“We have to hope, so we have to help. We have to show up. We have to be present. We have to work for change.” — The Rev. Sam McGlothlin, senior pastor of Belle Meade United Methodist Church, at a Nashville, Tennessee, rally supporting gun control.
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists join march for gun reform
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Five caskets and an urn — one for each victim of the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School — were carried during an April 17 march from McKendree United Methodist Church to the Tennessee State Capitol. United Methodist clergy and laity were among the more than 1,000 people who participated in the “Moral Monday” rally in support of stricter gun laws. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Exiting Florida churches’ lawsuit dismissed
STARKE, Fla. (UM News) — A Florida judge dismissed a lawsuit originally filed by 106 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church without paying the exit fees. The judge wrote that current Florida court rules tied his hands, but his order appeared to welcome an appeal. Heather Hahn reports.
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Schedule of special sessions for disaffiliations
Western North Carolina Conference
Celebrating the Great 50 Days
LENOIR, N.C. — The Rev. Lory Beth Huffman, superintendent of the Appalachian District, shares a “God-sighting” she witnessed during Easter Sunday worship at New Covenant United Methodist Church as she baptized 16 babies and children. The video is part of the Western North Carolina Conference’s Great 50 Days campaign, a daily spotlight on the movement of the Holy Spirit and resurrection power in and among United Methodists.
Watch video
See more in series
Read letter from Bishop Ken Carter
Greater New Jersey Conference
Insights on finding one’s purpose
NEPTUNE, N.J. — In the latest episode of the “Uncovered Dish Christian Leadership Podcast,” the Rev. Kate Monahan discusses finding purpose and calling in one’s life. The Greater New Jersey Conference resource director shares insights from the book “You on Purpose” by Dr. Stephanie Shackelford.
Listen to podcast
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Conference names church-planting team
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama-West Florida Conference announces the launching of its new ministry strategy team. The team will lead the conference in planting new faith communities, as well as coaching churches to reach new people in new ways. Eleven new churches are in the process of being launched.
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News 5 Cleveland
Church ready for children with special needs
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — A multisensory space to serve children with special needs is the centerpiece of a $5.3 million expansion at Strongsville United Methodist Church. A large space for youth ministries and new front lobby also were added. The expansion, which increases the church’s physical footprint by more than 60%, is the culmination of more than five years of planning and a church-led fundraising campaign that covered a majority of the construction cost. Jordan Vandenberge reports.
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RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Honoring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has created two free, downloadable resources, “10 Things to Know about Asian Americans” and “10 Honorable Traits of Pacific Islander Culture,” for churches to use during Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. Both infographics are available at the agency’s R-Squared resource hub.
View resources
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EVENTS
Wednesday, April 26-Tuesday, May 2
Congregational Leadership: Time Management
Monday, May 1-Monday, May 15
Teaching Biblical Faith: Leading Small Group Bible Studies
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