"What I will remember most is the idea that when people gather together for a just cause and with a loving heart, they can accomplish anything." - Amanda Shenk, spiritual life coordinator at Shenandoah University and volunteer in Hurricane Sandy relief in New York.
East Africa audit ends; funds still suspended
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries' independent audit committee has voted to close its ongoing audit of the East Africa Annual (regional) Conference and recommended the continued suspension of funds.
Volunteers continue Sandy relief in N.Y.
NEW YORK (UMNS) - Volunteers from other parts of the state and from out of state continue to help New Yorkers hit by Hurricane Sandy. Joanne Utley, editor of The Vision of the New York Annual (regional) Conference, provides a look at three of those teams.
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Lent: A time to fast and pray
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Lent is the time of year when many Christians seek the truth behind the paradox of subtraction equals addition. Fasting, practiced faithfully by biblical figures, is coming back into vogue. More and more Christians find the spiritual discipline brings enlightenment and enrichment to their lives.
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Dig into own history, chaplain urges universities
ADRIAN, Mich. (UMNS) - The best United Methodist-related colleges and universities do not try to fit their mission around some generic idea of what it means to be "church related," writes the Rev. Chris Momany, a chaplain and part-time professor of philosophy/religion at United Methodist-affiliated Adrian (Mich.) College and an ordained United Methodist pastor. "They dig deeply into their own histories as institutions related to the church and bring that wisdom forward."
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12 Vietnamese ordained local elders in mission
NEW YORK (UMNS) - Although the government has not yet recognized The United Methodist Church in Vietnam, the church in this Southeast Asian country is experiencing phenomenal growth, in part because of the commitment of its local leadership. Twelve of those leaders were ordained Local Elders in Mission in early January. The Vietnam Mission Initiative is one of several in Southeast Asia under the direction of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Church helps search for Tennessee man
LAUREL BLOOMERY, Tenn. (UMNS) - On a warm Sunday afternoon in January, 82-year-old Harry Rosenberg went for his daily walk in the Cherokee National Forest. He never came back. In addition to rescue parties from three states, members of First United Methodist Church of Mountain City responded quickly to the disappearance of the retired mathematics professor. Annette Spence of The Call in the Holston Annual (regional) Conference tells the story.
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Online continuing education consortium
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has introduced an Online Continuing Education Consortium in collaboration with the 13 United Methodist theological schools and the University Senate-approved seminaries.
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Documentary explores church's homosexuality debate
SAN FRANCISCO (UMNS) - KQED, a PBS member station in Northern California, and the Center for Investigative Reporting have launched "A Church Divided," a multimedia partnership to examine how different denominations are approaching the divisive question of whether homosexuality is a sin. One episode focuses on The United Methodist Church discussions about homosexuality both during and after the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla.
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MATthew 6 Ministry: Helping the homeless
GEORGETOWN, Ala. (UMNS) - The Rev. Diane Baldwin of Georgetown-Chunchula United Methodist Church explains her church's new MATthew 6 Ministry, which provides for the needs of the homeless, including prayer mats. "This is an easy ministry to start," Baldwin says, "and does not require much in start-up costs. Churches of any size can successfully start this ministry."
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Internship opportunities available
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) - Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Little Rock is offering two internship opportunities for United Methodist seminary students. Interns will receive a small stipend and will live and work in Barnabas House, the church's counseling and social work center, and work in church ministries. Send a letter outlining interest, rsum and three letters of recommendation to: Summer Internship, Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 2415 Fair Park Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72204. Deadline to apply is Monday, April 1.
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Prayer webinar postponed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The webinar "When Congregations Pray," originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, has been postponed to 7 p.m. CT Thursday, April 25. The next session in the series of free "Teach Us to Pray" webinars will be on "Praying the Scriptures" at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday, March 19.
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