“I lead a global market of 25 million women and girls. Their everyday work is one of the things that make peace happen.” - Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, top executive of the World YWCA.
Lockdown: Door-to-door bid to stop Ebola begins
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) –The usually busy and chaotic streets were virtually empty, creating an eerie ghost city. Friday was Day One of the nationwide three-day lockdown – a desperate effort to stop the deadly Ebola virus from spreading. Communicator Phileas Jusu writes about the lockdown.
Talking about ‘The Things That Make for Peace’
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Bell-ringing, dancing, music and calls to action opened an International Day of Peace symposium at the Church Center for the United Nations. Seventeen organizations, including United Methodist Women, invited participants to discuss “The Things That Make for Peace.”
A new front in the Ebola crisis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — With the killing of a delegation of health officials, journalists and a pastor by a mob of rural villagers in Guinea, an even more tragic page has turned in the Ebola crisis. The event is a severe example of the irrational fears that are rife across the region, writes the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive at United Methodist Communications.
Responding to California wildfires
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UMNS) — United Methodists in the California-Nevada Conference are reaching out to help people affected by the wildfires sweeping through northern California. One fire has incinerated an area the size of Portland, Ore. One church is distributing gift cards. Others are preparing to serve as needed. Larry Hygh reports on churches’ response.
To support United Methodist Committee on Relief’s disaster response
Bishop: Apple has failed us!
DES MOINES, Wash. (UMNS) — Greater Northwest Area Bishop Grant Hagiya, an avowed “enthusiastic fan” of Apple products, argues that the profitable company could be a better corporate citizen. He specifically calls on the company to use more of its cash reserves for the social good.
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email
Online courses from Upper Room in September-December — Sept. 22-Oct. 24: “Questions God Asks Us;” Oct. 6-31: “A Quiet Pentecost;” Oct. 20-31: “Living into the Answers: A Workshop on Personal Spiritual Discernment;” Nov. 3-7: “Companions in Christ Small Group Facilitator Training;” Nov. 20: “Speaking Your Mind to God;” Nov. 30-Dec. 27: “Taste and See: Experiencing the Stories of Advent and Christmas.” Details.
Window on Wesley Theological Seminary, Tuesday, Sept. 23; Tuesday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 11 — 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ET, full-day events for prospective students include a campus tour, discussion of degree programs and the chance to attend a class. Details.
Free webinar “What’s a Methodist?” Tuesday, Sept. 23 — 6:30 p.m. CT, Class explores John Wesley’s definition of a Methodist found in his brief tract “Advice to the People Called Methodists.” Details.
Free webinar “iKids Webinar 1 — When Everyday is Disneyland,” Thursday, Sept. 25 — 10 a.m. CT, this introductory session will focus on the influence digital media is having in family life, based on “iKids: Parenting in the Digital Age” by Craig Kennet Miller. Details.
Free webinar “Stewardship: Show Me the Mission!” Thursday, Sept. 25 — 6:30 p.m. CT, how to tell stories that motivate generosity. Details.
Workshop “Get Their Names,” Saturday, Sept. 27 — 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET at Woodbury United Methodist Church, 577 Woodbury Road, Woodbury, New York. The Rev. Bob Farr of the Missouri Conference will lead the seminar on sharing the Christian faith without anxiety. $20 per person for United Methodists. Details.
Classes for the Native American Course of Study, a national school for Native American local pastors and local pastors who work in Native ministries — “Mission: Evangelism.” Monday-Friday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, in Shiprock, Arizona, and “Personal and Social Ethics,” Monday-Friday, Oct. 6-10 in Window Rock, New Mexico. Details or contact the Rev. Fred Shaw at [email protected].
Deadline to register for online course “United Methodism 101,” Tuesday, Sept. 30 — United Methodist Communications will offer the course Oct. 1-Nov. 12. $9.99. Details.
Free webinar “Education in and for Mission,” Tuesday, Sept. 30 — 6:30 p.m. CT, how to provide “hands-on” experiences in Christian discipleship. Details.
Deadline to apply for Central Conference Theological Education Grants, Tuesday, Sept. 30 — Applications for the 2015 grants for theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines are available. The Central Conference Theological Education Commission expects to award an additional $1 million to theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry, and agencies integrally related to training United Methodist pastors. Details.
Deadline to apply for two discernment events for Deaconesses and Home Missioner Ministry, Wednesday, Oct. 1 — Events are Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9 in St. Louis and Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23 in Tempe, Ariz. A discernment event is an opportunity to explore a sense of call to lay ministry with a group of fellow discerners. Details.
Free webinar “Focusing on the True Meaning of Christmas with Children,” Thursday, Oct. 2 — 7-8 p.m. ET, ecumenical webinar shares how to teach children the true meaning of Advent and Christmas through crafts, games, drama, music and snacks. Details.
Moving Beyond Prejudice workshop, Saturday, Oct. 4 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, Paul Saltzman, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, will lead workshop at The Great Hall, McDaniel student center, Oklahoma City University. The Oklahoma Commission on Religion and Race is the sponsor. $25 Details.
“Builders, Boomers and Busters: Bridging the 21st Century” conference, Saturday, Oct. 4 — 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT, Older adult ministry experts — author Carol Orsborn, the Rev. Will Randolph of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, and motivational speaker Randy Frazier — will speak at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. $25. Details.
World Communion Sunday, Oct. 5 — United Methodists observe World Communion Sunday by celebrating communion with other Christians around the world on this special Sunday. Churches are also encouraged to receive a special offering to support ethnic undergraduate and graduate students, which often enables first-generation students to attend college. To download the World Communion Sunday pastor’s kit. World Communion envelopes.
2014 Convocation on the Black Church, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 24-25 — The event will be at Brandon Conference Center in Brandon, Miss. The theme will be “Living Out the Power of We through Vital Worship.” Details.
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