“They would hurt my family if I did not collaborate with them.” — A pastor of the Evangelical
Primitive Methodist Church of Guatemala, who did not want to be named, talking about gangs.
Video image by Jan Snider
NEWS AND FEATURES
Methodists meet challenges in Central America
GUATEMALA CITY (UMNS) — Gang violence and corruption plague the countries of Honduras and Guatemala. The United Methodist Church in Honduras and the autonomous Methodist Church in Guatemala are addressing poverty and violence through faith and fortitude. In the summer of 2017, a visit by United Methodist leadership signaled a growing commitment to these churches. Jan Snider reports.
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Read UMNS Special Report
Bishops: Be respectful in difficult times
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — As United Methodists’ debate about the church’s direction intensifies, bishops say that they are hearing of increased animosity leading in some cases to disruption of worship and harm. The bishops have published a letter in response. Heather Hahn reports.
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COMMENTARIES
The church’s news and why it matters
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Today more than ever, professional news reporting is needed in both The United Methodist Church and the public square, writes UMNS director Tim Tanton in a commentary.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist beliefs: Organ donation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — United Methodists mark Organ Tissue and Donor Sunday each November. “Organ donation is a gift of love, and we hope that it is one that you will prayerfully consider,” said the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, the top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, in a video about the church’s support for organ donation.
Watch video
Read Ask the UMC Q&A on organ donation, cremation
PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
Global churches call for climate justice
BONN, Germany — The World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance and Lutheran World Federation — together representing more than half a billion Christians worldwide — are issuing a united call for action on climate justice during the United Nations’ climate-change conference. The United Methodist Church is a member of the World Council of Churches and partner of the ACT Alliance.
Read press release
Read UMNS story: Call for 'bold action' at Bonn climate summit
Ferrum College
Ferrum College announces new president
FERRUM, Va. — David Johns has been appointed the 12th president of United Methodist-affiliated Ferrum College. Johns currently serves as vice president for academic affairs at Union College, also a United Methodist-affiliated institution, in Barbourville, Kentucky. He will start at Ferrum on Jan. 1.
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RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodist orphanage in Nigeria a beacon of hope
EVENTS
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.
Monday, Nov. 13
Online study — The Prequel to Advent: Step One on the Road to a Meaningful Christmas
Online workshop: Loss and the mourning after
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