Editor's note: We've combined several recent short posts from UM & Global into one column for easier reading. We've left intact links to the separate posts on the blog site.
Recommended Reading: Ecumenical Statement on European Migration
Posted: 02 Oct 2020 08:00 AM PDT
The World Council of Churches, the World Methodist Council, and other ecumenical partners have put out an "Advocacy statement on situation of migrants and refugees in Europe." The statement, which was developed with input from the World Methodist Council, was motivated by the tragic fire in a refugee camp in Greece several weeks ago. The significance of the statement may be seen by the attention it has received in the church press:
United Methodist News Service story on the statement
EMK (German United Methodist) story on the statement (in German)
WCC story on the receipt of the petition by the European Commission
Even amidst the pandemic, United Methodists continue to be engaged on the issue of migration as a vital dimension of God's action in mission.
UM & Global Collection on the UMC as a Global Church
Posted: 05 Oct 2020 08:00 AM PDT
The latest UM & Global collection include a compilation of 15 posts written by a variety of authors about The United Methodist Church as a global denomination.
The collection, "The UMC as a Global Church," includes pieces by Hendrik R. Pieterse, Dana L. Robert, David W. Scott, Philip Wingeier-Rayo, Robert A. Hunt, Amy Valdez-Barker, Darryl W. Stephens, Igmedio Domingo, and Robert Harman. The pieces raise questions about what it means to be a global denomination; the benefits, costs, and challenges of being such; and the various ways in which a global denomination is connected - through mission, relationships, polity, and money.
The collection includes discussion questions for reflection on the included pieces. These discussion questions are intended to help students, annual conference leaders, General Conference delegates, local church leaders, and others to think wisely about what it means to be a global denomination and whether and how the UMC should aspire to be such.