UMC Forges Meaningful Ties with Methodist Church of Indonesia
United Methodists from the U.S. forged meaningful ties with the Methodist Church of Indonesia, marking the beginning of what may become a long-lasting partnership between two historic church bodies.
United Methodists from the U.S. forged meaningful ties with the Methodist Church of Indonesia, marking the beginning of what may become a long-lasting partnership between two historic church bodies.
Nearly a dozen United Methodist Church (UMC) leaders left on a trip to the island of Sumatra, following the onslaught of the devastating earthquake-tsunami tragedy. Throughout the weeklong visit, which ended on January 16, the leaders observed the aftermath of the deadly wave, provided shelter and relief, and comforted those who felt hopeless.
According to United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez of San Antonio, one of the delegates on the trip, Indonesian church leaders were “genuinely pleased and appreciative” about the visit.
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“We tried to listen to the church and get their perspective, and then we also were able to witness and observe for ourselves,” Martinez, president of the UMC’s Board of Global Ministries, explained.
Rev. R. Randy Day, the board’s chief executive, explained that the UMC chose to visit Indonesia, as opposed to the other 11 countries affected by the wave, in order to let the Indonesian Methodists know the greater Methodist family was grieving with them.
Sumatra alone bore the brunt of the wave, at least in terms of human casualties; at last count, Sumatra counted 115,000 dead.
“While we mourn the people who died in the tsunami, we’re also taking immediate action to care for the survivors, so the death toll doesn’t go higher,” Martinez said.
The immediate needs for the survivors, including medicine, clean water and food, was delivered through the UMC Board across 11 camps for displaced people, according to the United Methodist News Service.
Meanwhile, Rev. David Wu, a board staff executive and native of Indonesia, said he hoped the unity between the US church and the Indonesia church may promote greater energy and hope for the survivors.
“Perhaps bringing our church and their church together would create a greater energy, a greater hope,” he said.
Rev. Day also thanked the parishioners in the U.S. who have been helping support the cause, and expressed hopes that the generous response will continue to flood in. United Methodist contributions to date were at $2 million – and counting.
“We want to do our part in rebuilding those communities,” said Day.
In regards to the clash of different faith and ethnic groups, the delegates said they hope relief can reach every one in need.
The Rev. Henry Leono, an Indonesian native and pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Willingboro, N.J., said he met a number of ethnic Chinese in Indonesia who feared aid would not reach them.
“I feel so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the need,” said Leono.
Rev. Paul Dirdak, the United Mehtodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) chief executive, UMC’s projects help the need, regardless of their faith.
“Our projects are often opportunities for modeling coexistence,” said Dirdak, who added that Indonesia, with its long history of religious tolerance, “gives a basis for cooperation as we do humanitarian work together.”
“We would see it as an honor to work with Muslims in the largest Muslim country in the world,” added Dirdak.
Yesterday, the United Nations placed a 24-hour ban on relief operations in Aceh, India, because of separatist conflicts in Aceh between the government, rebels and terrorists. The ban was lifted on Tuesday, because the UN felt the conflict was not aimed toward relief workers.
In regards to the spiritual side of the conflict, Rev Wu explained that Indonesian Christians are wondering “where is God in this disaster.”
Right now, Indonesian church members and pastors are in a “survival mode,” Wu said to UMNS. “But deeper than that, it’s a question of theological understanding: Where is God in this disaster?”
“If pastors don’t have the chance to process or cope with this question, there will be a disconnect between what they preach and what they feel,” he further explained to the UMNS.
At that light, Wu said he hopes to organize a retreat for the Indonesian pastors, so they can help understand the theological issues involved in the crisis.
Donations to UMCOR’s “South Asia Emergency” relief efforts can be placed in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #274305 and “South Asia Emergency.” Online donations can be made at www.methodistrelief.org. Those making credit-card donations can call (800) 554-8583. One hundred percent of the money donated to “South Asia Emergency” goes to the relief effort.
