"This is all a powerful witness to God’s love expressed when people open their hearts and their arms to a courageous brother and his family in need." — The Rev. Robin Hynicka on the advocacy for a father no longer facing deportation.
Church's sanctuary guest goes home
PHILADELPHIA — On Oct. 11, for the first time in 11 months, Javier Flores Garcia — a loving husband, father of three and undocumented immigrant from Mexico — stepped onto the pavement outside Arch Street United Methodist Church and breathed the fresh air of freedom. Flores had won his deportation case. John W. Coleman has the story for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
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Bishops promote Global Migration Sunday
WASHINGTON — Bishop Bruce R. Ough, on behalf of the Council of Bishops, invites United Methodists to observe Global Migration Sunday on Dec. 3, the first Sunday in Advent. “From Asia and Europe to Africa and the Americas, the plight of more than 65 million men, women and children forced to leave their homes and migrate to places unknown calls all Christians to remember what God requires of us,” Ough writes.
Read the bishop's invitation
Learn about Global Migration Sunday
See video resources
Digital TV ministry to serve Filipinos in Australia
MANILA (UMNS) — A partnership among the Filipino United Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Uniting Church of Australia is launching a TV ministry and opening the digital door to serve some 295,000 Filipino immigrants in Australia. Gladys Mangiduyos has the story.
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Agency urges 'critical thinking' to help Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering resources on vital conversations and culturally competent action to end racism and cultural insensitivity. In a statement published with the Puerto Rico Response toolkit, the agency said, “We must think critically about the unfolding tragedy in Puerto Rico and examine systems of injustice that keep so many of our brothers and sisters in a place of need and suffering, before and after the storms of life.”
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Christmas cards as first step to prison ministry
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — The Rev. Narcie Jeter learned through United Methodist News Service about an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference campaign to send Christmas cards to inmates. Last year Jeter had her church, Point Hope United Methodist in Mount Pleasant, do the same. She’s hoping the successful effort will lead to more direct ministry at a nearby prison. Jessica Brodie reports for the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.
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Commentary: Benefits of 'complicated' blessings
NEPTUNE, N.J. — As a high school senior, Bishop John Schol ended his football season early because of injury, which proved to be a complicated blessing. While coaching his teammates from the sidelines, “God developed me for what was next in my life,” the Greater New Jersey episcopal leader writes. “Sometimes the church looks like it’s limping on the sidelines in a losing game, but maybe God is up to something.”
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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.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
Experiential Faith Formation webinar “Tuesday Tea with Melanie C. Gordon” — 11:30 a.m. CDT. The Faith Formation Team at United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers the opportunity to hear from leaders across the United Methodist connection to share wisdom, thoughts and challenges in Experiential Faith Formation. This webinar will address what Experiential Faith Formation is and what resources are needed to support this ministry in various settings with people of all ages. Details
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