"Although there is a bit more liberty now, I am an engineer and for those of us with religious beliefs, it is difficult." — Junior Simon, a Methodist from Cuba who was stranded in Mexico after former President Barack Obama changed U.S. immigration policy for Cubans.
Offering solidarity to Cubans stuck at border
NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico (UMNS) — Every morning, hundreds of Cuban refugees come to the Plaza Benito Juarez, just a block from Mexico’s border with the United States. They spend the day sharing news and rumors that fuel the hope they can soon cross that border. Methodists on both sides of the border are sharing food, shelter and faith with the stranded families. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
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Satellite campus votes to leave denomination
WICHITA, Kan. (UMNS) — The west campus of Asbury United Methodist Church has voted to withdraw from its mother church, the Great Plains Conference and The United Methodist Church. Todd Seifert reports for the conference.
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Looking back to find a way forward
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — As The United Methodist Church seeks a way forward amid differences on homosexuality, retired Bishop Mike Coyner offers an overview of how the church reached its current state.
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Global Ministries helping South Sudanese
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is, through its disaster relief and global health units, working to relieve suffering of those who have fled South Sudan. South Sudan is beset by civil strife and drought-related famine, causing many residents to flee to refugee camps in other African countries.
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Ask the UMC: What is UMCOR Sunday?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS ) — For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special offering that lays the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s work. This year, the Special Sunday has a new name, but the mission remains the same. InfoServ, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more details in the latest installment of Ask the UMC.
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Ask the UMC
Kansas church makes service part of worship
LENEXA, Kan. (UMNS) — A United Methodist church in Kansas decided to make service part of worship. The result was “Servant Sunday,” a day in which a brief worship time was followed with nine hands-on activities to serve others. The Great Plains Conference has a video.
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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, March 23-Friday, March 24
Preaching Conference: "Preaching a Relevant Word: Politics, Policy and the People" — 11 a.m. EDT March 23 to noon March 24 at Candler School of Theology, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. This preaching conference sponsored by Candler is designed to assist pastors and congregants in better understanding and addressing contemporary sociopolitical issues. The keynote speaker is the Rev. William Barber II, chair of the North Carolina NAACP and the Rebuilding Broken Places Community Development Corporation. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Details
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