What is distinctive about the United Methodist Church? What is United Methodist identity? In other words, what makes United Methodists United Methodists? This is the question our Confirmation class pondered the last couple weeks. How would you respond? (Or, for my non-UMC readers, how would you answer the question for your denomination or religion or …
Tag: United Methodist Church
Watch, read, and give for #WorldWaterDay
Today, March 22, is World Water Day. So what? Water changes everything: I first learned of World Water Day two years ago. Some of what I wrote then still applies: I don’t know about you, but I generally don’t even notice just how available water is to me. Among the kitchen sink, the water dispenser in our …
Seeking hospitality
For me, striving to live the life of faith always comes down to “love God and love your neighbor.” That’s why I always say it in any parting blessing I offer. It is the essence of following God in the Way of Jesus (as I understand it based on scripture, tradition, reason, and experience). While …
A certain way to help Sandy survivors
I love UMCOR. It is without a doubt one of my favorite things about the United Methodist Church. While the election naturally grabbed most of our attention this week, recovery from the damage done by Hurricane Sandy continues. As always, UMCOR is there. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend relief and recovery to people in need …
Thanks, United Methodist Insight!
What's United Methodist Insight? Truth be told, I was unaware of the project before they contacted me this week. I certainly like the idea though: UM Insight "seeks to provide a broad range of information and perspectives for concerned United Methodists and decision-makers that will affect the future of The United Methodist Church." And I …
I’m in the United Methodist Church. We’re doing a Change the World project. I love Twitter. How could I not reblog this? Join the movement…
How can you get involved with #CtWTweets?
- Join our prayer team. We’re looking for people to pray for Change the World events for 48 hours on May 19 and 20. Sign up for our prayer calendar and our prayer team will send you information!
- Tweet about events you are participating in and share pictures, using hashtag #CtWTweets. Don’t have an event? Find one.
- Make a donation to Imagine No Malaria, an initiative of the United Methodist Church to provide education and mosquito nets to those who need them. No donation is too big or toosmall. Use this online form. Please designate your gift In Honor of CtWTweets. (This will help our team know how much was given in response to this effort)
- Tell your friends. Share a link to this page on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn or Pinterest. Or heck, share it on all of them!
Pray…
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“We will work with each other, we will work side by side”
"I'm praying for you." I must admit that far too often when I say those words to people experiencing pain, loss, grief, despair, they sound trite. Even though I mean it. Even though I'm actually praying for the person and the situation, I don't know how to say those words without sounding rote and insincere. …
Continue reading “We will work with each other, we will work side by side”
Our church welcomes Muslims
I was interviewed recently for an article in Interpreter Magazine, a product of the United Methodist Church. It's the cover article for Sept/Oct and the online version just dropped. Woodridge UMC is one of three churches discussed in the article who are opening their doors to Muslim groups, including for them to worship. Here's a …
Be an advocate. Please.
Summer is winding down, school begins soon for many and the weather is (finally!) outstanding, beautiful and inspiring. If you’re like me, that means your tolerance for reading some long missive from me is basically nil. Yet, the call to incarnate the love of God as experienced in the birth, life, death and resurrection of …
Guest blogger: Pastor Jim responds to Ministry With
A few weeks ago I wrote about the new UMC resource, Ministry With* the Poor I hope you’ve checked that out by now and at least watched the introductory video. If not, I encourage you to do so now. One of the fascinating things about Ministry With* the Poor is the collaborative effort bringing it …
Continue reading Guest blogger: Pastor Jim responds to Ministry With
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 