TAB-prn February 2009
Free Methodist Medical Fellowship
TAB-prn May 2009
Free Methodist Medical Fellowship
Models for Ministry - Consultation 2009 You are invited to the upcoming FMMF Consultation. We will be meeting in Middlebury, Indiana at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center, September 25-27. Mark your calendar and make your reservations soon. We have 40 rooms on hold in the name of the Free Methodist Medical Fellowship until August 25. You can make your reservations now by calling the Essenhaus Inn at 1-800-455-9471.
Our topic will be "A Model for Ministry - Touching and Teaching as Seen in the Life of Jesus". The theme is a response to last year's topic, "Building Bridges to the Poor."
We will discuss on the one hand the touching, healing, feeling, weeping side of Jesus' ministry and, on the other hand, Jesus' proclamation of the new order, the kingdom of God, which is now and is to come. We will consider how these two aspects of the ministry of Christ demonstrate for us two dimensions of ministry in our world, each giving credibility, concrete expression and meaning to the other. We are called to both love our neighbors and make disciples. Our presenters will be Bishop Gerald Bates, Rev. David Bates, and Dr. Michael Traylor, each one fleshing out the Gospel in various ways.
Hope Africa University is certainly a practical expression of the Gospel, equipping men and women for service. Bishop Bates will be presenting a session which will describe the theological basis for this important and daunting undertaking. He will also give an update on what is happening at HAU.
Olive Branch Mission has taken off in some new directions under the leadership of Rev. David Bates. It will be energizing to hear about these new ministries as well as consider their Biblical basis. These ministries include addiction recovery, community restoration, and programs that assist individuals move from homelessness to independent living (including both employment and home ownership).
New Hope FMC is another expression of the theme, "Touching and Teaching as Seen in the Life of Jesus." We are looking forward to hearing from Dr. Michael Traylor about what is happening at the New Hope Free Methodist Church of Rochester, New York. Dr. Traylor has the particular perspective of being both pastor and physician
Friends of Hope Africa University Planning Session A fact finding medical team visited the Frank Ogden Medical School and the School of Nursing at Hope Africa University in Bujumbura, Burundi as well as Kibuye Hospital. Team members included Dr. David Crandall, Dr. John Lammie, Dr Cedric Johnson, Dr. Norm Wetterau, and Bishop Gerald Bates. They met with representatives of HAU, including Dr. Sibomana. Curriculum development, recruitment of faculty members, and facility development were among the topics of discussion.
Dr. David Crandall and Bishop Bates believe that it is important that the benefits coming from this fact finding and consulting visit be carried forward in a face-to-face meeting of all interested parties. There are already about 24 interested parties who could be considered officially or unofficially "Friends of HAU."
You are invited to attend an all day planning session to be held Friday, September 25. The meeting will begin at 10 am and adjourn at 5 pm and will take place at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center, in Middlebury, IN. If you wish to arrive early, you can stay in the Essenhaus Inn Thursday evening. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-455-9471.
The Soloist
Connie and I are occasional movie goers. When we hear of an interesting movie with a compelling theme, we make a movie date. "The Soloist" was a movie we thought would be worth seeing. We were not disappointed. Nathaniel Ayers is a homeless African American discovered on the streets of Los Angeles by a white news paper reporter. Nathaniel is found playing a violin with two strings, sitting at the feet of Beethoven's statue in one the city parks. The music is so compelling that the reporter sets out on to learn more about this musician. He learns that Ayers was a promising student of the viola at the Julliard School of Music in New York. He also learns that this young man's musical talent is unexpectedly side tracked by schizophrenia. As the reporter follows the life of his new friend, he makes multiple attempts to move Ayers from homelessness and broken mental health to a place of safety and sanity. Though his efforts fail, he learns an important lesson. It is not for him to dictate how Ayers should live his life. Rather, the reporter learns that a sense of well being will come only as he remains a friend, making interventions only in terms which Ayers can understand and accept. I must confess that I tend to approach the practice of medicine with an I-can-fix-it mentality. Is it not more appropriate that I communicate information that my patients can understand and in a way that communicates that I care for them unconditionally? I am reminded of the words of Jesus, "Come unto me you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Do you have life experiences which you would like to share with your Christian colleagues? Are you looking for ways in which you can grow in your faith and put your faith into action? This year's consultation affords you an opportunity to grow and go, to be and to do. You will learn about opportunities to serve at Hope Africa University, in Burundi, as Bishop Bates presents a Biblical basis for Christian higher education in the third world. Rev. David Bates will introduce you to what is happening at Olive Branch Mission in Chicago to lead men and women from homelessness and substance abuse to new lives in Christ. Dr. Michael Traylor will share his passion for his bi-vocational approach to ministry in Rochester, New York. You will not want to miss this year's annual Consultation. Reserve September 25-27. I think you get the message. We hope to see you in Middlebury!
Tim Kratzer, FMMF president