October Response

October 1998

Click on any of the images for a larger picture.

Note: This issue focuses on the 1998 United Methodist Women’s Assembly. It’s an issue to help women who attended find words and images to remember and for those who did not attend to feel more a part of this great mission organization.

The following are articles about speakers and leaders at the event:

"Elmira Sellu: Waiting on God" by Yvette Moore

Ms. Sellu and her family experience upheaval brought by civil strive as she and her family had to flee their home in Sierra Leone for Guinea. Yet, she provided leadership for refugee women like herself. As Sierra Leone’s United Methodist Women’s program coordinator, Ms. Sellu has been instrumental in the peace process and continuing the programs to empower women.

"Maria Do Carmo Moreira Lima: Street Children Challenging Brazilian Church" by Paul Jeffrey

After a life-changing experience, Ms. Lima wanted to know more about how families of Brazil survive who live on the streets, and are forced to steal, sell drugs and take advantage of children. So, she left her job and moved in with a poor family. This article looks at her experiences and the daily work encouraged by churchwomen.

"Ruth Palmer: Waiting With Faith" by Erik Alsgard

This article looks at the opening night message of the executive director at the Wesley Community Center in Houston, TX, which serves nearly 25,000 women, men and children of all ages each year.

"Sonya Wu: Creating Places of Welcome" by A. Victoria Hunter

Ms. Wu, who works with Bosnian and Vietmnamese immigrants, put a human face on the refugee dilemma. Through her friendship with a Bosnian refugee named Alma, she shows that most immigrants, refugees or displaced people don’t come here by choice. This article explores Ms. Wu’s interpretation of being the church of the stranger.

"Karen Anderson: Fighting for Health" by Paul Jeffrey

Half the world’s people never see a trained health worker, said Ms. Anderson. She works training lay health promoters in shanty towns in Childe, 97 percent of whom are women. Ms. Anderson discusses the inseparable struggle between human rights and healthcare and the ways of promoting popular health education.

"Sarah Wilke: Seeking Out Children" by Erik Alsgaard

You’ve read the headlines in the newspapers. You’ve seen the images on TV. Another child has been killed. An maybe this time, to our horror, the killer was a child too. Sara Wilke, director of Wesley-Rankin Community Center in West Dallas, TX, offers an answer to this problem through a story of hope.

"Ruth Bamela Engo-Tjega: African Women Leading the Way" by Paul Jeffrey

As Africa enters a new millennium, African Women play a key role in defining the continent’s path into the future. Ms. Engo-Tjega, a officer in the United Nations, looks at examples of African women who have "stood by their people" in this century, the plea for peace, and the hopeful future.

Other Things Happening at the Assembly:

"Women’s Rights: Assembly Sends Message to Senate" by Yvette Moore

10,000 women wrote letters supporting the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at the Assembly and they were presented July 18 in Seneca Falls, NY, during a commemoration of the first U.S. women’s Rrights conference held in the same city in 1848. This article looks at the symbolic presentation and reactions.

"Filling the Depot with Relief Supplies" by Yvette Moore

United Methodist Women members brought 12 tons of relief kits to Assembly to fill a 53-foot truck parked in the exhibit hall. This article looks at the response to help victims of natural disasters, war and other human-made crises around the world.

"Squaring off at the Quilting Booth" by Yvette Moore

Dreams and visions for God’s world were pieced together at the Quilts and Crafts booth in the exhibits hall. This article looks at the quilts, the visions, and the mission institutions to which women will give the end products.

"Family Time, Family Tradition" by Yvette Moore

Assembly has become a family tradition for many. This article looks at the stories behind these traditions.

"International Guests Share Visions" by Paul Jeffrey and Erik Alsgaard

This article shares the stories of five of the 50 international guests. Catherine Mudime Akale directs the prepares young Africans to take their country from colonial powers at the Mindulo Ecumenical Foundation in Zambia. Hanni Handschin coordinates women’s programming and develops leaders for the church in central and southern Europe. Verona Hyanes directs programs for women and families in Panama and cites violence as the key chanllenge. Connie Smy P. Mella from the Phillipines is working hard for justice, peace and fullness of life. Doris Salah, genenral secretary of YWCA in Palestine looks at the freedom of people in Palestine as their biggest issue.

"Songs of Women" by Dana E. Jones

Songs of women in the past and present and from around the world filled the convention center at the Saturday night program. This article explores the visions of the song writers, the research, the database and the performance itself.

"Make Plain the Vision"

A photo journal of the event.

"Focus Groups: A Time to Study, A Time to Learn"

This series of articles gives interesting views and synopses of some of the focus groups including:

Prayer, Meditation and Journaling

Spirituality of Children

Personal Money Management

Criminal Justice

Hate Crime

Other Articles:

See also: