Rev. John Capen is a hard man to keep up with. In the past month alone, he’s completed two full marathons—New York and Hartford—in addition to logging some of the 2,000 miles he covers annually on daily jaunts around his home. Those statistics are impressive enough, but there’s more. Since Capen ran his first marathon in 1981, he has made the 26.2-mile trek 63 times including 11 times in Hartford, 23 times in New York City, and 24 times in Boston. His fastest time in Boston was 4:5:00 in 1996; and his best Hartford finish came last year, 5:33:00.

Capen, 73, retired in 2008 but still serves a two-point charge in the Catskill community of Athens, N.Y.—High Hill UMC and Federated Church of Athens. He puts in between five and seven miles most days of the week. Since Sundays are a “work day” for the pastor, he substitutes a walk to the corner for coffee—a 2.5-mile roundtrip. Many of his miles are spent praying, meditating, and “just listening for God.”

Capen began running in 1975, and when he ran his first marathon in Massachusetts in 1981, only his wife, Beatrice, was waiting for him at the finish line because the course was closed after five hours.

During the Hartford race on October 9, Capen was battling heel spurs and plantar fasciitis—an inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. That may have slowed him down, but it didn’t stop him. Capen again completed the race after the finish line was closed, but thanks to a dedicated volunteer, he and four others at the back of the pack still received their completion medals.

According to Capen, his Hartford time was 7:29:25. In the NYC race on November 7, he bested that time by about 20 minutes, finishing in 7:09:20. His advice to others: “Don’t give up. Set a goal and keep going. You don’t have to be fast.”

The night before the race, Capen had the opportunity to meet and talk with Christopher McDougall, who wrote the 2009 bestselling book Born to Run. The book details the barefoot running techniques of the reclusive Tarahumara Indians in the Copper Canyons of northern Mexico, who run long distances without the injuries typically found in runners wearing today’s high-tech shoes.

Wearing a cap from the Boston Marathon, Rev. John Capen crosses the Connecticut River via the Founders Bridge during the ING Hartford Marathon on October 9.

Rev. Bryan Hooper and Baylah Tessier-Sherman await the start of the race. Hooper’s church in Hartford hosted the pre-race pasta party.	The NYAC yellow shirts were easy to spot along the course. Bishop Park finished the 5K in 31:58.

Capen admitted that he has read the book twice and has some experience in barefoot running. The first barefoot run came about by accident; he had forgotten his shoes. He said it was an excruciating five-mile journey along a road that was freshly paved with crushed granite. He later competed in a 10K race sans shoes.

Although he’ll be taking a hiatus from competition for the winter, Capen plans to be back in Boston on April 18, 2011. He’ll run the race as a “bandit” — competing without a number.

A strong supporter of the Virgin HealthMiles activity program and challenges, Capen has been a cheerleader for his clergy colleagues in the last three challenges, urging them on to get in all the pedometer steps and bonuses possible. He has always come out in the top of the results. The Hartford race occurred in the middle of the latest challenge, and, for the record, Capen’s pedometer recorded 61,060 steps in just that one day. The following day, he went out and added another 12,000 steps to his challenge tally.

Capen says running is “his health thing.” He doesn’t run for speed, but figures that the exercise and the conversations he has with God along the way will add to his longevity. “I figure that someday I’ll come in first because I will have outlived all the competition in my age group,” he said with a laugh.

This story was reported by Barbara Eastman and Joanne Utley, and written by Utley.

Connecticut District Superintendent Ken Kieffer runs alongside his daughter, Olivea, in the 5K event.

Rev. Capen happily crosses the finish line at the Hartford Marathon.

Post-race photo with members of the NYAC team including Rev. Sung Song, Bishop Park and Sam Rosenfeld, center, and Rev. Kun Sam Cho, far left, with Rev. Heather Sinclair, back row.

LEFT: Bishop Park poses with Jane Walsh of New Milford UMC who ran the full 26.2 miles for her sister Stacey Huntley to raise money for breast cancer research.

