“Everyone understood our task and went out of their way to ignore their own opinion about any piece of legislation and solely consider whether it was in harmony of the call.” — Lynn Caterson, member of the committee deciding which petitions can come before the special General Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Committee rules 78 petitions ‘in harmony’ for GC2019
IRVING, Texas (UMNS) — Options for the fast-approaching special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church have become clearer with a key panel’s ruling on which legislative petitions can be considered. The Committee on Reference determined 78 petitions to be “in harmony” with the stated call for a conference aimed at keeping the denomination unified despite division over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
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Native American clergywoman took justice to heart
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Cynthia Abrams is being remembered as a committed, compassionate leader who found her voice through The United Methodist Church. A longtime staff member of the Board of Church and Society and a Native American clergywoman, Abrams died Jan. 11 at the age of 58. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story
Deciding what budget cuts mean for ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist general agencies are looking at what a planned budget cut of more than 20 percent will mean for their work, their staff and the people they serve. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Arkansas Conference
Dog therapy ministry enriches Pulaski Heights church
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Therapy dogs are an important ministry at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, cheering up people in hospitals and nursing homes, including seniors with dementia. They even act as greeters at church services. Caleb Hennington has the story.
Read story
World Council of Churches
WCC theme: Christ’s love, reconciliation, unity
NICOSIA, Cyprus — The newly announced theme of the next World Council of Churches assembly — “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity” — is both timely and necessary, says the ecumenical organization’s top executive. While law and rights establish social order and resolve conflicts, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit points out, love “is a fundamental value, guiding modes of behavior that establish a reliable framework and basis for the recognition of rights and dignity of everyone in the community.”
Read story
WCC releases theme for 11th assembly
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
How much do you know about Susanna Wesley?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — All United Methodists know that Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles. But how many other children did she have? Test your knowledge with the latest quiz from United Methodist Communications.
Take the quiz
RECENT HEADLINES
Small churches, big ministry
Love of Christ extends to immigrants living on street
EVENTS
Wednesday, Jan. 16-Tuesday, Jan. 22
Online congregational leadership course: Pastoral care
NEWS AND FEATURES
Committee rules 78 petitions ‘in harmony’ for GC2019
IRVING, Texas (UMNS) — Options for the fast-approaching special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church have become clearer with a key panel’s ruling on which legislative petitions can be considered. The Committee on Reference determined 78 petitions to be “in harmony” with the stated call for a conference aimed at keeping the denomination unified despite division over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Native American clergywoman took justice to heart
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Cynthia Abrams is being remembered as a committed, compassionate leader who found her voice through The United Methodist Church. A longtime staff member of the Board of Church and Society and a Native American clergywoman, Abrams died Jan. 11 at the age of 58. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story
Deciding what budget cuts mean for ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist general agencies are looking at what a planned budget cut of more than 20 percent will mean for their work, their staff and the people they serve. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Arkansas Conference
Dog therapy ministry enriches Pulaski Heights church
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Therapy dogs are an important ministry at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, cheering up people in hospitals and nursing homes, including seniors with dementia. They even act as greeters at church services. Caleb Hennington has the story.
Read story
World Council of Churches
WCC theme: Christ’s love, reconciliation, unity
NICOSIA, Cyprus — The newly announced theme of the next World Council of Churches assembly — “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity” — is both timely and necessary, says the ecumenical organization’s top executive. While law and rights establish social order and resolve conflicts, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit points out, love “is a fundamental value, guiding modes of behavior that establish a reliable framework and basis for the recognition of rights and dignity of everyone in the community.”
Read story
WCC releases theme for 11th assembly
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
How much do you know about Susanna Wesley?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — All United Methodists know that Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles. But how many other children did she have? Test your knowledge with the latest quiz from United Methodist Communications.
Take the quiz
RECENT HEADLINES
Small churches, big ministry
Love of Christ extends to immigrants living on street
EVENTS
Wednesday, Jan. 16-Tuesday, Jan. 22
Online congregational leadership course: Pastoral care
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