January 2003 - Tower - Page 7

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Church and Society

Russell Fox
 

Louise and I had the opportunity to attend the Tri-District Leadership Training Event on January 11 at Virginia Wesleyan College. The event allowed for training sessions on a variety of topics. We chose to attend one on Social Justice and one on Health and Welfare.

The United Methodist Church has a General Board of Church and Society. This GBCS has as its purpose to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ not only to the Church but also to persons and structures of the community, and the world in which they live. The prime responsibility of the Board is to seek the implementation of the Social Principles, and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian Social Concerns. The GBCS has issued a pamphlet stating the Principles of the United Methodist Church on a wide variety of topics relating to our society and environment. Copies of these principles are available at our church.

Some of the major issues are as follows:

• Environmental justice issues such as endangered species and genetic science
• Social and economic concerns such as gambling and political campaign finance reform
• Peace with justice issues such as immigration and military spending
• Women's issues, reproductive rights, human sexuality
• Civil and human rights, such as the death penalty and gun control
• Health care issues such as mental illness and HIV/AIDS
• Children, youth and family concerns such as welfare reform, public education and population control.

GBCS is comprised of 63 board members, representing the five geographical jurisdictions and the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. Like many other Christian denominations, the United Methodist Church has taken a position on a wide variety of social and political concerns.

While there is a large effort to keep a separation of church and state, there is no separation of Christian faith and political and social issues in each of us, and thus it is incumbent upon us to address social and political issues from the point of view of our Christian faith. Just as Jesus did in his life, so we must with our lives work out our faith in our social and political actions.

In the Mail

I would like to thank everyone for the support during the recent death of my father. The cards, prayers, and condolences were a true source of comfort form the Holy Spirit during this time. It truly is wonderful to have such a church family.

In Christian Love,

Ken Coleman and Family

Beginning January 2, 2002 thru December 29, 2002, 14,305 cards were collected for St. Jude's Children Ranch in Boulder City, Nevada.

I would like to say "Thank You" to all who participated in this project.

I will also be collecting the fronts of all the greeting cards again this year. Please bring them to the church and I'll take it from there.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

Bertie S. Mills

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Last update: January 31, 2003