National United Methodist Rural Advocates

March 2020 In This Issue:

LEGISLATION

CHANGES

LOVE, JUSTICE, AND SERVICE

INTERESTED IN UMRA?

SUBTITLE

Subheading

MEMBERSHIP

WE ARE ... MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS

by Michele Holloway, Editor
THE UNITED
METHODIST
RURAL ADVOCATES
You would not ignore a community
more than seven times larger than
New York City. Yet the rural
population in the United States, with
over 60 million people, is often
overlooked because they are not all
living in the same area.
Whether your church is urban or rural
church, large or small, the UMRA
invites you to join our association of
clergy and laity in reaching out to
meet the needs of people from rural
communities, their churches and their
pastors.
We provide advocacy at General
Conference and Annual Conferences
to affect rule changes that enable
churches to better minister in their
communities, provide educational
opportunities for the leaders of rural
churches to better serve their church
Welcome to March 2020, and the third in the series of
sharing legislation that has been submitted to General
Conference. At this time, we are unsure of how
GC2020 will work, or whether it will actually take place,
but we are still hoping for the best for the legislation
that has been prepared.
If you are unsure if your delegates are receiving this
newsletter, please forward this email to them and then
send their information along to me at
chele101953@gmail.com and I will be certain to
include them in the upcoming editions.
Thank you.
DISCONTINUE MENTORING FOR
PART-TIME LOCAL PASTORS
Rationale:
All local pastors are assigned a clergy mentor while in
the COS or in seminary (¶316.4.2). Full-time local
pastors no longer have a mentor once they complete the
bodies, and support church leaders in
personal growth and ministry.
OFFICERS
Chair - Randy Wall –
RandyLWall@aol.com
Vice Chair - Alan Bolte
revahb@gmail.com
Secretary - Sue Grace
smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Spiritual Dir - Peggy Jeffries
peggyx15@yahoo.com
Comm Dir - Michele Holloway
chele101953@gmail.com
Advocacy Dir - Mollie Stewart
Molliecstewart0128@gmail.com
Membership - Sue Grace
smgrlg51@yahoo.com
Treasurer - Judy Hill
judyh@plainstel.com
Visit our webpage @
http://www.umruraladvocates.org/
MORNING REFLECTION - after Ash Wednesday
by Judy Hill, Treasurer
Last night our small membership rural congregation met to receive the ashes from the palms
of last year. There were 12 in attendance with 4 of those children. Honestly, I was
disappointed with our attendance until I live-streamed an ecumenical service from a much
larger church. I realized we had much to celebrate. From where I was sitting I saw the eyes
COS; part-time local pastors should be allowed the
same grace no matter where they are appointed.
Amend ¶318.2. as follows: ¶318.2. Part-Time Local Pastors -
- Those eligible to be appointed as part-time local pastors are
persons (a) ... (b) ... (c) ... (d)... Part-time local pastors may
be appointed to small membership churches that are grouped
together in a charge under the supervision of a mentor.
Mentoring shall continue until such time as educational
requirements have been met unless requested by the clergy
person or district superintendent.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR
ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL
FOR LOCAL PASTORS
Rationale:
This would enable District Committees on Ministry to honor
and affirm the work of local pastors who are in vital, effective
ministry. Without a mandatory annual meeting it would lighten
the load of the dCOM, as they now oversee CLMs as well as
a growing number of local pastors.
Amend ¶319. 2 as follows: 319.2 Upon completing each
year's education and other qualifications, a local pastor who
is not a provisional member may be recommended for
continuance by the district committee on ordained ministry.
Upon completion of educational requirements, either the
Course of Study or a Master's of Divinity degree from a
senate-approved seminary, a local pastor may be
recommended for continuance by the district committee on
ordained ministry without meeting with the committee unless
requested by the committee, the district superintendent, or
the local pastor. The clergy members in full connection of the
annual conference may approve continuance of a local pastor
after reference to and recommendation by its Board of
Ordained Ministry.
To read all the legislation for GC 2020 as proposed by
United Methodist Rural Advocates as well as those
items proposed by the National Fellowship of Associate
Members and Local Pastors, please go
to http://www.umruraladvocates.org/2020-legislation.html
of a 6 and a 7 year old enthralled as the pastor held up the symbols for the service. They were
definitely watching and listening and waiting. May we all come to Lent as children open with
anticipation in our preparation for Easter.

