April 05, 2013

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"(Lighting for Literacy) is about helping other people. It's not just helping your neighbor but (also) people in other parts of the world that I will likely never meet. I think that's doing God's work." - Doug McNeil, a Rotarian and one of two United Methodists who will be among those honored at the White House as "Champions of Change."

White House honors youth solar ministry

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Two United Methodists have taken an idea for bringing light to people in darkness from their church altar to the White House in less than a year. Doug McNeil and Jesse Salem, members of Los Gatos (Calif.) United Methodist Church, are being honored today, April 5, for starting Lighting for Literacy - a partnership between the church and Los Gatos Los Morning Rotary. Read story and post a comment

United Methodists plan Sand Creek project

DENVER (UMNS) - As the massacre's 150th anniversary approaches, the denomination wants to set the record straight on Methodist involvement and work on healing. Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., is doing its own investigation into the massacre that claimed the lives of at least 165 Native Americans, most women, children and the elderly.Read story and post a comment

Native American youth to benefit from camp

NORTHPORT, Mich. (UMNS) - Brandon Ahmicasaube Smith is creating Spirit Journey, a Bible youth camp that embraces Native American culture. He took inspiration from camp meetings and clergy grandfathers. Kay DeMoss of the West Michigan Annual (regional) Conference shares Smith's journey. Native American Ministries Sunday is April 14. Read storyLearn more about Native American Ministries Sunday

Pastor elected mayor of Kansas City, Kan.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (UMNS) - The Rev. Mark Holland, a United Methodist pastor, has been elected mayor of the unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City. He is the pastor of Trinity Community Church, a United Methodist congregation. He garnered 56 percent of the vote, the Kansas City Star reported.Read story

Starting over - again - after double disasters

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (UMNS) - By the time Tim and Kim Gill recovered from Hurricane Irene, they had only eight months of disaster-free living before Hurricane Sandy barged through their door. The members of Community United Methodist Church discuss how their church family, with support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is helping them to recover. Susan Kim of UMCOR shares their story.Read story

World Council of Churches welcomes Arms Trade Treaty

GENEVA (UMNS) - The world's first Arms Trade Treaty, approved by the United Nations on April 2, is "a milestone in efforts to bring commerce in deadly weapons under much-needed controls," according to the general secretary of the World Council of Churches.Read news release

North Korean Christians ask for prayers

SANTA ANA, Calif. (UMNS) - North Korean church leaders are asking Christians worldwide to pray for their country amid increased war threats and combat preparation by North Korean military officials. Prayer for the underground Christians in North Korea is more important than ever, says Open Doors, an organization that supports persecuted Christians in 60 countries.Read news release

Two new staff join Church and Society

WASHINGTON, (UMNS) - The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination's social advocacy agency, has hired Kristin Kumpf of Chicago as director of organizing, and Terry Wiggin of Southbridge, Mass., as chief financial officer. Wiggin already is at work in the agency's Washington offices, and Kumpf is expected to begin her duties by May 1.Read more on KumpfRead more on Wiggin

United Methodist Communications promotes two

NASHVILLE,Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodist Communications, the denomination's communications agency, has named Sherri Thiel as chief operating officer and Helen Allen as executive director of human resources. Both serve on the agency's core leadership team.