“On my way out, I had a tree explode next to my car. The house right next to it went up on fire, and I knew I had to get moving.” — The Rev. Robert Chicou, pastor of Paradise United Methodist Church, on fleeing the wildfire that devastated Paradise, California.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches coping with California fires
PARADISE, Calif. (UMNS) — Members of Paradise United Methodist Church were still unsure about the state of their homes or their church building as firefighters continued to battle widespread California wildfires. Nine families of Malibu United Methodist Church, near Los Angeles, have lost their homes to fire. Jim Patterson and Sam Hodges report on the continuing emergency and on The United Methodist Church's response.
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Bishops strengthen ties with Episcopalians
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (UMNS) — Two Christian traditions with historic ties to John Wesley’s Church of England are drawing closer. Heather Hahn reports on how the Council of Bishops has moved The United Methodist Church a step toward full communion with the Episcopal Church.
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Filipino bishops call for unity
MANILA, Philippines (UMNS) — In a pastoral letter, Filipino bishops called for connectional unity and warned that schism would be harmful to many of those who call The United Methodist Church their spiritual home. They urged United Methodists in the Philippines to continue in holy conversation and prayer leading up to the 2019 General Conference. Gladys Mangiduyos has the story.
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2018 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News is posting reports from all annual conference sessions as we receive them. The latest is from the Rwanda Provisional Conference.
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Read 2018 annual conference reports
COMMENTARIES
Rankin File
Judicial Council decision shows schism already here
DALLAS — The Rev. Stephen Rankin, a United Methodist elder and chaplain at Southern Methodist University, believes the recent Judicial Council decision on the three Way Forward plans “compellingly shows that our denomination is in schism.” Rankin, a self-described traditionalist in theology and morality, uses the same blog post to take issue with how the One Church Plan is being advocated.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
How much do you know about circuit riders?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Do you know who the first female circuit rider was? Find the answer in the latest quiz from United Methodist Communications.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Carter commends peace efforts for Korea
Seeing a Way Forward video series
EVENTS
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Service of Thanksgiving: Voices of Hope
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