By Rev. Chris Pierson, Director of Connectional Ministries

and Matt Kuzma, Director of Communications

On Tuesday, President Obama signed health insurance reform into law. The legislation will force insurance companies to change some of their policies, give tax incentives for small businesses to provide coverage to their employees, and allow individuals to pool together and purchase coverage from statewide exchanges.

Health insurance is one of the largest expenses in our conference budget and in the budgets of local churches. Our conference leadership is examining the new legislation to see how this new law might affect the costs that we pay for our staff and clergy. We will be sure to communicate with the conference as we learn more.

We have received several notes and calls this week asking for clarification about the UMC's position on health care reform. Like our civil system, the UMC is representative in nature. Rules, guidelines and social principles are voted upon by delegates of our conferences from around the world. No vote is ever unanimous, and we respect that informed and faithful people may disagree on any number of issues.

The church, most recently at the 2008 General Conference, has

long advocated for universal health coverage for all Americans.

We also recognize that the issue of health care and insurance has become very heated in our political discourse. Extreme rhetoric, hateful speech, gloating and condescension have now led to hateful actions.

Saturday, a protester spat and yelled racial slurs at Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), a retired UM clergyperson. Representatives from Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, New York and Kansas have reported death threats, destruction of property and even an attack on the home of a congressman's brother.

As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, we may disagree on public policy or social issues, but we share values that are far more important than partisan politics.

We encourage all clergy and lay leaders to:

In Matthew 5:22, Jesus makes it pretty clear that hateful speech, insults and personal attacks are beyond the pale. Please be kind.

I just wanted to share with you the things that have been happening the last few days in Manhattan.  On Wed. morning there was a terrible apartment fire, and tragically 19 people are now homeless.  But, in spite of this tragedy, everyone got out safely and there were no serious injuries.  

The truly exciting part has been watching the community respond.  We offered our church building as a place to collect the donations that came pouring in from the people in the community.  Our church members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to stay at the church and sort the items that came into the church.  We worked from 8am to 10pm the last two days to be open for donations.  The response has been outstanding.  We are overflowing with the results of people's generosity.  Even more than that, it has been wonderful to be present when the families from the fire came to get clothes and other things.  They have been overwhelmed with the incredible generosity from everyone.

So, in a world where bad news often outweighs the good, I wanted you to hear about the good things going on here in Manhattan.

The school takes place Thursday, July 22, 2010 through Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. The youth are ages 12 through 15 and will study "Embracing the World: Faith, Hope, Love in Action".