who will join GBHEM on Dec. 1, is now serving as superintendent of the Lower James River District, director of connectional ministries and leadership development, and dean of the cabinet in the Dakotas Annual Conference.  Prior to his tenure as a district superintendent, he spent 20 years serving in pastoral roles in the North and South Dakota areas.

“Randy’s experience as a district superintendent, combined with his education and experience in supervision, will serve the church well in this new role. Additionally, his diverse background and leadership qualities fit well with the direction and mission of the GBHEM, especially with implementation of GBHEM’s strategic plan,” Del Pino said. 

The new assistant general secretary’s responsibilities will include the development of resources for various forms of pastoral supervision and clergy support systems, including mentors, bishops, district superintendents, and pastor-parish relations committees.

Cross will have responsibility for directing the development of resources for supervision/accountability and providing resources for bishops and cabinets, including critical writing in the areas of supervision and accountability as it relates to appointive ministry.

He will work with church leaders to design and conduct a variety of training workshops on topics of supervision and support systems, assist with formation and positive growth for self-initiated support systems for clergy and their families.

The Rev. Mary Ann Moman, associate general secretary at the GBHEM, said Cross brings a wealth of experience and passion for the ministry of The United Methodist Church. “In addition, his skills and abilities will enhance the work of supervision within the many structures of our church,” Moman said.

Cross, who will be moving from his home in Mitchell, S.D., to Nashville, received his undergraduate degree at University of North Dakota and a Master of Theology at Perkins School of Theology.

Letter from Meeli Tankler, President of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary

We share a letter from Meeli Tankler, new President of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary. This was part of the electronic BMTS Prayer Chain.

Dear Friends of the Seminary!


This is my first letter to you as a newly elected President of the Seminary. I am deeply grateful for every friend of the Seminary whose prayers are supporting our daily work, and with whom we can share our joys and concerns. May God bless you all abundantly!

Beginning a new study period we are first of all thankful that God has given us both students and teachers, and we pray for blessings upon all of them. But we ask your special prayers for these 18 students who only began their Seminary studies this fall. Youngest two of them have just graduated from high school, and oldest ones are in their sixties but all of them have come here, deeply dedicated to their studies, and feeling that God has His special calling for them.

In August we celebrated 15 years of Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary. Our Bishop Christian Alsted hold a lecture about the challenges that theological education faces on 21st century, and there was also a round-table discussion on this topic. Our good neighbors -- Presidents of the Lutheran and Baptist Theological Seminaries –came to congratulate us as well as the representative from Estonian Council of Churches. There were also written congratulations from Academy of Theology, and Theological Department of Tartu State University. Many students, graduates, teachers and other friends had gathered on this occasion, and the new President was installed.

We remembered gratefully the courageous beginning of the Seminary 15 years ago, and especially the strong faith and dedication of Olav Pärnamets, Eddie Fox and Wes Griffin which laid a solid foundation on which we stand today. Several graduates gave also their “birthday present” to our Seminary bank account which we are very thankful for. In August we also had our Academic Committee meeting, and we are thankful for our faculty’s dedicated work and also their concern about students who seem to get tired and overwhelmed. There is lot of good will to support and encourage the students, and to strengthen the Christian fellowship with each other.

In September, our beloved Seminary professor Pille Valk died of cancer. Her role in developing a curriculum for religious education in Estonian public schools has been tremendous, and we pray that God would find a good successor to continue this job. Pray for her family and friends as they are in grief.

Looking back with deep gratitude, we are also looking forward with faith and trust. We sincerely believe that our Seminary will continue to play its role not only in Estonia but also in the whole region for those interested in studying and developing in faith in order to work for God’s Kingdom. We are trying to find ways to spread information about possibilities to study God’s Word, and we are looking for new channels for financial support to our Seminary. Please keep these things also in your prayers!

"Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." (La 3:22).

May God bless you abundantly,
Meeli Tankler, President of the BMTS

Central Conference Pension Initiative Nearing Fundraising Goal -- $2 Million Needed to Close the Gap

Nashville: The Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) is 90 percent of the way to its fundraising goal, but still $2 million short of the minimum amount needed to establish pension funds in every central conference.

The initiative was created to provide long-term financial support for clergy and their spouses who serve the church outside the U.S., only to be left with little or no financial support for food and basic necessities once they retire.

Barbara Boigegrain, chief executive of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, says that clergy who serve all their lives providing mission and ministry in developing countries live out their later years in abject poverty, retiring with literally nothing.

She recalled a story of a retiring pastor in Angola who was presented with two sheets of metal upon retirement—intended to be the roof over his head in his later years. “Can you imagine the destitution of going off with no income, no community support, literally carrying what is to be the roof over your head?” she asked. “I don't think the people called Methodist mean for the pastors that serve them to live that way. I think they want them to be comfortable and have an adequate retirement and that's why it's imperative that we all give and support this effort.”

In the current global economic crisis, the need becomes more urgent than ever. A recent report from the World Bank predicted that the global recession will thrust an additional 89 million people into “extreme poverty” by the end of next year.

“The CCPI is one of the most important efforts by the church to recognize and honor service rendered faithfully and to act justly. It was and is the right thing to do,” said Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops. “I am humbled and grateful for the service of colleagues in the Central Conference and the generosity of those who have stepped up to help make their lives more livable in retirement.”

The goal of the CCPI is to raise $20 million, with more than $18 million contributed so far. However, Boigegrain says that a total of $25 million is really needed in order to provide benefits that will enable retirees to live at a level above mere subsistence.

“Twenty million is the basic amount, but we'd like to have $25 million so we could make the benefits a little more generous. They are very low. Right now, we are just headed for subsistence,” said Boigegrain.

So far, pension funds have been started in two countries—Liberia and Mozambique—and several others are underway. The monthly pension payment is $20 for Liberia and $128 in Mozambique, because of the difference in the cost of living.

As a short-term response, emergency grants were authorized in 2004 for retired clergy and surviving spouses in developing countries who are in extreme need to enable them to at least buy food. Once a pension plan is set up in a country and retirees begin to receive active benefits, the emergency grant payments stop.

The Central Conference Pension Initiative hopes to be able to work with annual conferences in the U.S. on fundraising campaigns to help raise the additional money by the end of the year.

Individuals can also help support the CCPI by making a contribution through their church or donate online at http://www.ccpi-umc.org/.