ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 4, 1996 TAG: 9605060018
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
Some new ideas come out of Methodist meeting
United Methodists concluded their business meeting in Denver last week by supporting new ecumenical action, by adopting fresh ideas on baptism and ministry, stepping up concern for children and minorities, and preparing for new administrative structures.
The General Conference, held every four years, continued the church's ban on ordination of "self-professed" homosexuals, held to its position in favor of abortion rights, and decided to keep its world-mission office in New York rather than moving it to Northern Virginia.
Of 99 bishops in attendance, 15 of them issued a statement expressing their pain over the church's refusal to ordain homosexuals.
In the future, ordained people will be of two classes: Deacons will relate to the church through "word and service" and will not be subject to frequent moving. Elders will serve through "service, word, sacrament and order" and will continue in the itineracy system involving transfer to different parishes every few years.
New guidelines also continue the practice of infant baptism with no rebaptism and will classify members as "baptized" or "professing." Only the latter will be counted for determining financial apportionments and for most statistical purposes. Also approved was continued study of a merger with three predominantly black Methodist denominations. If conventions of African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal churches agree, a merged church could come into being early in the 21st century.
Habitat house under way
Franklin County's first Habitat for Humanity house, on Truevine Road near Glade Hill, is under way with about 30 churches involved in work and fund-raising. Supporter Barbara Garst said completion is expected by July. Fund-raising already has begun for a second house, to be built next to the first. During the summer, Habitat supporters the Rev. Karin Lindsay, Kathy Arrington and Macon Sammons, plan a bike ride to Atlanta to raise money for more homes.
Ministers to hear about missions
The Rev. Dr. E. Glenn Hinson of Richmond will address the annual retreat of the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference Monday at Camp Bethel in Botetourt County. The theme is "Changing Patterns of Mission Locally and Globally." Hinson teaches at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. New officers, headed by the Rev. Dr. Michael Nevling of Colonial Presbyterian Church, will be installed. The conference is ecumenical and interfaith and is for ordained and lay religion professionals.
Liberian college's reopening delayed
Reopening of Cuttington College, an Anglican school in Monrovia, Liberia, had been scheduled for early April, but renewed civil war in the West African nation has delayed it indefinitely. Recently consecrated Anglican Bishop Edward Neufville has fled with other religious leaders to Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. He hopes to develop a ministry to refugees there. Cuttington College, the only private, co-educational, four-year, degree-granting school in sub-Saharan Africa, was closed six years ago, soon after a war broke out that killed 150,000 people and displaced half the country's people. St. Paul's College, an Episcopal Church school at Lawrenceville in Southside Virginia, has educated some of the African students and in 1995 graduated 12 from Cuttington.
Catholic lay group seeks reforms
A U.S. Roman Catholic lay organization is planning a petition of 1 million signatures to pressure for major reform in the church, according to Ecumenical News International. Issues targeted include reform of papal infallibility, ordination and full equality of women, and optional celibacy for clergy. Signatures are likely to be presented to the Vatican in the spring of 1997 at the end of a protest pilgrimage. The group also may seek a "Vatican Council III" with more lay participation.
Retirement community talks scheduled
The possibility that the proposed Lexington Retirement Community may become part of the Kendal Corp., a Quaker-supported group based in Philadelphia, will be considered at Rockbridge County meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. The public meetings will be at Lexington Presbyterian Church. The Wednesday information sessions, which are similar, begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For information, call Diane Herrick at 463-1910. The home will use Sunnyside House and its adjacent farm, which were donated earlier this year for a community home for the elderly.
Anglican woman bishop predicted
The archbishop of Canterbury, the titular head of worldwide Anglicans, has said he hopes to see a woman bishop in the British Isles in his lifetime but expects that the election of one will cause even more dissension than the ordination of women priests there three years ago. In 1997, the seven women who are bishops in Anglican churches around the world plan to visit London to support the idea.
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