“Life is sacred and therefore we need to protect it. The love of God is redemptive. No matter how sinful a human being is, there is always forgiveness and a chance to be transformed. That is grace.” — Davao Episcopal Area Bishop Rodolfo Juan on death penalty legislation in the Philippines.
Filipino United Methodists oppose death penalty
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UMNS) — Many Filipino United Methodists, including all three bishops, are expressing opposition to the proposed return of the death penalty, which the Philippines abolished in 2006. Gladys Mangiduyos has the story.
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Boston, Duke and Emory oppose travel ban
BOSTON (UMNS) —Three United Methodist-related institutions are among 31 universities that filed a friend-of-the-court brief joining the legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s March 6 executive order suspending entry into the U.S. from six Muslim-majority countries.
Read Boston University press release
Read Duke press release
Read Emory press release
Students can apply for ecumenical institute
GENEVA (WCC) — Students of theology and related fields can now apply for the next Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, to be convened March 5-13, 2018, in Arusha, Tanzania. The institute will offer an ecumenical, global, short-term study and exposure program, in accompaniment with the World Council of Churches’ World Mission Conference. The application deadline is July 31.
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Application information
United Methodists win RCC awards
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Christie House, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, won Best of Class for New World Outlook Magazine March 30 at the DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards, given to active members of the Religion Communicators Council. Diane Degnan, United Methodist Communications, won the 2017 Shoestring Award for the “Praying Our Way Forward” campaign. Other United Methodist communicators won awards of excellence and merit awards.
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See entire list of RCC award winners
Two hymns that reflect on Holy Week symbols
DALLAS (UMNS) — What do the gospel hymns “The Old Rugged Cross” and “I Come to the Garden Alone” have in common? Each reflects on key symbols of Holy Week — the cross of Good Friday and the garden of the Resurrection. C. Michael Hawn, a professor of church music at Perkins School of Theology, compares the two hymns.
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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 6
Free webinar "Celebrating Pentecost with Children" — Elizabeth Christie, a Christian educator with The United Methodist Church, will lead a discussion of projects, books and activities to help children and their families celebrate the birthday of the church and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Practical Resources for Churches, an ecumenical group, offers the webinar. Details
See more United Methodist events
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