The Christian church cannot remain silent, but it must be in the forefront of the dialogue that confronts the sin of racism." - MARCHA statement on Trayvon Martin case
World Christians pray for peace in Egypt
GENEVA (UMNS) -The political developments in Egypt should not "be interpreted as a conflict between Christians and Muslims," said the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, top executive, World Council of Churches, as he issued a letter to the council's member churches in Egypt, calling for prayers for healing, justice and peace for all Egyptians. Egypt's Christians increasingly are under attack.
Read story on WCC letter
Read USA Today story on Egypt's Christians
MARCHA calls Trayvon Martin case 'perversion of justice'
NASHVILLE (UMNS) - A United Methodist-related Hispanic-American group issued a statement Aug. 15 on the Trayvon Martin case, saying race is a factor that was ignored from the beginning. Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans, known as MARCHA, is the caucus organized to hold the concerns and issues of Hispanic American United Methodists before the denomination.
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HGTV features youth pastor's tornado recovery
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (UMNS) - The new HGTV show, "Catastrophe Inc." will feature the labor that helped a Mississippi United Methodist youth pastor rebuild his home following the tornado that destroyed it in February 2013. The twister devastated parts of Hattiesburg and the Petal community where Jeff West lives with his wife, Ashlie. The 30-minute episode is set to air at 9:30 a.m. CT Sunday, Aug.18.
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Lowery voices new call on voting rights
ATLANTA (UMNS) - The Rev. Joseph Lowery, 91, a United Methodist pastor affectionately known as the "Dean of the Civil Rights Movement," offered the keynote address during an Aug. 14 rally launching an initiative across all 50 U.S. states to force lawmakers to expand the pool of eligible voters instead of draining it.
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Listen to NPR coverage
Haitian deaconess dies at age 86
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UMNS) - Sister Paulette Holly, who became the first Haitian Methodist Deaconess in 1961, died June 23. Also a registered nurse, Holly offered physical and spiritual care to all. The Rev. Marco Depestre, who worked with her for many years, said, "She died in the 86th year of her life and the 52nd year of her ministry."
Read the full obituary
Read a UMNS story about Sister Paulette
29 young adults commit to service in mission
NEW YORK (UMNS) - After three weeks of training, living in community and exploring the challenges and opportunities they may face in the mission field, 29 young adult missionaries were commissioned this week by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Lutherans elect female presiding bishop
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) - In its 25th anniversary year, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has elected the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as the denomination's first woman presiding bishop-elect during its Aug. 12-17 churchwide assembly. The ELCA is a full communion partner of The United Methodist Church.
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