“I thought, ‘OK, a God moment in the midst of all of this.’” — The Rev. Duane Anders, after the scheduled execution of Thomas Creech was halted.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Pastors react to halted Idaho execution
BOISE, Idaho — The Rev. Duane Anders and other United Methodist clergy were on hand Feb. 28 to offer lament as Thomas Creech, a 73-year-old convicted serial killer, was set to be put to death by lethal injection. But then he received the news that Creech’s execution was halted after medical personnel tried unsuccessfully eight times to find a vein for the IV to be inserted. Kristen Caldwell reports on Anders’ and other clergy members’ reactions.
Read story
World Council of Churches
Church leaders decry attack on Gazan civilians
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches expressed solidarity with the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, who condemned an attack against civilians that occurred while residents of Gaza gathered for food aid. In their statement, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem called “for the warring parties to reach an immediate and lengthy ceasefire that allows for the speedy disbursement of relief supplies.”
Read story
Read patriarchs’ statement
Judicial Council
Church court releases spring docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a three-item docket for its spring session. The United Methodist Church’s top court plans to meet on April 19-22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of General Conference. Briefs are due April 3 and the deadline for reply briefs is April 7.
See docket
California-Pacific Conference
Building shuttered, church plans to rebuild
LOS ANGELES — The 100-year-old Echo Park United Methodist Church recently discovered that its tower is in danger of collapse and its building is unsafe after the church experienced damage in January’s storms. The multiracial church is still holding weekly worship, most recently at La Plaza United Methodist Church, but has started a GoFundMe to raise $100,000 to rebuild. The California-Pacific Conference has the story.
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Watch ABC-7 video
Davao Episcopal Area
Fire damages Philippines church
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A United Methodist church was damaged by a Feb. 26 fire that also gutted over a dozen houses in a Philippines neighborhood. The entire second floor of Cathedral-The United Methodist Church was destroyed. Only the cross on the altar survived. The old and new parsonages and old dormitories also were affected. Bishop Israel Painit, who leads the Davao Area, visited the church on Feb. 28. “Through collective effort and unwavering faith, we will rise from the ashes and continue to shine the light of love and grace in our community and beyond,” he said. The Rev. Theresa Eleanor Paano-Barrientos reports.
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RESOURCES
Higher Education Foundation
Scholarship deadline extended to March 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation has extended its 2024 scholarship application deadline to March 15. The extension comes in response to continued delays in financial aid and admissions processes caused by 2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid challenges, resulting in students needing more time to decide where they can afford to attend. The foundation does not require FAFSA information on its applications.
Read press release
To apply
United Theological Seminary
Seminary plans webinar on healthy finances
DAYTON, Ohio — The Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary plans to hold a free webinar, “Healthy Money — Transforming Your Relationship With Finance.” United Methodist trainers Roz and Callie Picardo are slated to lead the webinar at 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time March 21. United is among 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S.
Learn more and register
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