By Rev. Kristen Dunn

The Christian Century magazine reported recently on the aftermath of the razing by arsonists of Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield, Mass., hours after President Obama’s election as the nation’s first black president. The arsonists admitted to harboring hatred for blacks and Hispanics and said they set fire to the church to denounce Obama’s election. Volunteers from Christian and Jewish communities from as far away as California came to Massachusetts to help rebuild the church. Bishop Bryant Robinson, leader of the predominantly black Macedonia church, said that a small miracle was born from the ashes.

On September 22, Tyler Clementi committed suicide by jumping from the George Washington Bridge after his roommate secretly filmed Tyler in intimate moments and then posted the films on the Internet. Tyler was one of six gay young people whose lives were cut tragically short by what those grieving their deaths have called “bullycides.”

The video game, “Border Patrol,” portrays 88 Latino men, women and children running swiftly across a small blue strip of water under the image of a gun’s telescope. The players shoot at them as they try to “cross the border” and earn high points if they successfully hit pregnant women with children.

In Patchogue, N.Y., in 2008, Ecuadoran immigrant Marcelo Lucero was surrounded and attacked by seven white teenagers in a parking lot of the Patchogue train station shortly before midnight. The teenager who led the attacks had a history of racially motivated violence, and was convicted of manslaughter as a hate crime.

And last month in the Bronx, two teenage boys and a 30-year-old man were abducted and tortured because they were suspected of being gay. This is a long list of events from which our spirits recoil. What do they have in common? They are all violent; they all took place here in the United States. And in each circumstance, a human being was attacked not for hitting someone or for stealing or lying or defrauding—not for anything they did wrong—but simply because of whom they are. In each of these tragic events, hatred drove people to attack.

Where does it come from, this hatred? Where do young people—for sadly all the attackers in these events were young—learn to hate? And what does God call us to do—or stop doing—to protect our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, ourselves from these attacks?

We don’t need to dig very deep in the teachings of Jesus to find what he did and said about hatred based on identity. Who is our neighbor? Not just the one who sits next to us in the pew or who shops at the same market or who lives on the same street, but everyone who suffers, and everyone who shows us love and compassion when we suffer. Who should we shower with every good thing? Not just the children of our own communities; not just those who look or speak or worship like us, but the modern-day Syro-Phoenicians, Samaritans, and lepers.

And it is not just in our prayers and our thoughts that we are called by Jesus to show love and compassion to those who are different. Actions, not just words—give a cup of water, feed my sheep, don’t cast the stone. Jesus came not as an idea or a spirit or a theory, but as a living, breathing man, one of us. In his life we learned how precious in God’s sight we each are, breathing and laughing and crying and sweating and alive in these bodies.

So how grieved and outraged are we, those of us who worship God-made-flesh, when Marcelo Lucero or a black church community or young gay teens are attacked just for living and breathing and being who they are? And what must our Christian response be?

At Annual Conference this year, we all experienced the power of these questions in the debate about the hate crimes resolution that was brought before the body. Of course everyone in that conversation and debate at conference recognized that hate crimes are wrong. But the question that raised the energy and passion in the room was: As Christians is there some way in which we are helping to cause these crimes?

There are many who would say yes, and many who would say no. What we know for sure is that what we do matters. And with these types of crimes threatening the lives and souls of so many young people—both the victims and the perpetrators—we cannot sit by and do nothing.

So please come and join other NYAC United Methodists in the urgent conversation about what we must do. On November 20, “My Brother’s Keeper” symposium will be held at Grace UMC, 125 W 104th St, Manhattan. This symposium—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—will lift up the common humanity and vulnerability of all who are targeted by hate crimes, and help to formulate our Christian response. Sponsored by the Conference Commission on Religion and Race, Methodists for Social Action, the Conference Board of Church and Society, the Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the NYAC Immigration Task Force, and Methodists in New Directions. For more information and registration info, go to:
http://www.mindny.org/my-brothers-keeper.

