“We even had a member of the faculty of a United Methodist college that we had to defer because he didn’t have any church attendance.” — The Rev. Stan Sutton, describing the cottage ownership requirement at Bay View, a United Methodist-affiliated summer community in Michigan.
NEWS AND FEATURES
'Christians only' cottage ownership challenged
BAY VIEW, Mich. (UMNS) — Bay View is a historic, in many ways idyllic, United Methodist-affiliated summer community in northern Michigan. But longstanding internal conflict over Bay View’s restriction of cottage ownership to practicing Christians has led to a federal lawsuit. Sam Hodges reports.
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Looking at Way Forward's institutional impact
DALLAS (UMNS) — Whatever the special 2019 General Conference decides has implications far beyond United Methodist congregations. To get a sense of that impact, a group of U.S. bishops met privately in Dallas with leaders of United Methodist institutions — including foundations, hospitals, colleges and seminaries — all of which could see their work diminished if the church splits. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read Council of Bishops' press release
Revival in Nigeria brings back breakaway members
JALINGO, Nigeria (UMNS) — The 2018 Christian Revival Gathering of the Southern Nigeria Conference was a joyous occasion as members who left five years ago after the election of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna returned to the conference and the United Methodist connection. The Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Candler School of Theology
What makes faith communities vibrant?
ATLANTA — Four major voices from America’s wide-ranging religious landscape will explore practices of vibrant faith communities in a public interfaith panel discussion March 23 at Emory’s Candler School of Theology.
Read press release
Lake Junaluska
Lake Junaluska investing in youth facilities
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center has recently received more than $400,000 in charitable donations to renovate youth and young adult facilities. Upgrades will begin in late spring.
Read press release
List of youth events
RESOURCES
UMCGiving
Celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gifts to Native American Ministries Sunday, observed on April 15 this year, help to educate Native American seminarians and empower Native American outreach. Downloadable resources, including bulletin inserts, graphics for social media and shareable videos, are available at UMCGiving.org.
View resources
COMMENTARIES
Bishop and commission member air dispute
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, a member of the Commission on a Way Forward, criticized Greater Northwest Area Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky in a blog for Good News magazine. Stanovsky wrote an open letter in response. Under dispute is the appointment of a married, gay district superintendent and the hiring of a conference LGBTQ advocate
Read the Rev. Lambrecht’s blog
Read Bishop Stanovsky’s open letter
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EVENTS
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 29
Maundy/Holy Thursday worship resources
Friday, March 30
Good Friday worship resources
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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