"There have been chapters in the history of the United States that have not been pleasant to read, talk or even think about." - Charlotte Area Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster as the United Methodist Council of Bishops toured Cherokee, N.C.
Filipino bishops offer thanks for church response
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - On Nov. 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest storm to ever reach land, devastated parts of the Philippines. Three Filipino bishops were far from home, attending a gathering of United Methodist bishops in the United States, when the world learned of the terrible destruction from the storm. Bishops Pedro M. Torio, Ciriaco Francisco, and Rudy Juan spoke with United Methodist Communications a few days after the storm and shared their appreciation for the prayers and support church members offered.
Bishop Juan said, "I believe that with help from The United Methodist Church worldwide, from countries that support the Philippines, we'll rise above this and we'll be able to move on.Because we are a global church, when one part of the world suffers, the other members of the connection will help. Because of our connection, there's so much help. And thank you so much."
Watch Video
Philippines Typhoon: The Church Responds
Donate: International Disaster Response
Filipino Americans in Houston raise disaster funds
HOUSTON (UMNS) - In the Houston area, where 50,000 residents are Filipino-Americans, many are raising funds for recent disasters in the Philippines, including members of First Filipino American United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, who are co-sponsoring a Nov. 23 concert, The Houston Chronicle reports.
Read story
In U.S., Filipinos ready to aid typhoon survivors
Philippines Typhoon: The Church Responds
Crisis map of Philippines
UPDATE: Missing Filipino pastor OK
MANILA (UMNS) - The Rev. Iris Picardeal-Perana, a United Methodist pastor in Tacloban thought to be missing after Typhoon Haiyan, has been in contact with Pastor Ruby Bongolan. In a text message, Pastor Iris said: "We are OK here in Leyte but our situation is difficult. I have not had contact with Mom because I have no cell phone load. I was lucky to have been passed a load to be able to send this text message to you, after charging from a place far from where I am." The text appears to have been sent at 6:31 p.m. Manila time, Nov. 14.
Watch for updates
Bishops celebrate milestone in fight to end malaria
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - Bishop Thomas E. Bickerton told the Council of Bishops today that the Imagine No Malaria campaign is nearing $60 million of its $75 million goal to eradicate the disease in Africa by 2015. Bickerton recognized the efforts throughout the connection.
Read story and post a comment
Learn about Imagine No Malaria
Call for 'no more trials' part of bishops' deliberations
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - A United Methodist polity expert's call to halt church trials related to the denomination's stance on homosexuality is sparking conversation both in the blogosphere and within the Council of Bishops. Germany Area Bishop Rosemarie Wenner - the Council of Bishops president - said the bishops, meeting this week in Lake Junaluska, would consider Frank's letter and other public reaction in their deliberations.
Read story and post a comment
2016 General Conference to have 124 fewer delegates
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - The Rev. L. Fitzgerald "Gere" Reist II, top executive of the commission on the 2016 General Conference, told the Council of Bishops that there will be 864 delegates to the lawmaking assembly, which will convene May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. The 2012 General Conference had 988 delegates.
Read about how change came about
Read press release
Bishops visit Cherokee as part of repentance
CHEROKEE, N.C. (UMNS) - This year marks the 175th anniversary of the start of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee people and other tribes from their homelands in the Southeast to what is today Oklahoma. The United Methodist Council of Bishops visited Cherokee for church leaders to have an "immersion experience" during this week's annual meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said Charlotte Area Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster.
Read story and post a comment
Christianity and Dr. Who
PONCHATOULA, La. (UMNS) -The Rev. Matt Rawle, pastor of The Well United Methodist Church in Ponchatoula, knows how to use a fictional time lord to draw people closer to the Lord. He was among a number of scholars from the United Kingdom, the United States and Scandinavia invited to speak Nov. 2 in the United Kingdom at the University of Manchester during the 50th anniversary celebration of "Doctor Who," a British science-fiction television program.Rawle presented a paper entitled, "God, Time and Identity: Doctor Who and the Great Physician's Table." The Louisiana Conference has the story and you don't need the TARDIS to read it.
Read story
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.