Clergy & Spouse Tax Seminars
Seminars will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
January 7: Learning Center, Conference Center, White Plains, NY
January 14: Hicksville UMC, Hicksville, NY
January 18: Walden UMC, Walden, NY
January 19: Red Hook UMC, Red Hook, NY
January 21: First UMC, Jamaica, Queens

Emergency Response Team Training
January 8: ERT Workshop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. John’s UMC, 2105 Stuart Ave., Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580.

New Retreat at Camp Olmsted
January 15–17: “How Does Your Garden Grow?” will use the garden as a metaphor for spiritual life. This weekend retreat, led by Sheila Peiffer, will encompass many tools to foster new spiritual growth and get your spiritual garden blooming, despite the weather. For more information, call the Olmsted Center at 845-534-7900, or visit the Web site at www.campolmsted.org.

More events available on the NYAC calendar>>

United Methodist Student Day
November 28: One of the Special Sundays of the church year; the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry directs 90 percent of the offerings into scholarships and loans to UM students. Ten percent is returned to the annual conferences for merit scholarships. For more information, select the “Special Sundays” button on the Web site, http://www.umcgiving.org/

Christmas in Gaylordsville
December 3–4: Annual Holiday Bazaar at Gaylordsville (Conn.) UMC, 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, and 9 to 3 p.m., Saturday. Handmade quilted items, jewelry, Vermont cheese and pickles, soup and bread lunch, a children’s craft room, photos with Santa, cookie walk, and silent auction. A life-size Neapolitan Nativity will be on display on Gaylord Road.

Consumer-Oriented Preaching
December 7: Explore how to preach in a consumer-driven society at this 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. workshop led by Rev. Dr. Albert Hahn. Register by Nov. 30 for $25; $35, after that date.

Write a check to Talithacum Ministry and mail it to Smithtown UMC along with your name, church, and email address, or call 631-265-6945 for credit card payments. Smithtown UMC, 230 Middle Country Rd., Smithtown, N.Y. 11787.

Ignite Early Registration
December 31: Register at www.umyouth.com by this date for the bargain price of $159 for the “Ignite” youth weekend for all teenagers in the NYAC. Then mark your calendars for January 21–23, 2011, at Taconic Retreat Center, Poughkeepsie.

NY-CT Lay Speaking Course
January–March: Basic Lay Speaking Course prepares laity to provide a ministry of caring, leadership, and communicating God’s word. Seven Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., January 8; and 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., January 22; February 5, 18; March 5, 18 and 26. Jesse Lee Memorial UMC, 207 Main St., Ridgefield, Conn., 06877. Click here for details>>

LI West Lay Speaking Courses
January–April: Long Island West will offer youth, beginner, certified and advanced classes on January 15, February 5 and 19, March 5 and 19, and April 2 at two locations:
• UMC of Floral Park, 35 Verbena Ave., Floral Park, NY 11001
• Union UMC, 121 New York Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216

Closing worship and fellowship will be celebrated on April 16 at Floral Park. Click here for additional information>>.

Permaculture Design Course
January–May 2011: Learn about living practices and land use that are in tune with nature and good stewardship at Epworth Camp and Retreat Center, High Falls, N.Y. Weekend/holiday dates in January, February, March, April and May. Kay Cafasso and Connor Stedman will lead the course with guest teachers. If interested, please contact Joan Ewing, Green Phoenix Permaculture, at mamajoane@yahoo.com, or 845-687-7646, or click here for more information>>

By Heather Hahn
UM News Service

The legalization of same-sex marriage in some states and countries is complicating a long-simmering debate on how the church ministers to gays and lesbians.

The challenge, say bishops from areas where same-sex marriage is legal, is encouraging dialogue and mutual respect among all parties in the debate in the pews while at the same time upholding church law.

