UMTV Brief

UMTV Web Brief 1/8/03

New Face of Followers – Intro:

Happy New Year and welcome to UMTV’s Web Brief. I’m Reed Galin.

The demographics of the nation are changing. According to the 2000 census, there’s an estimated 35 million Hispanics living in the United States. That’s more than 12 percent of the population now. In many communities, Hispanics are in the majority, and that means big changes in the future for churches that serve those neighborhoods.

New Face of Followers – Story:

Congregation singing: “Jesus loves me, this I know ...”

The music sounds familiar, but the accent has changed.

Congregation singing: “…for the Bible tells me so.”

At the Christ United Methodist Church in Phoenix, survival means learning a new language and embracing a new community.

The Rev. John Cuentas, Christ United Methodist Church: “We have in this area 87 percent Hispanic community.“

Fifty years ago, the church served a largely Anglo community. But longtime members like Leland and Dorene Fike have moved out of the area and a younger largely Hispanic group has moved in.

Leland Fike, Christ United Methodist Church: “I like this church and we're getting older, and if the church doesn't change over it's going to die.”

In order to continue to thrive, the church is opening its doors to the people who live nearby. Offering more than just faith, they offer services like English classes.

Eunice Delgado, taking English classes: “If I can learn English, then it will be easier to teach my kids and help them learn.”

Women like Eunice Delgado are exactly who the Rev. John Cuentas hopes to reach.

The Rev. John Cuentas: “We have open minds, open hearts, and open doors, and always we are here for the people.”

The Fikes admit they don’t always understand the tenor of their new church, but they understand this is the next generation to fill these pews.

Leland Fike: “What we see in here tonight with these people is going to be the life of this church. What I can see here – very good. “

New Face of Followers – Tag:

Right now, the Christ United Methodist Church hosts Sunday services in both Spanish and English. Eventually, as the ministry builds a Hispanic base, it hopes to create two churches – one largely Anglo and one largely Hispanic – to serve the needs of all of their members.

Setting Sights – Intro:

Tinkering with tools is a passion for a lot of men. It actually leads to something constructive some of the time. In Shreveport, La., a United Methodist Men's retiree group has found a new use for handyman talents and for PVC pipe. They’ve combined the two to help blind children.

Setting Sights – Story:

Five-year-old Kelsey was born blind.

Kelsey and mother, walking with cane and singing: “Out in front and tapping all the way, Kelsey can walk like that all day.”

Her mother, Jennifer, helps Kelsey practice every day with her new cane.

Jennifer, Kelsey’s mother: “It’s her eyes. It’s her security too. “

Kelsey has come a long way. She started out with a walker, just like 2-year-old Marcus Thomas.  Marcus has congenital cataracts and will be totally blind before he starts school. His walker is preparing him for a sightless environment.

Nan Massey, director, Louisiana State University Children’s Center: “If all you do is sit in one place because you are afraid to move. You don’t learn about the world and you don’t explore and you don’t interact with other people – so this opens up the world to them.”

Marcus and Kelsey received their maneuvering devices as a gift. A group of retirees from Mangum Memorial United Methodist Church in Shreveport get together once a week for fellowship and to use their tools. In the past two years, they have made than over 200 walkers and canes for visually impaired children all across the state of Louisiana.

Harvey Christian, Mangum Memorial United Methodist Church: “I just couldn’t believe that some PVC pipe – and glue it together – could help a little blind child.”

They got the idea to help from the church’s women’s group, which makes touch-and-feel quilts.

Quilts and canes. The warmth and help of this ministry helps children like Kelsey and Marcus prepare for a more independent future.

Setting Sights – Tag:

Those men make three different sizes of walkers for the children and can even customize canes to allow for the kids’ growth. 

Tease next week:

On the next UMTV Web Brief, a ministry for the magic hour.

“Devotions to help you enjoy the sunsets.”

Thanks for watching; make it a good week.