"The reality is that that one act of evil ... began an onslaught of just the hands and feet of people doing the work of God, right here loving people and caring for people." - The Rev. Jim Kinder of Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile, Ala., who completed the Boston Marathon before the explosions.
God in action after Boston bombing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Evil struck Monday, but by Tuesday it was clear evil did not have the last word. United Methodists in Boston and around the globe testified to the ways they saw God in action after two explosions shattered the peace of the Boston Marathon, claiming at least three lives and leaving more than 170 injured.
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Church offers help in wake of tragedy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - We can never know why or where tragedy will strike, but The United Methodist Church offers resources to help those seeking consolation following the bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday.
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Responding to violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - On any given day, United Methodists respond to tragedy by offering support. Many of our neighbors need our prayers - the most recent being those affected by the April 15 bombing at the Boston Marathon.
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Agencies form human rights investment task force
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS) -The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits and the Board of Global Ministries announced April 16 the formation of a United Methodist Church representative task force to explore human rights and investment ethics policies. The task force plans to engage international experts on human rights to assist with its work.
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Clergy striving to live healthier lifestyles
LINCOLN, Neb. (UMNS) -"You have to be committed to making lasting changes to your life to make it work," says the Rev. Zach Anderson,associate pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Papillon. "It's easy to try a diet or workout program for a few weeks, but planning to be a part of something long term takes discipline and a lot of trial and error along the way." Anderson tells his story in a report by Trish Johnson, communications coordinator for the Nebraska Annual (regional) Conference.
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Judicial Council starts spring meeting
SEATTLE (UMNS) - The United Methodist Judicial Council begins its spring meeting April 17 in Seattle. In addition to the April docket, the council will consider an item deferred from the council's October 2012 meeting on how United Methodist church funds are handled in East Africa.
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Changing culture prompts look at clergy formation
ATLANTA (UMNS) - Cost, length of preparation, diversity and age were recurring issues in a recent gathering of educators from the 13 United Methodist theological seminaries in the United States and from ecumenical or other denominational schools that enroll enough Methodist students to offer special Methodist study. The gathering comes as United Methodists attempt to deal with declining membership in the United States and with widespread debate on how best to structure the denomination to generate a greater number of vital congregations.
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50 years later, church leaders respond to MLK letter
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UMNS) - Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A., a group of 36 Christian organizations that includes United Methodists, presented a response to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 50-year-old "Letter From Birmingham Jail" during an April 15 signing ceremony at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Greg Garrison reports for al.com.
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King's former aide speaks
CCT letter
Host a movie party to fight malaria
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Throw a party to save lives. That's the message The United Methodist Church is sharing in preparation for World Malaria Day, April 25. United Methodist advocates for Imagine No Malaria can raise awareness by hosting screening parties of HBO's new movie, "Mary and Martha," starring Oscar winner Hilary Swank and Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn. The movie follows the journey of two women who meet in Africa and work to raise awareness of malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that claims a life every 60 seconds.
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