“We are kinfolk, all children of the mighty 3 M’s — Mahatma, Martin, and Mandela. Martin our brother takes us by the hand and leads us forth into a revolution of values, a reordering of priorities where the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war, be it political, economic or social warfare.” — Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference.
The 3 M's — Mahatma, Martin and Mandela
PASADENA, Calif. (UMNS) — As Americans celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference reflects on how King stands in the middle of the great three M’s stretching the expanse of time from Mahatma Gandhi to Nelson Mandela. The bishop wonders where King would place his hard and diligent work today.
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For historic church, a personal link to Civil Rights era
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (UMNS) — Like many other United Methodist churches throughout the United States, Asbury United Methodist remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during its Jan. 19 service. But, for Asbury, it was different. Three-fourths of the congregation that day had attended segregated schools. The CapitalGazette.com tells the story.
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50 years later, King’s letter still a treasure
GROVETOWN, Ga. (UMNS) — Dave Brandyberry, then 16, spent the summer of 1963 doing what teens did in those days — except for the letter he wrote to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Brandyberry, now the music director at Barnwell United Methodist Church, typed a letter to King on June 20, 1963, at the height of the civil rights movement. Seven weeks later, King’s response arrived in the mail — shocking the teen. The Augusta Chronicle tells the story.
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Retired Texas church leader says he is willing to defy church law on same-sex weddings
DALLAS (UMNS) — A retired United Methodist seminary president and pastor said Sunday that he is willing to defy church law to officiate at same-sex weddings. The Rev. William McElvaney made the announcement during worship at Northaven United Methodist Church here, drawing a standing ovation in a packed sanctuary.
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100th soup supper sets record
EL RENO, Okla. (UMNS) — Soups simmered in 13 large pots on Dec. 13, 2013, at rural Mount Zion United Methodist Church, north of El Reno. But that implied a lucky day for the church’s 100th annual Soup Supper, which made a record profit for missions. Holly McCray of the Oklahoma Annual (regional) Conference shares the story.
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Citrus woes can’t thwart God’s harvest
ORLANDO, Fla. (UMNS) — With all the buzz about citrus greening last year, Jim Gonka thought this year’s annual citrus gleaning might be the worst ever. Instead, it was the best. Kathy Steele of the Florida Annual (regional) Conference has the story of three United Methodist congregations’ fresh picks for a local food bank.
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Event celebrates Week of Prayer
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — United Methodist Bishop Marcus Matthews will read Scripture during an Evensong choral service at the Washington National Cathedral Jan. 22 in celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Religious leaders from a variety of denominations will participate.
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Methodists worldwide celebrate prayer week
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — In a blog for the World Methodist Council to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Alexandre Quintino, a member of the Methodist Church of Brazil, writes about the diverse places of worship on the route between his house and the Methodist church he attends.
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History of Hymns: ‘Let there be light’
DALLAS (UMNS) — Two Canadians have given us a stirring hymn for peace. C. Michael Hawn of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology talks about Frances W. Davis and Robert J.B. Fleming whose combined work gives United Methodists the hymn “Let Their Be Light,” No. 440 in the hymnal.
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Syria rep to deliver church message at peace talks
GENEVA (UMNS) — The Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, top executive, World Council of Churches, presented a statement Jan. 20 from churches urging an end to the armed conflict in Syria to Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations-Arab League joint representative for Syria. Brahimi will deliver the message to the Geneva 2 peace talks scheduled Jan. 22.
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