| Districts visit advocacy board By John W. Coleman Jr. UMCONNECTION STAFF Two Baltimore-Washington Conference districts visited the United Methodist General Board of Church and Societys Washington, D.C., headquarters in September to become better acquainted with the agencys ministry and its resources for local churches. The Washington West and Annapolis districts were among the first to benefit from Church and Societys recent efforts to relate more closely to annual conferences throughout the denomination. The board has primary responsibility for generating education and advocacy among United Methodists on national and global public policy concerns from a faith perspective. Such concerns include economic and environmental justice, civil and human rights, health care, childrens welfare and global peace with justice. My top priority is to reconnect our board with annual conferences and local churches, said James Winkler, general secretary, who addressed both visiting groups. We are just beginning to invite surrounding districts to meet and fellowship with us here, because knowing each other better can open up all kinds of possibilities for working together. The board hosted 57 members of the Washington West District Sept. 10 for their fall clergy meeting at the United Methodist building, 100 Maryland Ave. Agency staff gave presentations and responded to questions on two particular concerns: restorative justice as an alternative to punitive justice in the criminal justice system and the ongoing crisis of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East. Most of these pastors have never been here, despite our closeness in proximity, said the Rev. Marcus Matthews, superintendent. Yet, they are asking questions about social issues and justice that their churches are asking of them. Some of those churches might be considered affluent and comfortable, he added. But their members are looking for ideas and resources to help them live out the gospel through faithful advocacy. The Rev. Gerard Green said his church, Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg, will try to take its next confirmation class to Church and Society for a visit. The Rev. David Argo, pastor of St. Paul UMC in Kensington, said his congregation will use the boards resources and the United Methodist Social Principles for a series of forums on ethical issues which it sponsors on Sundays. Church and Society hosted 48 lay and clergy members of the Annapolis District Sept. 5 for a day of tours, presentations, fellowship and dialogue. We always knew the building was there, said district lay leader Delores Oden. But actually seeing it and hearing about the available resources alerted us to how helpful the board could be to the ministries local churches are trying to implement. | 
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