“It’s good to have someone you can call at any time. It’s about being relational, being resourceful. I wanted to make sure I created the kind of network I wish existed when I was a seminary student.” — Nathalie N. Parker on the National Network of Young Adults.
Support for young African-American leaders
ATLANTA (UMNS) — A new network aims to provide mentoring for African-American leaders in The United Methodist Church. Sandra Long Weaver reports.
Read story
Church becomes emergency shelter after Harvey
HOUSTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell is a Houston native and pastor of the city’s 17,000-member Windsor Village United Methodist Church, the denomination’s largest-membership congregation in the U.S. He shares his reflections on Hurricane Harvey and people’s courageous response in a video interview by Brant Mills of the Texas Conference and Sam Hodges of UMNS.
Watch video
Missouri bishop urges nonviolent resistance
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Bishop Robert D. Farr says the verdict acquitting a white officer in the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith, a 24-year-old black man, is painful for many people. The church is called to nonviolent resistance, he said, but also called to speak out against injustice.
Read Bishop Farr’s letter
New Advent outreach resources available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMCOM) — New resources that support local church Advent outreach efforts are now available. The resources carry the theme “Unwrap the true meaning of Christmas” and complement The United Methodist Church’s national Advent advertising campaign, which will feature children sharing about their faith and what Christmas means to them.
Read press release
New faculty award announced
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The new Cutting-Edge Curriculum Award for faculty at United Methodist-related colleges and universities will spotlight faculty who have developed engaging courses that provide a meaningful first-year experience to shape incoming students’ college careers. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry announced the new award.
Read press release
Commentaries: 2 views of centrism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Kevin Watson, a professor at United Methodist Candler School of Theology, wrote about his struggles with United Methodist centrism and particularly the Rev. Adam Hamilton’s book “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White.” Hamilton, senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, responded to Watson’s critique and explains why it’s possible to disagree and still be one church.
Read Watson’s blog
Read Hamilton’s blog
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.
Monday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Oct. 6
Online lay servant workshop on spiritual gifts — In this two-week course, participants will learn about their spiritual gifts — and how to help their congregation learn more about theirs. This course has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries and qualifies for 10 contact hours for lay speakers (equivalent 1 CEU). $70. Details
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