“Our number one priority is ensuring our current and prospective students maintain access to the world-class education they want and deserve from Claremont School of Theology.” — The Rev. Jeffrey Kuan, president of the United Methodist seminary, which faces a court order to offer its Claremont, California, campus for sale.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Claremont School of Theology ordered to sell campus
CLAREMONT, Calif. (UM News) — Claremont School of Theology faces a court order saying it must offer its California campus for sale to The Claremont Colleges, a neighboring consortium of schools — and for a price likely to be millions below fair market value. Sam Hodges reports on this latest challenge for the financially embattled United Methodist seminary.
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Michigan Conference
Ministry provides phones for neighbors in need
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Phone Ministry Project at First United Methodist Church is providing cell phones and a year of free service to people who are homeless. The project was started because of requests for ways to communicate with people and places that provide essential services. Glenn M. Wagner has the story.
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Hartford Institute for Religion Research
Church helps buy food truck for school district
GRAHAM, N.C. — First United Methodist Church of Graham has always helped its local school district by providing classroom supplies and clothing, but after reading an article about the difficulty of feeding students over the summer, the church had a big idea: Buy the district a food truck. The church collaborated with other local churches and individuals to raise the needed funds. Tracy Simmons reports.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Podcast discusses ministry with Deaf community
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In the latest “Meet in the Middle” podcast, the Rev. Drew Gordon talks with the Rev. Leo Yates Jr., an ordained deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference who has written several books on Deaf ministry and services. They discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community and how churches can assist in building ministry for the Deaf, Deaf/blind and those who are losing their hearing as they mature.
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Dakotas Conference
Discerning the pastoral call later in life
STURGIS, S.D. — Connie Eichinger’s desire to do more as a United Methodist has led her to becoming a certified lay minister and now a licensed local pastor of two South Dakota churches. She says the experience has deepened her life, marriage and faith. Dave Stucke has her story.
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RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Lenten anti-racism small group study available
WASHINGTON — “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism” is a new Lenten resource for congregations to use in a small group setting. The purpose of the six-week study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism.
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