“I often think if we cannot find a way to live together in difference, how can we ask people in the world to do the same? If we cannot be agents of reconciliation within our own body, our witness is damaged.” — The Rev. Juan Huertas, a Louisiana Conference reserve delegate, on a gathering of GC2019 delegates aimed at building relationships.
NEWS AND FEATURES
GC2019 delegates discuss Way Forward
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Dozens of General Conference delegates recently gathered here to build relationships and discuss plans for The United Methodist Church’s future. Heather Hahn reports on the gathering.
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Judicial Council releases October docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A request by the United Methodist Council of Bishops for a ruling on the constitutionality of three legislative plans heading to the 2019 special General Conference is among the docket items being considered this fall by the denomination’s top court. Judicial Council will meet Oct. 23-26 in Zurich, Switzerland. United Methodist News Service will have a report about the court’s October docket in the July 18 digest.
See docket
UMNS: Bishops seek court ruling on way forward plans
Church plays role of mediator in East Congo
RUTSHURU, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — In a region crushed by unrest, United Methodists are helping resolve tribal, land and inheritance conflicts. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports on the church’s mediation efforts.
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East Ohio Conference
Offering help, hope in Puerto Rico
PATILLAS, Puerto Rico — A joint mission team from the East Ohio and Western Pennsylvania conferences spent a week on the southeast coast where Hurricane Maria made landfall in September 2017. The teams worked to help people who are still recovering from the physical and emotional toll of the deadly hurricane. Rick Wolcott reports.
Read story and watch video
COMMENTARIES
Avoiding Uzzah
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Rev. Teddy Ray says the Old Testament story of Uzzah tends to get left out of lectionary readings, which he finds unfortunate. He uses the story as part of a reflection on the need for orthodoxy and compassion as United Methodists try to find a way forward.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Animated Wesleys share church history
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new video resource from United Methodist Communications uses an animated John and Charles Wesley to share United Methodist history in an innovative and contemporary way. The one-minute episodes look at how the brothers might have used social media and smartphones to share the church’s message, while incorporating history, facts and trivia throughout.
Read press release
Commission on Religion and Race
Learn how to identify implicit bias
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has developed an “Implicit Bias Workbook” as a resource for preachers and teachers who want to learn and teach congregations about implicit bias.
To order or download
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