NEWS AND FEATURES
Praise the Lord and pass the pumpkins
GEORGETOWN, Texas (UM News) — Large pumpkin patches pull in big crowds, and they make for good photos, too. Two Texas churches — First United Methodist of Georgetown and Grace Avenue United Methodist of Frisco — are well-known in their communities for their pumpkin patches. Andy Sharp shared his photos from the Georgetown church, and the Frisco church contributed images from unloading day for its Pumpkins on the Prairie.
See photo display
South Georgia Conference
Chaplain helps students find sense of belonging
LAGRANGE, Ga. — The Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins, who joined the staff of LaGrange College this summer as chaplain and director of spiritual life, aspires to provide a warm and accepting environment for the campus community. Jenkins remembers what it was like herself to come to the United Methodist-related college, from which she graduated in 2008. LaGrange staff have Jenkins’ story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Rethinking Christian charity
WASHINGTON — In the October episode of the “Thursdays at the Table” podcast, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling speaks with the Rev. Janet Wolf, who confronts traditional beliefs about church and what it means to live as followers of Christ. Christian charity, Wolf says, may be doing more harm than good. What is needed is to be boldly authentic, proximate and engaged in profound relationship.
Listen to podcast
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
State grant helps church provide emergency power
VASHON, Wash. — Vashon United Methodist Church has received a nearly $130,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce “to help power emergency access for vulnerable populations.” The church plans to use the grant to buy and install solar panels and a large battery unit to help the church serve as an emergency shelter in the event of a prolonged power outage. Elizabeth Shepherd has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Fernandes outlines mission agenda at meeting
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Clarifying the mission strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, looking at opening a regional office in Africa and centralization of grant-making processes are among the agenda items of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said top executive Roland Fernandes during the agency’s second set of meetings outside the U.S. Fernandes addressed agency directors on Oct. 19. Elliott Wright reports.
Read press release
Read report
RESOURCES
Gammon Theological Seminary
Gammon to celebrate Founders Day
ATLANTA — Gammon Theological Seminary will have its 140th Founders Day event Dec. 4-6 at Impact Church in Atlanta. The theme is “Ask. Think. Imagine.” Activities include worship, workshops, lectures and a scholarship gala. Gammon is one of the 13 United Methodist theological schools in the U.S.
For details and to register
RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Tuesday, Oct. 24
Webinar: Upholding a Legacy of Immigrant Justice
Monday, Oct. 30-Wednesday, Nov. 1
Online course: Women's Ministries 3-Day Sampler
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