"When Jesus is conversing with the church in the Scriptures, he just seems to use the word 'Go.'"
— The Rev. John Zimmerman, explaining his calling as a full-time evangelist.
Photo courtesy of the Zimmermans
NEWS AND FEATURES
Evangelists seek to revitalize churches
FRIEDENS, Pa. (UMNS) — The Rev. John and Christine Zimmerman make their living as traveling United Methodist evangelists. Their ministry looks different from that of their sawdust-trail forebears. Still, church leaders say evangelists like the Zimmermans have an important role to play in reaching new people. Heather Hahn has the first of two stories.
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Next: Evangelists who proclaim the good news for a living have found new ways to lead revival.
Advocacy agency issues make headlines
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Three United Methodist agencies that advocate for social justice and equality have seen their issues rocket into international headlines in the past year. Those headlines affect the work of the denomination’s Board of Church and Society, Commission on Religion and Race and Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
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Next: Membership agencies focus on advocacy, connections.
United Methodists celebrate launch of university
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Sierra Leone’s newly opened United Methodist University was dedicated at a ceremony attended by academics, diplomats, senior government officials and United Methodists from near and far. The event included the official launching of the Bishop Wenner School of Theology, named after German Bishop Emeritus Rosemarie Wenner, who was in attendance. Phileas Jusu has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Lenten message from bishops
WASHINGTON — Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council of Bishops, issued a Lenten message on behalf of United Methodist bishops. The bishops asked United Methodists to engage in spiritual disciplines during Lent that include praying, fasting and sharing their resources with others in their communities.
Read press release
Read full message
NPR
Duke professor's memoir in spotlight
DURHAM, N.C. — Kate Bowler, who teaches at Duke Divinity School, is the author of a new memoir about having incurable colon cancer. It’s called “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved.” Bowler, mother of a young son, was the featured guest earlier this week on NPR’s Fresh Air program and talked about how her illness has challenged and shaped her faith.
Listen to interview
RESOURCES
World Council of Churches
Water network offers Lenten resources
GENEVA (WCC) — The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Water Network is offering weekly theological reflections and other resources on water for the seven weeks of Lent and for World Water Day on March 22. This year, the focus is on Latin America.
Get resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Church leaders hear Way Forward update
Church agencies stress results, partnerships
EVENTS
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.
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Wednesday, Feb. 14-Tuesday, Feb. 20
Online congregational leadership workshop on Wesleyan theology
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