“I feel like whatever stance General Conference takes, there is the possibility of causing harm.” — The Rev. Randy Wall, chairperson, United Methodist Rural Advocates.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Rural group lists concerns on plans before GC2019
NEW YORK (UMNS) — A group representing the interests of United Methodist rural congregations has sent a letter of concern to delegates for the upcoming special General Conference, asking them to be aware of the “potential harms” in any plan for the denomination’s future. Linda Bloom reports.
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Backers say One Church Plan preserves unity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The One Church Plan puts trust in clergy, congregations and conferences to find their own way in the debate over LGBTQ inclusion in the church, supporters say. The plan is an attempt to accommodate conservatives, moderates and progressives while keeping all united within the same denomination. This is the second of a series of four stories briefly explaining each of the most prominent plans that will be considered at the February special General Conference in St. Louis. Jim Patterson reports.
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Coming later this week: The Traditional Plan and a modified version
Homes of Congolese refugees demolished in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya (UMNS) — United Methodists have responded after more than 600 people, including 35 families from Kayole St. John’s United Methodist Church, were left homeless when excavators demolished their apartments. Gad Maiga reports.
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Texas Conference
Finding the pastor a new kidney
TYLER, Texas — The Rev. Yuri Carralero’s kidney disease had advanced to where he was spending 12 hours per night in home dialysis. Kathy Wilson, who attended the Spanish language service Carralero led at Greggton United Methodist Church, vowed to find him a new kidney. Sherri Gragg tells where that remarkable search led.
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Church projects empower Deaf community
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church’s St. John’s Circuit is helping members of the Deaf community earn a living by assembling bicycles and breeding rabbits. The projects are aimed at helping church members with disabilities learn new skills so that they can become self-sufficient. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about the plans for future of the church and other issues in the denomination. The commentaries reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
When your church talks about you, without you
NEW YORK (UMNS) — As the church continues its debate over homosexuality, Jorge Lockward argues that discussion must be with LGBTQ people, not about them. He offers suggestions for how that can happen.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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Church lay leader slain in Florida bank shooting
EVENTS
Monday, Feb. 4-Thursday, Feb. 21
Online Lay Servant class: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
http://www.umc.org/events/detail/online-lay-servant-class-living-our-united-methodist-beliefs-lsm-heritage-c
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