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African American Studies Welcome at Florida Church
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida church is offering to host Advanced Placement African American Studies classes following the state’s push to ban the course at high schools. The Rev. Andy Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church stepped up after state officials said topics in the course violate state law. "I believe we have to know our history, so that we can do better as a community," Oliver said. Read story and watch video Read more
United Methodist Leads WCC Symposium on Churches' Role in International Affairs
The symposium, led by the Rev. Dr. Liberato C. Bautista of the General Board of Church and Society, explored how religious communities can be agents of change in securing wellbeing and sustainability around the world. Read more
How Do We Talk About God After Auschwitz?
If you’ve visited a concentration camp, toured the gas chambers, seen the mass graves, and stood where victims were hung and shot, you realize “How do you talk about God after Auschwitz?” isn’t a theoretical question. Read more
After 'Surreal' Beginning, Philippines' First Woman Bishop Works for UMC Unity
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, first woman elected a United Methodist bishop in the Philippines, works for the UMC's unity even as she faces sexist resistance to her ministry. Read more
The Beatitudes: God’s Words That Aren’t Intended for Your Scriptural AR-15
The Beatitudes are the central components of Jesus’ teachings, yet when push comes to shove, most people would easily give them lip service yet find themselves unable to realize the full impact of what they agree to. Read more
Scholar to Host 2nd Engage Group on Common Good
Dr. Steve Harper will hold his second "Engage Group," this one focused on fellow scholar Walter Bruggemann's book "Journey to the Common Good." Read more
Top News & Views
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Wespath Expands Services to Methodist Kin
Wespath is managing a new plan for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the wake of that denomination’s pension scandal. The agency also is offering a plan for the newly formed Global Methodist Church, which has broken away from the UMC. Read more
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Church and Society's 2023 Priorities Focus on Climate, Human Needs
Church and Society will focus this year on five general areas: climate, health, migration, peace, and poverty, all with an eye toward where the issues intersect with racial justice. Read more
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Is Your Livestream a Part of Your Safe Sanctuary Plan?
Our vigilance in protecting vulnerable members in our churches ought to extend to our online worship presence as much as it does when we are all gathering in person. Read more
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Ashley Landis AP
Church Responds to Days of Mass Shootings
Churchgoers are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls against gun violence. United Methodists are expressing solidarity with Asian American communities brutalized by attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay. Read more
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
5 UMC Story Lines for Spring 2023
David W. Scott casts his expert eye over situations in The United Methodist Church worldwide that he sees will make news in the next few months.. Read more
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Keith Levit
Remembering the Holocaust
Combating antisemitism today: Holocaust education in the era of Twitter and TikTok. Read more
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United Methodists Seek Peace after Church Bombing
The attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship. A United Methodist lay leader was at the bombed church at the time of the attack. Read more
UMC Future
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United Methodists on Alert for Dissidents 'Poaching' Members and Pastors
Bishops and annual conference leaders are concerned that the Global Methodist Church is "poaching" United Methodist clergy and laity before formal separations are completed. Read more
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'Not a Real Schism': Four Years Later, UMC Exodus Less a Gush, More a Trickle
Analysis of data collected by the church’s General Council on Finance and Administration shows 6.1% of United Methodist churches in the U.S. — 1,831 congregations out of 30,000 nationwide — have been granted permission to exit since 2019. Read more
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Hamilton Video on Staying UMC Gets New Attention
Eight months later, there’s renewed interest in Adam Hamilton’s video on why he’ll remain a United Methodist. Read more
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Post-Separation Myths – Trapped Traditionalists
The Rev. David Livingston debunks a myth that those who wish to leave The United Methodist Church will have no options if they don't disaffiliate by Dec. 31, when the current exit process expires. Read more
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Anxiety and Disaffiliation
A result of constant change is what psychologists call free-floating anxiety, which is most unpleasant and even debilitating. So how do you get over it, this free-floating anxiety? Read more
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Like Buying a Pig in a Poke
Rev. Jack Harnish is skeptical about the Global Methodist Church -- especially since there seems to be a lot of aspiration and not much operation to date. Not knowing what they''re buying into, departing congregations are getting "a pig in poke." Read more
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Slave or Free, Disaffiliate or Stay UMC?
African Americans were once considered less than human, and we must avoid making the same mistake with LGBTQI+ siblings. The choice of disaffiliating or staying UMC does not rest with pastors. It is the members' choice. Read more
Crisis Watch
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90 Seconds to Midnight – Time to Witness and Serve
Atomic scientists say the war in Ukraine and other crises make it "90 seconds to midnight" -- meaning a symbolic movement toward global catastrophe. But it's also an opportunity for Christians to witness to hope, love and solutions to calamity. Read more
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If It Seems Like 2022 Was a Big Year for Disasters, You're Right
Climate Central put out a sobering assessment on weather and climate disasters, while there's more talk about global threats that could spark humanitarian crises. Read more
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Sally Hayden / SOPA Images Sipa USA via AP
Get Ready: Three Humanitarian Crises Are Expected to Worsen in 2023
An international humanitarian aid expert predicts three global crises will worsen in 2023, but The United Methodist Church, through its longstanding missional outreach efforts, stands ready to respond. Read more
