“The reality is that they (Puerto Rican church leaders) have heard from a very limited number because of the challenges with communications.” — The Rev. Hector Burgos, Greater New Jersey Conference.
Photo by Kris Grogan, U.S. Customs Border Patrol
Maria’s wreckage slows relief to Puerto Rico
NEW YORK (UMNS) — It’s too early to say exactly how the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has been affected by Hurricane Maria. But Methodists there, while trying to assess damages and start relief efforts, face the same challenges as everyone else in the U.S. territory. Linda Bloom reports.
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Serving others in times of tragedy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — As we process our horror and grief after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, we may want to find ways to heal by serving others. Writer Joe Iovino reminds us that a great guide for finding ways to minister to our neighbors is found in Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells the helpers that they served him by serving those in the greatest need.
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Powers, ecumenical leader, dead at 85
MINNEAPOLIS — The Rev. Jeanne Audrey Powers, 85, a well-known ecumenist who was among the first women in the Methodist Church granted full clergy rights, died Sept. 29 in Switzerland while traveling with friends. Powers, a California resident and retired elder in the Minnesota Conference, was a longtime staff member of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
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WCC panel: Frustration on racism in U.S.
GENEVA (WCC) — Panelists at a Sept. 25 hearing organized by the World Council of Churches and U.S. National Council of Churches openly shared their emotional frustration at the situation the U.S. now faces with racism. Retired United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee, moderated the panel.
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Pastor writes book on church future
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Wil Cantrell, a General Conference delegate from the Holston Conference, has written a book about the denomination’s struggle around how to minister with LGBTQ individuals. The book, “Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism,” is getting notice around the denomination, reports Annette Spence of the Holston Conference.
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Where is the church headquarters?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (InfoServ) — The United Methodist Church has never had one central headquarters or single executive leader with authority over the mission and ministries of the whole church. InfoServ, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, in the latest installment of Ask the UMC, shares why that is.
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Ask the UMC
2017 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting reports from all annual conference sessions as we receive them. The Rwanda Provisional Annual Conference report is new this week.
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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.
Saturday, Oct. 14
Wesleyan Covenant Association Global Gathering — The group, which holds church teachings on homosexuality as part of Christian orthodoxy, will hold its 2017 Live Global Gathering at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, Texas. The gathering also will be simulcast at more than 60 locations. Details
Monday, Nov. 13-Tuesday, Nov. 14
Uniting Methodists Leadership Conference — The group, which is seeking to strengthen the denomination’s center on matters of homosexuality, will hold its inaugural leadership conference from noon Nov. 13 to noon Nov. 14 at Impact United Methodist Church, 2323 Sylvan Road, East Point, Georgia 30344. Details
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