“The hope is that … we’ve created enough urgency in the system to get us unstuck.” — The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, top executive of the Connectional Table, on the 2019 General Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Lining up behind Way Forward plans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists are lining up behind the Way Forward plan that they see as the correct direction for the denomination. Some think preserving unity is the most important point. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Filipino pastor arrested 'rescuing' Lumad children
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UMNS) — The Rev. Eller Ordeniza, a United Methodist local pastor, was among those charged with kidnapping and human trafficking after attempting to help tribal students who were locked out of their school by military forces. Ordeniza said he and the others were rescuing the Lumad students and teachers who were fleeing their village after the lockdown. Gladys Mangiduyos has the story.
Read story
Zimbabwe music director focuses on human rights
MUREWA, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Music is a vital part of Walter Mujuru’s DNA: He is the music director for the Zimbabwe West Conference, but concern for human rights is what makes his heart sing. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story.
Read story
WCC reaffirms UN declaration on human rights
South Carolina Conference
Remembering June Willson, who shaped youth faith
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — June Willson’s ministry with the youth of the South Carolina Conference spanned four decades. She was a mentor, a friend, a second mom and “a troublemaker.” Dan O’Mara reports on the impact of the longtime youth leader, who died Dec. 2 at 73.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Ohio Wesleyan University
Chaplain contributes to book on refugees
DELAWARE, Ohio — Ohio Wesleyan University Chaplain Jon R. Powers is one of 10 writers contributing to the newly published book “Displaced Persons: Theological Reflection on Immigration, Refugees, and Marginalization.” The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry published the book. Powers wrote the chapter “Methodists and Muslims: Better Together.”
Read press release
Reconciling Ministries Network
LGBTQ advocates offer thoughts on GC2019
CHICAGO — The Reconciling Ministries Network, an unofficial advocacy group that seeks full equality of LGBTQ individuals, released a statement offering its hopes for the special General Conference. The group does not support any plan of dissolution. The group says it remains “committed to the work of adopting legislation that ends oppression as well as the ongoing journey toward doing no harm, doing all the good we can, and loving God.”
Read statement
Candler School of Theology
Retired professors give back to Candler
ATLANTA — Two retired faculty members at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, along with their spouses, have made financial gifts to the school. Professor Emeritus Charles R. Foster and his wife, Janet, have funded an endowment for “engaging religion and education in forming and transforming faith communities and public life.” Dean Emeritus Russell E. Richey and his wife, Merle, are establishing a professorship in Methodist and Wesleyan studies.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
Agency launches hubs in Africa
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has announced the formal launch of two more Global Hubs for Leadership, Education and Development — also called LEaD Hubs. The hub in Maputo, Mozambique, is for Portuguese speakers, and the one in Johannesburg, South Africa, is for English speakers. Both will support Methodist-related programs and projects.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Seeing a Way Forward: The Rev. Tom Berlin
Mexican church helping migrants in Tijuana, Apaxco
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 14-Monday, Jan. 28
Online class: Developing a Dynamic Worship Service
NEWS AND FEATURES
Lining up behind Way Forward plans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists are lining up behind the Way Forward plan that they see as the correct direction for the denomination. Some think preserving unity is the most important point. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Filipino pastor arrested 'rescuing' Lumad children
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UMNS) — The Rev. Eller Ordeniza, a United Methodist local pastor, was among those charged with kidnapping and human trafficking after attempting to help tribal students who were locked out of their school by military forces. Ordeniza said he and the others were rescuing the Lumad students and teachers who were fleeing their village after the lockdown. Gladys Mangiduyos has the story.
Read story
Zimbabwe music director focuses on human rights
MUREWA, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Music is a vital part of Walter Mujuru’s DNA: He is the music director for the Zimbabwe West Conference, but concern for human rights is what makes his heart sing. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story.
Read story
WCC reaffirms UN declaration on human rights
South Carolina Conference
Remembering June Willson, who shaped youth faith
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — June Willson’s ministry with the youth of the South Carolina Conference spanned four decades. She was a mentor, a friend, a second mom and “a troublemaker.” Dan O’Mara reports on the impact of the longtime youth leader, who died Dec. 2 at 73.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Ohio Wesleyan University
Chaplain contributes to book on refugees
DELAWARE, Ohio — Ohio Wesleyan University Chaplain Jon R. Powers is one of 10 writers contributing to the newly published book “Displaced Persons: Theological Reflection on Immigration, Refugees, and Marginalization.” The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry published the book. Powers wrote the chapter “Methodists and Muslims: Better Together.”
Read press release
Reconciling Ministries Network
LGBTQ advocates offer thoughts on GC2019
CHICAGO — The Reconciling Ministries Network, an unofficial advocacy group that seeks full equality of LGBTQ individuals, released a statement offering its hopes for the special General Conference. The group does not support any plan of dissolution. The group says it remains “committed to the work of adopting legislation that ends oppression as well as the ongoing journey toward doing no harm, doing all the good we can, and loving God.”
Read statement
Candler School of Theology
Retired professors give back to Candler
ATLANTA — Two retired faculty members at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, along with their spouses, have made financial gifts to the school. Professor Emeritus Charles R. Foster and his wife, Janet, have funded an endowment for “engaging religion and education in forming and transforming faith communities and public life.” Dean Emeritus Russell E. Richey and his wife, Merle, are establishing a professorship in Methodist and Wesleyan studies.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
Agency launches hubs in Africa
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has announced the formal launch of two more Global Hubs for Leadership, Education and Development — also called LEaD Hubs. The hub in Maputo, Mozambique, is for Portuguese speakers, and the one in Johannesburg, South Africa, is for English speakers. Both will support Methodist-related programs and projects.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Seeing a Way Forward: The Rev. Tom Berlin
Mexican church helping migrants in Tijuana, Apaxco
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 14-Monday, Jan. 28
Online class: Developing a Dynamic Worship Service
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