Release # 066 {2930} April 26, 1996
FRIDAY ROUNDUP
DENVER (UMNS) -- "Soon, and very soon ... " The words from the spiritual seemed appropriate for United Methodist General Conference delegates April 26 as they headed into the final day of their quadrennial meeting with hundreds of calendar items yet to receive action.
After three hours of debate, a budget of almost $508.3 million to fund worldwide ministries of their church for the next four years was approved. The budget reflects an increase for 1997 of 1 percent above 1996, then no increase for 1998, and a 2 percent increase for 1999 and 2000.
Included in the total is $253.6 million for World Service, the church's basic program fund; almost $110 million for ministerial education; $43.7 million for black colleges; $61.7 million for salaries and other expenses of bishops; $18.5 million for general administration; $6.5 million for interdenominational cooperation; and $10 million for Africa University.
The askings now will be apportioned to annual conferences and on to local churches, using a formula based on the number of members and other factors.
Turning to other matters, the delegates marked the 10th anniversary of the tragic Chernobyl nuclear power accident in the Ukraine where the loss of life was heavy. Anton Zakharchenko, one of two observers attending General Conference from Russia said "people are dying from the results of radiation," especially in the countries of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
On another international note, Bishop Woodie W. White, Indianapolis, said the delegation raised earlier in the conference to seek a meeting with U.S. and Israeli officials regarding the Middle East hoped to visit the White House next week. In addition to White, members of the panel are Ronald Bretsch, Norwood, N.Y.; the Rev. Randy Day, Ridgefield, Conn.; Paulo Filipe Bunga, Angola; Jo Ann Y. Fukumoto, Pearl City, Hawaii; and Bishops C. Dale White, Dan E. Solomon, and Judith Craig.
Turning to local church items, delegates approved changing church law to provide for a lay person to be vice-chair of the committee on nominations. The pastor will continue as chair.
Another action specifies that "all locations of meeting for sanctioned church groups and agencies shall be in facilities accessible by participants and potential participants, including people with disabilities.
It was announced that three special offerings received during the conference totaled about $25,000. The money will go as designated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Native American ministries, and honoraria for conference pages and marshals.
As the afternoon ended delegates were beginning to clear their desks in anticipation of final adjournment, sometime before midnight, they hoped.
-- Robert Lear
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