First Friday Letter The World Methodist Council
January 2024
Greetings from the Vice President Greetings from Ireland, where, we say Athbhlian faoi mheasa daoibh – Happy New Year! As we move from 2023, our thoughts and prayers are engaged with the conflict in Palestine and Israel. This particular conflict touches us in a significant way because it is occurring in the land where Jesus Christ knew birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. It is a Holy Land. But it is far from being the only theatre of war in today’s world – we think of Ukraine, where the conflict is having knock-on effects for those countries which depended on grain from Ukraine; Sudan and Yemen, where civil wars continue with devastating humanitarian fall-out; Myanmar, where the Rohingya people continue to be brutally oppressed on racial grounds… to name just some of the many places where there is conflict. Peace is, therefore, a major concern as 2024 dawns. At Christmas, we listened to the angels’ song – peace on earth to those on whom God’s favour rests. (Luke 2.14). And, you know what, that means all of us – we are each made in the image of God, God’s favour rests on us all and that’s how we need to regard each other… Some thirty years after the angels’ song, Jesus said to his followers, Blessed are the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God. As the World Methodist family, we take peace-making seriously. During the 1976 Council meeting Dublin, at the height of the civil unrest in Northern Ireland, the World Methodist Peace Award was proposed and inaugurated. During the intervening years, the award has gone to people and organisations in many countries on all continents, to those whose names are familiar, to others whose names are known only within their communities. Peace-making is a daunting and arduous task, but the prophets Isaiah and Micah dreamed of a time when swords would be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks, where people would sit at peace under their own fig trees and vines (Isaiah 2:1-5 and Micah 4:1-5). This is our dream too… As 2024 dawns on the world, beginning in the Pacific Ocean and rolling westwards, we, ‘the people called Methodist’ are challenged to be peace-makers, to pray and to work for peace… As the song says, Let there be peace on earth – and let it begin with me… I look forward to seeing you at the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, in August when we will gather to reflect on what it means to be a people On the Move. In the meantime, Go n’eiri an bothair libh – may the road rise before you! Gillian Kingston Vice President
Photo 136007839 © Kabayanmark | Dreamstime.com
World Methodist Council
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Happy New Year from the World Methodist Council
116853957 © creativecommonsstockphotos | Dreamstime.com
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 World Methodist Council
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Last Call for Peace Award Nominations! Nominate someone who exemplifies Courage, Creativity, and Consistency for the World Methodist Peace Award. Applications must be submitted by 28 February. The nominee should show courage in regard to physical danger or putting personal interest at risk. Creativity should include opening new initiatives and attracting others in working for the cause of peace. Consistency is judged by effort over a period of time and intensity, despite setbacks. Here is the link to read the full criteria: http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/whatwedo/worldmethodist-peace-award/ The recipient receives a medallion, citation and US $1000 which is symbolic of the larger recognition achieved in working for peace, justice and reconciliation. The awardee is included in the World Methodist Council Peace award booklet and their photo is hung on the wall of the World Methodist Council Headquarters with other recipients of this prestigious award. Go to www.worldmethodistcouncil.org and click on the “About the WM Peace Award” tab on the left side of the homepage and complete the online application. Please send all nomination forms to Bishop Ivan Abrahams at info@worldmethodistcouncil.org.
2019 Peace Award Winner Rev. Dr. James T. Laney
2018 Peace Award Winner Rev. Dr. Inderjit Bhogal World Methodist Council
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Pray for our Future Sweden’s churches have formulated a joint prayer for peace and tranquility in a troubled time. Join us and pray, collectively and individually, in churches and in the chamber, in streets and squares, in public transport, in the checkout line... yes wherever you are.
