"...We must never forget that when black persons were devoid of political power we were never powerless. It was our constant and abiding faith that God was just as concerned about our plight as God was concerned about and ready to struggle for the liberation of the Hebrews in Egypt." — Mississippi Area Bishop James E. Swanson Sr.
Connecting Black History Month to the church
JACKSON, Miss. (UMNS) — Mississippi Area Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. urges United Methodist churches "not to simply celebrate Black History Month in isolation from our relationship with the Risen Christ." He suggests ways to make this month count in the life of the church.
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Resources to celebrate Black History Month
NEW YORK (UMNS) — African Americans played crucial roles in the development of the United States. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is among denominational agencies offering resources to commemorate contributions of African Americans to the church and the world.
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Scouting Ministries Sunday is Feb. 9
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists will celebrate Scouting this Sunday, Feb. 9, and United Methodist Men offer resources for churches eager to support Boy Scouts of America, Girls Scouts of the USA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and other youth-service groups.
United Methodist Men resources
More about Scouting Ministries Sunday
2014 Scouting Ministry Sunday patch now available
Lois Dauway, longtime mission staffer, dies
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Lois Dauway, former staff member with United Methodist Women, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and the National Council of Churches, died Feb. 4. She also served as a United Methodist representative on several committees of the World Council of Churches.
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Centenary raises minimum wage for its staff
SHREVEPORT, La. (UMNS) — Workers at United Methodist-related Centenary College in Shreveport are already seeing the benefits of President Barack Obama's call to raise the minimum wage. The wage scale at Centenary is increasing for all campus workers, with a minimum wage of $10.10 an hour. The federal minimum now is $7.25 an hour. Obama announced in his State of the Union address that he would sign an executive order setting the minimum wage at $10.10 an hour for workers covered by new federal contracts.
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Eddie Fox to retire from World Methodist Evangelism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) —The Rev. H. Eddie Fox, world director of World Methodist Evangelism, has announced his retirement after serving for 25 years in that role but will remain until his successor is in place. A job description for the position of world director is available by writing World Methodist Evangelism, P.O. Box 8388, Hermitage, TN 37076 or calling 615-885-5020. Recommendations and applications are now being accepted.
World Methodist Evangelism website
Installation service set for Church and Society exec
CHEVY CHASE, Md. (UMNS) — The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe will be installed as the new top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society during a worship service Thursday, Feb. 27. The service will take place at 7 p.m. ET at Chevy Chase United Methodist Church.
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Publishing House names two new executives
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Publishing House has announced two new senior executives will begin work in July. The Rev. Justin Coleman, most recently lead pastor of the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, will be the Publishing House's chief ministry officer. The Rev. Brian K. Milford of the Iowa Annual (regional) Conference has been elected chief content officer and book editor.
Correction
The item below ran Wednesday, Feb.5 with the incorrect church name. Here is the corrected item: MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (UMNS) — Douglas Boulevard United Methodist Church is keeping the ovens hot, baking king cakes, a part of Mardi Gras tradition, to fund the church's meal ministries. The Oklahoma Gazette explains how this fundraising effort began as a form of therapy for a parishioner recovering from a seizure.
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