Earlier this year, a news release was sent out by Ezra Earl Jones, General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship, regarding the “Gift for Camp/Retreat Ministry.” Most of you are aware of the information, but we are including this brief article for those who may not be. In this way, you have the original letter and news release, so you can pass on firsthand information. Also, we want to report that the General Board, the National Camp/Retreat Committee, and Maurice Wise have not been contacted by the donor’s representatives with any new information since this news release. The matter remains in a “dormant status, until more information comes to light.” Dr. Jones is requesting the wisdom of those of us involved intimately in this ministry. As the key spokesperson related to the news release, he is the person to contact with questions, needs for clarification, or comments, and he welcomes your feedback. He asked me to clarify that the news release does not state that the gift does not exist. It simply states that no one should enter into financial commitments, since the funds have not been identified in “any tangible fashion,” and such commitments would be premature. You may contact him by e-mail: ezraearl@gbod.org or by phone: (615) 340-7022. Send snail mail to: General Board of Discipleship, Ezra Earl Jones, P. O. Box 840 Nashville, TN 37202-0840.

February 2, 1998 To: United Methodist Camp and Retreat Leaders Dear Friends, I am today releasing the attached news release. I thought you would want to have a copy in light of any publicity it may receive over the coming days. I am truly sorry for the need to communicate with you in this way with this information. I know how longingly you have anticipated the proceeds from this gift to support your conference programs and to provide a tangible setting for building community in retreat and camping ministries across the denomination. Be assured that we will continue to be vigilant and explore all possibilities of new inquiry as they may appear. I send best regards. Sincerely, Ezra Earl Jones General Secretary, General Board of Discipleship INFORMATION–NEWS RELEASE TO UNITED METHODIST BISHOPS AND CAMP/RETREAT LEADERS An investigation by the General Board of Discipleship with regard to the gift announced by Maurice Wise in 1991 at the National Conference of UM Camp/Retreat Leaders in Palestine, Texas, has failed to identify the gift or the funds in any tangible fashion. Accordingly, this matter is being returned to a dormant status until more information comes to light. Until more concrete information is available, the General Board of Discipleship cannot recommend reliance upon this gift for any purpose and particularly for any financial commitment.

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