"If you trust in God, you don’t panic." — The Rev. William B. Lawrence, author of the new book "A Methodist Requiem: Words of Hope and Resurrection for the Church."
NEWS AND FEATURES
'A Methodist Requiem' offers analysis, hope
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UMNS) — In a new book, the Rev. William B. Lawrence writes about the death of the small Methodist church he grew up in, the history of schism in American Methodism and the current schism threat facing The United Methodist Church. Lawrence finds hope amid the challenges and tensions. He is a former dean of Perkins School of Theology and former president of the Judicial Council. Sam Hodges reports.
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New scholarships to help children in rural Liberia
TAPPITA, Liberia (UMNS) — United Methodist Women in Liberia is reaching out to rural children with a new scholarship program approved at the group’s 71st annual meeting. The women also inducted a new president at the gathering. E Julu Swen reports.
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Board of Global Ministries
Celebrating mission initiatives in Asia
HOUSTON — Forty-eight United Methodists gathered recently to celebrate — and imagine the future for — the church’s mission initiatives in Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand and Vietnam. The consultation was organized by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Cathy Kupsky reports.
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Clergy learn to navigate ethical dilemmas
PITTSBURGH — The Western Pennsylvania Conference sponsored a day-long training session in clergy ethics. The training was long-planned but took on new urgency in the era of #MeToo and #ChurchToo. Peter Smith reports.
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UMNS story: Church survey finds drop in sexual harassment
UMNS story: Bishops, agency respond to #MeToo movement
South Georgia Conference
Savannah church celebrates 150th anniversary
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church has been a fixture in the city’s Historic District since 1868. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the congregation celebrated the church’s 150th anniversary. Kara Witherow has the story.
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RESOURCES
Where in the world are United Methodists?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — In what U.S. state can you attend a United Methodist church by kayaking down a river? Test your knowledge of the places where United Methodists live, work, play and pray with this short quiz
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COMMENTARIES
What does it mean to love my neighbor?
FORT MYERS, Fla. (UMNS) — For the Rev. Jorge Acevedo, there is no better example of Jesus’ command to love your neighbor than the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. “All throughout the Bible, God’s people are challenged to be a voice for the voiceless,” Acevedo writes. His commentary is part of “Many Voices, One Faith,” a forum for sharing theological perspectives on topics of interest in the church.
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United Methodist Forum: Many Voices, One Faith
Wisconsin Conference
Olympics represent powerful dream
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Wisconsin Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, a native of Korea, asks United Methodists to pray and hope with him that the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, “will result in a fundamental change in the tensions between the two countries” on the Korean peninsula. He sees a lesson for the U.S. in Koreans’ Olympic plans.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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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, Feb. 12
Wednesday, Feb. 14-Tuesday, Feb. 20
Online congregational leadership workshop on Wesleyan theology
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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