Release # 020
April 19, 1996
DENVER -- (UMNS) Biting reminders of grief in many parts of the world marked the fourth day of the United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly in the Colorado Convention Center here.
The day began with the 998 delegates marking the first anniversary of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City that claimed 168 lives, the nation's largest terrorist attack ever. While the delegates were praying, extra security forces kept watchful eyes on the convention center.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the Rev. Philip J. Fenn, Norman, Okla., led the three-minute remembrance of the blast that occurred precisely at 9:02 a.m., April 19, 1995. The conference joined Oklahomans and thousands of people elsewhere in standing for a moment of silent tribute, and Ann Saunkeah, a delegate from Tulsa, Okla., led in prayer for the coming of a "neighborly concern" that will "conquer the malice of conflict and hate."
The Rev. Randy Day, Ridgefield, Conn., then took the conference floor to remind the delegates that as they had worshipped and worked the day before an Israeli attack on a United Nations peacekeeping camp in Lebanon had killed at least 75 civilians and wounded more than 100.
Bishop Judith Craig, Columbus, Ohio, was given permission to read a statement of concern for the continuing Middle East crisis. The conference approved sending a delegation to meet with President Clinton or Vice President Gore expressing the church's deep desire for peace with justice in the Middle East.
Next on the floor was Bishop Peter Dabale of Nigeria who brought an account of the massacre of innocent people in Taraba state of his country. A whole village was completely burned down, the bishop said, at least 15 United Methodist churches burned. At least 130 people have perished, and thousands of others left homeless.
The morning was concluded with the announcement that First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, a life-long United Methodist who regularly attends Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, would be present April 24 to bring greetings to the conference. Warm applause greeted the announcement.
At noon 400 people attended a dinner sponsored by the World Methodist Council (WMC) at which three prominent United Methodists were accorded the council's "Seat of Honor." Receiving the recognitions were Bishop L. Bevel Jones, III, Charlotte, N.C., president of the North American Section of the WMC; the Rev. William K. Quick, pastor of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit and a long-time WMC leader; and Mary Hale, Lake Junaluska, N.C., wife of the Rev. Joe Hale, WMC general secretary.
The leadership team of the United Methodist Council of Bishops was completed with the selection of Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil of Manila as president-designate to take office a year from now, and Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader of the Wisconsin Area as secretary. She will serve a four-year term succeeding Bishop Melvin G. Talbert of San Francisco. Retired Bishop Jack M. Tuell, Greenbank, Wash., was named assistant to the secretary. Bishop Woodie W. White of Indianapolis was installed April 18 as
president.A mountain of work in legislative committees awaited the delegates gathered at the foot of the Rockies when the plenary ended near noon on April 19. Several extra plenary sessions have cut into the time for the committees and a busy weekend loomed ahead.
Work completed in the 10 committees included rejecting a call for a quadrennial study commission on "classic Christianity and modern feminism;" specifying that United Methodist pastors are not employees of local churches, even though they may be so classified for taxation and other governmental entities; calling for emergency assistance in rebuilding war-torn Liberia; and adopting a new Spanish language hymnal as an official worship resource.
All recommendations coming from legislative committees must receive approval in plenary session before becoming part of the church's Book of Discipline.
-- Robert Lear
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