sam hodges

Two clergy hit the highway to save lives

May 13, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

The Rev. Charles Maynard crossed four counties in his 100-mile walk. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIRST UMC MARYVILLE

The goal of beating malaria in Africa put two United Methodist clergymen on the road in hilly East Tennessee. And they weren’t riding in automobiles, either. The Rev. Charles Maynard walked 100 miles from April 21-25 in the Holston Conference’s Maryville District, visiting 17 United Methodist churches to promote Holston’s ambitious goal for assisting the UMC’s Imagine No Malaria campaign. As he walked, the Rev. Randy Pasqua pedaled, covering 130 miles by road bike over two days, and visiting 19 churches with the same message. Mr. Pasqua described his journey [...]

Filed Under: Features, Home Center Position 2 Tagged With: Charles Maynard, Imagine No Malaria, Randy Pasqua, sam hodges

Bishop’s book draws on faith, leadership theory, martial arts

May 2, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor 1 Comment

Greater Northwest Area Bishop Grant Hagiya earned a third-degree black belt in karate, as well as a master of divinity and a doctorate in organizational leadership. His new book Spiritual Kaizen: How to Become a Better Church Leader (Abingdon Press) draws on this varied background. Bishop Hagiya answered questions by email from managing editor Sam Hodges. Here’s an edited version of the exchange. Can you sum up, in a sentence each, how your faith, leadership training and martial arts experience are guiding you as you serve the UMC in a [...]

Rabbi speaks again, thanks to Perkins School of Theology archivist

April 26, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor 1 Comment

The prophetic voice of a late Dallas rabbi, one who had close ties to Southern Methodist University, will be heard again, thanks to a curious archivist who wasn’t content just to file away some reel-to-reel tapes he found in a library storage room. SMU’s Perkins School of Theology will, on May 5, hold an event to mark the debut of the Rabbi Levi A. Olan Digital Collection. It contains more than 200 sermons that Rabbi Olan preached over Dallas radio. Perkins’ Bridwell Library is making both text and audio of [...]

Dream come true – Minnehaha UMC kept faith with affordable housing project

April 22, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

A resident showed off his apartment to visitors during the March 5 grand opening of Riverview. PHOTO COURTESY BEACON INTERFAITH HOUSING COLLABORATIVE

If anyone wants to know how long a major mission project can take, and how much satisfaction can be derived at the end, Wanda Driver is a good one to ask. She helped kick off Minnehaha United Methodist Church’s effort to do something big in affordable housing. She stood by beaming when the Riverview Apartments, providing 42 units for low-income seniors, finally had their dedication ceremony last month in south Minneapolis. “I’m 81 now,” Ms. Driver said by phone. “I was 69 when we started.” The project is a testimony [...]

Bishops to hold second straight private meeting

April 19, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor 1 Comment

When active United Methodist bishops gather in San Diego, May 5-8, that will be the second consecutive large gathering of bishops closed to the press and other visitors—a move that is prompting criticism within the UMC. The Council of Bishops, including retirees, met in private in November at St. Simons Island, Ga. In announcing that meeting would be closed, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany, president of the Council of Bishops, described it as mainly a spiritual retreat. She said it would be focused on preparing the bishops, including those newly [...]

Pastor on pre-Easter tragedy: ‘Evil is not the last word’

April 12, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

Mike McLelland joined Shirley Miller (l) and Ann McDonald in a breakout meeting during the First UMC Terrell church council planning retreat on Jan. 12. PHOTO COURTESY THE REV. KEITH HEAD

The Rev. Keith Head’s last Easter before retiring as a United Methodist pastor proved tragically memorable, as he had to address the slayings of a prominent couple in his congregation—a case that has made international news. Mike McLelland, district attorney of Kaufman County, Texas, and his wife Cynthia, were found shot to death in their home near Forney, Texas on March 30. The next day was Easter, and Mr. Head, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Terrell, Texas, faced what he called an “elephant in the sanctuary” situation. The [...]

UM innovation extends to Easter observances

March 29, 2013 Posted by Special Contributor 1 Comment

Baptisms are the centerpiece of the Easter sunrise service on the beach for Gulf Breeze United Methodist in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Shown here from Easter 2012 are Scott Veroneau (left), pastor of the church’s Soundside campus, and Joe Driver, pastor of its Fairpoint campus. PHOTO BY JACQUE GORRIS

By Sam Hodges, Managing Editor and Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer… Easter is all about transformation, but Easter observances tend to be conservative, sticking to familiar (if stirring) music, and the usual texts and formats. The exceptions are out there, though. They’re found in highly innovative congregations and in others where the weather seems a bit warm or cold to tackle this quintessential spring religious holiday in the usual way. Here’s a sampling: Easter Improv At The Crossing, a coffeehouse-style worshipping community and satellite of Wesley UMC in Russellville, Ark., the [...]

Q&A: UMPH head provides update on closings

March 15, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

The United Methodist Publishing House’s decision to close all 57 Cokesbury stores last fall made big news beyond Methodism. Some stores have closed already, and the rest will be shuttered by April 26. Reporter managing editor Sam Hodges asked Neil Alexander, UMPH president and publisher, for an update. Mr. Alexander answered questions by email. Were you surprised at the amount and nature of reaction to the announcement of the Cokesbury closings? We’ve heard from a broad range of folks—some asking questions for clarification, others expressing their regrets, a few with [...]

Filed Under: Features, Home Center Position 2, Q & A Tagged With: closings, cokesbury, neil alexander, sam hodges

UM clergywoman is a ‘first’ at National Cathedral

March 1, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor 4 Comments

The Rev. Gina Campbell, a UM elder, has won the praise of Episcopal colleagues at the Washington National Cathedral. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

The job of arranging a memorial service for the first man to walk on the moon fell, in large part, to the first United Methodist to serve as worship director for the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Gina Campbell worked behind the scenes to make sure that the Sept. 13, 2012 farewell for Neil Armstrong pleased his family, NASA officials and a packed house of high-profile guests. “With so many people involved,” said Ms. Campbell, “you use your best diplomatic skills.” The National Cathedral, with its soaring [...]

Q&A with Kent Millard

February 25, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

Under Brad Stevens, the Butler University men’s basketball team has built an amazing record, twice reaching the NCAA Finals in a field of much bigger schools. Coach Stevens and his wife Tracy are active members at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis, Ind. The Rev. Kent Millard, retired pastor at St. Luke’s, has co-written with Judith Cebola a new book from Abingdon Press called Lead Like Butler: Six Principles for Values-Based Leaders, which elaborates Mr. Stevens’ philosophy. Dr. Millard answered questions from UMR’s Sam Hodges, who edited the interview as follows. [...]