How one experiences Lent can be truly personal whether you choose to give up something or
you add a daily spiritual practice. For the ideal we would all do both. Sometimes we fail in
our human attempts but isn't it great to know grace surrounds us on our journey..

Yesterday I received two questions asking if General Conference has an emergency plan to
deal with the coronavirus since this is a global gathering. I must admit I chuckled with the
question. By the time this newsletter arrives I am hoping we don't need a plan, but if we do I
am sure we will be prepared. Everyone stay healthy!!!

CHANGES
by Randy Wall
While I often focus in my writings for the United Methodist Rural Advocates on rural
churches, today I want to begin by focusing on my changing rural community. I first
moved to the community where I currently live in North Carolina 25 years ago when I
was appointed as pastor of a local United Methodist Church. I could stand at the time
on the front steps of the church and see the skyline of Charlotte NC 20 miles away.
Though Charlotte was a large city in NC at the time and is even larger now, the
community where I lived and where the church was located was a rural
community. The church was surrounded by pasture land where cows grazed. The
roads did not even have speed limit signs.

In the last 25 years, this rural community has drastically changed. While you can still
stand on the front steps of that church now and see the skyline of Charlotte 20 miles
away, you can also see over 1000 homes that have been built on some of the lands
where cows used to graze. Speed limit signs have been posted that
beckon motorists to drive either 35 or 45 miles an hour. An elementary
school and a high school have been built nearby to provide education to
the children in the area and a new middle school is planned on some of
that pasture land in the next few years. While there are more people here
in this rural community in recent years, there is also the truth that some
people are not here anymore. I can walk through the cemetery of that church I formerly
served and see the graves of people I knew and loved. Homes they formerly owned
have been sold. Many of the farms that had been a part of their lives have been sold
and turned into housing subdivisions.

As this rural community has changed, so that rural church has changed. Some of the
people who were leaders at that rural church 25 years ago have died and people who
were children in those days have grown up. During the 7 years I was pastor of that rural
church, the membership of the congregation grew by 25% (75 new members). Some
people that were members in those days have stayed and others have moved or gone
to be with the Lord.

One of the truths about the rural communities scattered across this world is this: they
are always changing. Some times the changes are gradual and other times they are
sudden. People come and go, businesses come and go. Consequently, our rural
churches change. Sometimes, the rural churches and rural communities change in
ways that make us rejoice and sometimes they change in ways that cause us to grieve
or lament. Within it all, there is a constant: the God who never changes and calls us as
His followers to share the good news of Jesus and His love.
LOVE, JUSTICE, AND SERVICE
by Erie Stuckett, SEJ At-Large Member
Thinking of the, "Great Commission" I wonder where love, justice and service fit into the life
blood of small rural churches. Churches that are strapped for funds, located in areas with vast
problems and have dwindling membership experience significant hardships. How is it possible
for churches to except the charge:
"God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone
you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold
name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have
commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the
end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. - Dalai Lama

Action begins with a desire. Heartfelt compassion leads to action. The vulnerable and
disadvantaged in this world need more than pity-they need to see love operate selflessly and
through sacrifice of our own fleshly needs. Even with the presence of our deep passion to do
good and help our fellow man, the question that remains is how can a difference be made
with limited resources. God's help and working together committed to a singular purpose can
bring life-altering change that benefits us all.

