“We pledge to hold United Methodists, particularly those in the United States, accountable to engage in education around white supremacy, white privilege and internalized racism.” — A statement on racism drafted by African-American bishops and adopted unanimously by the Council of Bishops.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops sound alarm about surge in racism
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (UMNS) — United Methodist bishops decried the rise of racism in the U.S. and recommitted themselves to “exposing and dismantling racism in whatever forms and wherever it presents itself.” Heather Hahn reports.
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Read Council of Bishops’ press release
Some church leaders say rethink budget cuts
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The Connectional Table, a United Methodist leadership body, is urging the board of the denomination’s finance agency to reconsider proposed cuts to denominational funding. The Council of Bishops has referred the same concerns to its finance committee. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Religious leaders speak out about female genital mutilation
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Nanah Kamara, a lay pastor in Sierra Leone, regrets having allowed herself to undergo the painful surgery of circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation. She said her eyes are now opened to the dangers and she is mobilizing other women to reject the practice. Kamara spoke at an event launching a Council of Churches ecumenical conversation among faith leaders to end female genital mutilation. Keziah Kargbo has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Learning about Scripture can be fun
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wilson Casey knows his Bible, and he has found a unique and fun way to help others improve their own expertise on the subject. The Trinity United Methodist Church member has just published his seventh book of Bible trivia questions, “Test Your Bible Knowledge: 1,206 Questions to Sharpen Your Understanding of Scripture.” Laura Camby McCaskill reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Commission on General Conference
Advance DCA available online
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate is available online as a PDF and is to be out in a print edition by Nov. 26. The ADCA is published in English, French, Portuguese and Kiswahili. Contents include legislation submitted for the special session of General Conference, set for Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis.
Read press release
Access online ADCA
Pre-order print copy
Board of Church and Society
Board receives Social Principles report, awards grants
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society’s board of directors received a report from the Social Principles revision task force. The task force conducted a survey that received more than 2,500 responses. The board also approved $70,000 in grants to ministries working to promote justice.
Read the press release
COMMENTARIES
How UMNS covers displaced peoples
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is telling the world how the church is responding to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time: the movement of displaced peoples around the globe. The denominational news agency is also reporting on the efforts of United Methodists to fulfill Christ’s mandate of welcoming the stranger and caring for the poor and needy, writes Tim Tanton, chief news officer for United Methodist Communications.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Leaders affirm move toward new U.S. structure
Mexican bishops urge better treatment of migrants
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 12-Tuesday, Nov. 13
2018 Perkins Fall Convocation
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