“They come from war and are very young and have lost their friends. They cannot find themselves in the Swiss group. They need each other.” — The Rev. Anna Shammas on the young people at the Arabic-Speaking United Methodist Church of Aarau, Switzerland.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Arabic-speaking Swiss church provides home for migrants
AARAU, Switzerland (UMNS) — An Arabic-speaking congregation — one of several migrant congregations in Switzerland — reaches out to lonely people away from home. Annette Spence has the story.
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The New York Times
Pastor pushes for Medicaid expansion in Utah
OGDEN, Utah — On a recent Sunday, a big blue banner hung inside First United Methodist Church here, urging people to vote Nov. 6 for a ballot measure to expand Medicaid. “Jesus was constantly healing people,” said the Rev. Kim James, whose sermon cited examples from the Gospel of St. Mark. “I’ve been volunteering my time and effort to this cause, Proposition 3, because I believe Jesus cared deeply about people’s health. He didn’t ask, ‘Do you have your insurance card? Did you pay your co-payment and your deductible?’” Robert Pear reports.
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Athens Daily Review, Texas Conference
Big bike ride in Texas
ATHENS, Texas — Bishop Scott Jones is expected to take a spin during part of a three-month, 700-mile Tour de TAC bike ride, put on by the Texas Annual Conference. The ride began in Athens and ends in Dickinson, Texas, with 31 gatherings along the way for discussion about planting new faith communities. Paul Bryant of the Athens Daily Review reports, and the Texas Conference has a press release.
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Oklahoma Conference
Church furnishes refugee family’s home
OKLAHOMA CITY — Wesley United Methodist Church got an urgent request one Friday to help a family from Honduras. Catholic Charities had already provided the home. Could the church provide the rest? Megan Ewton reports how the congregation, which averages 113 worshippers, jumped into action.
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PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council
Italian Methodists receive peace award
TURIN, Italy — The World Methodist Peace Award was presented to the Evangelical Methodist Church in Italy by Bishop Ivan M. Abrahams and Gillian Kingston, top executive and vice president of the World Methodist Council. The Italian church was recognized for its commitment to and for migrants and refugees.
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UMNS: Migrants find help from Italian Methodists
COMMENTARIES
Preparing for nothing (or anything) from General Conference
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — Bishop Michael J. Coyner wonders if The United Methodist Church is preparing for the aftermath of the two upcoming General Conferences. “Are we preparing for the General Conference to do nothing? For that matter, are we preparing for anything that the General Conference might do?” the retired bishop asks.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, Sept. 17
Interfaith service for International Peace Day
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