God, in this Advent season we come to you in prayer for peace and tranquility in all places where there is unrest and violence. Thank you for your light shining in the darkness. Let hatred be replaced by love, fear by courage, and sorrow by consolation. We pray for all people who bear the brunt of the world’s conflicts. We highlight those affected by the war between Israel and Hamas and all those suffering from the war in Ukraine. We also pray for the victims of all other wars and conflicts around the world. In particular, we pray for all children who live in places marked by war and whose childhood is darkened by fear and distress. We pray that every child will be able to live in safety and security. We also pray for peace in the contexts where violence has spread in our own country, for all those who are affected by the shootings and explosions of the criminal networks. God, we pray for the leaders of the world, that they will seek opportunities for reconciliation and make courageous decisions that can lead to lasting and just peace. Strengthen the unity and trust between people, peoples and states. Strengthen all the forces of good working for peace, reconciliation and justice. Give of your wisdom and perseverance to our quest for a world where all people can live in safety. Help us to keep our own faith that future peace is possible. Give us the grace to be the bearer of God’s peace during this Advent season, in anticipation of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Let the love of Christ drive the world to unity and reconciliation. Amen
From Lasse Svensson President of the Uniting Church in Sweden
World Methodist Council
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Bishop McKenzie to Receive 2023 Crystal Stair Award National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is pleased to announce Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president/general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), will be the recipient of the Crystal Stair Award at NCNW’s signature fundraiser, Uncommon Height Awards Gala, on Dec. 8, at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, Md. The Crystal Stair Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime devoted to the protection of freedom, the pursuit of excellence in their career, and personal dedication to humanity as did Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of NCNW. “Class, elegance, strength, power, and success are all characteristics of recipients of the Crystal Stair Award. The recipients have journeyed to reach the pinnacle of service. It takes dedication, endurance, and determination to climb the winding staircase of life, and Bishop McKenzie embodies what this award is with her accomplishments,” said NCNW National Board Chair Dr. A. Lois Keith. “She is very deserving. Bishop McKenzie represents strength and endurance being the first Black female Bishop in the AME church among others. She did not reach it by just saying, ‘I will just follow the powers that be;’ she kept going and endured.” Full of firsts for women in the faith community, Bishop McKenzie is the first African American woman to hold both the president and general secretary positions at the National Council of Churches. In addition, she was the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first female elected to Episcopal office in the more than the two-centuries-old AME Church. Bishop McKenzie is the first female to serve as President of the Council of Bishops and President of the General Board. NCNW President and CEO Shavon Arline-Bradley said, “Whenever I think of a person who has braved breaking the glass ceiling for not just Black women, but women in the faith community, I think of Bishop Murphy McKenzie. We are honored to give her her flowers by awarding her the Crystal Stair Award..” From the signature fundraiser, NCNW hopes to raise $1M to bolster programs coming out of the new era that make a difference and touch lives, not only here in the US, but also abroad. NCNW is an “organization of organizations,” comprised of 330 campus and community-based sections and 33 national women’s organizations that enlighten, inspire, and connect more than 2 million people. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. NCNW was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist. To attend and for more information, visit https://uncommonheight.rsvpify.com or https://ncnw.org/.
Book your Tour today! WMC Pre-Conference Tours 10-Day Sweden & Norway Tour | 03 – 12 August 2024 8-Day Norway Tour | 05 – 12 August 2024
WMC Post-Conference Tours/Cruise
SilverSea Cruise & Tour | 18 – 26 August 2024 Escorted by Bill Haire, Travelink Managing Partner 10-Day Sweden & Norway Tour | 18 – 27 August 2024 8-Day Norway Tour | 19 – 26 August 2024 World Methodist Council
Photo 22334717 | Advent © Szirtesi | Dreamstime.com
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WMC On The Move Online Monthly Prayer Meetings Why this invitation to an Online Prayer? Currently UNHCR speaks of at least 108.4 forcibly displaced people around the world. All of them are created in God’s image, all deserve to live in dignity. At the 2nd Consultation on Migration organized by the World Methodist Council in Manila, Philippines, September 4-7,2023, participants representing member churches from all world regions saw the potential of Methodist churches to respond to root causes of migration, such as wars, climate change, natural disasters, and poverty, and to assist those who have been forced to migrate, by using the capacity of the Methodist connection, the traditions of holy conferencing and holistic discernment, and the imperative to express personal piety through social holiness. The statement issued by the participants ends with a commitment to prayer, as we prepare ourselves for the World Methodist Conference and Council Meeting August 13-18,2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden, under the theme: “On the Move...”. See: https://worldmethodistcouncil.org/2023/09/18/a-statement-of-the-second-consultation-onmigration-of-the-world-methodist-council/ and http://worldmethodistconference.com
Save the dates: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
6:00 pm GMT
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
7:00 am GMT
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
6:00 pm GMT
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
7:00 am GMT
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
6:00 pm GMT
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
7:00 am GMT
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
6:00 pm GMT
What to expect? • We will meet monthly via Zoom every second Tuesday for one hour. To allow for broad participation around the globe, we will organize the Online Prayer one month at 6:00 pm GMT and the next month at 7:00 am GMT. • We will start with a biblical reflection and/or information about migrants and refugees in a certain world region and afterwards take time for prayer. • The main language is English – transcription in various languages will be available. Zoom Link for Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfuytrD0tHtQ7VdxBK5GGGHa-wnP0U5bB Make sure to register for the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, August 1318,2024 http://worldmethodistconference.com/
World Methodist Council
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Celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Mexico Episcopal Church landed in Mexico City and purchased a former Franciscan convent on Gante Street that had earlier been confiscated by the government. The missionaries converted it into a church and an orphanage.
