April 10, 2003

NASHVILLE - "Nurturing the Roots - Growing the Future" is the theme for the July 10-15 biennial national convocation of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts to be held in Dearborn, Mich.

The fellowship is a national organization of worship planners and leaders, musicians, music directors, pastors, dancers, storytellers, actors and other liturgical artists. Though its membership is mostly United Methodist, people of all denominations are welcome.

The convocation will be held at the Hyatt Regency, with some sessions planned for First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn. Many of the worship services, workshops and class sessions will explore issues related to the church in transition, such as traditional, liturgical, contemporary, blended, ethnic and cultural aspects of worship.

A national event for pastors and preachers is being held in conjunction with the convocation. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship will lead morning and afternoon sessions for "Preaching from the Center."

Convocation registrants may attend either session's workshops.

Plenary speakers and preachers for the convocation include the Rev. Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology; the Rev. Grace Imathiu, associate director of development at Kenya Methodist University; Daniel K. Church, top staff executive of the United Methodist General Council on Ministries; and the Rev. Elizabeth A. Lopez, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minn.

The Rev. Safiyah Fosua, the Rev. Daniel T. Benedict Jr. and Dean McIntyre, all from the Board of Discipleship, will lead "Preaching from the Center."

United Methodist News Service