"We both envision a future where the church will focus on its mission of making disciples and spend less time and energy debating issues of human sexuality, which means we need to bless different parts of The United Methodist Church to be about the mission in their own ways." — Bishop Scott Jones, on a plan he's offering with Bishop David Bard.
NEWS AND FEATURES
2 bishops offer plan for denomination's future
DALLAS (UM News) — Bishops David Bard and Scott Jones propose making The United Methodist Church an umbrella organization for new, self-governing church groups that would offer different approaches on same-sex unions and ordination of gay clergy. Sam Hodges reports.
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From trash to cash: Zimbabwe woman launches venture
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — By recycling plastic and cloth, Tapiwa Nyawasha supports herself and her church and encourages others to do likewise. Her business venture, launched last year, involves fashioning discarded plastic into mats for various uses. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story.
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National Council of Churches
Faith leaders: 'War is not the answer with Iran'
WASHINGTON — U.S. faith leaders, including Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the National Council of Churches, gathered July 9 to declare their opposition to war with Iran. "While we agree that Iran should repudiate terrorism and not resume uranium enrichment, we stand as religious leaders to say that war is not the answer with Iran and is unjustifiable on moral and religious grounds," said a statement signed by more than 200 faith leaders. Steven Martin reports.
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Dakotas Conference
Journey church serves Native Americans
SHEYENNE, N.D. — The Journey at Spirit Lake, a United Methodist church serving Native American families, grew out of a Volunteers in Mission team outreach 12 years ago. Since its first service in 2017, the church has seen seven baptisms, as well as the formation of a youth group and a vacation Bible school. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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The Journal Era
Determined walker for a cause
ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — A Berrien Springs woman raised $126,339 to fight hunger over 25 years of walking in the Blossomland CROP Walk. This year was her last because her legs are losing strength. In 1997, Koral Kesterke did the walk while undergoing chemotherapy, with her brother pushing her across the finish line in a wheelchair. Kathleen Pullano reports reports in a Journal Era story shared by the Michigan Conference.
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