“Statistics consistently show that coming home is often harder on families and relationships than being away.” – The Rev. James Lewis, an Army Reserve chaplain home from deployment
UMCOR monitoring Chile earthquake aftermath
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has been in contact with the Methodist Humanitarian Aid Team in Chile following the magnitude 8.2 earthquake there April 1. UMCOR has partnered since 2009 with EMAH, the humanitarian assistance arm of the Methodist Church of Chile, to strengthen the organization’s capacity for disaster preparedness and shore up its response network.
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Read about UMCOR efforts in South America
Pastor suggests ways to create boy-friendly churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America says there are ways churches can slow the exodus of males from congregations. He offers advice to leaders of seven denominations during a March meeting in Nashville. Rich Peck, a staff member of the Commission on United Methodist Men, has the story.
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Church situation on gay unions 'untenable,' group says
HOUSTON (UMNS) — “Widespread disregard” of the United Methodist ban on same-sex unions and a lack of enforcement by bishops has made the denomination’s situation “untenable,” says an April 1 statement from Good News — an unofficial United Methodist renewal group. "If in reality we are two churches, it may not be wise to pretend any longer that we are one,” the statement said.
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Couple rides 3,000 miles to support children’s home
MACON, Ga. (UMNS) — Frank and Susan May are riding their bicycles more than 3,000 miles in two months to raise funds for The Methodist Home for children in Macon. They started in early March and are riding from St. Augustine, Fla., to San Diego. The South Georgia Conference tells the story.
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Read the Mays’ blog
Coming home from deployment
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (UMNS) — The Rev. James Lewis, a United Methodist-endorsed Army Reserve chaplain, reflects on military veterans’ often fraught return home. “Not every veteran is struggling or suffering, though many are, regardless of how long ago it was they served,” he writes.
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Six distinctive scholars nearing seminary graduation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Six scholars involved in a scholarship and mentoring program for racial-ethnic students seeking ordination as deacons or elders will complete their M.Div. degrees this year, bringing the total number of seminary graduates to 25 since the program began in 2004. Five more will complete their degrees in 2015. The scholarship program is sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Funding comes from local church offerings on World Communion Sunday.
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Adrian College draws attention to human trafficking
ADRIAN, Mich. (UMNS)--Adrian College students and staff are engaged in activities opposing human trafficking. The annual “Not for Sale” public awareness campaign runs March 31 to April 4.
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