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By Elliott Wright
United Methodist News Service

The Drew University Theological School in Madison, N.J., will be the new home base for Communities of Shalom, a United Methodist program that engages congregations and communities in working together for community development, peace, and wholeness.

The new partnership was announced jointly by Bishop John Schol of Washington, D.C., and chair of the National Shalom Committee, and Dr. Maxine Beach, vice president and dean of Drew Theological School. The new arrangement goes into effect in January.

Communities of Shalom was launched by the policy-making General Conference of The United Methodist Church as a response to social unrest and riots in Los Angeles in 1992.
 
It has expanded to more than 200 sites, mostly in the United States; two sites are in Africa. 'Shalom' is the Hebrew word indicating peace, harmony, and well-being.

'A partnership with Drew University and the Theological School will give the Shalom movement legs well into the future as it transforms congregations and communities,' said the bishop, adding, 'Shalom has achieved results that far surpassed anyone's expectations over the past 15 years. This new partnership will further enhance the initiative and multiply the results over the next 15 years.'

Within the Baltimore-Washington area, conference leaders are anticipating a reclaiming of the Shalom experience, especially in Baltimore, where a comprehensive strategy to address needs of the city is now being created.

Five years ago, 16 conference churches received Shalom Zone training. These ministries have taken different forms, but they enabled the church to work with the community to address systemic issues that stand in the way of God's wholeness, said the Rev. Rod Miller, conference director of connectional ministries.

Miller believe that churches who are working to be in meaningful partnerships with the community will want to explore Shalom ministries as they grow into Acts 2 churches.
Communities of Shalom has four goals:

• Renewing the spirit of God in congregations and communities;
• Developing the shared prosperity and economies of communities;
• Strengthening relationships among diverse neighbors; and
• Improving community health care and delivery of community services.

For more information, see http://new.gbgmumc.org/-about/us/cim/programs/shalom/.