PHNOM PENH – The Methodist Mission in Cambodia (MMC) has been constituted as the Methodist Mission Conference in Cambodia.

At the MMC’s 5th Annual Meeting here on Aug 30, the Council of Bishops signed a document constituting the Methodist Mission Conference in Cambodia, signalling a new beginning. The Council will now work towards the formation of the Probational Annual Conference in the year 2012, and the Methodist Annual Conference in 2016.

The MMC’s 5th Annual Meeting was led by three Methodist Bishops – Bishop Dr Robert Solomon (The Methodist Church in Singapore), Bishop Roy Sano (The United Methodist Church) and Bishop Jun Yang Chul (Korean Methodist Church).

Bishop Sano commented, after the signing of the document: “This is indeed a moving moment for us. In the US, different migrant groups gathered together and eventually became mission groups, then as missionary conferences, and then became members of the Annual Conferences.

“In 1994, the Japanese congregation decided they were not ready even after 16 years. But the Methodist Mission in Cambodia is moving so fast, working in a very fast schedule. I am so happy to see you becoming a Mission Conference. Hallelujah!”

The Rev Beverly F. Barte is the UMC GBGM Missionary in Cambodia.

John Wesley’s advice on the economy

NEW YORK – The year was 1772 as John Wesley addressed a letter to the Editor of Lloyd’s Evening Post regarding the causes of and cures for high unemployment, food shortages and dismal economic conditions.

More than two centuries later, the United States is struggling with a meltdown on Wall Street, skyrocketing petrol prices and inadequate health care. But our diminished economy would scarcely rival that of England in 1772.

Wesley, who was 69 at the time, started by asking why. “Why are thousands of people starving – perishing for want, in every part of England?”

He then described the London situation: “I have known those who could only afford to eat a little coarse food every other day … I have known another gathering the bones, which the dogs had left in the streets, and making broth of them, to prolong a wretched life.”

Examining the causes
Wesley blamed several English practices for the impoverished state of the nation:

1. The wasteful use of grain to produce alcohol.

2. Wealthy people who need horses for sport, pleasure and export.

3. Unproductive large farms had replaced small family farms, causing a shortage of poultry, pork and eggs.

4. High taxes. “Enormous taxes are laid on almost everything that can be named. Not only abundant taxes are raised from earth, and fire, and water; but, in England, the ingenious statesmen have found a way to tax light. Only one element – air – remains, and surely some man of honour will contrive to tax this also. For how long shall the saucy air blow in the face of a gentleman, nay, a lord, without paying for it?”

5. The national debt. “Taxes are high because of the national debt.”

Identifying cures
John Wesley believed that most of the economic problems of the day were caused by a growing disparity between the rich and the poor.

‘Contemporary application of Wesley’s advice would suggest that the US Congress should reduce taxes on the poor and middle class, add taxes to luxury items, eliminate taxes upon necessities, introduce laws that govern the use of natural resources, and take steps to reduce the US$10 trillion (S$14.8 trillion) national debt.’

He felt the cure was to repress “luxury, either by example, by laws, or both”. He asked legislators to establish laws that would prohibit the distillation of alcohol. While he lamented high taxes upon the poor and middle class, he called for additional taxes on luxury items such as horses and carriages. He suggested people be taxed on what they purchased rather than on what they earned.

He also expressed concern about future generations and called for a reduction of the national debt.

In short, he called for higher taxes on the wealthy and laws that would prohibit the wasting of natural products.

While Wesley did not tell the readers of Lloyd’s Evening Post about his personal actions, he organised groups of Methodists to visit the London workhouses where poor people were housed and employed. The groups also provided worship services for the inmates, most of whom were children and elderly persons.

Lessons learned
Contemporary application of Wesley’s advice would suggest that the US Congress should reduce taxes on the poor and middle class, add taxes to luxury items, eliminate taxes upon necessities, introduce laws that govern the use of natural resources, and take steps to reduce the US$10 trillion (S$14.8 trillion) national debt – a debt that has increased by 71.9 per cent over the last eight years. A record 28 million Americans are now receiving food stamps.

While he did not write about his personal actions, Wesley’s life serves as an example to United Methodists about our personal obligation to care for poor and vulnerable persons through a variety of means. – United Methodist New Service.

Richard Peck is a retired clergy member of the New York Annual Conference and the Communications Director of the Commission on United Methodist Men.