The church that I attend is a small church, less than 75 members with only half that number
in regular attendance. We are located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, an area plagued
with the vestiges of years of systemic racism, low-income single parent households, limited
resources to combat poverty, and a population with little hope for change in the future.

Even though the obstacles seemed insurmountable, two retired educators used Love, as a
call to action in 1992. These educators decided to stop and talk to a group of nine young men
hanging out on a street corner near their church. This brief interaction compelled concerned
members of Revels Memorial United Church to form I Challenge You, Inc. (ICU). The program
started as a 501c3, after school program, with emphasis on academic support and a ensuring
students had a hot evening meal. Over the years the program has evolved as the needs of
the children and the church's ability to meet those needs have changed. As we gained a
deeper understanding of the lives of the children in our program, it became evident that these
children had no dreams. They could only see life in terms of the reality into which they were
born. They did not see a way out.

The vision of the American Dream was not a possibility for children born into a system with
an uneven playing field. The challenge of ICU was a way to change the lack of opportunity
into possibilities of opportunity.

Justice seeking is not easy. It requires vision, a commitment to remove barriers and develop
solutions that open doors to success. The board of ICU developed a plan that aimed to make
achieving success desirable and obtainable for high school students enrolled in our program.
Students were able to meet successful people that looked like them, had attended their
schools, were from similar backgrounds, and experienced similar challenges. Students were
encouraged to achieve the highest grades possible, participate in extracurricular activities,
and work to achieve high scores on college entrance exams. This plan has proven effective
over the past eight years. One small church in a rural community counts among its success
stories, two registered nurses, two recipients of Masters of Science degrees, one with a
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, one with Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and
one with a full time career in law enforcement. The justice created through providing a level
 playing field by a few church members willing to touch the lives of around them provided hope
and a reason to dream.

To be of service to others is God's command to us according to Micah 6 -8 (The Message

MSG) which says, "But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking
for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be
compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously-take God
seriously." The success experienced through the Love, Justice and Service at work in one
small rural Mississippi church, begs the question, "Can this be achieved in other houses
worship?" It does not take a great number of people to elicit great change. Change can start
with just two or three gathered in His name willing to act.

DEVOTIONS - Money, Money, Money

by Peggy Jeffries
I've been thinking a lot about money these days. Oh, not mine, but everyone else's. At least,
that's how it feels. With the Presidential nomination season fully in place, it seems all I hear
about is how much money this one has, how much that one
will spend, how much the other one has spent, and what it all
will mean to all our pocketbooks in the future. We seem to
be moving from a system in which from the lowest income to
the highest was a continuum, to one in which there are folks
on the low end, folks in a blob in the middle, and folks so far
on the upper we can't see them or imagine their incomes. I've
been on the low end, and I know how exhausting and
demoralizing it can be. I can't imagine being on the top,
mostly because whenever I get "extra" money I give it
away. How does a person just continually accumulate wealth? I don't get it.

Jesus spoke often about poverty, wealth, and what to do with our money. I think the
statements boil down to this: If your wealth gets between you and your relationship with God,
get rid of it; If your wealth is more than you need (NEED being the operative word), give the
excess away; If you have received it by immoral/unethical means then stop and give it back. I
don't imagine that the obscenely wealthy among us will do any of the above, which is why
we're always surprised when they do become benevolent, but we in the middle must not
become complacent. It is easy for us to justify holding on to what we have in case we need
it. We cannot live our lives in fear. Decide what your absolute needs are, then step out in faith
and share with others.

Holy God who supplies all our needs, we come before you admitting that money is a subject
that often consumes us. While the love of money might be the root of all evil, just thinking
about money can also disrupt our ability to follow you as we know we should. Keep us from
concentrating on money to the point that we miss opportunities for ministry in your
name. Free us to joyfully follow you and serve your people in whatever way you need. Let us
rely on you to care for us as you do the plants and animals around us. Amen

INTERESTED IN UMRA?
by Michele Holloway
We are looking for a few jurisdictional representatives to join us on the Board of
UMRA.

