"They're just as trapped there as they would be at a detention facility. Only difference is, at a detention facility they'd get food and perhaps a bath sometimes, and they would be in the shade." — The Rev. Owen Ross, speaking of asylum seekers Texas clergy and laity met across the Mexico border.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Texas group crosses border to meet asylum seekers
DALLAS (UM News) — More than 100 clergy and laity from Texas, many of them United Methodists, spent part of their Labor Day weekend on the Texas-Mexico border. They crossed into Matamoros, Mexico, to meet with asylum seekers being kept out of the U.S. under a Trump Administration policy. The group opposes that policy, saying they saw firsthand the squalid and dangerous conditions the asylum seekers are living under. Sam Hodges reports.
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Eurasia Central Conference
Methodism anniversary marked in Eurasia
UZHGOROD, Ukraine — Methodists from Eurasia, the U.S. and Europe were on hand to confer and celebrate 130 years of Methodism in Eurasia. Time was devoted to the history of the Eurasia movement, including its revival in the 1990s. Lera Chudinova and Katya Kim report.
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Preparing for Dorian after 'nightmare' in Bahamas
FREEPORT, Bahamas — United Methodists in Florida, South Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina were preparing for the impact of Hurricane Dorian and asking church members to donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. In the Bahamas, Bishop Theophilus Rolle, president of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands Conference of the Methodist Church, told the World Council of Churches that the hurricane's force has resulted in "an unimaginable living nightmare" there.
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Young United Methodists connect in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Young United Methodists from across Africa gathered recently to look for ways to shine in leadership roles in the church and their communities. The Rev. Forbes Matonga, general secretary of the Africa Central Conference, said the gathering comes at a time when young people are resolute in defending their faith and taking an active role in defining the future of the church. Gad Maiga has the story.
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North Texas Conference
'Undie Sunday' benefits needy schoolchildren
SHERMAN, Texas — Friendship United Methodist Church has just 60 members but managed to collect 1,150 pairs of underwear, socks and T-shirts for needy students starting back to school. "Undie Sunday" is part of the church's long-term partnership with the Sherman Independent School District.
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Great Plains Conference
Agency leader gets personal in 'Soul Reset'
WICHITA, Kan. — The pressures of pastoral life can easily lead to depression and other problems, says the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, top executive of Discipleship Ministries. Dotson has drawn on his own experience in writing "Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough and the Journey to Wholeness," and he kicked off his book tour in Wichita recently. David Burke reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Board of Global Ministries
Commission on Archives and History
Public invited to native land return event
UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — On what Chief Billy Friend of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma calls "a historic day," United Methodists will return to the Wyandottes a mission church left for safekeeping 176 years ago. The Sept. 21 event begins at 1 p.m. at John Stewart United Methodist Church, 130 W. Johnson St., with a procession to the site of the Wyandotte burial grounds and the mission church to follow. The public is invited to attend the free event, but registration is requested.
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To register
RESOURCES
Register now for Pre-GC2020 Briefing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Early-bird, discounted registration is open for the Jan. 23-24 Pre-General Conference Briefing in Nashville, Tennessee. The briefing, sponsored by United Methodist Communications, will help delegates and communicators prepare for The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking assembly in May. Sessions will be offered on major proposals affecting the church as well as basic information on the assembly. The discounted rate of $199 is good through Oct. 31. The full rate is $249.
Register now
RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, Sept. 9-Friday, Oct. 4
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