A Prophet: No Choice But Obey

            God put the right words into the prophet Jeremiah’s mouth, telling him to use those words to lead the Jews and all nations – not just to destroy, but to build and plant.

            Aruna Gnanadason -- justice, peace and creation program director of the World Council of Churches -- made Jeremiah’s role clear in the Bible study yesterday.  God called Jeremiah to use words – not the sword or government leaders– to deconstruct the evil and build a future of hope.

            “He seems to have no choice but to obey,” says Ms. Gnanadason.  “If not now, when?  If not me, who?”

            The connections of Jeremiah’s story to today’s times are remarkable. 

·        There was political upheaval, military invasion, high taxes, deportation, and anarchy.

·        It was a highly materialistic society, creating economic and social injustice.

·        Judah and Israel were occupied territories.

When Jeremiah is chosen to be a prophet, he’s “ready with excuses.”  Women question in the same way -- not trusting ourselves or our capabilities, says Ms. Gnanadason.

            “But God will stand by Jeremiah and help him carry out the work.  God will go with him.”

            “As prophets of today, we are to confront false prophets who say they have our best interests at heart, while they are destroying others,” says Ms. Gnanadason.

We have no choice but to respond when God calls. 

 

Women in Black – Their Story

Today 50 United Methodist Women have chosen to stand in solidarity with Women in Black – a Nobel Peace prize-nominated network.  The history and quiet presence is significant.

Women in Black is an international peace network whose vigils began in Israel in 1988 by women protesting Israel’s Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. The network has developed world-wide. In former Yugoslavia, women in Belgrade have stood in weekly vigils since 1991 to protest war and the Serbian regime’s policies of nationalist aggression.

Women In Black stand in silent vigil to protest war, rape as a tool of war, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses all over the world. “We are silent because mere words cannot express the tragedy that wars and hatred bring,” says their web site. “We refuse to add to the cacophony of empty statements that are spoken with the best intentions yet may be erased or go unheard under the sound of a passing ambulance or a bomb exploding nearby.”

 

Introducing Global Music to Your Group

 

During the National Seminar, we have sung songs from all over the world:  Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, and North America. Global music allows us to sense cultures, languages, and experiences different from our own.  It brings Christians together, linking us globally in praise. 

            According to Swe Hong Lim, our song leader, there are just a few things you need to bring global  music alive in your own gatherings:

·        Be willing to take risks in worship.  Try “Santo, Santo, Santo” for a Taize service or prayer time, or “Siyahamba” (“We are marching”) to begin a meeting or process into worship. 

·        Know that there is no “wrong” way to sing God’s praise.

·        Be willing to work together with your group on the musical journey.

·        Be creative as you find ways to bring rhythm and energy into each piece.  Don’t worry if you don’t have an authentic African drum.  Make one!

Books, tapes and CDs are available at the Service Center , so you can learn music before introducing it to a group.  You will be rewarded by a sense of community and excitement when you introduce global music, so remember, “Sing a New Song!”

 

Banners Convey Stories

Worship Banners convey a thousand stories.  The images and words on the banner shout out a powerful message.  For the small issue banners that lined the stage – our banner maker, Rose Deller, used letter in Microsoft Word fonts and printed them onto clear plastic heat transfer sheets.  Then she ironed it onto the banner material.  The logo of the female was hand-painted onto the banner with accompanying designs and glitter decorations to outline the designs.  To borrow banners to use at your meetings, contact Lois M. Dauway at ldauway@gbgm-umc.org .

 

Announcements

·        12:00 meet at tent outside of the cafeteria to participate in the “Women in Black” witness.

·        1:30 today – quick rehearsal for talent night

Participants in the “Getting Involved in Local Politics” skills workshops held a mock city council campaign and election at the end of the two-day session.  Playing roles such as minister, environmentalist, a parent with child in public school, and city council candidate, United Methodist Women put their classroom learnings to work.

On August 4, class participants elected Nancy Ray from the West Virginia conference to the “Howsville,” U.S.A. city council.

When the election announcement was made, Nancy cried and said, “my knees are weak, I was so nervous.  I never thought about doing anything like this.”  (Now, she’s not so sure!)