UMCOR Provides Help to Mayanmar
Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar's most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed. Satellite images reveal extensive damage along the entire costal plain. Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the widespread need in Myanmar. Working through partners such as Church World Service, one of the few agencies with permits to work in Myanmar, allows UMCOR to respond to disasters in some of the world's most remote places. The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors. more>>

Bishops Elect Goodpaster as President-Designate
The bishops of The United Methodist Church have chosen the leader of the Alabama-West Florida Annual (regional) Conference as their president-designate. Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, 59, was unanimously elected April 19 to lead the council in two years. His tenure will begin in 2010 at the conclusion of the presidency of Iowa Bishop Gregory Palmer, who will assume the presidency from Bishop Janice Riggle Huie during the 2008 General Conference this spring. Palmer was elected last November to a two-year term.

"I'm grateful to my colleagues, and I know that it is a lot of work, but we are going to pray and we will support each another and we will make it through," Goodpaster said after his election.

Goodpaster was chosen by a discernment team of bishops from the five U.S jurisdictions and from the central conferences -- regions in Africa, Asia and Europe. "I am humbled," Goodpaster said. He added that he looks forward to continuing the collegial atmosphere that has permeated the council in recent years.  more>>

Bonner, Woodham to Join AWF Cabinet
Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster has just announced that there will be two new District Superintendents appointed at the 2008 AWF Annual Conference. Rev. John Bonner and Rev. Randy Woodham will begin serving their new appointments as part of the Alabama - West Florida Cabinet in June.
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