|
May 1 has been designated "a day without
immigrants," and two United Methodist
associations representing Asian Americans and
Hispanic/Latino concerns have joined in the call
for comprehensive immigration reform.
The statements from the National Federation of
Asian American United Methodists and Methodists
Associated to Represent the Cause of Hispanic
Americans come as Congress grapples with the
reform issue.
Date posted:Apr 28, 2006
|
|
|
The name of the Apistoodooke United Methodist
Church in Heart Butte, Montana, comes from the
Blackfeet word for “creator.” This congregation
is one of three that make up the United
Methodist
Parish on the Blackfeet Reservation in
northwestern corner of the state. The other two
churches are in Browning and Babb. All are warm
and welcoming centers of praise to God and
service to people.
Date posted:Apr 27, 2006
|
|
|
The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health
Benefits has become one of the original 25
signatories of the new United Nations Principles
for Responsible Investment.
The board announced the news April 27 in New
York. The heads of leading financial institutions
from 16 countries signed the principles that day
at the New York Stock Exchange.
Date posted:Apr 27, 2006
|
|
|
The UMCOR Hotline, April 25, 2006
In Today's Hotline:
United States: Hurricane Hunter Cares for the
Least and the Lost
Eastern Europe: Floods Displace Thousands
Eastern Africa: Drought Continues to Endanger
Children and Families
Resources: Visit Our New Web Site!
Date posted:Apr 25, 2006
|
|
|
United Methodist missionaries in Nepal are safe
in the wake of intense civil upheaval in the
Asian country. They report a break in the tension
following an announcement on April 24 that the
king is restoring parliament.
Date posted:Apr 25, 2006
|
|
|
Some of my work takes me to an area of Manila
called “Smokey Mountain.” It is a garbage dump
where very poor people earn a living as
scavengers. A bright spot for the children who
grow up here is the Shalom Children’s Learning
Center. One of our first nursery/kindergarten
students—in the late ’80s—was a girl named
Jemima. Recently she graduated from Harris
College and will be a deaconess
Date posted:Apr 24, 2006
|
|
|
The Holy Bible is one of the most frequently
published books in the People’s Republic of
China. For many outside of China this is
astonishing news, and sharing this news is one of
the main reasons the China Christian Council is
bringing its Bible Exhibition to the United
States.
Date posted:Apr 21, 2006
|
|
|
Like many inner-city youth where she grew up,
Latoya Williams never finished high school. "I
was one of those young ladies that stayed in
quarrels with other people," she said. "So I was
put out of school."
After several unsuccessful attempts to earn her
GED, Williams, now 28, found a life-changing
experience. She is learning cooking and
restaurant management at the Peace Meal Café,
part of a food-services course at Petersburg
Urban Ministries.
Date posted:Apr 19, 2006
|
|
|
The UMCOR Hotline, April 18, 2006
In Today's Hotline:
Global: Fair Trade, Good for Recovery
Niger: Diminishing Consequences of Famine
Philippines: UMCOR Responds in Recovery from
Landslides
US: UMCOR Provides Emergency Grants in Five
Storms
Date posted:Apr 18, 2006
|
|
|
Helping people to eat isn’t just a matter of
sending surplus food from the United States to
other countries. Rather, it is working with the
indigenous people to develop their technology and
skill to grow their own food. When Africa
University teaches agriculture, it helps Africa
to feed itself.
Date posted:Apr 17, 2006
|
|
|
One leader of a children's mission club called
and asked to bring a group of elementary
youngsters to work at the Mission Response
Center. I explained that wouldn't be possible
because of our age limit restrictions. She agreed
to bring the youngsters for a tour instead.
Date posted:Apr 17, 2006
|
|
|
In 2005, more than 135,000 United Methodist
Volunteers in Mission (UMVIMs) served in 70
countries and in 48 U.S. states, making it the
busiest year ever for short-term mission
volunteers.
Kathleen Enzminger, a directors of the General
Board of Global Ministries reported the explosive
growth of mission volunteers at a semi-annual
board meeting held in Stamford, Connecticut in
early April.
