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Make A Difference

The Advocacy Table celebrates the ways Young People are making a difference.

Petition seeks to cancel 'Redskins' trademark
Six American Indian young people to file joint complaint against NFL team
CANASTOTA, N.Y. - Six American Indian young people from across the country will file a joint petition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 11 for the cancellation of the Washington Redskins football organization (Pro-Football Inc.) trademarked term, “Redskins.” <More>

GEN-X RISING: Decline in young leadership threatens Methodism's future

Despite a rise in young people attending seminaries, only about half of those attending seminary plan on entering parish ministry. This is troublesome for the future of the United Methodist Church--Who will be the leaders of our church in the future?

What actions should be taken? Read here to find out some suggestions.

Wheelchair bound teen takes 'dis' out of 'disability.

Tatyana McFadden excels as one of the fastest wheelchair racers in the world. But learning to drive on suburban Maryland streets is a new challenge. At 16, Tatyana eases through traffic using hand controls on the family's van. Just like many other challenges she has faced, driving is one she does not hesitate to tackle. "When someone writes 'disabilities,' they should cross out the 'dis' and just keep the 'ability,' because I think that everyone is able to do something," says Tatyana, who cannot walk because she was born with spina bifida.

Empty space - 44,000 square feet of empty space, to be exact - greeted the Rev. TroyAnn Poulopoulos at Galloway United Methodist Church, her new appointment in midtown. Rattling around in all that empty space and footing the utility bills for it were about 40 active church members. Bob Kermick, the church lay leader, estimates that when Poulopoulos arrived in June 2004, 15 attended the early service and maybe 25 the late. "I guess the greatest percentage of our members are 70 years old or older," Kermick said. It didn't look promising.
<Read full story>

Child Labor
Economic Community
from: The General Board of Church and Society
Resources for addressing child labor
from: The General Board of Global Ministries

HIV/AIDS
Social Community and HIV/AIDS
from: General Board of Church an Society

HIV/AIDS Programs in India and Zimbabwe
from: General Board of Global Ministries

Bright stars pierce the crisp autumn nights of Minneapolis—great sleeping weather for most residents of this northern city. Casey Robbins, 16, of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in downtown Minneapolis is learning firsthand that the cold nights are not so pleasant for the city's homeless. And she wants others to care as much as she does. <

Mississippi youth take Christmas spirit to evacuees
United Methodist youth made sure some survivors of Hurricane Katrina don't miss out on at least that part of Christmas this year. About 40 youth from around the Mississippi Conference on Dec. 3 delivered nearly 200 "Christmas boxes" to hurricane victims living in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In addition, the young people brought toys, games, books, clothes, food and other items to the Gulf Coast. "This was a way I could give back to my brothers and sisters in Christ," said Taylor Ivey of Meridian. <more>

For additional information:

The Natural World
The United Methodist Church's position on the environment and environmental justice

Educating for Justice
Non-profit organization producing educational materials on social justice issues.