Cynthia B. Astle
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College's LGBT Exemption Request Spurs New England Conference Concerns
The New England Annual Conference is actively seeking a new location for its yearly sessions after the president of its longtime site, Gordon College, requested a religious exemption from President Obama's order barring LGBT workplace discrimination. more »
Jul 21, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues
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A Soul's Dark Night
The Rev. Charles Moore's tragic death by self-immolation makes us stop and consider a confounding principle of Christian faith: sacrificing one's life for a seemingly higher purpose, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Jul 17, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (1 Comments)
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Photo Courtesy of YLakeland
Why the Hobby Lobby Ruling Spells Disaster for Christians
The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that Hobby Lobby can claim a religious exemption from the Affordable Care Act is in reality a major blow to religious freedom, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Jul 1, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Perspectives (7 Comments)
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Photo by Melissa Lauber, Baltimore-Washington Conference, for UMNS
Appeals Panel Restores Frank Schaefer's Clergy Status
In a unanimous decision, a jurisdictional appeals committee has restored the Rev. Frank Schaefer to full ordained ministry after he was defrocked six months ago for conducting a same-sex marriage for his son. more »
Jun 24, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues (3 Comments)
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Photo Courtesy of Icon Productions
Bridling Tongues and Covering Backsides
In hopes of fostering a conversation that produces more light than heat across The United Methodist Church, UM Insight announces stronger policy enforcement – rejecting uncivil comments that demean others. more »
Jun 10, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (4 Comments)
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Screen Capture from UMC.org
Worldwide UMC Nature Website Set Up
The Connectional Table and the General Commission on the General Conference have set up a new website for discussion about the worldwide nature of The United Methodist Church in advance of the 2016 General Conference. more »
Jun 10, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle (2 Comments)
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UMCom Illustration
Resistance to Schism Explodes Across U.S. Methodism
United Methodist annual conferences and individual leaders are pushing back against recent schismatic and extremist messages, while in some quarters strong stands are taken for and against acceptance of LGBT rights. more »
Jun 6, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues (1 Comments)
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UM Insight Photos
IRD Angers Ex-UMR Subscribers with 'Renegade Bishop' Mailing
The Institute on Religion & Democracy's UMAction committee angered dozens of United Methodists by using a subscriber list purchased from a defunct church newspaper to send a letter targeting a "renegade bishop." more »
May 16, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues (5 Comments)
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United Methodist Insight Illustration
UMC-related Universities Under Federal Scrutiny
Four United Methodist-related universities are among 55 institutions nationwide being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for possible civil rights violations regarding sexual harassment or violence. more »
May 2, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues
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UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
Prove Me Wrong, Please
The United Methodist political process casts doubt on whether any revised language regarding homosexuality from the Connectional Table has even a remote chance of a fair hearing, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Apr 30, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (7 Comments)
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Publicity Photo
A New Hope
Just like Luke Skywalker of "Star Wars," brave and gifted young clergy are giving new hope of a more compassionate, more inclusive, more Christ-like future for The United Methodist Church, writes Cynthia B. Astle more »
Apr 9, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge
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Wikimedia Commons Photo by Weglinde
Suffer the Children
The bigotry that pushed an 8-year-old tomboy out of school and deprived thousands of impoverished children of financial support should make all Christians ashamed, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Mar 26, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (2 Comments)
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UMNS Photo by Sam Hodges
Dallas Pastor Who Performed Same-Sex Wedding Faces Complaint
The Rev. Bill McElvaney has disclosed that a complaint has been filed against him for officiating at the March 1 religious wedding of two gay men. more »
Mar 21, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues
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Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Smith
Law, Grace and Bishop McLee
Bishop Martin D. McLee's courage in calling "time out" on clergy trials in New York Conference gives the entire denomination breathing space to listen for God's guidance regarding LGBT relationships. more »
Mar 10, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Perspectives (2 Comments)
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UMNS Photo
New York to Forego Clergy Trials over Same-Sex Marriages
Dr. Thomas Ogletree will not face a church trial for having presided at his gay son's wedding, while Bishop Martin D. McLee suspends trials for clergy accused of performing same-sex marriages. more »
Mar 10, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Issues (2 Comments)
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UMNS Photo by Kathleen Barry
I Haven't Missed My Calling
Being a lay Christian brings greater freedom and power to do God's work in the world than does ordained ministry, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Feb 28, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (7 Comments)
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Photo Courtesy of Becca Girrell
Not Business as Usual
Intensive efforts on behalf of her local congregation have given United Methodist Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle a renewed conviction about the spiritual need at the heart of United Methodism's future. more »
Feb 21, 2014 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (4 Comments)
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Screen Capture Courtesy of YouTube
Nelson Mandela's Legacy to World Methodists
An encounter with Nelson Mandela, set to the music of forgiveness, lingers as wisdom for the church, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Dec 6, 2013 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (1 Comments)
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UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
At the Crossroads of Covenant and Compassion
The actions of retired Bishop Mel Talbert and dozens of other clergy in defiance of United Methodist laws against same-sex marriage have brought the denomination to the breaking point it has tried to avoid for more than 45 years. more »
Nov 15, 2013 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (4 Comments)
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UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
Whom Shall We Send to Portland?
Assuring a communal discernment of God's future for The United Methodist Church lies in the hands of Annual Conferences whose members will elect delegates to the 2016 General Conference. more »
Oct 23, 2013 Cynthia B. Astle Views from a Ridge (2 Comments)