| Are we paying off Mugabe? So ... let me get this straight. Since about 1993 we United Methodists have founded and funded a university in Zimbabwe called Africa University. Several million dollars of our tithes and gifts have crossed the Atlantic Ocean, presumably going directly to build and outfit the institution and pay the staff. So ... Zimbabwe is a country ruled by a dictator. This dictator, Robert Mugabe, has stolen farms and ranches from his white citizens. He has denied freedom to the press, destroyed facilities, arrested publishers, editors and reporters. He has rigged elections through intimidation and other illegal methods. So ... now Mugabe's sting has touched Africa University directly. Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, the union at Africa University, was arrested for addressing the students without police clearance. How is it that in a country run by thugs and criminals a Christian university survives without interference from such an administration? Are we United Methodist contributors paying ol' Bobby and his “staff” in order to operate Africa University? If so, what is his take? If so, why aren't we informed of the cost to plant this beautiful seed in Africa? Did we miss a payment? Capt. Larry Lutz, USN (Ret.)
Lexington Park UMC Church must come to terms with racism After 30 years of watching United Methodists side step the simple, hard truth about racism, I can't help but wonder why they have not considered the why, when and where of how God chose to come to earth in the form of Jesus. In his ministry in the Roman world, everything Jesus stood for was in contradiction to the Romans' need to protect white people from the rest of the world. We need to understand that racism is simply the fear of white people that they will cease to exist if they were to have children with people of color. To this day, we have failed to implement the mission of Jesus Christ, to love one another as he loved us, to recognize that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Every workshop on racism and diversity that avoids this understanding ends up promoting racism in the name of inclusiveness. United Methodists need to come to an open understanding of the reality of this fact so that they may one day have a healthy relationship with the ethnically black Jesus and universal Christ instead of following a burning cross as their symbol of faith. St. Luke's UMC in Woodlawn will be offering a class on the psychology and theology of racism. Anyone interested in attending can call (410) 944-4111. Rev. Richard Goode
St. Luke's UMC, Woodlawn | 
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