"When the water receded after the heavy rain, we saw on TV the great devastation that the typhoon had left the region. And then it hit home - this is my people whose lives and livelihood have just been washed away." - Aquilino (Pong) Javier Jr., president of the National Association of Filipino American United Methodists, who has family in the Manila area.
In U.S., Filipinos ready to aid typhoon survivors
CHICAGO (UMNS) - The stark television images of people who lost family and homes to Typhoon Haiyan are moving U.S. Filipinos to promote relief efforts for the Philippines. The lack of communication from the affected areas has heightened the anxiety for those worried about relatives, friends and church members.
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Philippines Typhoon: The church responds
UMC pastor in Philippines missing
MANILA (UMNS) - One of the two United Methodist pastors in Tacloban, a city in the Philippines virtually destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, is reportedly missing. Church members have not been able to locate the Rev. Iris Picardeal-Perana, her husband, Juneril, and their 2-year old son, said the Rev. David Cosmiano, district superintendent, in a Nov. 13 interview.
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Communications agency responds to typhoon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-As part of a multifaceted response to Typhoon Haiyan, United Methodist Communications is placing a full-page ad in USA Today next week pointing readers to a United Methodist website for donations and updates. In addition, because of its work in ICT4D (information and communications technology for development), the agency has been contacted by other organizations interested in partnering to set up communications services and staffing in the Philippines. The communications agency also is working with the United Methodist Committee on Relief in publicizing the church's response and receiving donations.
Support UMCOR's work through International Disaster Response, Advance #982450.
Commentary: Frank asks bishops 'to stop the trials'
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UMNS) - The Rev. Thomas E. Frank, an expert on United Methodist polity, is urging the Council of Bishops for the sake of church unity to stop church trials of elders accused of violating the denomination's stance on homosexuality.
Read his letter
Bishops share thoughts on women's role in UMC
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - Some bishops have joined the conversation as the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women continues to assess how the church is meeting its mandate for full inclusion of women in all areas of church life. While the church has made strides, much work lies ahead, said participants at a listening session at the Council of Bishops meeting.
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3 United Methodist seminaries recognized
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Faith3.org, a website promoting engagement of young people in the church, has listed United Methodist-relatedWesley Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School and CandlerSchool of Theology among 17 "Seminaries that Change the World."
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History of Hymns: 'O God Who Shaped Creation'
DALLAS (UMNS) - The Rev. William W. Reid Jr., the author of this hymn, had a multi-faceted career. He was an Army veteran and prisoner of war, a pastor and district superintendent in The United Methodist Church, an official of The Hymn Society, in addition to a hymn writer of note. C. Michael Hawn offers more of his story.
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