| The Gospel is good news Responding to the Rev. Harrisons letter in the July 9 UMConnection on the nature of good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been well summarized this way: God loves us where we are, but he loves us too much to leave us there. In this context, Harrison would probably say that evangelicals stress the second half of that definition, and ignore the first half. Conversely, I perceive that Harrisons position would be to stress the first half and ignore the second. The Scripture teaches both points, and we must not alter Gods message by under-emphasizing either part as we serve as his ambassadors to the world. The point of the Gospel is to impart to us a radically new life through the work of the Holy Spirit, so that we are fit to stand before a holy God and bear his image in this world. If the Gospel is truth, then for us to seek understanding of anothers religion but stop short of working for their conversion is to admit that we dont love as God loves. The Gospel of Christ is good news because it offers both an appeal for all to come and a power for all to be changed. Steve Burke
Christ UMC, Frederick Many thanks for Fair Trade commentary Many thanks to Laura Apostol for her commentary on Fair Trade in the Aug. 20 UMConnection. Regarding coffee, justice-minded United Methodists might want to sip fair-trade coffee from Green Mountain (www.greenmountaincoffee.com). There, under Fair Trade and Organic Coffees, youll find 15 various coffees that can be purchased. I understand that this company has a good record on human rights and the environment and I have been buying my coffee from them for some time. Regarding chocolate, a Web site of interest tells of the work of the grass roots organization Free the Slaves, (www.freetheslaves.net). Of particular interest is the protocol signed in 2001 between major chocolate manufacturers, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as Free the Slaves, and other major parties to ensure the elimination of slavery from the cocoa supply chain by 2005. The agreement includes the signatures of the president/CEO/chairman of the board from eight chocolate companies. This might gbwc_superusere us as we purchase chocolates. Rev. David A. Highfield
Pastor, Westminster UMC Who makes churchs decisions? After reading the Aug. 20 UMConnection, I wonder where we are headed as The United Methodist Church. The UMConnection and articles like Pan-Methodist bishops take concern for children to Capitol Hill are more in line with reading a liberal newspaper. Who makes such decisions for our church based on liberal half-truths? Surely if we are going to take a stand based upon being stewards for the under-represented we should have our facts straight before taking that stand. Where was this discussed at the annual conference session? If we are going to be stewards of politics should we not have a voice in what stance or position our conference will take? We need to be known as Christians first. Jim Grove
Essex UMC, Essex Editors note: The General Conference makes decisions for The United Methodist Church. It is composed of half clergy and half laity, with delegates elected from each annual conference. Profiles of the Baltimore-Washington Conference delegation begin on page 8. | 
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