“The more we can understand the perspective of others, the more we can deal with the issues dividing us. We have to be intentional about bridging the divide.” — The Rev. Latricia Scriven, leader of the Wesley Foundation at Florida A&M University.
Pulpit exchanges preach justice, love
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UMNS) — As he approached the Wesley Foundation’s meeting room at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, the Rev. Wayne Wiatt hesitated. What could a 61-year-old white pastor say that would be of any interest to a group of black college students? D'Ann Lawrence White reports on the Florida Conference’s recent cross-racial pulpit exchanges.
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New planets raise old questions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The discovery of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a nearby dwarf star, Trappist-1, is raising lots of questions with religious implications. Emily McFarlan Miller of Religion News Service reports on how different faiths view the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
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Health care as a basic human right
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society urged United Methodists to advocate for a health care system that “leaves no person behind.” The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe said the health care bill proposed by members of Congress rolls back “the progress made by the Affordable Care Act” and dismantles the historic protections in Medicaid.
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Abingdon to publish Clinton devotional book
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, the Rev. Bill Shillady, a United Methodist pastor, organized daily devotions from himself and others for Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Abingdon Press will publish a collection of the devotions — along with personal notes, portions of her speeches and relevant headlines — with a foreward by Clinton. A portion of the proceeds will go to the United Methodist City Society in New York.
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Read UMNS story on devotions
Church responds to fire evacuees
OCEAN GROVE, N.J. (UMNS) — St. Paul’s United Methodist Church became headquarters for the American Red Cross and a hub of hope and relief after flames engulfed nearly an entire block of the historic Jersey Shore town. The town is home to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, founded in 1869 by Methodist clergy. Josh Kinney reports for the Greater New Jersey Conference.
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Top men's group chosen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) –– Northside United Methodist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, was named the 2017 top United Methodist Men’s unit in the United States. Judges of the third annual national competition selected the church for a myriad of ministries to the Jackson community.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, March 20 — Sunday, April 2
Online Lay Servant Workshop: Biblical Storytelling I — This course uses methods developed by the Network of Biblical Storytellers International to help people use storytelling to connect with God and other people. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries approved this class from BeADisciple.com as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. $65. Details
See more United Methodist events
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