"It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. I love working with these people and helping the flood survivors get back on their feet again." — Buck Edwards, West Virginia Conference construction coordinator
Still with West Virginia in flood recovery
RICHWOOD, W.Va. (UMNS) — It’s a sad reality that most disasters drop out of the news cycle quickly. The June 2016 flood that devastated parts of West Virginia has long faded from the headlines, but The United Methodist Church is still helping those trying to rebuild homes and lives. Joey Butler has the story; Mike DuBose has the photos.
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See before-and-after photos
Way Forward sketches ideas to share with bishops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Commission on a Way Forward, meeting behind closed doors in Berlin, is sketching possibilities for The United Methodist Church’s future that it will present to the denomination’s bishops in November. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Churches, ministry hit by earthquake
DALLAS (UMNS) — Methodists are among those affected by and responding to the devastating Sept. 19 earthquake in Mexico. Some church buildings and parsonages of the Methodist Church of Mexico were damaged, as was a campus of Give Ye Them to Eat, a ministry supported by United Methodists. Methodists are joining in relief efforts. Sam Hodges reports.
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Standing with Puerto Rican church after hurricanes
NEW YORK (UMNS) — United Methodists were praying and standing in solidarity with Puerto Ricans as they awaited word about the effects of Hurricane Maria. Linda Bloom and Michelle Maldonado report.
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WCC hails new U.N. nuclear ban
NEW YORK (WCC) — A new U.N. treaty to ban nuclear weapons and also provide aid to victims and environmental remediation is being hailed as a “major landmark” by the World Council of Churches. The treaty was formally opened Sept. 20 for signatures from member nations and 49 had signed on so far.
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Bautista receives religious freedom award
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The Rev. Liberato (Levi) Bautista, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, was one of 10 recipients of this year’s Award of Honor at the eighth World Congress for Religious Freedom. Bautista, who heads the social justice agency’s U.N. office, also addressed a plenary session during the event.
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Commentary: Deaf awareness leads to empowerment
FULTON, Md. — September is Deaf Awareness Month. The Rev. Leo Yates Jr. of the Baltimore-Washington Conference offers ideas for learning more about Deaf culture, raising awareness and doing a better job of empowering Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
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Congregational resources for Deaf ministry
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, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 7
Online workshop on creating an abundance mentality — The Rev. Beth Galbreath has heard a lot of folks worry about churches struggling to stay alive. She’s also heard bishops preach to church leaders about switching their focus to "abundance." Folks respond, “Yeah, right, and how do we do that?” This course from BeaDisciple.com aims to provide an answer to that question. 1 CEU will be awarded. $55. Details
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