“Most of us know little about the origins of white supremacy and how it is maintained in our institutions and culture.” — The Rev. David Billings, author of "Deep Denial."
Still in 'Deep Denial' on race
NEW YORK (UMNS) — As a young person living in the South during the 1950s and 1960s, the Rev. David Billings saw the Methodist Church as a way out of the rigid segregation of the time. He has written a book about his experiences and learnings as an anti-racism trainer, “Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in U.S. History and Life,” that he hopes will spur others to action. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Church opens window to slave past on its property
MANASSAS, Va. — On the same day a city historical marker was unveiled for Grace United Methodist, a restored slave cabin on the church property was opened to the public. While refurbishing the building meant researching one of the most gruesome times in American history, church members and local historic preservation volunteers considered it an important task. Jonathan Hunley reports for The Washington Post.
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Valdez Barker heads to Global Ministries
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has named the Rev. Amy Valdez Barker as its new executive director of Global Mission Connections. She will leave her role as chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table on July 30.
Read Global Ministries press release
Read Connectional Table press release
Learning to connect 'Church to Community'
WASHINGTON — In a new project, “Church to Community,” the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race will highlight congregations across the connection that are working with their neighbors to build a more just and equitable community. First up is the United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio.
Visit Church to Community webpage
Learn more about the Church for All People
Watch video
Church revives by getting back to basics
PHILADELPHIA — St. James United Methodist Church is an urban congregation experiencing new life by reviving the tradition of John Wesley’s Foundry, writes the Rev. Alfred T. Day III. The top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History compares the church’s ministry today to that of the first Methodist meeting place in London.
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Pastor's wife laments threat of Medicaid cuts
GUILFORD, N.C. — A United Methodist pastor’s wife writes about how Obamacare has been important to her family after the birth of a child with Down syndrome and heart problems. Joanna Hudson writes further that proposed cuts to Medicaid threaten her family, and many others.
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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.
Sunday, July 2-Sunday, Aug. 6
Lake Junaluska Summer Worship Series — Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. The summer worship series includes a traditional worship service on Sunday mornings in Stuart Auditorium at 10:45 a.m. EDT and contemplative Taizé services of prayer and song at 8 p.m. EDT Mondays, July 10-Aug. 28. The schedule of Sunday speakers is: July 2 — J. Phillip Newell; July 9 — The Rev. Bob Bowling; July 16 — The Rev. Mary Beth Blinn; July 23 — Bishop Sharma Lewis; July 30 —The Rev. Tim McClendon; Aug. 6 — the Rev. John Ed Mathison. Details
Wednesday, July 5-Tuesday, July 18
Online Workshop: The Non-Anxious Leader — Based on Edwin Friedman’s “Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue,” this course will provide a basic understanding of how to begin the journey toward becoming an effective, non-anxious leader. This workshop from BeADisciple.com is comprised of a series of brief recorded presentations that can be viewed at the student’s convenience on specific days. The course also includes three online discussions and online interaction with the instructor and other students. This course offers 2.0 CEUs. Cost: $99. Details
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