“She had a presence that could be larger than life, but she also had a presence that could be as soft and gentle as a dove.” — Andris Salter, UMW executive, about the late Theressa Hoover.
Tributes for the late Theressa Hoover
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The first African-American woman to become a top staff executive for The United Methodist Church, Theressa Hoover was a mentor to many young women, promoted the leadership of laywomen and engineered a secure future for the denomination’s women’s organization during a period of tumultuous change.
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In Memoriam — Roy Lifsey
MACON, Ga. (UMNS) — Thomas Roy Lifsey, 82, one of the early champions of United Methodist Men, died Jan. 6 after an extended illness. The Commission on United Methodist Men has published a remembrance.
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Homeless sisters inspire church play
TUCKER, Ga. (UMNS) — Tucker First United Methodist Church members felt called to highlight modern-day struggles in their 2013 Christmas production. The result was a play inspired by two real Atlanta sisters, Chelsea and Chelesa Shepherd, who graduated at the top of their class while homeless. One of the play’s actors also had personal experience with homelessness. Ansley Brackin of the North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference has the story.
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Caravan takes 11 seminaries on the road
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The first United Methodist Seminary Caravan will travel through Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma on Jan. 23-27, giving prospective students an inexpensive, convenient way to learn more about theological education in the Wesleyan tradition. Vicki Brown of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has the story.
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Mississippi United Methodist on human trafficking
MERIDIAN, Miss. (UMNS) — The United States will mark National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Saturday, Jan. 11. As executive director of the United Methodist-supported Wesley House Community Center in Meridian, Ginger Grissom stays involved around the clock in addressing this crime. She shares an update on what many call “one of the greatest human rights challenges of this century.”
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Resources to raise awareness of human trafficking
NEW YORK (UMNS) — United Methodist Women has taken on the fight against human trafficking as part of its mission. The group offers resources for United Methodists to use in addressing labor bondage and sexual exploitation.
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Guilty plea in Oklahoma church embezzlement
STILLWATER, Okla. (UMNS) — NewsOK reports that the former finance manager of the First United Methodist Church has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $140,000 from the church.
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Rainbow flag latest theft from church
SAN JOSE, Calif. (UMNS) — The rainbow flag was stolen from Alum Rock United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve, but church leaders put up two as replacements. The Bay Area Reporter says this was the second time someone has stolen the flag.
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Moving forward and looking back — giving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A three-year-old initiative known as Giving Tuesday recently raised an unprecedented amount of funds for mission, notes the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications, in a blog series on how the intersection of technology and communication is shaping the church.
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