“All the women on this tour … had a very big part to play. And everything we’re learning was civil rights. So it’s a lot to live up to and I’m very proud of them, especially in the time period that they were in, for being so courageous and so brave.” — Gabriela Alvarez, a high school senior who participated in the Mexican-American Civil Rights Tour.
Video image courtesy of United Methodist Communications
NEWS AND FEATURES
Mexican-American teens take civil rights tour
DALLAS (UMC.org) — Mexican-American teenagers from Texas visited historic civil rights sites in their home state to help them understand their own stories better and to draw parallels to social justice issues today. The tour was organized by leaders at the Wesley-Rankin Community Center here and funded by a grant from The United Methodist Church’s National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.
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Global Ministries
Filipino denied entry for U.S. ecumenical meeting
ATLANTA — A United Methodist official expressed dismay that a civil rights advocate from the Philippines was denied entry to the U.S. for church meetings, despite a valid visa and an invitation from the denomination’s mission agency. “That a human rights defender like Jerome Aba would be harshly mistreated and denied entry into the U.S. with a valid visa underscores our concern about human rights everywhere,” said Thomas Kemper, top executive of the Board of Global Ministries, in a statement.
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Missouri Conference
Restoring hope in Puerto Rico
VIEQUES, Puerto Rico — When the U.S. government didn't respond in Puerto Rico, the church did. Eight months after Hurricane Maria brought destruction, the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico continues to rally for its people. Lauren Miers reports how the Missouri Conference is joining in the work.
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Native American Course of Study empowers pastors
CORTEZ, Colo. (UMNS) — With Navajo as a first language and a limited understanding of English, Norman Mark found traditional ministerial education difficult. However, the Native American Course of Study, which combines theology course work with Native traditions, was a perfect fit. Mark is now leading a new Native American fellowship in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Moving closer to full communion with Moravians
BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Southern Province of the Moravian Church in North America has voted to enter into a full communion relationship with The United Methodist Church. General Conference 2016 had previously approved the full communion agreement.
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COMMENTARIES
South Carolina Conference
In finding way forward, let’s go slowly
COLUMBIA, S.C. — When big news comes out about the church, it’s tempting to have an immediate reaction and try to express it to the widest possible audience. Jessica Brodie, editor of the South Carolina Advocate, urges people go slow in reflecting on possible ways forward through the denomination’s divided views on homosexuality.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Church’s voice of hope endures amid violence
Witnesses recall birth of The United Methodist Church
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, May 14-Friday, May 25
Online course: A guidance and counseling approach to helping others
Monday, May 14-Monday, June 4
Online children’s education workshop: Called to teach
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