NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop Oden, ecumenical leader, dies at 83
DALLAS (UMNS) — Bishop William B. Oden grew up on an Oklahoma farm, but would eventually travel the world as a representative for The United Methodist Church, advocating for ecumenical and interfaith cooperation. Oden, who oversaw two annual conferences and served as president of the Council of Bishops, died Dec. 22 at age 83. Sam Hodges and Linda Bloom report.
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LGBTQ churchgoers wary of bishops’ letter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — At the prompting of some church members, the Council of Bishops published a letter lamenting harm to the global LGBTQ community. A number of LGBTQ United Methodists said the letter falls short. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read bishops’ letter
Commission on a Way Forward
Letter advises St. Louis delegates
WASHINGTON — Delegates should not reject the Connectional Conference Plan out-of-hand as too complicated or different, two of the moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward advised in a new letter. The commission said delegates should read the whole report before taking a position, noting that it provides context for understanding the three plans included in the report.
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World Council of Churches
Argentine Methodist bishop mourned
GENEVA — Bishop Emeritus Nélida “Nelly” Ritchie of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina, who died Dec. 22, left a “valuable legacy” at the World Council of Churches, said the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, leader of the ecumenical organization. Ritchie served as vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee between 1991 and 1998.
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Water for Life project expands to Guinea
YASSATA, Guinea (UMNS) — Water for Life, a major project of The United Methodist Church in Liberia, has crossed into Guinea, with plans to build at least five water wells in the country. E Julu Swen reports.
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