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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
United Methodists agencies respond
Study, prayer, worship resources for church use
The UM Board of Discipleship has posted "Prayer Resources in the Wake of the Attack on America" in response to the recent terrorist attacks on America. The resource is linked at www.gbod.org/worship online. It offers a list of prayers, readings and hymns for people to use individually or in groups. Other resources available include an online piece titled, "Resources for Worship and Prayer in the Face of Violence."
Resources for children, youth
UMCOR responds to attacks |
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The UM Committee on Relief expects to respond to the World Trade Center tragedy on local and national levels. Plans include providing certified counselors, offering trauma-related training on a national level to those who work with children, and funding events promoting understanding between Muslims and others. How to help:Credentialed people interested in volunteering for counseling teams should call the Volunteer Hotline at 800/918-3100. Donations can be made to UMCOR Advance No. 901125-3, "Love in the Midst of Tragedy," and placed in church offering plates Credit-card gifts can be made by calling 800/554-8583. |
The United Methodist Publishing House and churchwide Board of Discipleship are making special resources available to local congregations. The Publishing House's Cokesbury unit is preparing free, downloadable resources to help Sunday school teachers discuss the tragedy in children, youth and adult classes, and to help parents discuss the attacks with their children. The information is available at www.Cokesbury.com .
Downloadable resources to come will consist of a resource for teachers of children, a resource for teachers of youth, a special issue of the weekly FaithLink curriculum for adults, and a resource called "Your Child and Violence" for parents, all of which will have a list of additional resources.
Those additional resources will deal with such topics as bad things happening to good people; how to relate to people of other faiths, particularly Islam; how individuals can respond to the current situation and what they can do as part of the church community.
Staff with the Publishing House's Curricuphone unit is available to help callers who have questions about the use of materials; call 800/251-8591
Prayer, worship resources
The Publishing House suggests that "A Prayer in a Time of National Crisis," on page 517 of the UM Book of Worship, is appropriate for congregational and class prayer.
The Board of Discipleship also is responding to the week's events. Staff members are taking questions related to ministry areas, such as Sunday school classes, worship and children's ministry. Callers who are in deep personal crisis are being directed to local crisis centers, which have resources close at hand. The Board of Discipleship has posted "Prayer Resources in the Wake of the Attack on America" linked at www.gbod.org/worship online. It offers a list of prayers, readings and hymns for people to use individually or in groups.
The Web site reads. "We hope this reference will enable those leaders to help people to exercise restraint when they want to demonize and strike out against others." The site suggests psalms in addition to music from the UM Hymnal and The Faith We Sing. The resource offers a wide range of suggested prayers from the United Methodist Book of Worship, the Book of Common Prayer and the United Methodist Hymnal.
The Upper Room's toll-free prayer line is open 24 hours a day. People can call in or post a prayer online through www.upperroom.org . The number for the Upper Room Living Prayer Center is 800/251-2468.
In a statement that Alexander wrote regarding the Cokesbury resources, he concluded with words of encouragement: "We trust that all of us will find ways to root ourselves deeply in the reality and promises of God, reminding each other that 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.'" (Psalm 46)
Upper Room also has a number of books that deal with grief and crisis, including When the World Breaks Your Heart: Spiritual Ways of Dealing with Tragedy by the Rev. Gregory S. Clapper, and Discovering Grace in Grief by James Mayfield.
Compiled by HUM News from UMNS reports
UMCom offers radio spots after terrorist attacks
In the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is offering to all U.S. radio stations a series of spots specifically tailored to reassure and comfort listeners as they struggle to come to terms with the enormity of the situation. The spots will be sent to key radio stations across the country, including approximately 60 here in Indiana.
Three 30- and 60-second spots, developed by UMCom's radio ministries unit in response to the tragedy, remind listeners of the constancy of God's love, the strength and wisdom one can gain from fellow human beings, and the importance of unity in stressful times.
The 60-second "What Can I Do?" speaks to the "very human, very American response to the unthinkable . (to) roll up our sleeves and dig in" and suggests specific actions one might take - donating blood, offering a listening ear and a reassuring word, and praying. "An Encouraging Word," a 30-second spot, centers on helping others with words of comfort, support and encouragement, and on listening to God's voice and promise to care for every person.
The initial three radio spots will be supplemented with additional ones as part of a larger effort organized by UMCom to respond to the national tragedy. The spots are downloadable in MP3 format from the denominational Web site at www.umc.org/usattack . The site also includes related news stories.
Last updated on 01/14/2004