Cynthia B. Astle
The Mysteries of Death
The death of her beloved mother-in-law, Evelyn Grebe, resurrects the age-old questions about the deepest mysteries of life and death, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Apr 3, 2017 9:40 AM Views from a Ridge 1 Comments
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We're Overlooking Our Most Compelling Covenant
United Methodism's current debates over who has broken or kept "the covenant" ignore the most compelling covenant of all -- our baptismal vows, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Sep 14, 2016 5:37 PM Views from a Ridge 3 Comments
Phyllis and the Pope: Loving the Unlovable
The convergence of Pope Francis' U.S. visit with the death of religion expert Phyllis Tickle underscores something significant for fractious United Methodists, namely Jesus' call to love the unlovable, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Oct 2, 2015 11:14 AM Views from a Ridge
UMC's Welcome to Catholic LGBT Group Proves 'Equally Blessed'
Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia showed brotherly love for a Catholic group devoted to LGBT inclusion when the group was refused entry to a Catholic event visited by Pope Francis. more
Oct 2, 2015 11:14 AM Advocating Justice 2 Comments
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Here's What I Have to Say About Baltimore
The eruption of violence in Baltimore in the wake of the police custody death of Freddie Gray prompts a response from UM Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle. more
Apr 29, 2015 11:48 AM Views from a Ridge
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Indiana's RFRA and the UMC: A Moral Imperative
The furor over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration – seen by critics as granting businesses license to discriminate against LGBTQ people – reflects The United Methodist Church's own dilemma over its anti-LGBTQ stances. more
Apr 1, 2015 4:21 PM Advocating Justice 3 Comments
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Emotional First Aid for United Methodism
A TED talk by psychologist Guy Winch awakens Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle to the United Methodist Church's need for "emotional first aid." more
Feb 27, 2015 10:15 AM Views from a Ridge 2 Comments
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Reaping the Whirlwind
The Old Testament Book of Hosea offers spiritual insights into the current situation facing America, marked by the June 14 shooting of five Republicans at a ballfield, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Jun 14, 2017 6:23 PM Views from a Ridge 8 Comments
Photo by Erik Alsgaard, Baltimore-Washington Conference
United Methodists Ramp Up Efforts to Aid World's Migrants
The United Methodist Church is expanding its efforts at all levels worldwide to assist many of the 65.3 million people who have been involuntarily displaced from their homes, especially the 21 million classified as refugees by the United Nations. more
May 23, 2017 2:16 PM Global Nature
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United Methodists, Episcopalians Verge on Full Communion
United Methodists and Episcopalians have finally produced a full communion proposal that answers the concerns of both denominations, reported Bishop Gregory Palmer to the Council of Bishops recently. more
May 17, 2017 5:09 PM Finance and Administration 5 Comments
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Reactions Continue to Boil over Judicial Council Rulings
Reactions continue to boil over to the Judicial Council rulings on the consecration of Bishop Karen Oliveto and the requirements to consider ministerial candidates' sexuality. more
May 3, 2017 7:47 AM Perspectives 5 Comments
Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications
LGBTQ United Methodists, Allies and Opponents Prepare for Judicial Council Session
Advocacy groups that support or reject United Methodism's stance against homosexual practice will keep watch on the April 25-28 deliberations of the Judicial Council, the denomination's "high court." more
Apr 20, 2017 2:38 PM Finance and Administration 3 Comments
The Mysteries of Death
The death of her beloved mother-in-law, Evelyn Grebe, resurrects the age-old questions about the deepest mysteries of life and death, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Apr 3, 2017 9:40 AM Views from a Ridge 1 Comments
UMNS Photo
Be Bold, Said the Bishop
United Methodist Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle recalls her nearly 30-year acquaintance with Bishop Felton E. May, who died Feb. 27. more
Feb 28, 2017 10:21 AM Views from a Ridge
Inauguration 'Parties' to Focus on 'Reclaiming the Common Good'
Local house and church "parties" are being scheduled the evening of Donald J. Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration for conversations on how to regain shared values in American society. more
Jan 9, 2017 4:34 PM Advocating Justice
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Scared of the Wesleyan Covenant Association? Wait It Out
A little historical perspective helps assess the potential of the Wesleyan Covenant Association to change the global United Methodist denomination to its liking. more
Oct 12, 2016 5:50 PM Views from a Ridge 3 Comments
Screencap from Steven Manskar Video
We're Overlooking Our Most Compelling Covenant
United Methodism's current debates over who has broken or kept "the covenant" ignore the most compelling covenant of all -- our baptismal vows, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Sep 14, 2016 5:37 PM Views from a Ridge 3 Comments
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Through Deep Waters
Flooded out of her home and aching for her wounded city of Dallas, Cynthia B. Astle finds some wisdom in conversations on racism that could help The United Methodist Church get through its own turbulence. more
Jul 18, 2016 10:24 AM Views from a Ridge 1 Comments
Fight Over Karen Oliveto's Election Begins
Within hours after the Western Jurisdiction elevated her, the validity of Bishop Karen Oliveto's election was challenged by a request from the South Central Jurisdiction for the Judicial Council to rule on her standing. more
Jul 16, 2016 1:13 PM Finance and Administration 3 Comments
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Jurisdictional Conferences Gear Up to Elect Bishops
The five American jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church will meet during the week of July 11 to elect 15 new bishops and conduct regional business. more
Jul 7, 2016 4:29 PM Finance and Administration 1 Comments
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God's Irony: Rule 44 and the Bishops' Way Forward
Rule 44 may have died at the hands of the 2016 General Conference delegates, but its "holy conferencing" tenets were behind the creation of the Council of Bishops' proposal for "a way forward" for The United Methodist Church. more
Jun 8, 2016 2:05 PM Perspectives 1 Comments
United Methodist Communications
Keep Up wth General Conference 2016
Here's how to stay connected to the 2016 General Conference happening May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. more
May 5, 2016 10:30 AM
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Pensions Board Video Intensifies Divestment Debate
Fossil Free UMC, a movement to get the denomination to sell off all its petroleum stocks, alleges that a new Pensions Board video urging Central Conference delegates to vote against divestment crosses an ethical line. more
Feb 11, 2016 2:21 PM 2016 General Conference 2 Comments
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All We Are Saying Is Give Peace a Chance
That's the uncomfortable thing about following the teachings and example of Jesus, writes Cynthia B. Astle – like Christ with the rich young man, we're called to sacrifice what we hold most dear to do to what God wants us to do. more
Jan 26, 2016 12:52 PM Views from a Ridge 1 Comments
UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
Setting the Stage for General Conference 2016
Three themes from the Pre-General Conference Briefing point to organizers' effort to shape a more globally equal and more spiritually based 2016 session of The United Methodist Church's worldwide policy-making assembly, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Jan 24, 2016 1:49 PM 2016 General Conference 4 Comments
UM Insight Photo by Cynthia B. Astle
The Grace of Wildflowers
The sight of mowed wildflowers prompts Cynthia B. Astle to ponder whether the time has come for The United Methodist Church to fade away. more
Aug 6, 2015 3:03 PM Views from a Ridge 1 Comments
Miracle and Wonder
The baptisms of three adopted sons open a window into the miracle and wonder of what the Church could truly be if it learned to love as God loves. more
Jul 20, 2015 3:15 PM Views from a Ridge