“He truly was that caring Christian presence, listening to the survivors, working at their pace and not just rushing in to get the job done.” — Trish Warren, Florida Conference disaster relief coordinator, on United Methodist Harry Hopkins’ dedication to helping others after disasters.
TOP STORY
Florida Conference
Church member lived his life helping others
ORLANDO, Fla. — Harry Hopkins, who everyone called “Hap,” was the kind of person who was always reaching out to help someone. The longtime member of First United Methodist Church Orlando started volunteering two years ago with the Florida Conference’s emergency response team. He died last week when he made contact with a downed power line while clearing debris from Hurricane Milton. He was 67 years old. Joe Henderson has the story.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodist Communications
Scarritt Bennett: A legacy of racial justice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scarritt Bennett Center is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Over the past century, Scarritt has been a tireless advocate for racial justice within the city of Nashville and beyond. The school’s commitment to racial equality can be traced back to its cofounder and namesake, Belle Harris Bennett. Philip J. Brooks has the story.
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Texas Conference
Pumpkin patch becomes evangelism opportunity
HOUSTON — Westminster United Methodist Church has a large, beautiful front lawn in an area that is surrounded by concrete. Each fall, the green space becomes a lot more orange with a pumpkin patch, where the church hosts events such as family movie nights. The pumpkin patch is a great way to invite family or friends out to do something at the church, the Rev. Meredith Mills says. Troy Griffin has the story.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Church rededicates stained-glass window
WASHINGTON — In a Sept. 29 service, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church took a step toward justice and restorative healing with the rededication of its stained-glass window, formerly dedicated to J. Edgar Hoover. The church acted at the prompting of its middle and high school Sunday school class, who raised questions about the window honoring Hoover, the former director of the FBI, whose leadership was tinged with racism and white nationalism. Baltimore-Washington Conference staff report.
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UM News: DC church wrestles with FBI connection
California-Pacific Conference
Campaign launched for Claremont
PASADENA, Calif. — Bishops Dottie Escobedo-Frank and Grant Hagiya are appealing for immediate help for Claremont School of Theology. The 140-year-old seminary is struggling financially, as it waits to receive funds from the recent sale of its Claremont campus. At the same time, it has accepted its largest class of students in several years. In a video, Escobedo-Frank describes the important role the school plays in developing leaders for the church. Both bishops are Claremont graduates.
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Greeneville Sun
Governor visits church serving as relief hub
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made a stop at Trinity United Methodist Church while he surveyed flooding damage caused by remnants of Hurricane Helene in the eastern part of the state. Trinity United Methodist Church has become one of the hubs in Greeneville for people to find donated food, water and other supplies. Spencer Morrell has the story.
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KMBC-ABC
Church building likely total loss after fire
ADRIAN, Mo. — After an early morning fire Oct. 9, Adrian United Methodist Church is mourning the loss of a building that served generations of families. No one was injured, but the building is likely a total loss. JoBeth Davis reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Lilly Endowment
Conferences, agencies receive Lilly grants
SAN ANTONIO — The Rio Texas Conference, in partnership with the Michigan Conference, and The United Methodist Publishing House are among the United Methodist organizations receiving a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of the Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. Grant recipients also include Discipleship Ministries and the Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia and Western North Carolina conferences. United Methodist-related Boston University, Duke University and Wesley Theological Seminary also received grants.
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See list (PDF)
Read Publishing House press release
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