"In hindsight, I would have loved a resource like this, that kind of plunges and probes the depths of what United Methodist theology is in song, and also thinks about sing-ability." —The Rev. Nelson Cowan, on his and colleagues’ work in vetting a top 100 list of contemporary Christian worship songs.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Where the hymnal stops, they step in
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A team of United Methodist experts gives guidance on which contemporary Christian songs to use in worship, with a focus on theology, language and sing-ability. A green list offers songs recommended with few or no reservations, and a yellow list is compiled for songs recommended, but with cautions. Some highly popular songs don’t make either list. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Operation Classroom reaffirms commitment to Africa
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — Operation Classroom leaders visited Liberia and Sierra Leone recently to reaffirm their commitment to Africa and strengthen contributions to the countries’ education programs. E Julu Swen reports.
Read story
Central African church takes Gospel door to door
BANGUI, Central African Republic (UMNS) — Members of the Church of Jerusalem, a United Methodist congregation here, spent a day going door to door to tell their neighbors about Jesus. The church includes about 50 members. The Sunday after the evangelization campaign, 66 people attended worship. Petula Chancelvy Dockpa has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Kemper, Fernandes named co-directors of UMCOR
ATLANTA — Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and Roland Fernandes, the mission agency’s chief operating officer, have been named co-executive directors of United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read press release
The Episcopal Church
U.S. Episcopalians readmit Cuba as a diocese
AUSTIN, Texas — Both houses of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention voted unanimously July 11 to readmit the Episcopal Church of Cuba as a diocese. Formerly a missionary district, the Episcopal Church of Cuba has functioned as an autonomous diocese of the Anglican Communion since it separated from the U.S.-based church in 1967.
Read press release
UMNS: For Methodists in Cuba, ‘These are good times’
COMMENTARIES
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Native youth take stand for immigrant children
MILLSBORO, Del. — “When children are ripped from their mothers and fathers, prayers are important, but so is action,” writes Raggatha Rain Calentine in a commentary for the Native American Comprehensive Plan. She shares how members of the plan’s Native youth group, who have a unique understanding of what is taking place, have been moved to action.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
National Council of Churches
Racial justice resource available
WASHINGTON — A new book, “United Against Racism,” has been designed for use by individuals, small groups, congregations and communities. The resource, an outgrowth of the National Council of Churches’ racial justice initiative, is available for a limited time at a discounted price of $12. Special discounts are also available for orders of 10 copies or more by emailing [email protected].
To order
RECENT HEADLINES
Last of detained missionaries arrives home
GC2019 no longer needs registration fees
EVENTS
Thursday, July 19
United Religions Initiative
NEWS AND FEATURES
Where the hymnal stops, they step in
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A team of United Methodist experts gives guidance on which contemporary Christian songs to use in worship, with a focus on theology, language and sing-ability. A green list offers songs recommended with few or no reservations, and a yellow list is compiled for songs recommended, but with cautions. Some highly popular songs don’t make either list. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Operation Classroom reaffirms commitment to Africa
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — Operation Classroom leaders visited Liberia and Sierra Leone recently to reaffirm their commitment to Africa and strengthen contributions to the countries’ education programs. E Julu Swen reports.
Read story
Central African church takes Gospel door to door
BANGUI, Central African Republic (UMNS) — Members of the Church of Jerusalem, a United Methodist congregation here, spent a day going door to door to tell their neighbors about Jesus. The church includes about 50 members. The Sunday after the evangelization campaign, 66 people attended worship. Petula Chancelvy Dockpa has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Kemper, Fernandes named co-directors of UMCOR
ATLANTA — Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and Roland Fernandes, the mission agency’s chief operating officer, have been named co-executive directors of United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read press release
The Episcopal Church
U.S. Episcopalians readmit Cuba as a diocese
AUSTIN, Texas — Both houses of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention voted unanimously July 11 to readmit the Episcopal Church of Cuba as a diocese. Formerly a missionary district, the Episcopal Church of Cuba has functioned as an autonomous diocese of the Anglican Communion since it separated from the U.S.-based church in 1967.
Read press release
UMNS: For Methodists in Cuba, ‘These are good times’
COMMENTARIES
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Native youth take stand for immigrant children
MILLSBORO, Del. — “When children are ripped from their mothers and fathers, prayers are important, but so is action,” writes Raggatha Rain Calentine in a commentary for the Native American Comprehensive Plan. She shares how members of the plan’s Native youth group, who have a unique understanding of what is taking place, have been moved to action.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
National Council of Churches
Racial justice resource available
WASHINGTON — A new book, “United Against Racism,” has been designed for use by individuals, small groups, congregations and communities. The resource, an outgrowth of the National Council of Churches’ racial justice initiative, is available for a limited time at a discounted price of $12. Special discounts are also available for orders of 10 copies or more by emailing [email protected].
To order
RECENT HEADLINES
Last of detained missionaries arrives home
GC2019 no longer needs registration fees
EVENTS
Thursday, July 19
United Religions Initiative
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