GC2020 delegate count holds steady
GALLANT, Ala. (UMNS) — The Commission on General Conference set the target for the number of delegates at the 2020 legislative assembly. They also discussed the possibility of completely digitizing the Daily Christian Advocate. Heather Hahn reports.
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Churches have much to offer in health care
STUTTGART, Germany (UMNS) — Churches can, and often do, provide a spiritual and practical support network that benefits healing, said speakers at an international United Methodist health forum that examined how faith practices can benefit physical health. Vicki Brown has the story.
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Judge strikes down tax-free clergy housing
MADISON, Wis. — A U.S. federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a 1954 law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances. The same judge also struck down the law in 2013, but that ruling was later overturned on appeal. The General Council on Finance and Administration is aware of the ruling, and its legal department is reviewing the case for later comment.
Read Chicago Tribune/Associated Press story
Pastor honored for welcome to Muslims
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Rev. Steve Stone, retired pastor of Heartsong United Methodist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, near Memphis, will be presented the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom of Worship Medal from the Roosevelt Institute on Oct. 10. Stone and his church faced some local opposition for welcoming the Memphis Islamic Center to their community. Dr. Bashar Shala, of the center, will be honored with Stone.
Read Memphis Conference story
Economic Advisory Committee meets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Economic Advisory Committee, whose analysis and forecasts help set the United Methodist general church budget, met Oct. 2-3. One goal was to establish a more easily understood method to estimate local-church “net expenditures,” a variable used in the general church apportionment formula.
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Church helps initiate ID program for community
MORRISTOWN, N.J. — When the Rev. Brandon Cho of Morristown United Methodist Church started getting calls from congregants worried about new federal immigration policies, he knew something needed to be done. In a joint effort with an immigration advocacy organization and the Morristown Clergy Council, with backing by city officials, the Morristown Municipal ID program was conceived.
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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.
Wednesday, Oct. 11-Tuesday, Oct. 17
Online Congregational Leadership Workshop on Sacraments — This online course is designed for part-time local pastors and certified lay ministers, but open to any person, clergy or lay. The course, sponsored by BeADisciple.com and Pecometh Camp and Retreat Ministries, provides a clear understanding of the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. It includes practical guidance for interpreting the sacraments to others, as well as how to address difficult situations in the parish. This is one of the required courses for the Certificate in Congregational Leadership program. Successful completion fulfills 1.0 CEU. Price: $49. Details
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