"For so long, I’ve longed to be a pastoral presence in the world."— The Rev. M Barclay, a newly commissioned transgender United Methodist deacon.
Transgender person commissioned as deacon
ST. CHARLES, Ill. (UMNS) — The Northern Illinois Conference on June 4 commissioned an openly transgender individual as a provisional deacon. The Rev. M Barclay is believed to be the first openly “non-binary trans person” to become a United Methodist deacon. Heather Hahn reports.
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Africa University gets successful IT upgrade
MUTARE, Zimbabwe — During four weeks in May, staff from Africa University and the General Council on Finance and Administration worked on a project to upgrade the technology infrastructure on the Africa University campus.
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Mountain Sky offers digital devotion
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — This summer, Bishop Karen Oliveto and the Joint Cabinet of the Mountain Sky Area want to encourage daily worship so they are inviting United Methodists to join in a 20-minute worship service at 9 p.m. MT every Monday through Friday, starting June 5 and continuing through July. People can join in via their cell phones or by calling a toll-free number.
Read about how to join
Pastors find strength in Asian heritage
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — Across the Florida Conference, numerous churches are blessed with are blessed with Asian-American pastors from a variety of countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan and China. Kari C. Barlow, writing for the Florida Conference, offers some of their stories.
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Commentary: Pet peeves of a church visitor
WASHINGTON — Churches need their most positive and smiling personalities on their front lines. Greg Atkinson, a church consultant, offers tips on where churches too often fall short in making visitors feel welcome. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership shares his commentary.
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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.
Thursday, June 8-Saturday, June 10
Florida Annual Conference — Buena Vista Palace Hotel, 1900 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando. The theme of this annual conference session is “Revive Us Again.” Details
Northwest Texas Annual Conference — Overton Hotel, 2322 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, Texas. The theme of the conference is “Sent” from John 20:21. Details