NEWS AND FEATURES
Pension staff plans for possible ways forward
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS) — Whatever delegates decide at the 2019 General Conference, the denomination’s pension agency wants United Methodist clergy and lay workers to know their accrued benefits are safe. However, Wespath is looking at ways to deal with the uncertainty ahead. Heather Hahn reports.
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West Virginia Conference
ID ministry helps grow discipleship
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — David Stalnaker first came to Canaan United Methodist Church in search of help. Now, with support of the congregation, he is helping others obtain their birth certificates and other desperately needed forms of identification. The Rev. Paula Napier, Canaan’s pastor, writes about how the ministry has expanded.
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Vox
Scholar talks about forgiveness in #MeToo era
DURHAM, N.C. — What does redemption look like in the age of #MeToo? Theologian L. Gregory Jones, the dean of the United Methodist Duke University Divinity School, talks to Tara Isabella Burton on why “forgiveness should always be a gift.”
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PRESS RELEASES
Foundation for Evangelism
Foundation, heritage center to share space
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism and the Southeastern Jurisdiction Heritage Center announced that beginning in 2019, the two organizations will share office and archival space at the foundation’s headquarters on the campus of Lake Junaluska Assembly.
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COMMENTARIES
Ough: ‘Their silence fills the earth’
MINNEAPOLIS — Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough writes that no matter their political opinion on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, followers of Jesus can no longer remain silent about the sin of sexual assault and abuse or tolerate “boys will be boys” excuses. Ough quotes from Psalm 19 and says that the silence of the countless women and men who have been sexually abused “fills the earth.”
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RESOURCES
Greater Northwest Area
Bible study prepares church for whatever comes
DES MOINES, Wash. — The Greater Northwest Area is initiating a yearlong study of Brian McLaren’s book, “We Make the Road by Walking.” “No matter what happens at the General Conference, God needs us to get involved in the needs of the people we serve in our neighborhoods and around the world,” wrote Bishop Elaine Stanovsky about the Bible study. The study is aimed at preparing the church for whatever comes.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Sunday, Oct. 7
World Communion Sunday
Wednesday, Oct. 10-Tuesday, Oct. 16
Online Congregational Leadership class: Sacraments
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