“The state and FEMA will focus on higher population areas, so our niche is going into areas where nobody wants to work. But God loves them, too.” — Pam Garrison, Florida Conference disaster response coordinator.
Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Florida churches and post-Irma recovery
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (UMNS) — Estimates are that it will take five years for Florida to recover from Hurricane Irma’s damage. The United Methodist Church plans to be there for all of it and beyond. Joey Butler has the story; Kathleen Barry has the photos.
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Serving 600 meals to first responders
Volunteer registration
Bishop's letter to Trump on North Korea
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, a native of Korea who leads the Wisconsin Conference, urges a “calm, cool, well-reasoned response” to the volatile situation with North Korea. In an open letter to President Trump, Jung writes, “At the very least, the United States must rise above the caustic rhetoric to offer a better way.”
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Registration opens for UMW Assembly 2018
NEW YORK — The United Methodist Women Assembly 2018 will mark the official celebration of the organization’s 150th anniversary, returning to Columbus, Ohio, where the first assembly was held in 1942. Registration for the May 18-20 event is now open.
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Helping with seminary costs for 10 years
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Stegall Foundation, which provides financial support to seminary students from the Alabama-West Florida Conference, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The foundation also established a goal to raise $10 million to help educate more United Methodist clergy.
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Wesley plans political theology conference
WASHINGTON — How can Wesleyan heritage inform political engagement in today's society? United Methodist Wesley Theological Seminary and its Center for Public Theology will sponsor the Wesleyan Political Theology Project Conference on Oct. 26-27. The event will include historians, ethicists, theologians and people involved in government.
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Church history: Love Feasts
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMC.org) — At some of the oldest Methodist churches in the U.S., you might see a three-handled cup on display. These large vessels are part of a different church celebration called the Love Feast. Dale Patterson of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History describes a tradition still embraced in some churches today.
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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.
Thursday, Oct. 5
Free webinar "Helping Families Celebrate a Holy Advent" — 7-8 p.m. EDT. As Christmas become more materialistic and frenzied each year, churches can help families to reclaim the season of Advent as a time of waiting in anticipation for the coming of the Christ child. The webinar will look at Advent worship, Sunday school activities, and free and purchased resources for families to use at home. Debbie Kolacki, a United Methodist Christian educator, will lead. Details
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