“Even though people are coming from across the theological spectrum, we trust that they are willing to engage in conversation with integrity, respect and sensitivity,” said Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, whose episcopal area includes part of Connecticut. “And that’s something we can celebrate. We are not in a perfect place, but at least I see a sincere intention to have holy conferencing on an issue like this.”

At present, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C., grant civil marriages for same-sex couples. Outside the United States, 10 countries also offer legal recognition to same-sex couples.

During the November 2–4 Council of Bishops meeting in Panama, bishops from areas where same-sex marriage is legal met for a private lunch to discuss how their congregations are dealing with the issue.

“The conversation was centered around that as more states make it legal, more congregations will be involved (in the debate), and we need to find a way to respond,” Park said.

The United Methodist Church opposes same-sex unions and forbids its pastors from performing such ceremonies or allowing them to take place in United Methodist churches.

The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, states that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, ruled in 2009 that it is a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions, even in states where such unions are legal.

However, some United Methodist congregations that welcome homosexual members are debating how to handle marriage requests. On Sept. 26, members of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., voted 367 to 8 to allow same-gender marriages to be performed in its building.

Following Foundry’s vote, Bishop John R. Schol released a statement to clergy and lay leaders in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. “In the midst of these difficult matters of the church,” he wrote, “I will do all I can to be fair and compassionate as I work to maintain the unity and witness of the church.”

But as a bishop, he noted, he is responsible for upholding church law and “will process and follow through with any complaint or charge against a United Methodist clergyperson of the Baltimore-Washington Conference who performs a same-gender wedding or holy union.”

At the Council of Bishops meeting, he reiterated that stand. “The Book of Discipline is very clear,” he said.

The subject of same-sex unions has sparked debate every four years at the gathering of General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body. Delegates have consistently voted not to change the Book of Discipline. But neither supporters nor opponents of same-sex marriage expect the debate to end.

In the United States, public support for same-sex unions has been growing over the past decade, but that support is still in the minority. This year, a Pew Research Center poll found 42 percent in favor of same-sex marriages and 48 percent in opposition. That marks the first time in 15 years of Pew Research polling that fewer than half opposed such marriages.

Visiting churches around the New York Annual Conference is one of the personal joys of being Lay Leader. However, our conference spans a wide geographical area and getting around to it all is taking time. I am therefore grateful for other ways to be kept informed, like the Internet and The Vision, our own conference newsletter.

I have read and reread the October issue. I particularly liked the article, “4 Clergy Share Experiences of Leadership,” and plan to include it in discussions with laity. Thanks to Rev. Joanne Utley, the editor, for a great paper. I encourage everyone to read The Vision monthly, make sure there are copies available for members in your church and discuss the articles among yourselves.

I, , e, njoy worshipping with different congregations whenever the opportunity presents itself. It is encouraging to see strong lay leadership in operation, and to see clergy and laity working in partnership. At the Westchester UMC in the Bronx, where Rev. Dr. Johnny Johnson is the pastor, and Cora Doram the lay leader, I was blessed on Laity Sunday by the “sweet, sweet Spirit” that

was evident in the worship, the warm family atmosphere and the way that youth are embraced. What an awesome steel band!

Women’s Day at St Paul’s UMC in Brooklyn was a most fulfilling spiritual experience for me. The large church was packed to capacity. I was excited to see so many men in attendance. Contemporary and traditional worship styles were utilized, and there was participation by both youth and adults. The hospitality was warm and genuine. That the congregation at St Paul’s is in love with God, and that they serve their community was evident from the time I arrived there until I reluctantly left. Rev. Delroy Murdock, Lay Leader Albert Neufville, and members of St Paul’s, thanks for exhibiting the marks of a vital congregation.

