“The juxtaposition of Easter Sunday with ‘Execution Monday’ has cast a dark cloud over our state.” — The Rev. Britt Skarda, pastor of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, on the plan for multiple executions in Arkansas in April.
Clergy speak out against executions
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) — As Arkansas fights in multiple courts to move ahead with a series of double executions, United Methodist clergy were among those speaking out against the plan to execute seven men by April 27. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
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Bishop runs Boston Marathon
BOSTON — Iowa Bishop Laurie Haller ran in the 2017 Boston Marathon. Haller, elected bishop in 2016, has run the marathon 10 times. “By running in the Boston Marathon, and in everything I do, my only goal is to praise God and give thanks.” The Rev. Arthur McClanahan has the story for the Iowa Conference.
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Listen to interview
Read bishop’s blog
'God is with me more than grief'
DALLAS — The Rev. William Jennings Bryan III learned on Jan. 25 that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The longtime United Methodist pastor and Perkins School of Theology administrator was the subject of an Easter profile in the Dallas Morning News. “God is with me more than grief,” Bryan says.
Read press release
Concern over tensions on Korean peninsula
GENEVA (WCC) — The World Council of Churches joined the National Council of Churches in South Korea in expressing grave concern at the redeployment of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group to the seas surrounding the Korean peninsula as “a further escalation of military confrontation in the region.”
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Opening borders to the Spirit
SEATTLE — A recent trip to cities along the Texas-Mexico border is prompting members of Wallingford United Methodist Church to share what they’ve learned with their Seattle neighbors. “We are complicit in certain ways, if we don’t educate ourselves,” said one church member. Members of the Pacific Northwest Conference report on the experience.
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5 out-of-the-box ideas for men’s ministry
MOBILE, Ala. (UMCOM) — Whether it’s painting or un-conferencing, creativity in planning men’s ministry is a must. The Rev. Jeremy Steele, writing for United Methodist Communications, suggests ideas beyond an early-morning devotion over eggs to help men engage with church.
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LOOKING AHEAD
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.
Monday, April 24 to Friday, May 5
Easter Sunday — Resources to help observe the Easter season are available from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. United Methodist Communications has gathered a collection of seasonal resources, too.
Get Discipleship Ministries resources
United Methodist Communications resources
Saturday, April 22
Online Lay Servant Workshop: Teach Adults — This two-week interactive, Discipleship Ministries-approved Lay Servant course from BeADisciple.com aims to help teachers guide adult learners through faith development. Students will need the book “Start Here” by Barbara Bruce, and should read it before the course begins. Cost is $65. Details
See more United Methodist events
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