"It is a very empowering and encouraging feeling of uniting our voices with others throughout the world." — The Rev. Anita Phillips, talking about the United Methodist Global Working Group on Indigenous Peoples.
Connecting worldwide as indigenous peoples
NEW YORK (UMNS) — When United Methodist native peoples of other countries joined the indigenous Sami people of Norway to share their stories at a meeting near the Arctic Circle this winter, the similarities of their experiences were no surprise. Now a newly formed United Methodist Global Working Group on Indigenous Peoples will make connections throughout the denomination. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story
Indigenous people celebrated in Trondheim, Norway
Hospitality, Methodist history offered in Puebla
PUEBLA, Mexico (UMNS) — This city holds an important place in the history of Methodism in Mexico. And students at Puebla’s Methodist college have, by all accounts, outdone themselves in offering hospitality to visitors from the International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges and Universities. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Counter Kabul attack with unity, love
GENEVA (WCC) — In the wake of a large bomb attack that killed at least 80 people and injured 350 more in Kabul, Afghanistan, the top executive of the World Council of Churches called for prayers, continued faith and conscious actions that lead to peace. “What if we counter every act of violence with correspondingly larger acts of unity and love?” asked the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit.
Read story
Cattle drive leads to organist's career
WHEATON, Md. — It’s not often that the story of a musician begins on a cattle drive. But Van Knauss, now 78, was riding in his father’s truck driving cattle to Denver when they stopped at an organ studio. Knauss was hooked. He just celebrated 50 years playing for Hughes United Methodist Church. Petula Dvorak reports for The Washington Post.
Read story
Inmate art inspires new ministries
HILLSVILLE, Va. — When the letters started coming from the jail, the Rev. Ronnie Collins was amazed by the artwork decorating the envelopes and pages. The first was a sketch of Jesus. Annette Spence of the Holston Conference reports on Out of the Box United Methodist Church’s creative jail ministries.
Read story
Was the wine at the wedding at Cana alcoholic?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (InfoServ) — During the temperance movement, there was an argument that somehow the wine in the Gospels — the Last Supper specifically, but probably also the wedding at Cana — was miraculously non-alcoholic. Is there evidence in the biblical text to support that argument? InfoServ, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has the answer in the latest installment of Ask the UMC.
Read more
Ask the UMC
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.
Sunday, June 4-Tuesday, June 6
Northern Illinois Annual Conference — Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois. The theme of the session is “Light Shines Through.” Details
Monday, June 5-Friday, June 30
Surviving the Caregiver Marathon with Grace: Training for Serving in the Long Run — This online workshop from BeADisciple.com gives caregivers the tools and support needed to maintain physical, emotional and spiritual health while caring for others. This course is eligible for 2.0 CEUs. Price: $45. Details
See more United Methodist events
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.