The annual meeting of the conference’s United Methodist Women on October 23 was a time of praise, fellowship and celebration as women gathered under the theme “Faith, Hope, Love in Action.” We were warmly welcomed at Golden Hill UMC in Bridgeport by pastor, Rev. Taka Ishii. Melodye Merola, minister for outreach, and the women of the church saw to our every need. Our speaker, Carol Barton, executive secretary for Community Action at the Women’s Division led us through an interactive discussion examining, “What moves us? Whose we are?” and some of the work we are doing. Our time together concluded with communion service led by District Superintendent, Rev. Ken Kieffer.

There is so much more that happened this month in our other churches that was good! We are aware that there are some signs of spiritual stagnation among us, but there are also signs of hope and vitality! Thanks be to God!

By Rev. Dennis R. Winkleblack
Chair, Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns

It isn’t too late to begin planning for how you and your church will celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18–25. The theme this year is “One in the Apostles’ Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer” from Acts 2:42. The theme comes from the churches in Jerusalem, the mother church of us all, some say. These Palestinian Christians are calling us to honor Jesus’ high priestly prayer, “that they all may be one.” (John 17:21)

Abundant resources including orders of worship, prayers, music, posters and the like are available on the Web site of Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute, www.geii.org/wpcu. Most are free; some have a small cost.

Ecumenism—the movement promoting unity among Christian churches—is sadly on the back burner for most denominations.

Nevertheless, ecumenism is alive and well in many of our cities, towns and rural areas. There are wonderful stories of churches working together to proclaim the gospel and to witness to the compassion and justice of Jesus Christ.

One of the ways to both celebrate unity among churches, as well as to nurture future cooperation and vision, is by the observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Whether it is a week full of study, a joint mission endeavor or a single worship service with participation by area clergy and laity, this annual event is an opportunity we shouldn’t let slip away. Graymoor is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, so expect your Roman Catholic neighbors to know about it and be enthusiastic about working with you.

And don’t forget: whenever you do something with another church or other faith tradition, please send me information at dwinkleblack@nyac.com, so we can pass it along to others.

By Rev. Jim Stinson
Consultant for Older Adult Ministries

Endings Before Beginnings. That is the subtitle of an essay written by David Powell, His essay, “Living in the In-Between,” is in the Fall 2010 issue of Center Sage, a resource for people working in older adult ministries.

Almost daily, I become aware of someone at Wesley Village who is struggling with some powerful endings in their lives. Leaving a home they love; seeking to recover from the loss of a loved one—a spouse, a child, a good friend; leaving friends behind; and receiving a difficult diagnosis from the doctor are but a few of these experiences shared by many as we age.

David Powell says something profoundly true, but which many in the midst of change will find difficult to believe. At first blush, it sounds trite and easy. Yet experience has taught me that it is absolutely the truth for those who dare to believe, and act on it. What he says is: “We need to let go of ‘what is’ so something new can be born.” It is the same sentiment expressed in the classic play and movie, “The Sound of Music.” As Maria prepares to leave the convent, the Mother Superior tells her, “Wherever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”

Both David Powell and Mother Superior speak to each of us as we confront the closing of doors in our lives. It is so easy to see endings as final. Yet if we use the gift of memory to reflect on other endings in our lives, we can discover how we moved on from them and found beginnings. Somehow we found ways to cope with situations that once

seemed impossible. Somehow we are still here, living the life we have.

I believe that the best way to move from an ending is to believe we have the capability of finding and claiming hope in even the worst of circumstances. It is in knowing that we all have been gifted with the ability to do the best we can at any given moment, and in so doing, to live in that moment—letting go of fear and despair, and thus finding our way to a new beginning. The hymn, “Amazing Grace,” says it best: "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

My insight? Anyone doing ministry with Older Adults needs to be comfortable dealing with endings. Anyone doing ministry in the name of Jesus needs to be comfortable sharing the faith that seemingly began with the ultimate ending; but which, in fact, began with a beginning. People facing endings need to be reminded that every ending can be a beginning.

