"Our local churches are a community of hope, the hope of the Gospel when we transform the situation that is around us in this moment." — Bishop Hector Ortiz, leader of the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico, on how local churches helped after Hurricane Maria
Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UMNS
Puerto Rico bishop speaks about Hurricane recovery
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (UMNS) — Bishop Hector Ortiz said the local Methodist churches in Puerto Rico are “communities of hope” in the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Maria. Ortiz, bishop of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, also thanked The United Methodist Church and urged those who want to help further to make donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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Photo by Kelly Vaughn
United Methodists help, struggle amid California fires
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (UMNS) — United Methodists were there to help amid deadly wildfires that destroyed the homes of some church members and a pastor. The wildfires still raging in northern California have burned through nearly 170,000 acres, killing 23, and forcing the evacuation of more than 20,000. Mary Jacobs reports.
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Responding to court ruling on clergy housing
MADISON, Wis. (UMNS) — A federal judge’s ruling striking down the law that provides tax exemption on clergy housing allowances is not the final word. United Methodist leaders offer insights on the case. Heather Hahn reports.
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VIM to help with Harvey recovery
JOHNSON CITY, Texas — The Rio Texas Conference has recently been training United Methodist Volunteer in Mission team leaders for Hurricane Harvey recovery work. The leaders, meeting at First United Methodist in Johnson City, are to return to their home churches and recruit members for future deployments. Laura Bray reports.
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Commentary: Simple gifts in tragedy
LAS VEGAS — University United Methodist Church, Las Vegas, stands not far from the Strip and regularly sees tourists at Sunday worship. The Rev. Susan Holden, the church’s associate pastor and university campus minister, recounts the experiences of two out-of-state visitors who came Sunday morning before attending the Route 91 Festival, the site of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
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Church planting in Tanzania
RED BANK, N.J. — The Rev. Mutwale Ntambo Wa Mushidi left his home in Congo for Tanzania with his family and a call to plant churches. Twenty-five years later, Tanzania has 68 United Methodist communities. Melissa Hinnen reports on the lessons Mushidi shared while visiting the Greater New Jersey Conference.
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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.
Monday, Oct. 16-Monday, Oct. 30
Online class - How to Build and Provide a Course Online — This online course from United Methodist BeADisciple.com teaches the basics of building, planning and teaching online courses and covers the fundamentals of using the Blackboard software. Online courses can allow those with valuable ministry resources to share those with clergy and laity in the local church. Eligible for 1 CEU. Price: $100. Details
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