“It was mentioned several times that in 2025 (in addition to the 1,700th anniversary celebration of Nicaea, which will be in Turkey), the Julian and Gregorian calendars have Easter on the same day — April 20th.” — United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops, on a recent meeting she had with Orthodox Christians as part of the World Council of Churches.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
The calendar controversies behind Easter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Christians historically have disagreed on when to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Even now, Western and Eastern Christians, including some United Methodists, use different calendars for their faith’s most important holy day. But efforts continue to get everyone on the same page, especially with the 1,700th anniversary of an important milestone in global Christianity coming up next year. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Ask The UMC
Get to know pioneering Methodist Anna Oliver
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Methodism founder John Wesley authorized several women to preach during his lifetime. In late 19th-century American Methodism, however, few women served as preachers and even fewer were ordained as clergy. Anna Oliver was the first woman among the Methodists to graduate from seminary and press the matter of ordination and full clergy rights for women. Vicki Wallace shares the story of this pioneering Methodist.
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Michigan Conference
New center offers privacy to vulnerable families
DETROIT — A former Roman Catholic convent has been remodeled into the Fox Family Center, which can accommodate single-parent families in separate bedrooms. The transitional housing center is on the campus of Cass Community Social Services, a ministry founded by United Methodists and connected to Cass Community United Methodist Church. Residents at the facility will have access to other services that Cass offers, including mental health counseling, a free medical clinic, food services and career resources. Faith Green Timmons has the story.
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East Ohio Conference
Church caters egg hunts to kids with special needs
HURON, Ohio — Huron United Methodist Church offered four Easter egg hunts on Palm Sunday for children with special needs. The annual event drew only three or four children when it started a few years ago, but this year about two dozen took part. There were separate hunts for children who can’t process loud noises; children with wheelchairs or mobility restrictions; children who need extra time or assistance; and blind or visually impaired children. Brett Hetherington has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
Jerusalem church leaders offer Easter message
JERUSALEM — In their Easter message, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued a renewed plea for the distribution of humanitarian aid, the release of all captives and an immediate end to violence in the Holy Land. The church leaders confirmed Christ’s triumph over sin and death.
Read press release
Read message
United Methodist bishops call for ceasefire
United Methodist Publishing House
Leadership lessons from Bishop Nhiwatiwa
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa is the author of a new book from the United Methodist Publishing House’s Abingdon Press. In “By the Grace of God: My Life as an African Bishop,” Nhiwatiwa tells of his upbringing in a small Zimbabwean village, his move to the U.S. for education and the leadership lessons he’s he’s learned as a bishop in Zimbabwe since 2004.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Social media graphics for Holy Week, Easter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The above Easter graphic can be downloaded and shared on social media. It’s available in English, French, Korean and Spanish. There also is a shareable graphic for Good Friday. UM News wishes you a blessed Easter.
Download Good Friday and Easter graphics
United Methodist Communications
‘The Recap’ celebrates United Methodist Building centennial
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new episode of “The Recap” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the United Methodist Building in Washington, shares how Methodists in Mexico are serving migrants, and United Methodists in Africa are ministering to refugees and hungry families. “The Recap” is a video series that helps United Methodists gain a better understanding of what is going on in the denomination.
Watch video
EVENTS
Monday, April 8-Friday, April 12
Online course: Strengthening Worship on UnSundays
Monday, April 8-Friday, April 19
Online course: Leading Public Prayer for Lay Leaders
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Mississippi church services target racism
HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (UM News) — The scourge of racism persists, as does the urgency to defeat it at last, said participants in the second of five events this year in the Magnolia State as part of the Mississippi Conference’s End Racism for Good campaign. A panel discussion on the topic “Can Racism End in Society?” was the lengthiest program on the agenda, which also included a passionate sermon and music by the Rust College A’Cappella Choir. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Birmingham-Southern College to close
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UM News) — Birmingham-Southern College, founded by Methodists and with longstanding ties to The United Methodist Church, will close May 31 after years of financial struggle. North Alabama Conference Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett described herself and many others as “heartbroken” and noted that the college has produced many United Methodist clergy. Sam Hodges reports.
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Women’s agency leader optimistic about future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Sally Vonner, top executive of United Women in Faith, said the agency is prepared to help lead the church into the future despite the denomination’s current uncertainty. Vonner sat down with UM News to discuss the origins of the women’s agency; its continued role in equipping leaders and advocating for equality; and her vision for the agency’s ministry going forward.
Watch videos
United Methodists in Nigeria mark 100 years of mission
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — Church members in Nigeria celebrated 100 years of Methodism in the country with a street rally, worship services and outreach, including free medical care in each of Nigeria’s four annual conferences. During the festivities, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna remembered the early missionaries and the sacrifices they made and also gave thanks for partners throughout the connection. Ezekiel Ibrahim has the story.
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Ask The UMC
Three ways to avoid anti-Judaism during Holy Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For Jewish people, the Christian Holy Week has often been a time of persecution and violence. Christian liturgies and interpretations of Scripture have wrongly portrayed the Jewish people as villains responsible for Jesus’ death, writes Ask The UMC’s the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards. He suggests three actions United Methodists can take this Holy Week to reduce harm to our Jewish neighbors.
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Commentary: Say ‘no’ to disaffiliation petitions
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (UM News) — The Rev. Mark R. Holland urges General Conference delegates to oppose petitions that would create “uniform” exit paths for churches or conferences wanting to leave The United Methodist Church. Many churches left under the Book of Discipline’s Paragraph 2553, which has expired, and Holland argues that creating another “top-down” disaffiliation process would be a mistake. Holland leads the Mainstream UMC caucus.
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Commentary: Traditionalist leader speaks to criticism
THE WOODLANDS, Texas (UM News) — Traditionalist caucuses that encouraged churches to leave The United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church have faced criticism for their plans to advocate on legislation at the United Methodist General Conference, which begins April 23 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rev. Rob Renfroe is president of Good News, one of those caucuses. In a commentary, he says parts of The United Methodist Church have not had a fair chance to disaffiliate and need Good News’ support in Charlotte.
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Commentary: Central conferences already have exit paths
FREIENSTEIN, Switzerland (UM News) — Christine Schneider, a reserve delegate to General Conference from the Switzerland‐France‐North Africa Conference, writes that disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church is an option that has long existed in the central conferences — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. She responds to a recent commentary by the Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the traditionalist caucus Good News.
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General Conference Guide available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The new Guide to the Postponed 2020 General Conference is now available for download at umcgc.org. This UM News resource is packed with information on how General Conference works, its history and major legislative issues, along with background on The United Methodist Church. For those attending the April 23-May 3 event, the guide also includes information on the host city, Charlotte, North Carolina, and the convention center. It is available in English, French and Portuguese.
Download guide
Visit General Conference site
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