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Christians and Earth Day: ‘You can’t love God and ignore the Earth’
CASPER, Wyo. (UMNS) — The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter began to understand that, for her, taking care of the world is not just an ecological issue, but a moral and spiritual issue. The United Methodist elder has written books to help churches be greener. Susan Passi-Klaus shares Simon-Peter’s ideas to help churches with creation care.
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Bible verses on Creation care: A discussion starter
God’s gift of the Earth: A photo prayer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — “All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it,” says the United Methodist Social Principles. This video weaves images of nature with a prayer by Florida Area Bishop Ken Carter, which he wrote as a pastor in North Carolina. Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22.
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More than 50 years of service to Garrett-Evangelical
EVANSTON, Ill. (UMNS) — John Carter was honored by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a United Methodist school, for his 52 years of employment there. He retired this month as director of buildings and grounds. “I cannot imagine that this school has ever, or will ever again, have an employee in buildings and grounds who has given 52 years of his or her life to serving the seminary,” said President Lallene J. Rector in giving Carter the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award.
New award recognizes baptisms, professions of faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist Discipleship Ministries aims to encourage conferences to renew their focus on discipleship by honoring churches with the new One Matters Discipleship Award. The agency urges each conference to use the award to recognize one church that is turning zeros in baptisms and professions of faith into positive numbers. The award provides $1,000 and a One Matters Discipleship Award plaque.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Tuesday, April 21
Free webinar "Evangelism in a Multifaith Context" — 1 to 2:15 p.m. CDT. Father Darren Dias, professor of theology, St. Michael's College University in Toronto and Bishop Tony Richie, of the Church of God (based in Knoxville, Tennessee will lead this webinar in partnership with United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. Details
Board Governance for Effective Ministry: A Webinar for Small-Church Leaders — 7 to 8 p.m. EDT. Dan Hotchkiss will present some of the concepts from his best-selling Alban book "Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership" in a webinar just for churches that see fewer than 100 people on a Sunday. This webinar is from the ecumenical Practical Resources for Churches. Details
Free webinar "Family: Creating Ritual in the Home" — 6:30 p.m. CDT. Ritual is one of the tools Christians use to connect with God and to strengthen our faith. MaryJane Pierce Norton of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries will lead the discussion and provide insight into this important part of family faith formation. Details
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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