“There’s a famous joke that says Christians talk about sexuality so much because they don’t want to talk about politics.” — Joerg Rieger, founding director of the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Scholar puts spotlight on capitalism and Christ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As a theologian who works in the tradition of liberation theology, Joerg Rieger of Vanderbilt Divinity School believes Christians need to be in the thick of political issues on the side of the poor and disadvantaged. He is interested in how the church can interact with unions, health care reformers, climate change activists and others to benefit less-wealthy people. Jim Patterson reports.
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UM News: Discussing Christian nationalism — carefully
Judicial Council
Church court releases fall docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a nine-item docket for its fall session. The United Methodist Church’s top court plans to meet in person in October in Los Angeles. Briefs are due Aug. 23 and reply briefs are due Aug. 28.
See docket
Minnesota Conference
Waterville flooded, church helps
WATERVILLE, Minn. — Thirteen volunteers from the Minnesota Conference made their way to the town of Waterville to help with recovery after flooding. The Minnesota Conference Early Response Team helped homeowners remove sandbags and pick up damaged goods and debris. Nearly half the state was underwater last month because of flooding. Paul Baker reports.
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Candler School of Theology
Candler dean to retire
ATLANTA — Jan Love, the first female dean of Candler School of Theology at Emory University and former top executive of United Women in Faith (then United Methodist Women), announced her retirement in June. She served in the post for nearly 18 years. Love is also the first non-ordained leader in Candler history. Elaine Justice has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Spiritual practices for busy lives
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On a new episode of the “Compass" podcast, Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the "dark night of the soul" and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality.
Listen to episode
PRESS RELEASES
United Women in Faith
New UWF board elected
NEW YORK — Jana Jones of the Mountain Sky Conference was elected president of the United Women in Faith board of directors for the 2024-2028 quadrennium. United Women in Faith also elected a new program advisory group, it announced on July 22. Heidi J. Careaga will be Jones’ vice president.
Read press release
EVENTS
Monday, July 29-Wednesday, July 31
Black Clergy Women's Annual Meeting 2024
Sunday, Aug. 4-Wednesday, Aug. 7
School of Congregational Development: See/Create/Disciple
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
US sees big changes in bishop assignments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In a history-making development, four out of the five jurisdictions will share bishops across boundaries starting Sept. 1. The milestone results from unprecedented levels of collaboration among U.S. United Methodists. Heather Hahn reports.
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UM News: How North Central Jurisdiction handles assignments
Council of Bishops: A journey of hope and transformation
Western Jurisdiction: Collaborative efforts to pursue a common goal
Church helps feed prisoners in Congo
LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — With support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, church members in Southern Congo provided food and other supplies to inmates at Kasapa Central Prison. Church leaders also brought a message of hope. Christian Kasweka has the story.
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New 2024 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2024 annual conference reports. New this week are the Mississippi, North Katanga and Tanganyika conferences.
Read reports
Commentary: 'We refuse to be enemies'
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (UM News) — The Nassar family farm, the Tent of Nations, has long been involved in efforts to bring peace to the Holy Land. In 1991, the farm was declared state land — under the administration of the Israeli occupation. Since then, the family has been fighting to keep it, says Thomas Kemper, former top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Commentary: Putting hope in the ‘harder thing’
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Regionalization allows the worldwide church to remain United Methodist in a new connectional way, writes the Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli. After serving as a delegate to the recently held General Conference, she is hopeful for what these worldwide gatherings might be like in the future.
Read commentary
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