Judicial Council won't reconsider gay bishop ruling
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Judicial Council was unanimous in rejecting a motion by the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops asking the denomination’s top court to reconsider its ruling in the case of a gay bishop. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Gay clergywoman's case heads to top court
DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) — The Rev. Anna Blaedel, a campus minister, faced a complaint after she told the Iowa Annual Conference last year that she is “a self-avowed practicing homosexual.” Now, questions related to the dismissal of that complaint are heading to The United Methodist Church’s top court. Heather Hahn reports.
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2017 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting all annual conference reports. New this week are Eastern Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New England and West Virginia.
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Religious leaders call on G20 leaders to fight hunger
GENEVA (WCC) — Just before the G20 summit — a meeting of leaders of the world’s largest economies — the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance and All Africa Conference of Churches urged world leaders to take action to overcome hunger and sustain justice and peace in the Horn of Africa.
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Church leaders pledge action against hunger
University of Evansville president to leave
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The president of United Methodist-related University of Evansville has announced he’ll step down on May 31, 2018. Thomas Kazee, a political scientist, has led the school since 2010 and is credited with expanding its programs, enhancing its physical plant and extending its reach as an international institution.
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Alabama chief justice makes church a top priority
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s new Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart observed her recent appointment with a special service at River City United Methodist Church. “I came from a family where we were at church every time the doors were open,” Stuart recalled. Kari C. Barlow reports for the Alabama-West Florida Conference.
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BU offers new concentrations in sacred theology
BOSTON — Boston University School of Theology announced two new concentrations in the Master of Sacred Theology program. Students can take the customary concentration that centers on gaining depth and focus in a particular academic discipline of study or a new “religious leadership” concentration that provides for more practice-based, contextual engagement focusing on ministerial and other forms of religious leadership.
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Looking ahead
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.
Tuesday, July 11
Nominations Leadership Development: What’s My Role? — 7-8 p.m. CDT. This webinar covers how the Nominations Leadership Development Committee in a healthy congregation will identify, train and support spiritual leaders. How this committee nominates for leadership can affect congregational vitality, particularly when this committee follows up with and engages in leadership development throughout the year. This webinar is sponsored by Discipleship Ministries. Details
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