e-HUM News Updates

e-HUM Announcement

April 18, 2008

e-HUM News Updates

AGENCY WITHDRAWS PETITION ON DIVESTMENT FROM CATERPILLAR

After direct meetings with Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar, the United Methodist Church's social action agency says it will withdraw a petition from the 2008 General Conference calling for divestment from the heavy equipment manufacturer. The petition, sent to the denomination's top legislative body, charged that the company profits from illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and contributes to the occupation by supplying Israeli Defense Forces with heavy equipment.

Since January, Caterpillar has opened discussions with the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society based in Washington, issued a statement denouncing immoral use of its equipment, and agreed to continued dialogue.

The Caterpillar statement sent to Jim Winkler, top executive of the GBCS, said, "Caterpillar's products are designed to improve quality of life. ... We do not condone the illegal or immoral use of any Caterpillar equipment. ... We expect our customers to use our products in environmentally responsible ways and consistent with human rights and the requirements of international humanitarian law."

The statement affirmed the importance of continuing dialogue between Caterpillar and The United Methodist Church. "We are committed to further conversations and possible philanthropic activities in Palestinian areas."

About $5 million of the denomination's estimated $17 billion pension portfolio is invested in Caterpillar stock.

For the full story, log on to www.umc.org and click on news. – UMNS

INDY JANITORS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR CITY-WIDE CONTRACT

More than 1,500 Indianapolis janitors reached a tentative agreement for their first-ever city-wide union contract with the city’s five largest cleaning companies. Details of the agreement, which includes dramatic gains in pay, access to health care, work hours and paid time off for workers will be presented to janitors for their approval at a ratification vote at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. The agreement was reached after two days of intense contract talks that ran until nearly 9 p.m. Thursday night.

Many faith, community and political leaders, including the Rev. Darren Cushman Wood of Speedway UMC in Indianapolis, have stood with janitors from the beginning and have been a part of bringing a brighter future to Indianapolis. Watch for contract details after Saturday.

POEM FOR EARTHQUAKES

Prayer-Poem for Earthquakes, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Other Extra-Ordinary Times

By Taylor Burton-Edwards

The earth shook under our feet (this week).
No human damage done,
But bricks fell, roads cracked,
Chandeliers rocked and chimed.

The earth shook under our feet (this week),
A long shudder,
And woke us up early one morning,
If we could feel and hear it.

But are we awake?

The people on the earth are shaking every day, O God.
Jesus, your body is quaking,
Sometimes from fear, sometimes in pain,
Sometimes from our refusal to feel and hear the pain of others.

The people on the earth are shaking every day, O God.
Fevers from malaria or AIDS, tremors from starvation,
Cries and howls of grief for children gone, women raped,
Wars and violence breaking lives,
Governments, terrorists, and groups
That do not stop the madness,
But sustain and even spur it.

The waters above the earth, and on the earth, and beneath the earth are churning:
Storms stronger than they had been, floods where homes reside,
Ice melting, seas rising, atmosphere thinning,
Millions who must move or face destruction.

The people on earth are shaking every day, O God.
Jesus, your body is quaking, always, everywhere.

Rouse us, Holy Spirit! Flash fire around us, and on us, and in us!
Let your fires of justice burn in our hearts, a blaze across the lands,
A beacon for the long night that is coming
And now is.

Pour out refreshing waters on the dry places,
Feed your people, all people, through the floods
Not of water, but of kindness. Let kindness roll,
An ever-flowing stream.

And turn the shaking of the earth, Great Maker,
The quaking of your body, Jesus,
The rousing of your people, Spirit,
Into the dance of Love in which you live,
In which all Life resides,
From which it flows,
And to which it returns:
In you, One and Holy, now and ever. Amen.

Taylor Burton-Edwards is Director of Worship Resources, The General Board of Discipleship. “A Prayer-Poem for Earthquakes, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Other Extra-Ordinary Times” is Copyright © 2008, The General Board of Discipleship. Congregations and other Christian organizations may reproduce this piece in print provided the following copyright notice is included: “Copyright © 2008, The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. Used by permission.”

This resource may not be reproduced by other means, or posted on Web sites, without written permission. To obtain permission, or comment on this resource, contact worship@gbod.org.

WHERE ARE THE YOUNG ADULTS?

In a recent article that, in part, relies on the book After the Baby Boomers by Robert Wuthnow (Princeton University Press, 2007), Ann Michel of Wesley Theological Seminary provides some interesting information on the presence and absence of young adults in the church and what this may mean for the future. This article looks at some of those points for United Methodists to consider about the present and future of our church. For more, log on to: www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=46199&loc_id=17,823.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

SEYMOUR CHURCH SEEKS FULLTIME PAID ORGANIST

The Trinity United Methodist Church of Seymour (South Conference, Columbus District) is currently seeking a fulltime (preferable) or part-time paid Organist. Duties would include playing for Sunday morning Worship at 9:30 a.m. and assisting in choir rehearsals on both Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings prior to worship. For questions or to arrange an interview, please contact the church at 812-523-3072 or trinityum@verizon.net.

MUNCIE CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES

High Street United Methodist Church seeks a Director of Youth Ministries.

The position's purpose is: To inspire our young people to participate fully in the youth program, nurture a deeper passion for Christ, inspire greater discipleship, develop spiritual gifts, and empower broader outreach and service to others.

Youth Programming includes oversight of Junior High and Senior High youth programs including Sunday Youth Fellowship, weekly Bible Studies, Mission Trips, various outings, service projects, weekend retreats, and periodic day and evening programming.

The Youth Director’s position is a 20-hours-per-week responsibility with flexible hours to accommodate youth and youth programming.

The position is available immediately. Experience in Youth Leadership is highly desirable.

For a full job description or to submit a resume please contact Pastor David Neuen at 765-747-8500 or davidneuen@sbcglobal.net.

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