"Let's be ambitious and get everyone vaccinated. I don't see why we can't be bold and do that. I believe churches have a role to play." — The Rev. Dana Horrell, pastor of Cooperstown (New York) United Methodist Church and creator of the new Mobilize Vaccine Turnout! handbook.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Handbook aims to reach unvaccinated with compassion
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (UM News) — The push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 has opened wide divisions that can't be healed without compassion, said the Rev. Dana Horrell, who has written a handbook to help congregations reach out to the unvaccinated. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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DanKarla.com
United Methodists chart with Christian song
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa — Dan Tritle and Karla Oleson Tritle, praise team leaders at Spirit Lake United Methodist Church, are making a mark on the Christian contemporary music scene. The couple's song "Faith Sees Best in the Dark" is charting at No. 42 on the Hot 50 Country All Music Chart and No. 27 on the Spin 30 Christian All Music Chart. The song, recorded under the duo name Dan and Karla, aims to offer reassurance in challenging times.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Pastor awarded for lifetime in ministry
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — When the Rev. Reed Hurst recently received the Thoburn Cane, which is presented to the conference's oldest clergy member with the most years of service, several friends and family members thanked him for the positive influence he has been in their lives. Hurst, 92, served in active ministry for 46 years and, even after retiring in 1992, continued to serve as a visitation worker for shut-ins. The conference staff reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
The Upper Room
Walk 14,000 steps like Jesus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Emmaus Ministries Virtual Walk and Challenge is set for Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, and the challenge is to walk the same distance as Jesus did from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The top three finishing teams will win cash prizes from $250 to $1,000. The 14,000 steps amount to about 7 miles.
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Religion News Service
Exploring pandemic's impact on congregations
HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford Seminary has been awarded a five-year, $5.3 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund research into how congregations are changing, innovating and establishing new ministry practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research will assist the Faith Communities Today project as it tracks the pandemic's effects on churches. United Methodist Communications, a member of Faith Communities Today, will be inviting United Methodist leaders and members to participate in the study.
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RESOURCES
Church World Service
Agency calls churches to welcome Afghans
NEW YORK — Church World Service is hosting a call for clergy and other church leaders to hear how faith communities can partner with the ecumenical agency to welcome Afghan allies and friends. The Zoom call will take place at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 30.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 7
Multiply Mini training: "Preaching When You Don't Feel Like It"
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