Did you know? . . .

. . . the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted on Aug. 20 at its churchwide assembly in Minneapolis to enter into “full communion” with the United Methodist Church. Our church approved the same agreement last year.
     One of the distinct features of United Methodism is its connectional system. That connection has just officially expanded. Partnerships between United Methodists and Lutherans have existed in the past, but the potential of this new relationship – exchanging pastors, working more closely together on specific social programs, delving deeper into theological questions – is just beginning.
     The ELCA shares full communion agreements with the Episcopal Church, Moravian Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Christ. This is the first "full communion" relationship for the United Methodist Church.

. . . Mount Vernon Church has a church blood bank, and during our 125th Anniversary year, Mount Vernon has set a goal of donating 125 units of blood!
      When any church member or his or her family member receives a transfusion, the family may contact the church for release of the needed blood donor cards as hospital payment.
      The church also has wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and so on for members to use while recuperating from surgery or an injury. Contact the church office for more info.

. . . Methodist leaders are making a case for health care reform: (July 7, 2009) — United Methodists joined with leaders of other faith groups in appealing to U.S. lawmakers to make health care affordable to millions of uninsured Americans. Nearly 30 top leaders of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic organizations gathered July 7 in the U.S. Capitol for a day of dialogue and planning on health care reform.
     “We must speak on behalf of the poor and marginalized here in the halls of power,” said Jim Winkler, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Winkler cited reports that the health care industry — including insurance companies, hospitals, medical associations, and pharmaceutical firms — is spending $1.4 million daily to influence legislators who will shape, debate, and vote on comprehensive health care bills this summer.
     “We may not be able to muster those kinds of resources,” Winkler told the gathering, “but we can testify to the damage done to our people by a broken health care system, and today is our opportunity.” Read the full story here.

. . . U.S. needs health care, versus sick care, according to Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders, past U.S. Surgeon General and a United Methodist. The United States has the best “sick care” system in the world, but our “health care” delivery system is lacking. We have the best doctors, the best hospitals, best academic health centers, best nurses, the best drugs, and we are leaders in research. Our problem is that the system is not available to all of our citizens. In addition, our health care is not equitable, coherent, comprehensive and cost-effective, nor do we have choice. Click here to read the article, on UMC.org (June 17, 2009).

 
. . . Continued fighting (May 2009) in the Swat region of Pakistan has displaced well over 1 million people. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is helping to provide immediate relief to thousands of people who fled the fighting. UMCOR is working through partner organizations already operating in and around the Swat Valley in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, where the fighting is taking place.
        UMCOR is supporting the efforts of Church World Service as they deliver food, shelter, and blankets and other supplies in the Mardan and Swabi districts.  “Children without shoes walk for miles to reach a camp without adequate facilities,” reported Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan in a recent news release. These supplies and those provided by Muslim Aid, another UMCOR partner, will help provide needed assistance. UMCOR is also in contact with the Church of Pakistan regarding assistance.