Monthly Archive for March, 2010

Health-care bill’s passage called ‘huge step’ toward affirming United Methodist Social Principles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society chief executive said the U.S. House of Representatives took a “huge step” toward affirming the denomination’s Social Principles when it passed health-insurance reform legislation on March 21. Jim Winkler, chief executive of the General Board of Church & Society, said the House action affirms the United Methodist Social Principles that declares health care is “a basic human right.” The House passed the U.S. Senate version of health insurance reform legislation by a vote of 219 to 212. That bill now goes to President Obama for his signature into law. A second bill, to improve the Senate legislation, passed by a vote of 220 to 211 and goes to the Senate for approval.

“For decades, the General Board of Church & Society has worked alongside thousands of United Methodists to achieve health care for all in the U.S.,” Winkler said. “This vote brings us closer to that reality.” Resolution #3201 in the United Methodist Book of Resolutions charges the General Board of Church & Society with primary responsibility for advocating health care for all in the United States. The resolution was approved by the 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s highest policy-making body. (Resolution #3201 can be downloaded from the General Board of Church & Society website by clicking on the following: “Health Care for All in the United States <http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2954191&ct=8104619&notoc=1> .”) 
  
Winkler pointed out that when the bill is signed into law important protections for every person will be enacted. These include banning health insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and more Americans will have access to health insurance. “Over 31 million Americans are currently uninsured,” Winkler said. “This legislation will assist low-income working people who cannot afford the steep prices for health insurance now.”  

Winkler said Jesus’ ministry serves as an example and a call to serve the least and the last in society. Jesus asked us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, Winkler noted, “setting forth a faith grounded in God’s abundance, generosity and a capacity for love that knows no bounds.” During her remarks prior to the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., thanked the 350 organizations, including The United Methodist Church, that worked to achieve historic health-insurance reform:  ”That is why we’re proud and also humbled today to act with the support of millions of Americans who recognize the urgency of passing health-care reform. And more than 350 organizations, representing Americans of every age, every background, every part of the country, who have endorsed this legislation. Our coalition ranges from the AARP, who said that our legislation ‘improves efforts to crack down on fraud and waste in Medicare, strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations.’ I repeat: ‘Improves efforts to crack down on fraud and waste in Medicare, strengthening the program for today’s and future generations of seniors.’ To the American Medical Assn., the Catholic Health Assn., The United Methodist Church and Voices of America’s Children. From A to Z, they are sending a clear message to members of Congress: Say yes to health-care reform.”

Winkler said he appreciated Speaker Pelosi’s comments about the hard work that The United Methodist Church has done in helping secure passage of health-care reform for all people. He pointed out that the denomination’s General Conference has been advocating for reform since 1980. The United Methodist Church was not alone among faith communities in working for health-care reform, according to Winkler. He said that more than 150 other faith organizations also sought change, working through coalitions such as Faithful Reform in Health Care.

The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations.

“I am here. Fear not. Can you really trust me? I am a God of Power, as well as a Man of Love, so human, yet so divine.”

“Just trust. I cannot, and I will not, fail you. All is well. Courage. Many are praying for you.”

From the book God Calling

“Nothing is small to God. In God’s sight a sparrow is of greater value than a palace, one kindly word of more importance than a stateman’s speech. It is the Life in all that has value, and the quality of the life that determines the value. I came to give Eternal Life.”

From the book God Calling, edited by A. J. Russell

Here’s an excerpt from last night’ sermon, based on the book “24 Hours That Changed the World” by Adam Hamilton:

The Last Supper is a meal that defines who we are as Christians. Through it we remember that somebody saved and recued us; that our freedom came at the price of someone’s life. We remember that God, walking in human flesh, suffered and died for you and me.

This is the story we remember in the Last Supper. It’s a really HUGE story! A story we’ve got to understand if we’re going to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We’ve got to see ourselves there at that evening meal and at that cross, knowing it was for every one of us that Jesus died.

Each time we receive the bread and juice, we remember, and it reshapes us. It takes us back to where we came from. It defines who we are, and who we will be. We arrive at the Lord’s Supper recalling that we once were slaves to sin and death, living selfishly only for ourselves. Out on our own. But we leave the Lord’s Supper liberated, free, knowing our Savior, our Rescuer. Preferring to follow him and accepting his grace and forgiveness in our lives.

The Lord’s Supper is a festive experience, full of joyfulness because it’s a symbol of our salvation. You may have heard it dubbed “Eucharist” from the Greek word for thanks. It’s a profound and sacred meal, overflowing with great news. That’s how it’s meant to have an effect on us.