Thanks for the article by Dan Dick (Dec 14, Reporter). I find his explanation of the principles behind the leadership initiatives pushed by our leadership in the UMC helpful because it explains the contradictory approaches that have been packed into a universal approach mandated in an effort to help us. It helps me understand why it feels so frustrating at the local church level. The Vital Congregations initiative lost its way when in the Call to Action write up the indicators of vitality magically became the drivers of vitality. Staring at [...]
Read More...Wrap It Up! Books on faith still gladden hearts at Christmas
December 7, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Sam Hodges, Managing Editor and Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer… Getting pleasantly lost in a bookstore isn’t easy to do anymore. Bookstores have continued to close as readers and publishers embrace online book sales, digital books and e-readers. The recent announcement by the United Methodist Publishing House that all Cokesbury stores will be shuttered by spring is screamingly emphatic evidence of the trend. But, hey, it’s Christmas, and while the book business is changing, plenty of United Methodists and others will still be hoping to get books as a gift, [...]
Read More...Churches aid storm relief effort
November 16, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
Staff Reports… United Methodists in New Jersey and New York are mobilizing to help residents in those areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. On Staten Island, Bethel United Methodist Church is serving as a staging area for relief efforts. Ten United Methodist congregations on Staten Island and their buildings all weathered the storm. “That’s a good thing,” said Joseph Ewoodzie, disaster relief coordinator for the New York Conference. “It takes focus off the church and into the community.” At Bethel UMC, he added, “the church has opened up its facilities, so [...]
Read More...Amy Valdez Barker to be executive secretary of Connectional Table
November 5, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
The UMC’s Connectional Table (CT) has announced the hiring of the Rev. Amy Valdez Barker as executive secretary, effective Jan. 1. She will provide administrative leadership for the CT as it coordinates the mission, ministries and resources of the denomination. “Amy’s experience as a leader in The United Methodist Church, along with her vision and passion for Christ expressed through our Wesleyan tradition and her administrative skills are just what the Connectional Table needs to assist us as we move forward,” said Bishop Bruce Ough, CT Chairperson. “We are thrilled that she [...]
Read More...Kan., Nebraska staffers win top UMAC honors
November 2, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
Staff Reports… Lisa Diehl and Kathryn Witte together won “communicator of the year” honors at the recent United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC) annual meeting. Ms. Diehl handles communications for the Kansas Area and Ms. Witte does the same for the Nebraska Conference. They shared in the task of explaining the planned merger of the Kansas East, Kansas West and Nebraska Conferences into the Great Plains Conference. The conferences approved the merger in separate votes. It takes effect in 2014. The Rev. Al Horton, former longtime director of communications for [...]
Read More...‘So cool’ when generations connect in UMC
August 2, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
Yes, we need young people to keep the UMC strong. I have witnessed a great presence of growth. I observed generations working together to run VBS last week. In Phoenix there is a move to bring forward a comfort zone for young adults. Some young adults have Bible study at coffee shops. Our young adults need a way to connect with each other. Better yet, it is so cool when they connect with many generations of UMC. It keeps the UMC young and alive. Cindy McFadden Shepherd of the Valley UMC Phoenix
Read More...Election Time: Three jurisdictions will choose bishops
July 13, 2012 Posted by 1 Comment
By J. Richard Peck, United Methodist News Service… The attention of the denomination will be focused beginning July 18 on the jurisdictional conferences, where 11 new U.S. bishops are expected to be elected in three jurisdictions. Like General Conference, the worldwide legislative gathering that met April 24 to May 4 in Tampa, Fla., jurisdictional conferences meet once every four years. Half the delegates will be lay people, and half will be clergy. The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, stipulates that each annual conference is entitled to send twice [...]
Read More...Constructive dialogue won’t happen by accident
June 20, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
As I read the evaluations, opinions, and comments upon General Conference 2012 by various UM bishops I am reminded of the importance of charity, humility, and attitude for constructive dialogue. The Rev. Charles Brockwell Fourth Avenue UMC Louisville, KY
Read More...We need easier access to Social Principles
May 25, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
I would like to respond to a comment in the article “Do we understand how the church works?” in the May 4 issue of the Reporter. In it the Rev. William B. Lawrence of Perkins School of Theology says, “Very few [UM] clergy find ways to teach the existence of the Social Principles, let alone what they say.” Prior to the 2008 General Conference, I annually ordered the inexpensive Social Principles booklets and placed them as bulletin inserts on Peace with Justice Sunday. (I asked persons who did not need a [...]
Read More...Q&A: Mostly, spiritual life isn’t spent in ecstasy
May 18, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
People often ask Duke Divinity Professor Lauren F. Winner how she can be so self-revealing in her books, which have chronicled the ups and downs of her faith life. But [...]
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