Are you interested? It's not a big time commitment over the year but we are
usually busy the two years leading up to General Conference. If you would like
 to know more about who we are and what we do, please go to the website:
www.umruraladvocates.org and check out the job descriptions not only for
volunteers for GC2020 but also for serving on the national board. You can also
find the work we have done in legislation for the upcoming General Conference.

We would love to have you join us. If interested, drop me a line at

chele101953@gmail.com.

RURAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

• NETworX WEBINAR sponsored by UMRA. Information may be found on the UMRA
website under events. http://www.umruraladvocates.org/vision--mission-webinar.html

• RURAL MINISTRY CERTIFICATE is not sponsored by UMRA. This is an online

program through Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. There are currently two
courses being offered: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry and Practical Theology in
Rural Communities.

• RURAL MINISTRY WEBINARS are not sponsored by UMRA. These are available
until May 2020 through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. There are six
webinars posted and titled Backroads in Rural Ministry.

• LAY ACADEMY FOR RURAL CHURCH MINISTRY in affiliation with UMRA. Check
out larcm.org for ongoing and upcoming training opportunities.

NETworX INFORMATION
Submitted by Debbie S. Rice, Ph.D., MSW
Director of NETworX USA
NETworX-Securing Well-being Together

Measurable outcomes, measured at six-month intervals throughout NETworX participation,

include:

• Increase in income to at or above 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines,

• Decrease in use of public assistance,
• Decrease in revolving debt from credit cards, rent-to-own, or predatory lending,
• Increase in assets,
• Increase in safe, supportive, and nurturing relationships, and
• Increase in perception of overall quality of life.

If you are interested in hearing more, contact Alan Rice, a member of the UMRA
Executive Committee at 336-239-1526 or visit www.NETworXUSA.org

SHARE YOUR STORIES

We Want To Hear From You
Are there ministries and outreach in your churches that you want others to know about? We
celebrate the truth that rural/town and country churches are vital and active within their
communities and we want to share that information around the country. Do you have a story
of joy or hope that you would like to have shared here? There are others who could greatly
benefit from what has worked for you and even what hasn't worked but that has allowed you
to grow. Send stories to Michele Holloway at chele101953@gmail.com and your stories will
be published in upcoming editions of this eCommunication.
This newsletter is published every other month: February, April, June, August,
October, and December. Please send all submissions to the above email address no
later than the 25th of the month prior to publication.

UMRA MEMBERSHIP
Memberships are available in the following categories:

Limited Income (What you can afford.)

Student $10.00
Basic One-Year $30.00
Church One-Year $40.00

Two Easy Steps to Membership

1. Please fill out membership form:

United Methodist Rural Advocates Membership

2. Pay Membership Dues through PayPal

For more information or membership, contact:

Email: smgrlg51@yahoo.com

Sue Grace - Membership Secretary

2755 Independence Ct,
Grove City, OH 43123

Five Reasons to Join UMRA

5. Network and collaborate with other rural groups and agencies around issues of concern for the rural church
and rural places.

4. Utilize technologies which will help us build relationships, share information and resources, and connect
rural leaders.

3. Discover and learn about sustainable, effective, replicable, generative ministries.

2. Be part of an organization which creates and advocates for General Conference legislation that has had a
positive effect on the rural church; such as NOW (Nurture, Outreach, Witness) leadership format, development
of "Born Again in Every Place," and the Certified Lay Minister. An Organization which will continue to create
and advocate for General Conference legislation that may affect ministry in town and country churches and
their communities.

1. Together we can make a difference as we advocate for the work of Jesus Christ in rural and town and
country communities.

UMRA membership provides not only voice and vote in the organization, but also includes a subscription to
the UMRA E NEWSLETTER.

Michele Holloway, Editor

chele101953@gmail.com
971.225.8402

Advocating for the work of Jesus Christ in rural communities.