Date posted:Apr 17, 2006
|
|
|
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a familiar
parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred
sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the
ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the
one that is lost until he finds it? When he has
found it, he lays it on his shoulders and
rejoices.”
Date posted:Apr 16, 2006
|
|
|
Easter celebrates God’s steady, undying love for
the world and its people as revealed in Jesus
Christ. “For God so loved the world….” (John 3:16)
Date posted:Apr 15, 2006
|
|
|
When I look at the recollection of the events
around the resurrection of Jesus in Mark 16, I am
aware all evidence says that the gospel
originally ended with verse 8. The remaining
verses were someone’s effort to add important
stories from the other gospels and a few
questionable views from elsewhere to “complete” a
gospel that some, at least, felt was too open
ended.
Date posted:Apr 15, 2006
|
|
|
Imagine being displaced from your country because
of war and hostilities that have ravaged your
homeland for 15 years. Imagine returning to what
you remember as “home” and finding nothing.
Date posted:Apr 15, 2006
|
|
|
Being a missionary surgeon is difficult. You’re
not practicing your profession for yourself, but
you reflect somebody else. If I have a private
practice, my motivation is to do a really good
job so patients will refer more patients and I
will earn more money and maybe become rich and
famous. Being a missionary doctor means if I do
something wrong, that reflects on my God. If I do
something good, that, too, reflects on my God. So
that is much harder!
Date posted:Apr 15, 2006
|
|
|
A man died 2000 years ago on a wooden cross. He
was condemned as a criminal but to this day
millions honor the man crucified and cherish the
crucifixion. ... Every Good Friday and throughout
the year, thousands of followers of Christ
retrace the path through which he carried his
cross.
Date posted:Apr 14, 2006
|
|
|
Some Easter thoughts from Janet Lahr Lewis,
United Methodist Missionary in Palestine.
Date posted:Apr 14, 2006
|
|
|
Maundy Thursday. A day of serious reflection and
prayer. Perhaps silence for some. Perhaps you
will ponder about the conversation that took
place at the Last Supper, about friendship,
betrayal and farewell. For a different view,
let’s the ‘breaking of bread’ in communities
around the world.
Date posted:Apr 13, 2006
|
|
|
Recently I saw a T-shirt that featured a picture
of a manger scene drawn childishly on the front.
Beneath the picture were the words: “Every child
needs a stable environment.” That is such a true
statement!
Date posted:Apr 13, 2006
|
|
|
“How do I not take the credit and let God take
the credit?” Missionary Lenita Tiong wonders,
referring to Methodist Church growth in Cambodia.
Date posted:Apr 13, 2006
|
|
|
HIV/AIDS is devastating families and communities
in Zimbabwe. We have many orphans. We don’t know
how to stop HIV/AIDS, how to cure it. All we can
do is warn children and try to keep them focused
on positive goals because they are exposed to so
much in their environment.
Date posted:Apr 12, 2006
|
|
|
United Methodist Women and United Methodist Women's Division
staff joined tens of thousands in New York City and Washington on
April 10 to voice concerns over the potential criminalization of
undocumented immigrants and to call for comprehensive
immigration reform, including paths to legalization and citizenship.
Date posted:Apr 12, 2006
|
|
|
In Isaiah 43: 19, we are told, “I am about to do a
new thing: now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.” There is no doubt that
God is doing a new thing in the Women’s Division
and United Methodist Women. The Holy Spirit has
brought many new surprises, and frankly, the
whirlwind of excitement, activity and challenge
has been at times breathtaking, which is another
way of saying both exhilarating and challenging...
Date posted:Apr 12, 2006
|
|
|
The milestone decision granting full clergy
rights to women in The United Methodist Church
will be celebrated in annual (regional)
conference sessions this spring and summer.
Date posted:Apr 12, 2006
|
|
|
A jurisdictional event to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of clergywomen receiving full rights
has mushroomed into a conference with a national
scope.
Columbia (S.C.) College will sponsor "Jubilee
Voices," a three-day conference open to all women
in ministry and students preparing for ministry
in the United Methodist connection. The event
will be May 11-13.
