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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2001 |
Half century of US-2 service celebrated;
17 commissioned
By Danette Clifton
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UMNS) - For 50 years, United Methodist young adults have served as missionaries working for justice, freedom and peace in communities throughout the United States as part of the Board of Global Ministries' US-2 program.
More than 200 former and present US-2s gathered in Birmingham, Ala., Aug. 2-5, to share stories and celebrate the years of service, work together in service projects and participate in the commission service for a new class of the short-term missionaries.
The golden jubilee celebration began with a welcome dinner and time of worship. Seated with others from their respective US-2 classes, the participants were praised by the Rev. Randolph Nugent, staff executive for the Board of Global Ministries.
While most people today are seeking to take the high road for themselves, Nugent said US-2s are different. "They seek the heights for others." Following his address, the group heard a dialogue between the Rev. Nancy Grissom Self, a member of the initial 1951-53 class of US-2s, and Alycia Capone, a member of the newest class commissioned at the close of the weekend meeting. Self shared stories of her time in a transitional home for Latino schoolgirls in Hollywood, Calif. Capone asked what to expect as a US-2 and shared her hopes and goals.
Other speakers included the Rev. Tex Sample and the Rev. William B. McClain, both of whom helped train US-2s during the 1970s and 80s.
Sample encouraged the US-2s, their families and friends gathered for the event to "put the world's story into God's story." He also encouraged the crowd to engage in spiritual practices, such as prayer, worship and the Eucharist so as to be formed by God. Reflecting on US-2s work with social justice issues, he said, "When you engage in the practices of justice, God molds you."
McClain said his years of work with the US-2 program were some of the most rewarding of his ministry. He noted that 50 years ago in Birmingham he, an African-American man, would not have been allowed in the same room with most of them. "Part of why we can all be here today is the influence of the US-2s," he said.
McClain challenged the US-2s to help renew the church by witnessing to Jesus Christ. "This is the story of grace we have to tell the world."
Discussing social justice issues they encountered while serving as US-2s were members of a panel including: Peggy Hutchinson (1978-80); Renae Extrum-Fernandez (1979-81); Lynette Fields (1989-91); M. Sheila McCurdy (1966-68); Joanne Reich (1988-90) and Laura Bryant (1996-98).
They asked those gathered to discuss justice issues they see the church facing today. Issues shared included rural poverty, age discrimination, prisons, public education, health care, racism, homelessness, and the environment. The social justice discussion closed with an update on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques where several people, including at least two Methodists, were arrested for protesting the resumption of U.S. Navy bombing practice there.
Time was provided in the weekend agenda for all participants to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The institute's historic galleries and multimedia exhibitions trace the history of Birmingham through the era of segregation to the birth of the Civil Rights Movement and the worldwide struggle for civil and human rights.
Groups of participants spent one afternoon working with ministries in the areas such as the United Methodist Children's home, United Methodist Community Center, Church of the Reconciler and Birmingham Urban Ministries. A memorial service was held for all US-2s who have died.
The event concluded with a Sunday morning commissioning service for 17 new US-2s. Leading the service was Bishop Robert E. Fannin of the Birmingham Area and the Rev. Edith L. Gleaves, the board's deputy general secretary for mission personnel.
Throughout its history US-2 has trained about 1,300 young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 to be in mission with community ministries throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Today, alumni of the program provide leadership at every level of the denomination.
Clifton is director of communications for the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Last updated on 01/14/2004