"That deep depression is always there. That is what is so difficult for people to understand. There is no cure. Even when a person is feeling better, when life is on track, it's still there." - The Rev. Cheryl Magrini, who lost a son to suicide
Mental health: Education is key
CHICAGO (UMNS)-Dan Magrini, 23, took his life in 2011. His family has made it their mission to educate people on the causes of depression and bipolar disorder and to fight the stigma, fear and misunderstanding often associated with a diagnosis of mental illness. The first in a series for Mental Health Awareness Month.
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8 ways to connect young adults to the church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - During the coming summer, young adults in your church, as well as their friends, may have time - and skills - to share. United Methodist Communications offers eight opportunities for young adults to engage with the church and community.
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50 ways to welcome a new pastor
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Paul Simon sang about 50 ways to leave a lover. The Rev. Bob Crossman, minister of new church starts and congregational development in the Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference, offers advice for a far happier scenario: 50 ways to welcome a new pastor. This essay is offered by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at United Methodist Wesley Theological Seminary.
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Malaria field coordinators prep for role
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) On Mother's Day, many United Methodists will honor the significant women in their lives through a donation tohttp://www.imaginenomalaria.org/sharethelove/. And Imagine No Malaria annual (regional) conference field coordinators are as busy as ever. Their role, said Sheri Altland, campaign director, "is to actively engage the whole conference congregations and conference leaders in the campaign to save lives by raising funds." www.imaginenomalaria.org has the story.
Two Syrian church leaders remain missing
GENEVA (UMNS) - Religious leaders around the world are continuing to pray and call for the release of two Syrian church leaders kidnapped April 22. As the Orthodox Holy Week is observed this week, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi of Aleppo and Alexandretta and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim of Aleppo are being held by unknown captors.
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National Day of Prayer resources available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) May 2 is the National Day of Prayer in the United States. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship is suggesting worship resources. To enhance your own prayer life, read the introduction to "Teach Us to Pray," a yearlong collaboration between Interpreter magazine and The Upper Room to provide articles, webinars and other materials about prayer and the power of prayer.
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Reflections on Labor Day
Grand Rapids, Mich. (UMNS) - In many countries around the world, May 1 is celebrated as Labor Day or International Worker's Day. While the rest of the world commemorates Labor Day on May 1, the Rev. Jorge Rodrguez writes, "in Grand Rapids, we celebrate with a demonstration to stress the need for immigration reform."
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A struggle for the American Dream
Grand Rapids, Mich. (UMNS) - Keren Rodrguez' participation in an April 10 march for immigration reform in Washington - originally thought of as a "good trip to get away from the routine" - has led to a call to activism and to "fight for the people who are less fortunate, those who don't have a voice and are scared to express how they feel," she writes.
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