Date posted:Apr 12, 2006
|
|
|
How did we end up spending more than 30 years in
Africa? We both studied history at Yale in
the ’70s and traveled to what now is the
Democratic Republic of Congo to research for our
doctoral dissertations. When we finished—before
we “settled down”—we wanted to give back to the
people who helped us with our education, so we
asked the General Board of Global Ministries if
we could return to Africa as missionaries. Our
first assignment was at the University of
Lubumbashi
Date posted:Apr 11, 2006
|
|
|
The UMCOR Hotline, April 11, 2006
In Today's Hotline:
Palestinian Authority: Hospital in Danger of
Closing Down
United States: UMCOR Grants Support Storm
Recovery
United States, Central America: $52 Million to
Hurricane Recovery
Niger: Children Bear the Brunt of Famine
United States: “Don’t Criminalize Immigration
Ministries”
Date posted:Apr 11, 2006
|
|
|
Directors of the General Board of Global
Ministries of The United Methodist Church last
week called for a denomination-wide conversation
on the education of seminarians and pastors for
mission leadership today and into the future.
Date posted:Apr 11, 2006
|
|
|
After the 16th-century bridge in Mostar was
destroyed by Croatians during the war in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the United Methodist Committee
on Relief oversaw construction of a temporary
footbridge to reconnect the two sides of the
devastated city.
Date posted:Apr 11, 2006
|
|
|
Doreen Boyd, GBGM missionary in the Caribbean,
shares her thoughts on the Palm Sunday story.
Date posted:Apr 10, 2006
|
|
|
For the first two years of his life, Wesley appeared to be a
normal, healthy child - smiling in baby pictures with his brother
and family.
By his third birthday, however, Wesley's childhood pictures
changed. The life in his eyes appeared lost. His smile was no
longer there. His mother could scream his name, and Wesley
would not respond.
Date posted:Apr 10, 2006
|
|
|
Finances, membership, and immigration were among several tough
issues addressed by the Women's Division board of directors this
March 30-April 3, 2006, in Stamford, Conn.
Date posted:Apr 10, 2006
|
|
|
Speaking of Faith “As a part of a pluralistic society, we are all
challenged to become part of the whole without sacrificing our
individuality.”
Date posted:Apr 10, 2006
|
|
|
Several years ago, my husband and I were
missionaries in Nigeria. I taught at a small
United Methodist seminary in Bombara, a remote
village. One Christmas we decided to visit family
and friends in Germany.
Date posted:Apr 10, 2006
|
|
|
Directors of the General Board of Global
Ministries, meeting April 3-6 in Stamford,
Connecticut, devoted considerable time to a
discussion of mission theology. The board’s
current theology of mission
statement “Partnership in God’s Mission” has
guided the general agency for the last 20 years.
Directors and staff of the General Board of
Global Ministries have begun to consider how to
update the statement to reflect the current
realities of doing God’s mission in the world.
Date posted:Apr 07, 2006
|
|
|
UMCOR Directors Approve Four New International Development Programs
NEW YORK, NY, April 7— Earthquake resistant
housing for two villages is among the
humanitarian initiatives under way in the
Kashmir region that straddles the mountainous
borders of Pakistan and India. The board of
directors of United Methodist Committee on
Relief (UMCOR), meeting in Stamford, Conn.,
April 4, approved a $1.5 million grant to a
partner agency, International Blue Crescent
(IBC), to rebuild homes in two remote villages
Date posted:Apr 07, 2006
|
|
|
UMCOR Directors Approve $52 Million for Hurricane Recovery
STAMFORD, Conn., April 4—United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is fielding a robust
hurricane recovery program serving thousands of
families in the Gulf Coast of the United States
over the next three years.
Date posted:Apr 07, 2006
|
|
|
As the Senate considered a compromise on
immigration legislation, the United Methodist
Board of Global Ministries called upon Congress
to refrain from enacting harsh and intolerant
laws against undocumented workers.
Date posted:Apr 07, 2006
|
|
|
United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño has asked
Arizona lawmakers “to bring undocumented
immigrants out of the shadows” and begin treating
them fairly and justly in the variety of jobs
they have assumed for society.
