Cynthia B. Astle
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
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
Open for Service.org
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
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
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Few Respond to Racism Survey
Unlike the previous week's survey on marriage equality, few United Methodist Insight readers expressed interest in how to counter racism in America. more »
Jul 17, 2015 4:11 PM Perspectives
Photo Courtesy of RealTimesMedia
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
Illustration Courtesy of God Is for Real.com
Our Adventure in Missing the Point
The United Methodist Church's official mission statement -- making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world -- remains a little-known goal that its disputes have obscured and undermined, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Apr 17, 2015 10:45 AM Views from a Ridge 2 Comments
Open for Service.org
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
Phillip Martin Illustration. Used by Permission under Creative Commons License.
When Words Fail ...
The weaponized words flung at one another by United Methodist bloggers these days lead Cynthia B. Astle to caution against their continued use. more »
Mar 20, 2015 10:51 AM Views from a Ridge
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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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Harsh Encounter Brings Apocalyptic Blessing
Encountering online hatred for an article about friendship toward Muslims leads Cynthia B. Astle to an apocalyptic revelation. more »
Jan 28, 2015 7:25 PM Views from a Ridge 6 Comments
Photo Courtesy of Eric Folkerth
Interfaith Gathering Rallies Support for Muslims
Led by a Muslim woman and a United Methodist clergyman, more than 400 believers gathered Jan. 25 to show support for their Muslim neighbors and to stand against extremism and Islamophobia. more »
Jan 26, 2015 1:29 PM Global Nature 2 Comments
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What the Hell Kind of Country Do We Live In? (Part 2)
The revelations of torture -- "enhanced interrogation" -- by CIA operatives underscores this season's need for Christians to witness in word and deed to God's unconditional love, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more »
Dec 12, 2014 10:02 AM Views from a Ridge 4 Comments