On Wednesday morning we were honored to have a timely and inspirational message from Bishop Violet Fisher. In her message Bishop Fisher stated “God is calling the church to be the church”. She stated that necessity calls the church to take a more challenging route to end racism. “If we are going to be serious about the future of our church around the sin of racism, some tables will have to be overturned.” Bishop Fisher went on to quote Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly in her message by saying “Racism does not belong in the church”! This is so true, racism, in any shape fashion or form has not place in the church neither does it has a place in society. Bishop Fisher challenged the denomination to put the elimination of racism.
John Salley presented a report on Africa University. In his report Mr. Salley stated that the Africa University is bringing about a continental and global change in the name of Jesus Christ. He stated the education that Africa University provides is evident in the 2008 General Conference. Attending the conference are twenty-four graduates who are providing some type of leadership in the General Conference. Of the twenty-four, nine are delegates and the other fifteen are providing translating services to the General Conference Delegates. John Salley told of the political situation in Zimbabwe, location of Africa University, the inflation rate is over 200,000 percent which is the highest inflation rate in the entire world. He said that most residents live in poverty. To explain this he said that sixty percent of the people live on less than two dollars per day and thirty one percent live on less that one dollar per day. Mr. Salley went on to say that because of African University and the support of the United Methodist Church insures the students a brighter future.
The last couple of days have been hard for me because I have seen some very disturbing things to take place. I am not going to get into it at this time but we must be careful and not let special interest undo what has been done. As we leave this place we must continue the work that has been started, we must draw together as the United Methodist Church and continue to follow Wesley’s three simple rules “Do Good”, “Do No Harm” and most of all “Love Good”.
This will be my final blog from General Conference 2008, but I will do a wrap when I return home to summarize my impress form GC 2008.
2 comments:
Your blog spoke volumes about the importance of education especially on the international scene. I cannot say enough about the wonderful impression that the students from Africa University and the African Children's Choir made on me and I'm sure others. What a tremendous display of gratitude and cultural pride we were able to discern by their talent and skills. I am truly thankful to God that they have been this way and so many people at the conference were given the opportunity to see how the love of God in Christ Jesus makes us have more in common than not. To God be the glory.
Alicia
Hello, my friend, and thank you so much for visiting and commenting to me today on my sympathy card. I do hope you and your family had a wonderful, warm, and blessed holiday season!
I must apologize for not being around in such a long-long time! I do sometimes lose touch with other friends and I'm so sorry about that. I try to get to everyone but sometimes I can't find everyone until they comment! And other times, I'm really working at just getting back to those who write me -- it keeps me more than busy!
Now, if I'm not mistaken, it sounds like you won't be blogging anymore -- is that correct? Or, am I reading this wrong! I'd hate to lose a friend I'd just re-connected with.
If you're not going to maintain your blog, I do hope you continue to drop in to see me some time and let me know how you are doing.
Again, thanks so much!
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