“The church has never elevated HIV/AIDS as a sustained priority that allows us to embrace social holiness at the intersection of education and advocacy with compassion.” — Bishop Julius C. Trimble, committee chair, United Methodist Global AIDS Committee.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches can help erase stigma of HIV/AIDS
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — Denominational attention to HIV/AIDS has diminished since more than 130 United Methodists went through HIV/AIDS testing at a Council of Bishops meeting in 2010. Organizers of the “Breaking Barriers” HIV/AIDS ministry conference in October are hoping to spark a new commitment by church members to overcome stigma and help save lives. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
Church continuing to help displaced refugees
O’NEILL, Neb. — When more than 100 immigrant families were stranded after a labor scheme was uncovered, O’Neill United Methodist Church stepped up to help the families. They are still offering food and other necessities as well as legal aid, the Rev. Brian Loy said, although he and his congregation don’t want to be caught up in the politics. “So we just keep loving the people and keep providing for them,” he said. David Burke has the story.
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Religion News Service
Law brings church closures in Rwanda
KIGALI, Rwanda — Since the beginning of the year, when Rwandan lawmakers enacted new laws requiring pastors to be educated and church buildings to be renovated, an estimated 8,000 churches and 100 mosques have been closed across this East Africa nation.
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PRESS RELEASES
Western Jurisdiction
Western Jurisdiction leaders endorse One Church Plan
PHOENIX — The Western Jurisdiction Mission Cabinet endorsed the One Church Plan as “the best way forward for the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church.” The mission cabinet includes the jurisdiction’s bishops, directors of connectional ministries and leadership team chair. The One Church Plan, endorsed by the majority of bishops, is one of the Commission on a Way Forward plans heading to the special General Conference in 2019.
Read statement
Read UMNS story on Way Forward plans
Council of Bishops
10 young adults selected for ecumenical training
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has selected 10 young adults for United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training: Young Adult Network. The young adults will be trained in group leadership skills, the history and theology of the ecumenical and interreligious movements and how the denomination lives out Christian unity and interreligious relationships.
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COMMENTARIES
Church should be discussing hunger, not sexuality
FAIRLAWN, Ohio (UMNS) — A General Conference delegate questions why she should be sitting in judgment on sexuality. Martha E. Banks writes that the church should be discussing hunger, homelessness, healthcare and mass incarceration instead of sexuality.
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Pacific Northwest Conference
When the Methodists took on the Hop King
PUYALLUP, Wash. — In a drama that played itself out in 1895, conflicting values of late 19th century Methodism — namely its social witness and missional ambitions — came to a head in a frontier town. Patrick Scriven looks at this historical example of tensions that arose in the wake of the church’s commitment to temperance.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Arabic-speaking Swiss church provides homes for migrants
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