"When we first started, even when we were small and meeting in a gym, we always said we wanted to be a gift-oriented church. We counted an inordinate number of adults with special needs to be a gift." - The Rev. Randy Madsen, Grace Community United Methodist Church, Fort Mill, S.C.
Young people seek church relevance
LAS VEGAS (UMNS) - For the second year, the leadership program Relevance X ran side by side with LEAD 2013, another conference geared toward young clergy and lay leaders and those who work with young people. "We need to ask each other how we can become more relevant as a church, how we can become better leaders," Glen Simpson, Desert Southwest's coordinator for young adult ministries, told the participants.
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Forever Friends with special needs ministry
FORT MILL, S.C. (UMNS) - "I love coming to church," says Katelyn Massey, carefully weighing her words. Jessica Connor of the South Carolina Annual (regional) Conference explains how Massey and dozens of other special needs teens and adults go to Grace Community United Methodist Church, where they are welcomed with programs just for them.
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U.S. conferences offer relief in Mozambique flooding
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) - "In Mozambique rains are still devastating families, communities and the whole society. ...The rains continue to increase the number of victims," wrote the Rev. Joao Sambo in a Feb. 21 email to the Virginia Annual (regional) Conference. Devastating floods that began in late January continue to displace and destroy in Mozambique.
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John Wesley's goblet finds church home in U.S.
FLORENCE, S.C. (UMNS) - A centuries-old goblet once used by the founder of the Methodist movement has a permanent home at a Florence church. SCnow.com tells how this John Wesley possession has made its way to St. Paul United Methodist Church.
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Liberia, Sierra Leone partner with Norway
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church of Liberia and Sierra Leone signed a partnership agreement with the United Methodist Church of Norway on Feb. 13 to establish a United Methodist Church Regional Competence Center in West Africa.
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Church's bucket brigade fills the need
TRYON, N.C. (UMNS) - What happens when a group of United Methodist pastors on the North Carolina-South Carolina border put their heads together on joint mission projects? In this case, as the Tryon Daily Bulletin reports, when the next disaster hits, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is better prepared.
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First United Methodist's IT girl
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (UMNS) - Jennifer Philo uses her creative spirit and training as a teacher to make worship meaningful. The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram explains how Philo's creativity inspires her whether in the kitchen or as director of media services at First United Methodist.
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