"As people of faith around the world join in prayer for the people of Syria, we pray not only for those who are suffering but also for those who have the power to stop the violence." - Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Global Mission leader prays for Syria peace
NEW YORK (UMNS) - "Our social principles say that 'we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy,'" writes Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, of the situation in Syria. "As followers of Christ, we are anointed as peacemakers - we know that adding violence to violence is not the answer."
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Former chemist takes kindness to the streets
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (UMNS) - When Eric Mercado stepped foot for the first time in a homeless camp in New Smyrna Beach, it reminded him of rural Tanzania where he served in the Peace Corp. Now outreach coordinator at First United Methodist Church, Mercado steers the Community Hot Meal program to those camps three days a week. The Daytona Beach News-Journal explains how this former chemist changed his life to help others and found new meaning.
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Homeless shelter for women gives them wings to rise
AKRON, Ohio (UMNS) - First United Methodist of Akron volunteered its facility and sewing machines twice a week for Harvest Home clients to help homeless women get the tools to rebuild their lives and the wings to soar in a whole new direction. The Akron Beacon Journal explains how social enterprise programs are lifting up the women.
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History of hymns: 'Behold a Broken World'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - At a time when much of the world is focused on civil war in Syria and violence around the globe, C. Michael Hawn focuses on a prayer for peace by Anglican Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith. The hymn is No. 426 in the United Methodist Hymnal.
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The church could benefit from review of history
ADRIAN, Mich. (UMNS) - "Those of us committed to the church's renewal should stop dismissing deep historical awareness as simplistic nostalgia for outmoded practices," writes the Rev. Christopher Momany on the United Methodist Publishing House's Ministry Matters site. The chaplain at United Methodist-related Adrian College argues that the church has much to learn from history.
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A close look at polling trends on same-sex marriage
HOUSTON (UMNS) - News outlets, including the United Methodist News Service,have reported polling that shows a slight majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president and general manager of the unofficial caucus Good News, writes about a recent study by Rice University that calls those results into question.
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