Click here to read more by Rev. Stinson>>

The day after the election, many politicians could be heard talking about addressing the needs of the middle class. On the same day, at First UMC of Mt. Vernon, members of the community and volunteers from the AARP group, Create The Good, came together to discuss how to better serve the needs of poor and working class residents. Rev. Hermon Darden; Jean Williams, coordinator of Livable Community Connections in Mt. Vernon; Lauren Weaver of Family Services of Westchester, and Michael Olender, associate state director for AARP, brought together participants from congregations including Grace Baptist, Greater Centennial AME Zion, and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic churches.

Livable Community Connections is a neighborhood empowerment program that works to assess needs and create communities where people (especially seniors) can stay healthy and connected to friends and family, and remain actively engaged in their communities. AARP’s Create the Good workers are available to help in efforts to enhance community life for seniors, youth, and struggling families.

Rev. Hermon Darden, seated second from right, hosted a gathering of Mt. Vernon volunteers focused on improving conditions for the poor and elderly in their community at his church, First UMC.

In addition to affirming the need for cooperative ministry, the participants helped prepare bags for the food pantry distribution at First UMC. Rev. Darden noted that food pantry needs had doubled in the previous two weeks. The need is especially acute for families with children.

NY Methodist Hospital Consumer’s Choice

New York Methodist Hospital is this year’s Consumer’s Choice Award winner for the borough of Brooklyn. It’s the fifth year in a row that the hospital has received the award, and the first time it was named the sole winner for Brooklyn. The award, given by the National Research Corporation, recognizes hospitals with outstanding service and quality in 300 markets across the country.

Mark J. Mundy, president and CEO, expressed pride in the hospital’s accomplishment. “This award recognizes that consumers these days do have a choice. It’s good to see confirmation that we are getting things right and, as a result, our Hospital is the first choice of Brooklynites throughout the borough.”

Share Anchor House Mission With Your Church

By B.J. Edwards
Chairperson, Anchor House Board of Directors

We share the same dreams.

We live where you live.

Anchor House Inc. was founded in 1967 as a Christ-centered drug-free rehabilitation facility. Just as an anchor provides stability for a ship to wait out a storm, Anchor House provides a safe port for clients until the storms of drug and alcohol addiction die, and then readies them for a new life.

Of course, the anchor can only be effective if the chain remains strong and hooked together with Jesus Christ. The program is multicultural and open to all, regardless of religion, race and or ethnic origin.

Anchor House offers hope through Jesus Christ where there was none. Confidence and a strong sense of purpose replace self-doubt and desperation. Residents leave the program with a cleansed spirit and a renewed will. Our graduates are ready to take their place as responsible workers, family members and neighbors.

The Anchor House program is effective because it provides a reliable stable foundation in which substance abusers find support and experience community. Those who come to Anchor House for treatment do so via many different paths—some are referred by the courts, others by friends, family, or the church connection. Some homeless individuals walk in off the street, and program graduates recommend others. All are seeking help for their addiction. Many clients need our assistance for problems that go far beyond drug and alcohol abuse.

During these difficult economic times, the need for this service and ministry is essential. Pooling our resources together in order to help some of God’s people not only fulfills the scripture, but also puts you right with God’s word.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15: 15–17)

Often I think about the words of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, who said, “ I look upon the whole world as my parish.” Wesley reminds us that we are to reach out beyond the walls of the church.

We encourage your youth task force, women’s and men’s ministries or your congregation to invite members of the Anchor House community to your church for service and fellowship. Develop an Anchor House mission day to highlight what the Lord is doing in our lives.

We have been truly blessed. We have gone out into the vineyard and are reaping a bountiful harvest. Who says a few dollars don’t go far today? When hundreds and or thousands of people of faith give prayerfully amazing things happen!

Giving together, we can make miracles happen.

Please contact Anchor House at 718-771-0760 for information or to schedule a date for mission fellowship. Donations can be made payable to Anchor House, and sent to 1041 Bergen St, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11216-3307.