| Best newspaper in the denomination Once again, I am reminded that UM Connection is the best conference newspaper in the denomination. Your lead story on benefits (May 7, page 1) was clear, succinct, accurate and easy to understand from the perspective of someone without benefits expertise. You presented the issues fairly and addressed concerns that your readers may have. I especially appreciate your remarks on the recent changes implemented by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits and Carole Silberhorns very clear explanations. Thank you for all you do to enable strong communications within the United Methodist Church. Barbara A. Boigegrain
General Secretary, General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Capital campaign not business as usual I feel compelled to respond to some misunderstandings that were contained in the letter to the editor in the June 4 UMConnection. The capital campaign, Funding Future Ministry, is designed to address many of the concerns that were raised in that article. The annual conference has identified conference goals but to say that it is a top down approach is erroneous. In addition to supporting the conference goals each local church will be given the opportunity to choose their own goals and will be provided with extensive stewardship training sponsored by the annual conference. With assistance from the annual conference, each church that elects to participate will then conduct its own campaign to raise the funds needed to accomplish its identified objectives. I hope that the people of the annual conference will take the time to find out the full nature of the initiative before rushing to the conclusion that this is the same old thing. I believe that the partnership formed between the local church and the annual conference through this endeavor will be mutually beneficial and bring honor and glory to the Lord. Rev. Wayne A. DeHart
Frederick District Superintendent Church is not a democracy People keep complaining in your letters about Methodists that stand against the war (and therefore against some of President Bushs actions). I want to respond to John Schercingers suggestion (May 21 Let Every Voice Be Heard) that we should each have a vote about where our apportionment goes. My response is this: The United Methodist Church does not claim to be totally democratic, and for that matter, neither does the United States. It would be great if, as a taxpayer, I could vote on each issue decided. What we have voted for with our apportionment is what the church stands for, which includes a set of Social Principles that are anti-war. No one is forcing Methodism upon you, but thats part of what you accept by joining The Methodist Church. Christine Matthews
Foundry UMC, Washington, D.C. Conference is not responsive I, and other United Methodists, are very deeply concerned about the Baltimore-Washington Conference. I have tried in three separate e-mails to the bishop and his staff to get answers from the conference. No one responded. My first e-mail was in January after reading the CNN story on Bishop Talbert. My most recent e-mail was in early April. So now I have two concerns. First is the inappropriate use of my conference funds to support a man that obviously doesnt know the facts about Saddam Hussein or the situation in Iraq. Secondly, the conference did not even say boo in reply to my inquiries. There are enough of us concerned at Huntington UMC that we are informally talking about taking proposals to our church council to withhold some or all of the apportionments until our questions are answered. George Pierce
Huntingtown UM Church | 
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