United Methodist News

United Methodist leaders seek ways to help in Louisiana

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The shiny new neighborhood is flat, dusty and cramped. On the freshly scrapped ground are rows of white trailers stretched out in neat rows as far as the eye can see. (by Kathy L. GIlbert)

United Methodist leaders find faith in midst of devastation

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

On the way to St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Canal Street there is a new landmark in this historic city-a towering mountain of trash. New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin recently said the city has accumulated 7 million cubic feet of trash in the cleanup after Hurricane Katrina. Scattered among the trash heap are bits and pieces of many of the 79 United Methodist churches in the New Orleans district that were damaged by the storm. The Rev. Freddy C. Henderson, district superintendent, said no church was left untouched and many were destroyed. (by Kathy L. GIlbert)

Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church slowly recovering

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

When it came time for announcements at Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Charles Alfred stood up and asked for volunteers and two trucks to go pick up a piano and organ being donated to the church from a Jewish community in Monroe, La. (by Kathy L. Gilbert)

Fight against malaria needs everyone's attention, United Methodists say

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Bishop Joao Somane Machado sees children in Mozambique dying of malaria on a daily basis and he wants the world to pay attention. "This is not an African issue," said Machado, who leads the United Methodist Church in Mozambique. "It's not only for poor countries. It's global." (by Linda Bloom)

Opposing groups share similar experiences, bishops learn

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

They advocate vigorously for very different views on scriptural interpretation and, more specifically, the church's stance toward homosexuality. Yet members of the Confessing Movement and the Reconciling Ministries network share similar experiences that lead them to their perspectives, say three United Methodist bishops who attended gatherings of both groups this fall. (by Victoria Rebeck)

Indiana church raises Katrina funds by selling building on eBay

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

When members of the United Methodist Church in Redkey, Ind., decided to sell an old church building on eBay, they were looking for more than a quick profit. The $40,600 winning bid - which came Oct. 27 - will be used for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. (by Linda Bloom)

Church court reinstates pastor who denied membership to gay man

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

United Methodist ministers do have the power to decide who becomes a member of the local church, the denomination's top court has ruled, supporting a pastor who blocked an openly gay man from joining the congregation. (by Neill Caldwell)

Judicial Council reverses lower court, rules against Beth Stroud

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The United Methodist Judicial Council has reversed an appeals court ruling in the case of a lesbian pastor, restoring the original trial court ruling and verdict that had resulted in the minister losing her clergy credentials. (by Neill Caldwell)

Miami churches work on drying out, reaching out to community

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The Rev. Debbie McLeod has been busy visiting churches and communities in Miami, assessing damages and needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma. (by Tita Parham)

Vision Church plans appeal in property dispute case

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

A U.S. District Court judge has ruled against a United Methodist congregation and the Northern Illinois Annual Conference in their $10 million lawsuit against the Village of Long Grove. (by Linda S. Rhodes)

United Methodist relief agency to help FEMA with case management

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Eight weeks after Hurricane Katrina displaced more than a million Gulf Coast residents, United Methodist Committee on Relief officials said the agency will lead a consortium of providers in a two-year case management grant worth $66 million. The agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will benefit 300,000 people scattered by the winds throughout the 50 states. (by Linda Beher)

American University president resigns following investigation

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The president of United Methodist-related American University in Washington has resigned following an investigation of his personal and travel expenses. Benjamin Ladner, 63, president for the past 11 years, resigned Oct. 24 after an audit committee found that he and his wife allegedly spent more than $500,000 inappropriately in the past three years. (by Linda Green)

Debris removal teams needed in Florida

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church is responding to the needs of both coasts of South Florida impacted by Hurricane Wilma. The conference's Storm Recovery Center telephone volunteers are coordinating offers of help and distribution of donated supplies.

Shelter remains concern for earthquake victims

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Masood was alone in his house when the earthquake struck his small village in the Battagram district of Pakistan. He escaped the collapsing building, but at least 250 of the 1,200 people in his village died and perhaps as many as 350 were injured. (by Linda Bloom)

Pastors face unexpected challenges after storm

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

A team of volunteers arrived at the woman's house to remove a tree that had fallen on the structure during Hurricane Katrina. (by Woody Woodrick)

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