“Let us practice the Lenten discipline of self-emptying, letting go of the positions we came here to defend and the battles we are plotting to wage in this council or the Judicial Council or on the floor of the special General Conference.” — Council of Bishops President Bruce R. Ough, speaking to colleagues on Feb. 2
Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS
NEWS AND FEATURES
Time running short as bishops gather in Dallas
DALLAS (UMNS) — Council of Bishops President Bruce R. Ough challenged colleagues to be open to changing their minds as they grapple with how to avoid a breakup of The United Methodist Church over homosexuality. The council, meeting this week, is refining options from the Commission on a Way Forward and faces a July deadline for petitions to next year’s special General Conference. Sam Hodges reports.
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Rebels loot health centers, kidnap nurse
SAMBA, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — Mai-Mai rebels looted two United Methodist health centers in the Kibombo and Kasongo districts, stealing all of the centers’ medicine and mattresses. The rebels also kidnapped a nurse to treat their war-wounded, although he was released a week later. Judith Osongo Yanga reports.
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North Texas Conference
Black United Methodist doctors broke barriers
DALLAS — Three barrier-breaking black doctors gather weekly for a seniors Bible study at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. Drs. Robert Prince, Claude Williams and Larry Lundy made their marks in, respectively, obstetrics, orthodontics and podiatry. Linda Stallard Johnson reports on their careers and friendship.
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InfoServ
Ask the UMC: What is the kingdom of God?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (InfoServ) — The kingdom of God is a way of describing the reign of God. United Methodists recognize that the reign of God is both a present and future reality. InfoServ, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, takes a deeper look in the latest installment of Ask the UMC.
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Ask the UMC
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Women
Thanking Florida students for 'faithful witness'
NEW YORK (UMNS) — United Methodist Women mourned the recent school shooting deaths in Parkland, Florida, and extended thanks “to the young people of Parkland who are engaging in faithful witness even through their time of mourning.” But militarizing schools, the organization said in a statement, will not keep children safe.
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United Methodist Global AIDS Committee
HIV/AIDS ministry conference in October
INDIANAPOLIS — Saving lives, reducing stigma and increasing awareness will be the focus of the 2018 Breaking Barriers HIV/AIDS ministry conference, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The gathering, hosted by the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, will bring together leaders in HIV/AIDS research, advocacy and ministry.
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RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists support teens lobbying Florida lawmakers
Missionaries briefly detained in Philippines
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.
Monday, March 5-Monday, March 19
Online class: Serving kids of troubled homes
Monday, March 5-Friday, March 16
Online Lay Servant Ministers class: Come to the waters
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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