“There is great interest, disagreement and anxiety about the anticipated decision of the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church.” — Bishop Bruce Ough, president of the Council of Bishops.
Church braces for ruling on gay bishop
DALLAS (UMNS) — Prayer vigils and a flurry of press releases are just some of the signs of interest in and concern about a Judicial Council hearing set for Tuesday, April 25. The case before the denomination’s top court could affect the standing of Bishop Karen Oliveto, the first openly gay pastor elected to the United Methodist episcopacy. Sam Hodges reports on the pre-hearing activity.
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Bishop: Church must stand for peace in Korea
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Wisconsin Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung says United Methodists must stand for peace in the face of tensions on the Korean peninsula. “Let us join together in solidarity with our Korean brothers and sisters in this sacred task of peacemaking, peacekeeping, and restoration,” writes Jung, who was born in Kwang hwa do, Korea. Jung also details the denomination’s official statement on Korea in the Book of Resolutions and urges President Donald Trump and other officials to use “caution, discretion, and patience.”
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Global Ministries building LEED certified
ATLANTA — A former local church activities building renovated into office space by United Methodist Global Ministries has been certified platinum in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. That’s the top grade a building can earn. Elliott Wright reports for Global Ministries.
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Small and large steps make church carbon neutral
BOULDER, Colo. — Mountain View United Methodist takes its creation-care ministry to heart. After a five-year series of carbon-use reductions, the church achieved carbon-neutral status in summer 2016. The church’s Green Earth Team shares its story with Interpreter magazine.
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Ministry idea: Stories 'of pain and hope'
AUBURN, Wash. — Federal Way United Methodist Church wanted to strengthen relationships around its diverse neighborhood, which is now home to immigrants from around the world. The church recently organized “Stories of Pain and Hope,” in which speakers — including some church members — shared their immigrant experience. Jesse N. Love and Mary L. Walker report for the Pacific Northwest Conference.
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7 questions to ask when starting a youth ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What’s the first step in starting a youth ministry? Brad Fiscus of the Tennessee Conference says it’s to get all the stakeholders — youth, their parents, other adults and key leaders — to discuss possibilities and frame a vision. In a commentary for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, he suggests seven questions to frame the conversation.
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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.
Thursday, April 27-Saturday, April 29
Congregational Care Ministry Seminar — Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, Kansas. This three-day event provides comprehensive training and networking with other local church leaders regarding congregational care best practices and standards. The seminar is designed to train volunteers to become partners in ministry with pastors and staff to provide care for a congregation. $200 for the seminar, $35 for the pre-conference. Registration is required and space is limited. Details
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