Release #047 {2911] April 24, 1996
DENVER (UMNS) -- "Shalom is on the loose." That was the testimony given by officials of the Communities of Shalom ministry as they addressed the 1996 United Methodist General Conference.
The "shalom zone" concept was created during the 1992 General Conference after riots broke out in Los Angeles to protest the verdict in the Rodney King beating case. "Shalom" is the Hebrew word for peace.
Coordinated through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries' National Division, the shalom program shows churches how to work with their communities to stimulate economic development, improve race and class relationships, address health issues, and develop congregations.
Bishop Felton E. May, Harrisburg, Pa., proclaimed "shalom is on the loose" in 103 urban and rural communities, 24 annual conferences, 250 congregations, 50 community organizations and 71 ecumenical ventures, where laity, clergy and business leaders are working toward the biblical image of shalom.
According to May, the next steps in the shalom initiative are to:
According to Guannie Dixon, staff person for the Los Angeles Shalom Zone, the United Methodist Church set into motion "one of the most powerful" strategies for church and community transformation when it created the first shalom zone in 1992.
She said the transformation has not been without pain and struggle. Obstacles have ranged from floods and earthquakes to lack of money and the change in pastors as a result of appointments.
However, she said, the laity remained focus on the vision and the obstacles became opportunities for growth and development. "The people persevered because of God's amazing grace to build communities of hope and daring -- communities of shalom," she added.
-- Linda Green
If you want to know how to get more information about this story, call InfoServ at 1-800/251-8140.