| “I never did understand the severity of my punishment for an act of love for my son Tim.” – The Rev. Frank Schaefer after a decision that he be reinstated as United Methodist clergy. |
Frank Schaefer reinstated as United Methodist pastor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Frank Schaefer had his ministerial credentials reinstated by a United Methodist regional appeals committee June 23, three days after a hearing held near Baltimore. The denomination’s Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals also ordered the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference to compensate Schaefer — who had been found guilty of violating church law by performing a same-sex wedding ceremony for his son — for all lost salary and benefits dating from Dec. 19, 2013.
U.S. volunteer spirit helps move mission
NEW YORK (UMNS) — As a German United Methodist, Thomas Kemper was deeply involved in volunteer mission work worldwide. Now, as top executive of the Board of Global Ministries, he says, “I continue to admire and be impressed by the enormous volunteer spirit and movement in the United States.”
Saint Paul trustees name Howell as interim leader
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (UMNS) — The board of trustees has named the Rev. H. Sharon Howell as interim president of Saint Paul School of Theology, effective July 1. Howell will serve in that capacity while the work of the United Methodist-related seminary's presidential search committee continues.
Palestinian Christians conference lists workshops
TIPP CITY, Ohio (UMNS) — A wide array of workshops for the upcoming “Walking with Palestinian Christians … for Holy Justice and Peace” conference will help United Methodists explore the theological background and political realities of the Holy Land. The Aug. 7-8 conference is hosted and co-sponsored by Ginghamsburg Church, a United Methodist congregation in Ohio.
Read more from the Board of Global Ministries
Ohio men help rebuild town in Alaska
CENTERVILLE, Ohio (UMNS) — Four men from Centerville United Methodist Church spent 16 days in June rebuilding four homes of a 400-member fishing community destroyed by an ice jam on the Yukon River last year. The men were part of a 15-member team who stayed in tents on the runway of a former Air Force base. Ninety percent of the buildings in Galena, Alaska, were destroyed, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission are assisting with the recovery.
Read story on United Methodist support in Galena
Faith and aging: A spiritual pilgrimage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The book, “Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: 7 Gateways to Spiritual Growth,” already is striking a chord with boomers. The authors, the Rev. Richard L. Morgan and Jane Marie Thibault, offer professional expertise in this article that originally appeared in Interpreter magazine.
What does a 95-year-old want for her birthday?
SPOONER. Wis. (UMNS) — If you’re Florence Millard, relief kits. This great-great-grandmother, a member of Spooner United Methodist Church, has made helping people after a disaster her “forever mission.” Susan Kim of the United Methodist Committee on Relief has the story.
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