"Nobody seeing that would want to fold their hands and sit back without doing something. The amount of homes that were buried in that rubble ... to know that I was really standing on top of human beings crushed by the landslide was most devastating for me." — United Methodist Bishop John Yambasu on the death and devastation from flooding and a mudslide.
Bishop, other church leaders visit disaster area
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — United Methodist Bishop John K. Yambasu and leaders of other churches visited the area where hundreds died in a mudslide and flooding. They prayed for the dead and survivors as the country entered a week of mourning. Phileas Jusu reports.
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Returning Arapaho children's remains
CARLISLE, Pa. — The remains of three Arapaho children who died over 130 years ago while students of the infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School are being taken home to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Two leaders of the United Methodist Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Committee on Native American Ministries were involved in the efforts to repatriate the remains. John W. Coleman reports for the conference.
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Kentucky churches at epicenter of solar eclipse
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. — United Methodist churches in the Hopkinsville area, which is the epicenter for the Aug. 21 solar eclipse, are using the rare celestial event to celebrate God’s wonder and promote their churches. The region expects an influx of 100,000 to 200,000 visitors over the weekend. Alan Wild reports for the Kentucky Conference.
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MARCHA calls for resistance to racism, hate
DALLAS — The Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans issued a statement condemning the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and mourning the three deaths there. MARCHA called on all United Methodists and all people of good will to “stand in resistance against the demons of white supremacy and racism; denounce any hateful act in their own communities … and clearly proclaim the all-encompassing love of God incarnated in Jesus Christ.”
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Lawson reflects on dignity of mankind
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the documentary “Love and Solidarity,” the Rev. James Lawson reflects on what he learned from the 1960s civil rights movement and why he believes non-violence still is important. The retired United Methodist pastor, a supporter and friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., also explains how work enables the dignity of mankind. Individuals, community groups and educational institutions can purchase the rights to show “Love and Solidarity.”
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Grant supports interreligious publication
BOSTON — The Henry Luce Foundation has awarded a two-year grant to support the Journal of Interreligious Studies, which is published by United Methodist Boston University School of Theology and Hebrew College’s Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership.
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Looking ahead
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, Aug. 21-Monday, Sept. 11
The Changing 21st-Century Sunday School — This online workshop explores ways to handle the challenges of the 21st-century Sunday school, such as declining enrollment, erratic attendance, competition with other activities, lack of volunteers and budget cuts. The workshop from United Methodist BeADisciple.com will examine doing Sunday school a different way or at a different time, as well as intergenerational ministry and worship. A minimum of four to five hours per week is necessary to benefit from the course content. This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU. Price: $45. Details
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