Following is a forwarded newsletter released today -- it is a daily wrap
up of today's session (5/1)
If you cannot get on-line to read these UMNS
reports, and you would like the have one forwarded to you, please
respond to
nicvoice@nicvoice.org and copy the title of the report(s) you would
like forwarded to you:
We are providing alternative links for UMNS
reports by Called Out Information Service sponsored by Affirmation -
includes updates on GC2004:
May 1, 2004 General Conference asks court to
re-examine acquittal of lesbian pastor (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UMCalledOut/message/2481)
May 1, 2004 United Methodist Church in Poland
anticipates changes as the nation joins the European Union
May 1, 2004 Delegates urged to follow Philip's lead
(sermon by Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton of the Ohio East Area)
May 1, 2004 International delegates say landmines put
life on hold
May 1, 2004 General Conference approves Division on
Ministries with Young People (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UMCalledOut/message/2482)
May 1, 2004 Delegates fund action plan for town,
country ministries
May 1, 2004 Young United Methodists rally for church
inclusiveness (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UMCalledOut/message/2483)
Following are UMNS links for various articles at
the GC2004 site:
Monday's GC2004 Schedule
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8:00 a.m.
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Choral music
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8:15 a.m.
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Worship
service - Preacher: Hae-Jong Kim
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9:00 a.m
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Africa
University Report |
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T.B.A
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Morning
plenary session
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12:30 p.m.
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Lunch recess
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2:30 p.m.
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Afternoon plenary session
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5:00 p.m.
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Dinner recess
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7:30 p.m.
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Evening plenary session
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# GC04041-Daily Wrap-up:
Delegates hear judicial ruling, approve youth emphasis
Daily Wrap-up: Delegates hear judicial
ruling, approve youth emphasis
May. 1, 2004 News media contact:
General Conference Newsroom * (412) 3256080* {GC04041}
NOTE: News media contact: after May 10: (615)
742-5470.
By Linda Bloom*
PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - The March acquittal of a
lesbian pastor will be re-examined by the highest court of the United
Methodist Church.
A majority of delegates to General Conference
requested the ruling following the reading of another Judicial Council
ruling on homosexuality.
On April 29, the Judicial Council ruled that
the practice of homosexuality is a chargeable offense for clergy. By a 6-3
margin, the court ruled that the statement "the practice of homosexuality is
incompatible with Christian teaching" (Paragraph 304.3 of the 2000 Book of
Discipline) is indeed a declaration of the General Conference, the only body
that can speak for the 10 million-member denomination.
After a reading of that ruling, the Rev.
Maxie Dunnam, Kentucky Annual (regional) Conference, moved that Judicial
Council be asked to rule on the "meaning, application and effect" of the
April 29 decision on the outcome of the trial of the Rev. Karen Dammann. The
self-avowed homosexual clergy member of the Pacific Northwest Annual
(regional) Conference was found innocent of the charge of engaging in
practices "incompatible with Christian teaching." Dunnam also asked the
council to determine if a United Methodist bishop can legally appoint a
self-avowed, practicing homosexual.
Delegate Frank Dorsey, Kansas East
Conference, opposed the motion, saying that it was "striking at our heart
with a knife to ... destroy our church," but Dunnam's motion was approved by
a vote of 551-345.
In other business, the delegates took actions
that will expand the church's ministries with young people and in rural
communities.
By a 780-109 vote, the General Conference
approved the creation of a Division on Ministries with Young People; 11
delegates abstained from voting. The budget of $6.6 million, which included
$1.8 million off the general church budget, was approved by a 749-140 vote,
with 7 abstentions.
"This is an historic moment," said Jeffrey
Greenway, Western Pennsylvania delegate and chair of the legislative
committee on discipleship. "The young people have shown us a model where the
old things pass away and new things come into being."
As part of the proposal, the United Methodist
Youth Organization and the Forum for Adult Workers in Youth Ministry will
disband. The Shared Mission Focus on Young People will be folded into the
new division.
In an effort to support rural ministries, the
General Conference adopted a $425,000 budget earmarked for strengthening
rural congregations. By doing so, the assembly gave permission to the
denomination's National Comprehensive Plan for Town & Country Ministries to
develop and support ministries in rural cultures and contexts for the next
four years.
The plan will also assist in developing
effective leadership for town and country ministries. Town & Country
Ministries is a program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service
news writer.
********************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org
