In many Indonesian churches, World Communion Scholar Rahel Daulay said, “Worship is not accompanied by any instrument or sound system.” She likes it that way. “I strongly believe John and Charles Wesley did not focus their hymns on the musical instrument, [but rather] on the power of the words that came from their spirituality,” she added.


During her years at Jakarta Theological Seminary, Daulay concentrated on liturgy and church music. Today she is an assistant pastor at Wesley Methodist Church, Jakarta, Indonesia, ready to embark on further study at Trinity Theological College in Singapore.



A World Communion Scholarship, made possible by the World Communion Sunday offering, is making her new venture possible.



By studying congregational development and leadership, Daulay hopes to enrich her ability “to conduct Bible study and teach subjects related to liturgy and church music. Upon graduation from my master’s program, I intend to go back to Indonesia to continue my ministries.”



She continued, “We learned from the history of the expansion of Methodist mission in America. Hymns, particularly those composed by Charles and John Wesley, [were] very powerful to attract people to Jesus Christ. Christian worship that consists of hymns, music and the word of God becomes the instrument of mission.”



Daulay wants “the Methodist church in Indonesia to enable people to renew their lives and revive their faith.” Broadening her vision is the key.



“Even though I am going to leave my full-time job to continue my education,” she noted, “I will not stop serving God. I hope to expand my horizon of ministries in music and evangelism during my graduate study. My goal is to create worship and liturgy that combine Methodist traditions in today’s context.”



Your World Communion Sunday gifts are essential to the academic and spiritual growth of scholars like Rahel Daulay.


Donate Now!

--Barbara Dunlap-Berg

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

Zimbabweans step up to help students

By Kathy L. Gilbert

James Salley introduces Grace Muradzikwa
as an “outstanding fundraiser” during
an Africa University recognition dinner.
A UMNS photo by Vicki Brown.

Africa University was established by The United Methodist Church in 1993.A UMNS file photo byMike DuBose.Grace Muradzikwa is a successful executive in Zimbabwe.

But it was her mother’s heart that responded when she heard more than 300 Africa University students didn’t have the money to go back to school.

Muradzikwa turned to the business community of Zimbabwe and raised $100,000 for scholarships in a country where the economy has collapsed and many companies are only operating at 25 percent of capacity.

The effort gave some 60 students the opportunity to continue their education, and showed how a nation could come together to provide a better future for the next generation, Muradzikwa said.

“I have three children who are currently attending university,” she said at a recent Africa University advisory development committee meeting. “And I couldn’t imagine what any mother or parent must be facing if they had a child in the middle of their studies but did not have the money to let them complete their education.”

Please encourage your congregation to give 100% to the Africa University Apportion Fund to help students continue their education. Visit our website at umcgiving.org/auf.



God is still in control!


Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

Jonathan’s* heart sank when the college admissions clerk told him he needed a parent’s signature for his financial aid paperwork. He flashed back to the police hauling his mother to jail.

“She’s in jail,” he said quietly.

“What about your father?” the clerk asked.

After hesitating, Jonathan answered, “He’s in prison.”
*****
This is one young man’s story, among many at Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Fla., where some students face several threats to their future. The good news is that there is hope, thanks to the generous gifts to United Methodism’s Black College Fund. Recognizing the importance of historically Black colleges and universities, 20 annual conferences remitted at 100 percent to the fund in 2008.

“The Black College Fund is very important to our institution because it provides scholarship funds for many first-generation students who come from very troubled backgrounds,” said Bethune-Cookman University President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed.

Troubled backgrounds need not translate into troubled futures. Intervention makes all the difference in the world.

“Some of these kids are homeless. That’s how important [intervention] is. It’s the difference between them having opportunity or not, and without that money we couldn’t possibly make ends meet,” Reed added.

The university’s mission is to serve, in the Christian tradition, the diverse educational, social and cultural needs of its students and to develop in them the desire and capacity for continuous intellectual and professional growth, leadership and service to others.

When United Methodists give to the Black College Fund apportionment, they ensure that Bethune-Cookman University and other historically Black colleges and universities can live up to their mission. Thank you!

Please encourge your congregation to give 100% to the Black College Fund apportionment. You can help other youth like Jonathan find hope out of a troubled childhood.

*A pseudonym

--Dawn Gibson

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

Some people refer to them as “preacher’s kids.” Josefa Bethea Wall prefers to call herself a “theological offspring.”

The daughter of a preacher and a teacher, Bethea Wall’s parents served The United Methodist Church for nearly 40 years. It was one of many legacies they passed on to their daughter.

“I am a child of the Central Jurisdiction,” Bethea Wall laughed. “I grew up connected to church and to church-related schools. You could say I was born to be a servant leader in the church.”

If there is a legacy as strong as the Methodist roots Bethea Wall inherited from her parents, it is her connection to Bennett College for Women, one of 11 historically Black United Methodist colleges and universities. Located in Greensboro, N.C., Bennett was a second home for the young Bethea Wall. It’s also where her mother, grandmother and godmother attended and graduated.

The decision to make Bennett her college home was easy. It made geographical—and historical—sense.

“I understood the significance of continuing the legacy,” Bethea Wall said. “And I knew at a small, historically Black college I would be nurtured.

“When there are 500 of you instead of 5,000, you have more opportunities to put your hands on people and experiences that impact your life,” she added. “At Bennett, I got to see the world first hand—not just from someone else’s eyes.”

Bethea Wall is a graduate of Bennett College for Women. She works in nonprofit management with a focus on education.

Please encourage your congregation to support the Black College Fund apportionment at 100% so young people like Ms. Wall can make a difference in our future.

For more information visit our website at umcgiving.org/BCF.

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

GIVING

Should we continue to give in today's economy?

Of course. God never promised us a rose garden. He told us if we trust and obey he would supply all our needs. (Matthew 6:31-34) The consequences of not giving is not good. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) Instead of running from God during these difficult times, let us draw closer to God. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let us listen and obey his SON, Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price--HIS LIFE. (Acts 5:29-31)

Please continue to give knowing that you are giving to the Lord not to man. Encourage your congregation to give 100% to all seven apportion funds and give generously to the six Special Sundays in which you can now give online.

GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

A Matter Of The Heart

A refection based on Jeremiah 9:26 "Egypt, Judah, Edom, the Ammonites, Moab, and all those with shaven temples who live in the desert. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all of the house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart."God cares about our hearts because God needs our hearts to reach the hearts of others with the Good News of Jesus. This is the essence of our faith. In the time of Jeremiah the hearts of the Jewish people had become cluttered with things that are not of God. To circumcise the heart was to cut away all those things which separated them from God.

Give from the heart and give to help young people receive scholarships through the United Methodist Student Day, World Communion Sunday and Native American Ministries Sunday offerings.

Bishop Wills' Life Journal Entry for August 10, 2009

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications

Matthew Chapter 5

[1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
[2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

In these days and time, so many people are hurting; losing their jobs, homes and just trying to make ends meet. However, let's remember the words of Jesus when he taught the disciples and the multitude from the mountain top. He knows what we are going through and he knows what we need. If we just trust and obey, he will open doors that we cannot see.

Give. Pray. Give.

What is Connectional Giving?

His child

Lladale Carey
Web Coordinator
UMCGiving.org
United Methodsit Communications