A woman sings and prays during a worship service in the Gante Methodist Church in Mexico City, part of a larger celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Methodist Church of Mexico. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News. As Mexican Methodists gathered in their country’s capital to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their founding by Methodists from the United States, they’re not just gazing back with nostalgia. They’re looking at how their Wesleyan heritage can better equip them to face current challenges ranging from artificial intelligence to the climate crisis. “We wanted to create a space where to talk about the past was to talk about the present, but also to look with hope toward the future,” Bishop Agustín Altamirano Ramos told United Methodist News. The principal architect of the Nov. 30-Dec. 3 anniversary conference, Altamirano serves the Mexico Annual Conference. One of six annual conferences in the country, it is based in Mexico City. “This celebration should be like a trampoline that drives and pushes us forward, that challenges us to reflection, and also to action, because too often our reflection doesn’t go anywhere. We Methodists in Mexico see the future with hope. There may be difficult situations like those we’ve experienced in the past, but here we are. We believe the church still has a lot to give, still has a lot to teach, still has a lot to do so that the world will come to know God,” he said. The Methodist Church of Mexico dates to the middle of the 19th century, when Liberal reformers under President Benito Juarez opened the country to missionaries from denominations other than the Roman Catholic Church, which had enjoyed exclusive economic and political power since the Conquest. Although even earlier outreach efforts emerged from Methodists in Texas and Methodist miners who migrated from England, the church got its formal start in 1873 when missionaries from the Methodist World Methodist Council
The same year, the first Mexican ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church South came to Mexico City as a missionary, initially collaborating with the church on Gante Street. He soon moved into another former Catholic facility a few blocks away that the Methodist Episcopal Church South purchased in 1873 to house its own work. For almost 60 years, the two Methodist mission efforts carried out their own projects, the southern U.S. Methodists working primarily in the north of Mexico while the northern U.S. Methodists worked primarily in the south of the country. In 1930, years ahead of their colleagues in U.S. churches, the two mission churches joined together into one autonomous Mexican denomination. While the Methodist Church of Mexico has enjoyed a special concordat relationship with The United Methodist Church, the relationship has been troubled of late by spillover from the disaffiliation movement in the U.S. Some Mexican Methodists have argued for a break in the relationship. Yet when plans were made to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church, an invitation was extended to the Council of Bishops, which sent Bishop Sally Dyck and Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez to share in the celebration at the church on Gante Street. Read more of this story here.
United Methodist Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez (left) exchanges souvenir lapel pins with Methodist Bishop Rodolfo Edgar Rivera de la Rosa, head of North-Central Annual Conference in Mexico. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News. First Friday Letter page 7
Register to attend the Conference! The 22nd World Methodist Conference of the WMC will be held 13-18 August 2024 in Gothenburg Sweden. Be part of this historic event. This is an opportunity for all Wesleyan, Methodist and Uniting Churches to come together. The WMC is the only place for all of John Wesley’s family to join at one table in a common bond. Worship will feature world renowned speakers. Choose your program from the many academic sessions, seminars, meetings, receptions and tours as you complete the registration form. The exhibit hall will feature a variety of displays from around the world or you can choose to have a booth and pitch your own ideas. Register NOW to receive the best attendee rate and hotel room choices. Join this worldwide celebration of cultures, music, and learn from people who will share their knowledge, allowing you new experiences.
Early Bird
Super Saver
Until January 31, 2024 February 1 June 15, 2024 Participants Except Youth Youth 35 and Under
Regular June 16, 2024 Conference
$349
$449
$499
$99
$115
$135
Schedule 2024 This is a preliminary schedule for the 22nd World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden Mon August 12
Registration 18:00 – 20:00
Tue August 13
Council meeting 08:30 – 17:00
Wed August 14
Registration 12:00 – 21:00
Council meeting
08:30 – 12:30
Opening / Evening Service
19:00 – 20:30
Thu August 15
MIGRATION – Day and Evening Activities Available
Fri August 16
PILGRIMAGE – Day and Evening Activities Available
Sat August 17
GUIDING LIGHTS – Day and Evening Activities Available
Sun August 18
Council meeting
World Methodist Council
14:30 – 18:00 First Friday Letter page 8
New book brings to life deeply personal artistry With depictions of panels, stories from creators, and heartfelt quotes from those who are hurting and those who are helping, the book’s textured cover and translucent pages add to a sense of fragility woven together with resilience. The tapestry on which the book is based is over six meters wide and five meters long, with over 180 panels hand-crafted by people all over the world sharing personal pain and hope to overcome sexual and gender-based violence. As Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, former WCC vice moderator, observes in the foreword, “Not everyone can see the tapestry. This publication can carry the powerful message of the tapestry throughout the world. This publication will change lives. Please get involved.” The book was produced by the WCC with support from the United Church of Christ, Finn Church Aid, Church of Sweden, and World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. Receiving a copy of the book on his visit to the Ecumenical Centre, Church of Sweden Archbishop Martin Modéus said, “This is an urgent book on an important subject. Also beautifully designed. I hope that this book will be widely distributed and read”. “We are thankful to be partners together in this important global ministry, as we continue to educate and advocate for women’s rights via the Thursdays in Black campaign,” said Rev. Dr Karen Georgia A. Thompson, a Thursdays in Black ambassador as well as general minister and president of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Dr Antti Laine, Head of Unit, Church and Ecumenical Relations, Finn Church Aid, said, “I am thrilled about the publication of Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance – sharing the stories that presents powerful pieces of art against rape and violence. Finn Church Aid welcomes creative ways to address any issue. I am also glad that many contributions to the tapestry came from Finland.” “The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women is pleased to be among those celebrating the efforts of the World Council of Churches to overcome gender-based violence,” said Mrs. Alison Judd, president emerita, World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. “Individuals and groups of women around the world have expressed their support of the Thursdays in Black campaign through contributing panels to this impressive tapestry.”
