"He will stand out in history as a beacon of light, a lodestar inspiring many generations yet to come." - The Rev. Ivan Abrahams, World Methodist Council, at Nelson Mandela memorial service.
World Methodist leader gives sermon at Mandela service
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (UMNS) - Great leaders like Nelson Mandela do not die but "live on in the hearts and minds of people," a South African Methodist pastor reminded the world during the Dec. 10 memorial service at the same Soweto stadium where Mandela spoke after his release from prison in 1990. "(God) gave us one who boldly proclaimed that a different world is possible," said the Rev. Ivan Abrahams, now the top executive of the World Methodist Council.
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End death penalty, Sister Prejean urges
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The death penalty is the most flagrant example of racism today, and it is our biggest civil rights and human rights issue, said Sister Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking." Prejean was the guest speaker Dec. 7 at the 25th anniversary awards dinner of the Scarritt-Bennett Center, a retreat center operated by United Methodist Women.
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Value Obama now, Talbert urges
TV station names pastor 'Everyday Hero'
DENVER (UMNS) - The Rev. Jerry Herships, who founded the new United Methodist congregation AfterHours Denver, recently received a surprise. The congregation nominated him for and he received the Everyday Hero Award of ABC affiliate Channel 7. Once the story is posted to the Channel 7 website, the link will be posted on the AfterHours website and on the Rocky Mountain Conference website.
See AfterHours story and photos
UMTV Choir's Christmas Gift
Universities oppose Indiana marriage amendment
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (UMNS) - United Methodist-related University of Evansville and DePauw University are among a group of Indiana universities that have announced opposition to House Joint Resolution-6, a proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution. The amendment would define marriage and limit protections under law for same-sex and unmarried couples and families. At present, same-sex marriage is illegal in Indiana.
University of Evansville news release
Depauw University story
Text and status of proposed amendment
Columbia faith groups prepare for homeless
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UMNS) - Faith groups in the Columbia area are working together to prepare to serve the homeless in January and February in the annual Room at the Inn project. This year the project has expanded to fivesites. Learn from this KBIA.org report what the Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church and others are doing.
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San Jose church reopens after 22 years
SAN JOSE, Calif. (UMNS) - When fire destroyed San Jose First United Methodist Church in 1991, no one anticipated that it would be 22 years before the landmark would stand again. The San Jose Mercury News shows in pictures the first service in the new building on Dec. 8.
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San Jose church rising from ashes
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