"We still can lead in the midst of chaos, and the only way we can do this leading is through ongoing conversation." — Sierra Leone Bishop John K. Yambasu after meeting with advocates for the Traditional Plan.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Traditionalists, bishops talk church future
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Traditionalist advocates met in private with United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe and the Philippines to listen to concerns and discuss the denomination's future. The traditionalists also heard some pushback. Heather Hahn reports.
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New Mexico Conference
Summit considers ministry with Navajo Nation
FRAMINGTON, N.M. — Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe convened a summit to consider possible models of ministry with the Navajo Nation and its congregations and "identify crucial next steps" in that ministry. The meeting included three other United Methodist bishops, the chair of the denomination's Native American International Caucus and local leaders of the church and the Navajo Nation.
Watch video on the Four Corners Ministry Summit
Learn more about the Four Corners Ministry
New 2019 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting annual conference reports. Posted so far this year are Sierra Leone, Bulgaria-Romania and Serbia-Macedonia.
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World Council of Churches
Concern over hostilities near Israel-Gaza border
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches, Middle East Council of Churches and ACT Alliance released a message May 8 expressing deep concern over the latest hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The region near the Israel-Gaza border has seen the most intense escalation of violence since the 2014 war.
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PRESS RELEASES
Market Square Publishing
New book: Where does church go from here?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Voices from the traditional, centrist and progressive viewpoints share their thoughts about the future of the denomination in "Where Do We Go From Here? Honest Responses From Twenty-Four United Methodist Leaders." Several authors revised their material to include last-minute information concerning the Judicial Council rulings in late April.
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For more information
COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
Remembering Rachel Held Evans
FREEPORT, Ill. (UMNS) — A United Methodist clergywoman writes about how the work of Rachel Held Evans, the Christian writer who challenged traditional views on the roles of LGBTQ people and women in the church, influenced her and many others. The Rev. Melissa Meyers reflects on the life of the writer, who died May 4 at age 37.
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Read NPR obituary
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