Clergywoman's cross-country trip will focus on ad campaign
6/14/2001 News media contact: Linda Green · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn
NOTE: A head-and-shoulders photograph of the Rev. Jaime Potter-Miller is available.
A UMNS Feature By Linda Green*
A Pennsylvania clergywoman will become the Charles Kuralt of the United Methodist Church this summer, when she motors across the country encouraging and hearing the stories of people participating in the denomination's Igniting Ministry effort.
The Rev. Jaime Potter-Miller, superintendent of the Johnstown District of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, will take a three-month leave of absence from her duties to "pay it forward" to the church that has nurtured, challenged and blessed her with opportunities for ministry. The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the denomination's book of laws, policy and rules, allows a district superintendent to take up to three months' leave for reflection, study and self-renewal once during his or her term.
Charles Kuralt was the "On the Road" reporter for CBS News until his death in 1997. He traveled across the country in a motor home reporting on diverse subjects for Sunday morning broadcasts. Potter-Miller will provide reports on her journey via e-mail to the Igniting Ministry headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. Her reports will be posted on the Igniting Ministry Web site.
With her August-October venture, Potter-Miller will combine a lifelong dream with two other ingredients. Her dream has been to drive across the United States, seeing parts of the country she has never seen. As she does, she will be an ambassador for the church's Igniting Ministry initiative and will see the church at large in action.
"I've always had a desire to see the U.S.A.," she said. "I've been abroad, seen the Eiffel Tower, but I've never been to New Orleans. I've been inside a pyramid, but not in front of Mount Rushmore. I've driven through the Alps, but not the Rockies. I've been to Zimbabwe, Lithuania, Russia, but never been to one half of the states."
Potter-Miller said she is leaving her Johnstown, Pa., office for three months "to see and hear the heartbeat of this church, not just be consumed with supervision and conflict management. I want to celebrate the making of disciples," she said.
Igniting Ministry is the first full-blown television, newspaper and outdoor campaign undertaken for the church. The campaign attempts to reach people who are seeking answers to real-life questions and to invite them to United Methodist churches to continue their search. The goals of the four-year media campaign are to increase awareness and recognition of the denomination's basic beliefs; to foster a positive feeling and willingness among nonchurch members to visit a United Methodist church; and to renew a sense of commitment among United Methodists.
Potter-Miller will visit local churches and annual conferences that have received matching grant money from United Methodist Communications (UMCom) to enable local and regional placement of advertising on broadcast television.
UMCom is contributing $1 million yearly in matching grants to help conferences and local churches supplement the national campaign with their own regional and local advertising. Three rounds of matching grants of up to $50,000 per applicant are offered annually. The denomination, through UMCom, is providing about $17 million in national placement of spots on cable television channels starting in September and continuing through 2004.
Potter-Miller, a member of UMCom's governing Commission on Communications, has been involved in the inception and development of Igniting Ministry. The emphasis excites and motivates her more than most things in which she's been involved, she said.
"I believe that Igniting Ministry has the potential to spark a new reformation of faith in the United States and beyond," she said. "The least I can do is give encouragement to those who are giving themselves to the mission."
Using the Gospel of Mark 6:8a, which asks Christians "to take nothing for the journey except a staff" as her backdrop, Potter-Miller is making the trip and her return "on the connection."
As she visits churches, she will rely upon the hospitality of members for a meal, a tank of gasoline, a partner for a walk in the ministry areas, and in some instances, a bed for the night.
"I want to show the world the heart of the people called United Methodists," she said. "Experiencing the grass roots of people who care, whose hearts, minds and doors are open, will encourage all of us in mission."
As the Igniting Ministry theme calls for United Methodist Churches to have open hearts, doors and minds, she is seeking shelter and fellowship in the same way.
"Jaime Potter-Miller is connecting with local churches to emphasize that our outreach is both global and local," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive at UMCom.
The number of places Potter-Miller visits will depend on how she is received by matching-grant recipients and their willingness to host her. She will be in every state where matching grants have been given, and she will drive through others, "looking for friendly United Methodists," she said.
Currently, her itinerary calls for visits to the episcopal areas of Chicago, the Dakotas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio West, Wisconsin, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore-Washington, Arkansas, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Birmingham, Charlotte, Columbia, Holston, Louisville, Nashville, North Georgia, Raleigh, Richmond, South Georgia, Denver, Los Angeles and Portland. The trip also will include two sites in Hawaii and accompanying Bishop Hae-Jong Kim and fellow members of the cabinet of Western Pennsylvania to Korea. She has been in contact with the top executives of United Methodist boards and agencies, and if time permits, she will visit their operations.
"The reception Jaime is receiving as an ambassador for Igniting Ministry is demonstrating that we are more united as a church than we are divided," Hollon said. "Our local churches are not only extending hospitality to Jaime, but we are also attempting to live out the words of the Igniting Ministry campaign that we are a people with open hearts, open minds and open doors. Her journey is a wonderful example of this hospitality and unity of purpose."
Potter-Miller said she would miss Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Delaware or Florida and possibly Utah on her planned route.
Is she worried about crossing the country alone in her automobile? "No," she said. "I love to listen to music and novels on tape. I also enjoy the quiet, prayer time in a car. I feel free when I'm on the road, and that freedom gives me a sense of well-being."
Friends are providing her with cross-country essentials such as trip goodies, a road emergency kit, cash that she will access via debit card. At all times during the trip, she will carry less than $50. During stretches of the trip that have no Igniting Ministry sites, such as from Mount Rushmore to Portland, Ore., she will use funds given to her by United Methodists for lodging, food and gas. She also might receive invitations from United Methodists living in such areas.
UMCom is managing the support of her trip, and Potter-Miller says contributions are welcome. Seeking to keep costs down, she is soliciting T-shirts with United Methodist themes because T-shirts and shorts will be her uniform for the three months.
Because "I cannot possibly go three months without preaching," she said she will wear a clergy shirt under a T-shirt when she is invited to preach.
The Igniting Ministry Web site at www.ignitingministry.org will track her progress and feature updates of her journey. # # # *Green is the news director of the Nashville, Tenn.,-based office of United Methodist News Service.
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