d.c., here i come!

friends,

i will have my bags packed when i come to worship sunday the 29th. i leave that afternoon for four days in washington, d.c. no, this is not a vacation. the conference is sending me to washington to participate in the 3rd annual general board of church and society young adult clergy gathering. the general board is an agency of the united methodist church that advocates for all kinds of issues related to peace and justice. it seeks to uphold the social principles of our church. you can read about the work of the general board or the social principles at
http://www.umpower.org/. 84 pastors under the age of 40, from 42 conferences including norway and the philippines, will meet for the event. here is a summary of last year’s conference:

Participants met with GBCS staff to discuss legislative priorities on Capitol Hill and practiced interactive exercises to more effectively teach the church’s Social Principles and met with Dr. Chester Jones, General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race. A highlight was conversation with several passionate United Methodist members of the House of Representatives who addressed the relationship between faith, values, and domestic policy.
The young adult clergy also heard from Representative Frank Wolf, (R-VA 10th), a devout Presbyterian, Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver, a newly elected United Methodist pastor representing Missouri’s 5th district; Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, lifetime member of the Asbury United Methodist Church representing the 2nd district of Mississippi; Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro representing Connecticut’s 3rd district and Rev. David Price representing North Carolina’s 4th district.
Participants left committed to more creatively engage their Conference churches and leadership in the Social Principles and legislative agenda at both the local and federal level.


for three full days, i will learn how our church works with congress to advance the causes of peace and justice. what a privilege! what a responsibility! please join me in praying for these days, january 29-february 1. pray for safe travel for me and all participants, for the work of the general board, for congress, and our holy study and conversation.

peace and joy,
frank

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