“With the support of UMCOR and our churches in The United Methodist Church, the annual conferences and bishops, we can rebuild Puerto Rico.” — Bishop Hector Ortiz, Methodist Church of Puerto Rico.
Photo courtesy of the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UMNS
NEWS AND FEATURES
UMCOR allocates $46 million for disaster recovery
ATLANTA (UMNS) — A new $46 million round of grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief — including $16.8 million to the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico — will build upon the denomination’s response to Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey, as well as the California fires and flooding in Louisiana. Linda Bloom reports.
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Faith vs. myth: Why is Friday the 13th bad?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — The stories of how it became a day of misfortune are fun to explore, but as people of faith, United Methodists know they are in God’s care every day. The Rev. Joe Iovino writes about the history and legends behind the superstition.
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Memphis Conference
‘Fearless dialogues’ held at civil rights museum
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People from across the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church and beyond gathered at the National Civil Rights Museum for what Gregory Ellison, moderator and Emory University professor, called “fearless dialogues.” Topics included gender invisibility, white privilege, cowardice, disparities in health and education, and mentoring as a transformative solution. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Church offers IT job training
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Asbury United Methodist Church has begun a pilot program to offer computer training to area residents as a way to help them qualify for entry-level IT jobs. Claire Lowe reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Mississippi Conference
Another Mississippi church discusses leaving
JACKSON, Miss. — Bellwether United Methodist Church recently expressed a desire to leave The United Methodist Church, Mississippi Area Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. said. Swanson said the church is still United Methodist, but is discerning its future with the denomination. In a membership affirmation during a church conference, 64 people decided to withdraw their membership in The United Methodist Church and one decided to remain a member. Of 42 people not present who submitted written declarations, 41 decided to withdraw their membership and one decided to remain in the denomination.
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UMNS: 2 churches vote to leave denomination
RECENT HEADLINES
Revised Social Principles open for comments
Uniting Conference sermon still talked about
EVENTS
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.
Thursday, April 19-Saturday, April 21
Congregational care seminar at Church of the Resurrection
Friday, April 27
Mountain Talk: Living with dementia, challenges and opportunities
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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