“I think immigrants are affected by the culture of xenophobia, hateful rhetoric, and the church has a role to make sure they feel welcome, to change the narrative.” — Rob Rutland-Brown, director of National Justice for Our Neighbors.
Addressing immigration issues at GC2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Keeping families together has long been at the heart of the church’s mission with refugees and immigrants. Legislation before the denomination’s top lawmaking body supports immigration reform, but United Methodists are already tackling the issue in the courts and by helping individuals. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Louisiana pastors evacuate during flooding
MONROE, La. (UMNS) — What’s it like when the rain is so heavy that cars start to drift off the road? United Methodist pastors share their harrowing experiences in Louisiana’s recent flooding and how their faith carried them through. Betty Backstrom reports for the Louisiana Conference.
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Bolivian Methodist bishop killed in auto accident
LA PAZ, Bolivia (UMNS) — The Rev. Javier Rojas Terán, emeritus bishop of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia, died in an auto accident, Bishop Modesto Mamati Achata announced. Rojas Terán, 53, left an important legacy in developing and strengthening the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia during his 2009-2014 tenure. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez has the story.
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Congressman addresses BMCR
BALTIMORE (UMNS) — U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, was among the speakers at the 2016 meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal. "So often out of our pain, comes our passion to do our purpose,” the congressman told the United Methodists. Larry R. Hygh Jr. of Black Methodists for Church Renewal has the story.
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Sierra Leone Conference begins with street celebration
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — The first sessions of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference since the Ebola outbreak began with marching brass bands that brought together about 2,000 United Methodists. But the shadow of the deadly disease was still present in the memorial service honoring those who died. Phileas Jusu and E. Julu Swen report.
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Every day can be Easter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — God brings renewal at all times, even in the midst of crisis and upheaval. Joe Iovino writes about United Methodists who have found resurrection in tough times.
Commentary: Losing the home court advantage
DURHAM, N.C. — Florida Area Bishop Ken Carter, a proud alumnus of Duke Divinity School, reflects on the importance of home-court advantage for Duke basketball and why Christians might be losing their own home-court advantage. Huffington Post has his commentary.
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Lent-Easter quiz: Test your knowledge of the season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Test your knowledge of Lent and Easter by taking the entire quiz, which continues through Good Friday.
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Saturday-Sunday, March 26-27
Easter at Lake Junaluska — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, will have a 5K run, a children’s Easter egg hunt and sunrise worship service. Details
Sunday, March 27
Easter — United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers worship and devotional resources to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
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