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General Secretary, R. Randy Day greets Living Justice participants over lunch at the InterChurch Center in New York.
Image by: Mission Personnel
Living Justice participants:
Back Row: (lft to rt) Anne Gibson, Kimberly Leonard, DeAnn Jennette, Becky Dodson, Julie Yoder, Kimberly Lehmann Wutherich, Crystal Karr.
Front Row: Adrienne Ashford, Barbara Wheeler, Chae Hyon, Julienne Thomas, Amanda Stogsdill. Not Pictured: Michele Johns.
Image by: Mission Personnel
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Concern for and commitment to living out the Christian vocation of justice
for all persons is alive and well among the recent participants in a Living
Justice Seminar, held from July 28 – August 1, 2004 in New York City.
Coordinated by the Deaconess Program Office through the support of the Women’s
Division and Mission Personnel Program Area, the event brought together a group
of young United Methodist women (ages 20 – 39) to explore new directions
and social justice issues. The 12 participants were from as far away as Nome,
Alaska and as close as Manhattan in New York City. Their backgrounds were as
varied as their geography. The group included individuals who serve in youth
ministries, as well as educators, therapists, social services, local church
ministries and civic organizations, and some are in college or at seminary.
The activities of the seminar included:
- Studying scripture;
- Exploring opportunities for working in areas of
social and economic justice – bridging
church, community and personal life;
- Experiencing ministries of love, justice
and service in New York City;
- Meeting and feeling empowered by other women
whose faith, conviction,
and commitment brought them forward for service;
- Exploring the rich history of
the deaconess movement in the United Methodist Church; and
- Discovering some
of the ways to put their faith into action through relationship with the
United Methodist Church.
The time was enriched through visits to the
Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN), to the General Board of Global
Ministries offices, including a lunch
meeting with General Secretary, R. Randy Day. The group also made ministry
site visits with Community Voices Heard and the International Mobilization
Against Sweat Shops.
Julienne Thomas, a Living Justice participant from Chicago,
Ill. stated of her experience “In addition to gaining insight into the
Deaconess movement, we departed feeling even more encouraged and inspired to
provide a lifetime
of service through the United Methodist Church. It was truly a blessing to
have been selected to take part in the Living Justice Conference.”
Date posted:
Aug 23, 2004
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