“I feel strongly for the full inclusion of all people. I also feel strongly that not everyone has to think and look and act like me to be United Methodist.” — The Rev. DJ del Rosario, member of the Pacific Northwest board of ordained ministry.
Boards reaffirm stand for LGBTQ clergy candidates
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (UMNS) — The New York and Pacific Northwest conference boards of ordained ministry are reaffirming their 2016 decisions not to consider issues of sexuality when evaluating candidates for ordained ministry. These announcements came after decisions by the United Methodist Judicial Council that boards must adhere to the church’s position on homosexuality. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Read Judicial Council story
2017 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting reports from all annual conference sessions. The Susquehanna Conference report is new this week.
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Offering hope in Honduras
CIUDAD ESPAÑA, Honduras — In a place where economic and educational opportunities are few, the Cristo Resucitado United Methodist Church hosts the Juan Wesley School, which serves about 400 children and youth. Ivy Couch and the Rev. Edgar Avitia report for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Pentecost service for Holy Land peace
JERUSALEM (WCC) — At the invitation of heads of churches in the Jerusalem area, the World Council of Churches has arranged a June 5 peace service that will take place the day after Pentecost, at 11 a.m. Jerusalem time (4 a.m. Eastern time), in Jerusalem’s Upper Room (Cenacle) on Mount Zion. Churches everywhere are invited to participate on site, via the planned livestream of the service at oikoumene.org/live, or by organizing their own service.
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Download order of service
Celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMCgiving.org) — Peace with Justice Sunday is June 11. On this Special Sunday of The United Methodist Church, congregations around the country will join together to help break down barriers so that all God’s children have equal access to jobs, education, food, clean water, health care and much more. For a collection of resources to help celebrate, download the Peace with Justice Pastor and Leader’s Kit.
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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.
Wednesday, May 31-Friday, June 2
New Mexico Annual Conference — Las Cruces Convention Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The New Mexico Conference gathers for worship, prayer, celebration, education, remembrance and discussion. The theme is “New Places for New People.” The guest preacher will be the Rev. Jorge Acevedo, lead pastor from Grace Church in Florida. Details
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