“I worry that we have spent more time on those who are leaving than focusing our energy on those who are staying.” — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Amid rupture, bishops called to renew church
CHICAGO (UM News) — Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged his episcopal colleagues to take time to grieve church disaffiliations but then get to work for renewal. He spoke to bishops gathering for their first in-person meeting in more than three years. Heather Hahn reports.
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Consultation charts way for missional church
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — More than 80 delegates and partners from Africa met recently with United Methodist Global Ministries staff to discuss the future of mission on the continent. “The whole purpose,” said Roland Fernandes, the agency’s top executive, “is for us to … listen and engage our partners in Africa in the true spirit of mutuality” as the denomination moves from being a missionary church to a missional church. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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D Magazine
Church’s theater troupe is film subject
DALLAS — A new film called “Into the Spotlight” follows a Highland Park United Methodist Church-based theater troupe composed of people with disabilities. The documentary, part of this year’s Dallas International Film Festival, captures how the group wrote, rehearsed and performed an original musical during 2021-22. Austin Zook reports.
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View film’s website and trailer
Rio Texas and New Mexico Conferences
Bishop finds birding a metaphor for the spiritual life
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bishop Robert Schnase, who oversees the Rio Texas and New Mexico conferences, is a longtime, avid birder. In a three-minute video reflection, he speaks about how he embraced the pastime and how it has become, for him, a metaphor for the spiritual life. The video was shot in front of a bird quilt made by Esther Schnase, his wife.
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WPSD-NBC
Church honors pianist of 72 years
MAYFIELD, Ky. — Sandra Simmons has been playing piano for Christ United Methodist Church for more than seven decades, since she was 11. The church on April 30 honored her for her faithfulness. Jane Kim has the story.
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COMMENTARIES
United Women in Faith
More women needed to combat climate change
NEW YORK — While women are leading many climate action efforts, a gap exists in formal representation in climate-related and other decision-making positions in governments and across all sectors, says Ilka Vega, the executive for economic and environmental justice for United Women in Faith. “If we want solutions that include everyone in our communities, we need to develop women leaders at local and all levels and advocate to local, state and national representatives for the solutions we need to ensure a just energy transition and adequate resources to tackle the climate crisis.”
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RESOURCES
Higher Education and Ministry
Counselor training program thrives
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Center for Integrative Pastoral Practice, founded in 2017 by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry, trains pastors to be better counselors. The interfaith program focuses on formation through self-awareness and empathy, granting the capacity for ministry leaders to engage and shepherd people with spiritual guidance during the most difficult times of their lives. The program includes group and individual instruction conducted online.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Poetry helps seminary professor ‘stay awake in the gospel’
Leadership body reconsiders restructuring plan
EVENTS
Monday, May 1-Monday, May 15
Teaching Biblical Faith: Leading Small Group Bible Studies
Monday, May 1-Saturday, May 13
Lay Servant Ministries course: Biblical Storytelling I
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