“If we believe Christian lives are worth more than non-Christian lives, we need to examine our claim to be Christian.” — The Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, senior pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington.
Faith leaders urge welcome to strangers, refugees
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Just two days after President Donald Trump issued an order banning refugees from seven Muslim countries, faith leaders countered that action in Sunday sermons that reminded people to love and welcome their neighbors. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Lifewatch sermon: Hope amid challenges
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Stephen Rankin, chaplain at United Methodist-related Southern Methodist University, preached about “Winning Strength Out of Weakness” during the annual Lifewatch Service attended by about 40 United Methodists. Lifewatch is an unofficial denominational group that advocates against abortion. Most at the service also participated in the March for Life, the annual protest of the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
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Church’s stance on abortion
Commentary: Alternative facts and Christian truth
DAYTON, Ohio (UMNS) — Christians are necessarily committed to the idea of truth, writes the Rev. David Watson, academic dean of United Methodist United Theological Seminary. “As Christians, we seek truth because we believe that truth is inherently good. All truth is ultimately the product of God’s creative divine Word, who was made flesh in Jesus Christ,” Watson writes.
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Space sharing helps church, local agency
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (UMNS) — Changes in its surrounding community over the years have caused membership to dwindle at Cherokee Place United Methodist Church, making upkeep on its 22,000-square-foot building difficult. A new agreement with Tricounty Family Ministries, which was growing out of its previous space, is a win-win. Jessica Brodie of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate reports.
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Hunger-relief agency offers Lent devotions
BIG ISLAND, Va. (UMNS) — “With Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed” is a daily Scripture reading, reflection and prayer for the 40 days plus seven Sundays leading up to Easter offered by The Society of St. Andrew, a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry.
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Abingdon welcomes new sales manager
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Abingdon Press, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, has hired Jonathan Tuseth as the new sales manager of key accounts.
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LOOKING AHEAD
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. 2
Local church lay leaders/lay members to annual conference: What’s my job? — 6:30 p.m. CST. This webinar sponsored by United Methodist Discipleship Ministries explores how the roles of annual conference delegates, lay leaders and General Conference delegates relate to leadership development and the mission of a church. Details
Friday, Feb. 3
Webinar "Targeting Spiritual but not Religious, Nones and Unaffiliated Baby Boomers and Older Adults" — From 10 to 11 a.m. CST, Discipleship Ministries will have a webinar looking at ways to engage Baby Boomers who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” Details
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