“If we fight and retreat to our various corners and turfs, the church will follow our example and fight.”
— Bishop Bruce R. Ough in his final address to United Methodist bishops as their president.
Photo by Anne Marie Gerhardt, Northern Illinois Conference
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops begin high-stakes deliberations
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Council of Bishops president, said the church is watching as bishops finalize recommendations aimed at fending off church splits over homosexuality. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read press release
Christians find hope in Korean summit
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Christians worldwide have been advocating for the reunification of the Korean peninsula. The news of the April 27 summit between Kim Jong Un of North Korea and Moon Jae-in of South Korea brought hope to many, before and after the event. Wisconsin Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung called the meeting “an answer to millions of prayers across decades.” Linda Bloom and Heather Hahn have the story.
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The New York Times and AME
A founder of black liberation theology dies
NEW YORK — The Rev. James H. Cone, who argued for racial justice and an interpretation of the Christian Gospel that elevated the voices of the oppressed, died April 28. He was 79. Ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Cone had United Methodist ties. He graduated from United Methodist-related Philander Smith College and what is now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Jacey Fortin has his obituary.
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Read statement from African Methodist Episcopal Church
South Carolina Conference
United Methodist church builds park
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Central United Methodist Church dedicated a new two-acre park here on Earth Day, April 22, with the intent to strengthen the sense of community that has been gaining momentum. “As a community church in downtown Spartanburg, we wanted to contribute something very significant to the revitalization that has taken hold in the past few years,” said the Rev. Tom Norrell. Jessica Brodie reports.
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UM Disability Blog
Deaf couple complete advanced lay training
TITUSVILLE, Fla. — For the first time, two Deaf people have completed the Advanced Certified Lay Servant training in the Florida Conference, writes the Rev. Leo Yates Jr. Billy and Mary Ann Deters, a Deaf couple who are members at St. Andrew United Methodist Church here, were part of an advanced class in April. Sign language interpreters were provided to assist them.
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PRESS RELEASES
Wespath
Church agencies join brief on clergy housing
CHICAGO — The Church Alliance filed an amicus curiae brief in the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in support of the constitutionality of the U.S. tax exemption for clergy housing allowance. Wespath Benefits and Investments is a member of the Church Alliance. The General Council on Finance and Administration also joined the brief.
Read press release
Read UMNS story on the housing allowance case
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodist’s election as governor overturned
Native American Course of Study empowers pastors
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, May 14-Friday, May 25
Online course: A guidance and counseling approach to helping others
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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