“Our endgame is to lift up the collaborations among the general commissions and agencies so we can highlight what is being done across the connection.” — Dana Lyles, co-convener of the Connectional Table’s agency evaluation advisory group.
Plan approved for agency evaluation
OSLO, Norway (UMNS) — A church leadership body has laid out a plan to connect the evaluation of United Methodist general agencies with the development of the denomination’s budget. Heather Hahn reports on the Connectional Table’s evaluation process.
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United Methodist worship leader wins 'The Voice'
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Chris Blue, worship leader at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, was named winner of Season 12 of "The Voice" on the show’s May 23 finale. Hundreds of fans filled the church for a watch party to cheer Blue on. Maggie Jones of the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.
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Churches must be first responders in addiction epidemic
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Echoing words of a top law enforcement agent, churches must be first responders in the addiction epidemic that’s gripping parts of the U.S., write the Revs. Darick Biondi and Cindy Briggs-Biondi. Their essay for the West Virginia Conference comes just before the May 25 Clergy Consultation on Substance Use Disorder, to be held at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
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Church's dinner theater helps pay for homes in Haiti
TOLEDO, Iowa — Christ United Methodist Church here put on a Palm Sunday dinner theater as a missions fundraiser, with lasagna as the main course. The church made about $2,000, part of $47,000 raised in the community during Lent. The larger amount will pay for six hurricane-proof homes in Haiti. The Rev. Brian Oliver reports for the Iowa Conference.
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Commentary: Talking with God
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Rev. Adam Weber, lead pastor of Embrace Church, one of the fastest-growing United Methodist churches in the U.S., released his first book, “Talking with God.” In a blog, Weber shares his insights on prayer and thoughts about becoming an author.
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Learning from Wesley at Aldersgate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — John Wesley’s heart was strangely warmed during a period of seeking God. The Rev. Joe Iovino writes about how people can prepare themselves to hear God speaking.
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Homeless, addicts worship alongside affluent
ANDERSON, S.C. — A once-closed church is bringing together the homeless alongside those with plenty, recovering drug addicts alongside those struggling to overcome a need for excess and greed, and the mentally ill alongside the spiritually ill. Jessica Brodie reports for the Advocate.
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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, June 2
Older Adult Ministry on a Shoestring — 10-11 a.m., Central. This webinar is designed for small-membership, rural and financially-strapped churches to help them offer quality older adult ministry to their seniors. The Discipleship Ministries webinar provides a roadmap for the small-membership church to follow. It also highlights the advantages of being small and the non-financial resources that are often overlooked. Details
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