"I definitely felt the Holy Spirit, just being there and reflecting on the fact that this is where the foundation of the Methodist Church came into being, especially in the United States." - The Rev. David Kelley on his service at Barratt's Chapel.
`Mother church' of U.S. Methodism reborn
FREDERICA, Del. (UMNS) - Barratt's Chapel, which dates to 1780 and is the oldest existing Methodist house of worship in America, is showing new signs of life. The first regular worship services in decades occurred there this summer. Attendance grew during the 10 weeks, persuading Peninsula-Delaware Annual (regional) Conference officials to commit to a repeat next year, with a season twice as long.
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Faith leaders warn of implications of U.S. shutdown
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - A group of U.S. faith leaders warned Sept. 30 that the impending shutdown of the U.S. government has "enormous implications," both at home and abroad, for the poor and those trying to fill in the gaps to support them. Unless Congress can agree on a spending bill, the government will begin to shut down at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.
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Read letter from 33 faith leaders
Two bishops differon same-sex union
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)--Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert has announced he will officiate at a wedding for two men on Oct. 26 in Birmingham, Ala. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, episcopal leader for the North Alabama Annual (regional) Conference issued a statement Monday asking Talbert not to officiate at the wedding. "I told her respectfully I could not agree to her request," he said.
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Domestic violence awareness focus for October
DES MOINES, Wash. (UMNS) - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In a blog, Ellen Johanson of the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference shares her hope that more congregations of all faiths "will take up the challenge of making our homes and churches safer places, so that no church family will experience the tragedy that mine did 33 years ago."
Read the blog
Read the updated "Dos and don'ts with a battered woman."
Baltimore-Washington targets domestic violence
WASHINGTON (UMNS)-As leaders of the Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference met recently for three hours to address domestic violence, 800 women in the United States were beaten in their homes by a spouse or partner. Working together, United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women in the conference hope to challenge - and change - that alarming statistic.
Read the story from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society
Florida United Methodists join in SundayServe
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (UMNS) - Thousands of United Methodists across five Florida counties packed meals, sorted through donated shoes, beautified school buildings and joined in other projects on Sept. 29 rather than have their usual Sunday morning services.
Read Daytona News-Journal story
Agency adds $100,000 to malaria fight
CHEVY CHASE, Md. (UMNS) - The governing body of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society voted unanimously at its fall meeting to contribute $100,000 to the denomination's Imagine No Malaria campaign. The money will help expand field coordinator work in 10 conferences.
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Bishop thanks Holston for anti-malaria efforts
ALCOA, Tenn. (UMNS) - Holston Area Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor thanked the Holston Annual (regional) Conference for its efforts to save more than 100,000 lives in Africa. The Call has the story.
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History of Hymns: 'What Gift Can We Bring'
DALLAS (UMNS) - Jane Marshall wanted to give her Dallas congregation of Northaven United Methodist Church something special on the occasion of its 25th anniversary in 1980. So, she composed a new hymn United Methodists still use to praise God. C. Michael Hawn has the story.
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Church and Society board meets
CHEVY CHASE, Md.(UMNS) - The board of directors of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society met here in September to approve grants to ethnic local churches, provide support for the denomination's Imagine No Malaria campaign, and issue a statement condemning chemical weapons use in Syria and calling for a negotiated peace.
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