"It's good to talk about doing something for your community, but to actually do it at a conference is why I came back. I know I can do this at home, but going somewhere else to where I can - this feeds my soul." - Yvonne Agduyeng, a Relevance X participant from Seattle who joined in a cleanup day in Las Vegas.
Young people make big impact in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (UMNS) - To take church outside the four walls of a building and into the community, those who attended the young adult conference Relevance X helped clean up parts of the city as part of Impact Las Vegas.
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Women discuss violence, economics and war at U.N.
NEW YORK (UMNS) - A United Methodist Women delegation is participating in events this week related to the 57th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, including a UMW-organized panel discussion on violence, economics and war, co-sponsored by the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Church and Society, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the International Civil Society Action Network.
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Two years of relief after Japan's disasters
FUKISHIMA CITY, Japan (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief has expanded its reach after two years of working with partner agencies, including Church World Service, to meet immediate needs for the people affected by the tsunami and nuclear plant disaster. One of UMCOR's new efforts involves sending sunflower seeds to growers outside of Fukushima to gain five to 10 tons of seeds produced in non-contaminated areas.
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Statement on North Korea nuclear test
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (UMNS) - The Working Group for Peace and Demilitarization in Asia and the Pacific has released a statement in response to the third Democratic People's Republic of Korea nuclear explosive test. The statement emphasizes that peace is possible, but through diplomacy, rather than threats and sanctions. Mark Harrison and the Rev. Liberato Bautista, staff with the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, are members of the working group.
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Pastors shoot baskets to fight malaria
LAWRENCE, Kan. (UMNS) - Five United Methodist pastors stepped out of the church and onto the basketball court on March 2 to raise money to fight malaria. The churches collaborating in the event - United Methodists Shoot for No Malaria, raising money for the Imagine No Malaria campaign - decided to work together to make it easier to raise money for the cause. The Lawrence Journal-World has the story.
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Hour to support UMCOR approaches
PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - Pittsburgh Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, who leads the Western Pennsylvania Annual (regional)Conference, is encouraging local churches to give to One Great Hour of Sharing on Sunday, March 10. The special offering pays for the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the denomination's disaster-response and relief agency. Local churches also can set an alternative date for the special offering.
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Reconciling Ministries Network hires executive director
CHICAGO (UMNS) - Reconciling Ministries Network, an unofficial United Methodist caucus that advocates for greater inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, has named its new executive director. Matt Berryman, a former United Methodist clergyperson, has served as the pastor of congregations in the Jacksonville, Fla., area and the United Kingdom. He also has led numerous groups through training seminars and workshops for The United Methodist Church and United Methodist-related institutions. He starts his new role on April 2.
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