“They had already roped off the church, but there were shell casings all over and a body on the front lawn. It was carnage.” — The Rev. Peter Aguilar, pastor of Floresville United Methodist Church, on the mass shooting scene at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Pastors become chaplains after massacre
DALLAS (UMNS) — The mass shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, turned local United Methodist pastors into community chaplains and special prayer service leaders. They also had to console members of their own congregations who knew victims of the horrific event. Sam Hodges reports.
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Bishops called to navigate 'off the map'
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council of Bishops, likened his colleagues to explorers of old as they seek to navigate through the denomination. He spoke as the bishops were about to embark on discussing the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. Heather Hahn reports.
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Call for ‘bold action’ at Bonn climate summit
BONN, Germany (UMNS) — Leaders of four United Methodist general agencies are calling for “bold action to protect God’s people and God’s planet” as world leaders gather here for the Nov. 6-17 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. A joint delegation from the denomination’s Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries is participating in the conference’s first week. Linda Bloom has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
McCormick Seminary
United Methodist seminaries make social justice list
CHICAGO — McCormick Seminary has announced its annual Seminaries that Change the World list, featuring schools offering programs for students engaged in social justice and service work. A number of United Methodist seminaries, as well as seminaries approved to train United Methodist clergy, made the list.
Read press release and list
Commission on the General Conference
GC2020 worship and music director selected
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Raymond Trapp has been named worship and music director for the 2020 United Methodist General Conference by the Commission on the General Conference. Trapp is director of music at Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and music director of the New York Conference.
Read press release
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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.
Wednesday, Nov. 8
Council of Bishops Learning Retreat
Webinar: Giving Beyond the Budget
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