UM bishops witness African growth firsthand Julia Robb reports on both the good news and the challenges.
Africa's evangelism obsession John Wesley Kurewa explains the church's extraordinary growth.
The Cuban challenge Linda Green describes the vibrancy of Methodism in Cuba.
Remembering Cuba Frank Decker recalls the lessons learned while visiting Cuba.
India Methodists celebrate 150 years of ministryJames S. Murthy recounts the history of Christianity in India.
The cube and the cathedralGeorge Weigel ponders the future of faith and democracy in Europe.
Christ's heart in the city Boyce Bowdon testifies to one American congregation's resilient faith.
COLUMNS EditorialRethinking the high wall of separation
Next Generation The relationship between pastor and youth pastor:Part 2
RENEW Women's Network An urgent appeal
From the HeartEven greater things
DEPARTMENTS
Letters to the editor
Straight Talk
News Proposal would divide U.S. and international
church
Cote D'Ivoire Church not fully admitted,
says Judicial Council
Bishops adapt call of action for United
Methodists
New Orleans church reopens
More than 100,000 insecticide-treated bed nets were delivered to Nigeria in November as part of a new malaria prevention campaign called Nothing But Nets. Partners in the effort include the United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association, Millennium Promise, and the Measles Initiative.
The goal is to raise funds to eradicate malaria in Africa, where the mosquito-borne disease causes the death of one-fifth of all children under fiver years old. Hanging nets over children while they sleep is a simple, inexpensive way to kill the mosquitoes or keep them from biting.
The idea for Nothing But Nets came from Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly (pictured here), who encouraged readers to donate money to the U.N. Foundation after he learned that 1 million children die from malaria each year and that bed nets could save lives. In a May 5 column, he wrote, "If you've ever cut down a net, jumped over a net, watched the New Jersey Nets, worn a hair net, surfed the net, or loved fishnets, send ten bucks and maybe you could save a life."
In just a few months, more than 17,000 people sent $1.2 million.
The U.N. Foundation asked the United Methodist Church to join Nothing But Nets because of its community health work, including the new Community-Based Malaria Prevention Program of the Board of Global Ministries. The most recent project, started in Sierra Leone last December, focuses on community-based primary health care, education, and creating a "net culture."
United Methodist youth groups that raise money for Nothing But Nets will be eligible for prizes at Youth 2007, an international event for United Methodist youth in Greensboro, North Carolina, July 11-15.
"In sports, we're always dealing with nets. It struck me as the simplest way to save lives," Reilly said in an interview. "I think it's so cool the church is involved."
More information is available by going to the United Methodist Church section of nothingbutnets.net or the denomination's official Web site at umc.org.
Deborah White is associate editor of Interpreter magazine. Distributed by United Methodist News Service.
Rocky goes the distance
A lot has taken place in Sylvester Stallone's life since
he wrote and starred in the first Rocky film 30 years ago. In promoting his
latest movie, Rocky Balboa-the sixth and final in the series-the Hollywood
legend has been speaking to pastors about the spirituality behind the
character. Although not a religious film, Stallone believes that there are
valuable lessons to be gleaned in his current project. Good News listened in on
one of his conversations. Here is some of what Stallone had to say.
How does Rocky's spiritual journey compare to yours?
Stallone: I felt as though I needed to say something
about how I'd been sort of wayward and lost and how would I get on my feet
again. That's why the beginning of Rocky 1 starts on the picture of Christ.
And, actually, we filmed it in an old chapel. It starts on the picture of
Christ, it comes down the rafters, down to Rocky's face, and then the movie
begins. As he's being hit, with the picture in the background, you know that
the man was being chosen for a spiritual journey, like I was. And I believe
that out of the ashes of what I think was my life at that time-I was just not
feeling anything, I felt very isolated-that I acquired a newfound success. As a
young person, you tend to think that the world somewhat revolves around you. After
you've been knocked down a few times, and the world has shown you its dark
side, you kind of realize that you need light, you need guidance, you need
God's word, you need spiritual help. And that's when your journey will begin.
So as I get older I realize how much I rely upon Jesus, the Word of God, and
his support.
What would you like to see as a result of Rocky 6?
I would love for this film, on a personal level, to
accomplish what I want, in that Rocky, the series, ends with dignity and a
moral message as Rocky ascends into a different plane, in that his journey on
earth is done. I would love for the people to support this film, to send the
message that we need more films of an ethical and spiritual nature for our
children to see.
What was your inspiration for this film?
This is a film with great spirituality. This is a film
that to me was driven home by the guidance of God. There's no question about
it. I couldn't do this by myself, by no means. I know I didn't. It's
impossible. I'm just not that kind of person. And it just seems to work with
Rocky. Now, anything I tend to write is such a burden sometimes. When I write
Rocky, when I write that story, it's such a spiritual story. And it just flows.
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