World Methodist Council
Judd noted that many have personally experienced the horror of gender-based violence. “Violence against women is an almost daily item in our news media,” she said. “We must continue to find new and creative ways of teaching our children and siblings, colleagues and leaders, that such violence is always unacceptable. We commend this initiative as a significant step towards raising awareness of the scourge of gender-based violence and its devastating effect on victims and survivors.” The book’s graphic designer, Åsa Höjer, reflected on the eye-opening, creative journey. “Working alongside Sara Speicher in the making of this book has been an inspirational, emotional, and eye-opening journey,” said Höjer. “At first I had only seen images of the tapestry and the individual panels, then I started to receive the written stories.” As the material grew, the creative process was not always easy, Höjer added. “How could we grant dignity to all these panels and their stories, each and every one of them worthy as its own book?” asked Höjer. “At the end, we had filled many more pages than we thought initially, but I hope you will join me in believing that we managed to keep the strength of each panel and story.” “Thursdays in Black and the Waterfall tapestry are brilliant examples of how to combat the terrible reality of gender based violence: with witness, facts, and resilience,” states Sigurdur Hafthorsson, Church of Sweden’s Theological Secretary, Department of Church and Society. Laine adds, “it is good to remember that through Thursdays in Black we have 52 Thursdays of activism throughout the year against rape and violence. It is extremely important to attain visibility for sexual and gender-based violence and thus grow international awareness of this problem.
The Most Rev. Dr Martin Modéus, Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, Primate of Uppsala, presented with the publication Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
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Application open for 2024 GEM School! In order to strengthen the voice of the churches with regards to global economics, a group of up to 20 current and future leaders representing the churches will have the opportunity to attend Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM) School.
and economic realm.
GEM School is co-organized by the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, and Council for World Mission and will take place August 19 to 30, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. This is immediately after the WMC Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. We encourage young adult leaders and church leaders from our member churches to send in an application before March 1, 2024.
Application forms, guidelines and the draft programme may be downloaded here: https://www.oikoumene.org/news/applications-open-for-2024-ecumenical-school-on-governance-economics-and-management
Presently churches’ ethical, moral and theological perspectives on the workings of the global economy have minimal impact on financial and economic policies, business practices and ways of thinking. To address this gap, the GEM School aims to build economic literacy within churches by equipping participants with the tools and languages to effectively advocate for urgent transformations in the global financial
Among candidates who meet the nomination criteria, participants will be selected with a view to achieving regional, gender, and denominational balance.
Filled-out application forms and supporting documents should be sent before March 1 via this link: https://wcccoe.hire.trakstar.com/ jobs/fk0vqiv You may also wish to contact WMC Geneva Secretary Rosemarie Wenner (rosemarie.wenner@ emk.de ). She represents the WMC in the staff team for GEM School.
Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM) School Methodists 2023
World Methodist Council
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22nd World Methodist Conference Gothenburg, Sweden 13-18 August
Photo credits: Perkins School of Theology/ R. Hipps
Please send press releases, articles and resources! Submissions should be a page or less (450-500 words), edited and ready to publish. Contact us by Thursday, 18 January at communications@worldmethodistcouncil.org if you would like your story to be included in the February edition of the First Friday Letter.
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About the First Friday Letter
This and past First Friday Letters can be found online at FirstFridayLetter.worldmethodistcouncil.org.
The First Friday Newsletter is a monthly publication of the World Methodist Council.
The World Methodist Council’s website may be found at worldmethodistcouncil.org. The World Methodist Council’s Conference website is at worldmethodistconference.org. To subscribe to this newsletter, please email communications@worldmethodistcouncil.org.
Publisher: Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary Communications: Michaela Bryson All stories and photos, unless otherwise stated, are protected by their respective copyrights. Please do not copy without expressed written permission from the Council.
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