"Pray, pray and again pray. This is very important for the commission." — Hortense Aka, member of the Commission on a Way Forward, addressing United Methodist leaders gathered in Côte d’Ivoire.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Details shared on Way Forward models
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — An international group of United Methodist leaders heard more details on three possible models for how the church ministers with LGBTQ individuals. Three participants in the Commission on a Way Forward briefed four denominational leadership bodies holding a joint meeting in this western African country. Heather Hahn reports.
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Church agencies stress results, partnerships
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The three largest program agencies of The United Methodist Church — Discipleship, Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry — are stressing results and partnerships. This is the first in a series of four stories about the agencies of the denomination. Heather Hahn, Linda Bloom and Kathy L. Gilbert report.
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Next: Three United Methodist agencies that advocate for social justice and equality have seen their issues rocket into international headlines in the past year.
Immigrant supported by church deported
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (UMNS) — A Mexican immigrant allowed to stay in the U.S. to care for his family was deported last week — despite the efforts of a United Methodist church and an immigration coalition. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez reports.
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Richmond Palladium-Item
A spiritual chapter comes to an end
RICHMOND, Ind. — Nearly 34 years ago, a caravan of cars left the corner of Hunt and North West I streets for a three-mile journey west to start a new chapter in the spiritual lives of two United Methodist congregations. Now Faith-Trinity Church is closed, a victim of declining membership. Jason Truitt has the story.
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KHOU-TV
Amish, Mennonites help with Harvey recovery
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Harvey Relief Volunteer Group for Cypress United Methodist Church has welcomed nearly 600 Amish and Mennonite volunteers from around the U.S. over the past five months.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council on Finance and Administration
GCFA board approves changes to retiree benefit plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During a Feb. 9 meeting, the General Council on Finance and Administration Board approved changes to the retiree benefit plan to allow for a retiree benefits exchange program. Changes become effective Jan. 1, 2019. The committee is scheduling information and education sessions to notify those affected by the change.
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RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists help displaced in DRC
Texas volunteers offer free haircuts to Native families
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.
Thursday, Feb. 15-Saturday, March 24
Online LSM class: Children of Abraham
Saturday, Feb. 17
Symposium: “Religious and Scientific Perspectives on the Future of Life”
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