“We are asking for this so that we can gain greater clarity about constitutional issues within the three plans, and in service to and support of the delegations, who will do extremely important work in a very limited amount of time.” — Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr., president of the Council of Bishops.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops seek court ruling on Way Forward plans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Council of Bishops has asked the denomination’s top court to rule on the constitutionality of some of the legislation submitted by the Commission on a Way Forward. The commission was charged with finding ways to resolve the denomination’s longtime debate over homosexuality. Heather Hahn reports.
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Meharry mobile dental clinic provides needed care
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A mobile dental clinic purchased with a $300,000 grant from the Black College Fund has allowed students from United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College to provide care in underserved areas. Sandra Long Weaver reports.
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Rural pastors gain reliable transportation
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Transportation is a challenge for pastors serving rural churches in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, but lay leaders here have spearheaded a fund to buy cars for the pastors. The Rural Pastors Transport Initiative has, to date, purchased 12 vehicles. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Raising awareness about Congo voting
KINDU, Congo (UMNS) — With the Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-awaited presidential elections to replace President Joseph Kabila set for Dec. 23, voter education is focusing on semi-electronic voting — a first for the country. The United Methodist Church is helping pastors and laypeople learn how to use the new technology through demonstrations and voting simulation. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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Florida Conference
Campus-based recovery team 'loves out loud'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “Love out loud.” That’s the mission of Wesley at Virginia Tech, a campus ministry at the Blacksburg, Virginia, school. Ed Scott reports on what the ministry team has done in northeastern Florida, an area still recovering from hurricanes Matthew and Irma.
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North Texas Conference
Leading worship for minors held at border
DALLAS — The Rev. Elizabeth Moseley of Highland Park United Methodist Church was part of an interfaith team that recently led worship for unaccompanied minors being held in the Texas border town of Tornillo. “They worshipped their God as if their lives depended on it,” she writes in a column.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Zimbabwe United Methodists weigh in on Social Principles
United Methodist girls’ boarding school turns 50
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