2008 Annual Conference UMM Luncheon Pre-Order Tickets [PDF*]

Ralph Eckwall, past SWTX Conference President and past District President of the Austin District UMM is awarded the Bishop's Exemplar award for outstanding Christian service during the Laity Celebration on February 23, 2008.

Children of Prisoners Partnership Launched by Big Brothers
Big Sisters & United Methodist Men

Second-Largest Congregation in the Nation Commits to Mentoring Young Men

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the General Commission on United Methodist Men (UMM) signed a groundbreaking partnership to develop Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters programs nationwide. Amachi matches members of congregations who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters with children whose parents are incarcerated. The program will start in five jurisdictions or geographic areas served by the United Methodist Church.

"This is an historic day for our organizations," said Larry Coppock, staff executive of the General Commission of UMM. "The partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters' Amachi affords UMM an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young men in our church communities. Our members can be friends and role models and invest in the future of our nation."

The signing ceremony took place during a plenary session of the National Association of Conference Presidents of UMM meeting in Nashville. There are 64 annual conferences in the United States with a total UMM membership of 8.3 million. There are also annual conferences in Europe, Africa and the Philippines, bringing membership in the denomination to 11 million.

"BBBS is building real, meaningful and productive partnerships with institutions in the hope business," said Rev. Mark Scott, Big Brothers Big Sisters director of mentoring partnerships. "The core of both the Big Brothers Big Sisters and UMM missions is that a child's tomorrow can be much better than today. We play an important role in creating that better tomorrow."

The Big Brothers Big Sisters and UMM partnership launches a new level of responsiveness to the approximately 700,000 parents and guardians -- primarily mothers and grandmothers -- rearing children while a parent is incarcerated. The ongoing partnership has three primary phases. The first phase, beginning today, involves Big Brothers Big Sisters and UMM working together to select five pilot program sites across the country. Phase two will further expand the program based on phase one results. Finally, the program will be launched to congregations and communities nationwide.

Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 6,300 children of prisoners through its mentoring program. Its goal is to serve 25,000 children who have incarcerated parents by the end of 2007. Big Brothers Big Sisters' Amachi model has been essential in engaging faith communities in enriching young people's lives through one-to-one friendships. Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters began in Philadelphia in 2001 as a partnership of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Public Private Ventures and the Pew Charitable Trust.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America:

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. It has been the leader in one-to- one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact of the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 240,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate visit http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.

About the Commission on United Methodist Men:

The commission is responsible for ministries by and with United Methodist Men around the world. Its primary purpose is to assist men to know Jesus Christ, to serve Him, to grow spiritually and seek daily to do his will. (http://www.gcumm.org)

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