Faith, Hope and Financial Meltdown Adam Hamilton carves out a Christian response to impoverished times.
John Wesley and Economic Initiative
Joseph Slife evaluates Wesley's position on wealth, poverty, and economics.
Prayer for the President-Elect
Robert Schnase offers counsel on a believer's civic duty.
Looking for Salvation Jason E. Vickers reviews Will Willimon's provocative new volume.
Why a Wesley Study Bible? Joel Green presents a useful new resource for a unique tradition.
What's in a Name? Bureaucracy and Brand Rob Renfroe laments the divide between grassroots clergy and general boards.
Blessing the Least of These
Shirley Brosius tells of one
congregation's response to the call to missions.
From Eden to the New Jerusalem Sandra Richter responds to the church's urgent need for the Old Testament.
COLUMNS
Editorial Reflections on the "Extraordinary Ordinations"
RENEW
Women's Network
A New Year, a New Beginning
The Great Commission Beyond Preaching
From the Heart The Spiritual Life
DEPARTMENTS
Straight Talk
Methodists respond to Zimbabwe
crisis
Tents of Hope send message of love
to Sudan
News
Bishops write to Obama
Case may decide
direction of social action agency
“Extraordinary
ordination" has no United Methodist status
The Provocative Scripture
With tears, hymns, and prayers, a jubilant United Methodist Council of Bishops celebrated the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, while affirming his vision of change for the nation "based on hope for all the people, especially those who are disinherited and disenfranchised."
During their semiannual meeting in St. Simons Island, Georgia, the clergy leaders hugged and many cried in their opening worship on November 5, one day after Obama became the first African American elected to the top government office in the United States.
Holding hands, they sang "My Lord, What a Morning" and the Negro anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing," while many chanted "Yes, we did!" the phrase echoed during Obama's acceptance speech the night before.
"The election of any president in a democracy is a great day," said Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops and himself an African American. "The new president-elect symbolizes and magnifies part of our common life that hasn't been brought to the fore in this way."
The council, including 69 active and 91 retired bishops, is the top clergy body of the 11.5 million-member worldwide United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. The council represents bishops from the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. It helps set the direction of the denomination and its mission across the globe.
The council's officers quickly signed a letter of congratulations to the new president. "The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church is pleased to join with the chorus of United States citizens and international partners in congratulating you on your election as the 44th President of the United States of America," the letter opened.
"We applaud your willingness to articulate a vision of change for the United States that is based on hope for all the people, especially those who are disinherited and disenfranchised. We are also encouraged by your desire to construct a landscape for the United States that is inclusive of all people. We affirm your desire for a more peaceful and just world."
The bishops also signed two Bibles to be presented to Obama and the future first lady, Michelle Obama. The bishops asked in their letter to meet the couple during the council's meeting next May in Washington, D.C.
"A visit with the president by representatives of the Council of Bishops is a tradition that dates back to our first bishop, Francis Asbury, who visited with President George Washington," the letter pointed out.
Linda Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tennessee.
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