“This is not just about relieving an overload on a particular bishop or bishops. It’s also about where’s our greatest opportunity to reach more people for Jesus Christ.”— Bishop Gregory V. Palmer on the task of adding more bishops in Africa.
NEWS AND FEATURES
The long road to adding 5 new bishops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Many United Methodists are looking forward to adding five more bishops to the African continent. People have been speculating about where they will serve, but no decisions have been made. Heather Hahn has an overview of the steps ahead.
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Faithful help rebuild in Eastern Congo
KINDU, Congo (UMNS) — In a country where the average annual income is less than $500 and many people live off the land, $12 is a big deal. But each United Methodist member in Eastern Congo has been asked to contribute $1 monthly to participate in rebuilding efforts in the episcopal area. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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Ask The UMC
Do United Methodists make the sign of the cross?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The sign of the cross is sometimes viewed as foreign to United Methodists; however, that hasn’t always been the case. Ask the UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the ancient Christian practice and what it means to United Methodists today.
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United Methodist Communications
Film offers hope to heal families’ brokenness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — In a new film slated for release in the U.S. this week, the personal struggles of a United Methodist family become intertwined with a gruesome past in Rwandan history and the current plight of refugees making a home in the U.S. "Beautifully Broken" opens in 647 U.S. theaters Aug. 24. Christopher Fenoglio has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
Young clergywomen’s book benefits future pastors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Royalties from the upcoming devotional, “We Pray with Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead,” to be released Sept. 4, will fund scholarships for young women pursuing a seminary education. In addition to the royalties from the book, the writers are fundraising for the scholarships which will be through the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
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COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service plans to include various commentaries about proposals for the future of the church in the Daily Digest over the coming months. The commentaries will reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
Maybe it’s time to split
SUGAR LAND, Texas — The Rev. Chappell Temple has problems with all three plans coming out of the Commission on a Way Forward. Temple, pastor of Christ (United Methodist) Church and a veteran Texas Conference delegate to General Conference, says he’ll still work for a unity solution. But he has nearly concluded an amicable division of The United Methodist Church may be best.
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RECENT HEADLINES
African leaders support Traditional Plan
Struggling with migration, deportation in Honduras
EVENTS
Wednesday, Aug. 29-Tuesday, Nov. 6
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