"Growing up in poverty, where our parents couldn’t provide, she picked up the slack.” — Jose Sifuentes, speaking of Kay Schecht, a United Methodist laywoman and winner of the Foundation for Evangelism’s Distinguished Evangelist Award.
Photo by Bill Fentum
NEWS AND FEATURES
Laywoman honored as 'Distinguished Evangelist'
IRVING, Texas (UMNS) — The latest Distinguished Evangelist Award from the Foundation for Evangelism has gone not to a big-name pastor but to Kay Schecht. She’s a laywoman from Plymouth Park United Methodist Church here who has volunteered with at-risk kids for more than two decades. Sam Hodges reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Ministry board won’t consider sexual orientation, gender
FULTON, Md. — The Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry has released its new policy for examining candidates for ministry, stating it “will not consider or evaluate sexual orientation or gender identity, nor see them to be sufficient reasons to deny a candidate’s ability to live up to our United Methodist standards.” The new policy is contrary to rulings in 2017 by the United Methodist Judicial Council. Melissa Lauber reports.
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Review all clergy qualifications, court says
Missouri Conference
Bishop joins in opposing gun bill
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Area Bishop Robert Farr is opposing state legislation that would allow concealed weapons in houses of worship. Farr said he acknowledges Second Amendment rights of gun owners, but could not support any bill that would negatively affect the safety of churches and the right of churches to self-govern. Farr is scheduled to join other faith leaders at an April 11 news conference opposing the legislation.
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Northern Illinois Conference
7 pastors ride circuit for sermon series
CHICAGO — A group of seven pastors are sharing their pulpits with each other to preach on a different topic of United Methodism rotating through May 20. These “circuit riders” created a sermon series on topics like what it means to be United Methodist. “We are able to support each other in ministry and invite our congregations to connect with other churches in the city through pulpit sharing,” said the Rev. April Gutierrez of Berry United Methodist Church.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops seek Judicial Council ruling
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Council of Bishops is asking the denomination’s top court for a declaratory decision on what petitions can be submitted to the special called General Conference in February 2019. The bishops also asked the Judicial Council to convene a special meeting to address that request and any others that might arise from the upcoming Council of Bishops meeting. “The intent is to resolve the question of whether additional petitions, beyond the report of the Commission on a Way Forward and the Council of Bishops…” can be submitted, said Bishop Bruce R. Ough.
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Council of Bishops
200 to attend ecumenical, unity events
WASHINGTON — About 200 people, including six young adults sponsored by the Council of Bishops, will gather April 16-19 for the United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training and the National Workshop on Christian Unity.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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Tiny church vital center for community
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, April 16-Friday, April 27
Online class: Using technology in church communications
Wednesday, April 18
McDonald Lectures with David F. Ford: Reconciliation in the 21st century
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