New Conference

July 2001

Rev. Bonnie Plybon

pastor, Victory Memorial UMC

Indianapolis

The first priority of the world church should be to truly practice what it is preaching. Its effectiveness is drastically diluted by discrepancy between what people hear and what they see. We do not live by the law of love.

This is true of all religious faiths. That's why we have several generations who have washed their hands of organized religions.

 Willie Morgan

South Bend First UMC

South Bend

Working with human rights, seeing that all people can enjoy the blessings and fruits of this land. Our church has had a soup kitchen lunch program for 15 or 20 years, with the help of other local churches. I also feel that Advance Specials are important help. I've been a judiciary delegate to the North Conference for eight years.

Juanita Harden

New Zion UMC

Columbus

I think the Church's priority is to see that everyone is to be treated equally and not treated unjustly.

My own priority is to spread God's word, to be a witness to him, to be somewhere where I can be a voice to further his work.

Rev. Mark Day

pastor, Greentown First UMC

Greentown

I think we need to be more intentionally inclusive of all races and reaching out to the unchurched. We may need to change our worship for those who are reaching out and feel uncomfortable in church. We should make every effort to include them and not use a lot of "church language."

Peggy Garrett

St. Paul's UMC

Muncie

Issues of injustices among world populations and looking through a lens of racism and segregation.

As Christians we have a clear mandate to love one another.