Date posted:Apr 06, 2006
|
|
|
United Methodists need to have stronger
connections with independent Methodist churches
in Latin America and the Caribbean.
That’s the premise underlying a special committee
created by the 2004 United Methodist General
Conference to study the denomination’s
relationship with autonomous churches in the
region. Bishop Minerva Carcaño of Phoenix is the
committee chairperson.
Date posted:Apr 06, 2006
|
|
|
The roots of Methodism in the Latin
America/Caribbean region were planted more than
240 years ago in Antigua.
There, in the 1760s, a group of Afro-Caribbean
slaves developed the first Methodist congregation
outside of England and Ireland.
Date posted:Apr 06, 2006
|
|
|
The United Methodist Church needs at least 20 new
international missionaries over two years.
A recruitment effort—“The Next Missionary May be
YOU”—was launched here at the semi-annual meeting
of the directors of the General Board of Global
Ministries,
Date posted:Apr 05, 2006
|
|
|
The United Methodist Church commissioned 13 new
deaconesses and two home missioners on April 5 at
the semi-annual meeting of the General Board of
Global Ministries. These are categories of
lifetime lay mission service.
Date posted:Apr 05, 2006
|
|
|
Only a genuine passion for mission can assure a
strong future for The United Methodist Church,
according to the chief mission executive of the
denomination.
“Mission is the heartbeat of the Church,” the
Rev. R. Randy Day told directors of the General
Board of Global Ministries, meeting in their semi-
annual meeting in Stamford.
Date posted:Apr 05, 2006
|
|
|
The UMCOR Hotline, April 4, 2006
In Today's Hotline:
US: UMCOR Responds to Midwest Storms
Iran: Earthquake Recovery
UMCOR Sager Brown: Most Needed Supplies
Worldwide: World Health Day
Date posted:Apr 04, 2006
|
|
|
Young men from Oklahoma and Texas are the first
two United Methodist “home missioners.”
Timothy P. Bodenstein of Keiffer, OK, and Kevin
M. Nelson, who grew up in Sherman, TX, hold an
office for laymen comparable to that of deaconess
for laywomen. The denomination approved the home
missioner designation at its 2005 General
Conference.
Date posted:Apr 04, 2006
|
|
|
As a national debate on immigration legislation
continues, the Women's Division of the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries has decided
to make immigrant and refugee rights a priority.
Date posted:Apr 04, 2006
|
|
|
Addressing "a long-standing pattern of
overspending," directors of the Women's Division
of the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries, approved major changes for the 2007
budget.
Date posted:Apr 04, 2006
|
|
|
When Linda Phillips, a United Methodist and civil
engineering instructor at Michigan Tech
University (MTU), suggested giving her students a
hands-on forcredit experience in Bolivia, even
the university administrators were skeptical.
Would college students pay for the dubious
privilege of working hard for two weeks in the
tropical city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia?
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
|
|
Sonia and Dwight Strawn, GBGM missionaries in
Korea share a Lenten Message.
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
|
|
Easter is called “Paska” in Ukraine, the term
also used for the Jewish Passover. Jesus went to
the cross during Passover, an observance that
recalls the blood of the lambs that protected the
Israelites as the angel of death "passed-over"
their houses in Egypt. The Passover prepared the
way for the exodus in the time of Moses. We
Christians also use the image of the slain lamb
by whose blood we are saved, and in Easter we
celebrate the resurrection of Christ that brings
our freedom.
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
|
|
During the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:13) in
ancient Judaism, land reverted to its former
owners and slaves regained their freedom. Working
as a missionary in rural Tennessee, I’ve learned
to appreciate this centuries-old concept.
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
|
|
African-American United Methodists converged in
Dallas in a week of prayer, praise and preaching
that resembled an old fashioned revival.
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
|
|
Leaders of the autonomous Methodist Church of
Cuba and of the mission agency of The United
Methodist Church have signed a statement of
solidarity and cooperation that heals a short-
term breach in relationships.
Date posted:Apr 03, 2006
|
