08.05.07

NEW YORK (UMNS) - A recent Vatican statement should not significantly affect relations between United Methodists and Roman Catholics, according to United Methodist officials. Noting that the two Christian churches have been in dialogue for more than 40 years and "have reached clarity on several major theological issues," the United Methodist Council of Bishops said it found "nothing new or radically different" in the document and added that "all the positives remain in our relationship."

The Vatican statement released on July 10 reasserts the position that only Catholics constitute the true church, while Protestants are merely "Christian communities" and not churches "in the proper sense." In its July 18 response, the United Methodist Council of Bishops wrote: "We understand ourselves, by God's grace, to share in the fullness of the Church through faithful ministry and mission, and the Table of the Lord. That is a
difference we can continue to explore." In a separate statement from the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, chief executive Larry Pickens wrote: "Our dialogues have taught United Methodists and Catholics to realize that by baptism and faith in Christ, United Methodists enjoy a communion, although imperfect, with the Catholic Church."
 

07.06.07

NEW YORK (UMNS )- Southwest Texas, the Dakotas and Kansas East annual conferences are recipients of UMCOR aid for ongoing relief of damage caused by severe weather. The April tornado that displaced 700 and killed 10 in Eagle Pass, Texas, is the focus of an UMCOR grant to assist with long-term recovery. The plan is to assist vulnerable families on both sides of the border. In the Dakotas, UMCOR is helping to fund the recovery from flooding in Aberdeen. More than 300 volunteers have cleaned out homes, and the conference plans to assist with case management and spiritual care. In Kansas East, where 14 counties were declared disaster areas due to spring floods, UMCOR is providing a startup grant to help the conference in its response. To contribute financially, drop checks in local United Methodist church offering plates with "UMCOR Domestic Disaster Advance #901670" written in the memo.

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