United Methodist nuns blend spiritual traditions
One day in February, 2006, two United Methodist laywomen climbed aboard a bus in Portland, Oregon, headed south. They traveled by bus and train, quietly singing Psalms and reading aloud from a book on monastic life. After two weeks on the road, Beth Blodgett and Prairie Cutting climbed off a bus on the Caribbean coast of Central America, determined to start a new spiritual community in a remote corner of Honduras. Almost two decades later, they are still there. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
Wedding ban gone, church honors 3 gay couples
On June 8, Edgehill UMC will host a wedding vow renewal service. Three couples from three different generations — including Rev. Deen Thompson and lay leader Lindsey Dye — will participate in this meaningful celebration. Held during Pride Month and one year after The United Methodist Church officially became fully inclusive, this service marks a significant moment of healing and joy for these couples. Heather Hahn reports with photos by Mike DuBose.
Coffee fuels a future for former inmates
While many believe avoiding former prisoners is prudent, the Rev. Dustin Mailman seeks them out and hires them. His Deep Time ministry recruits former prisoners to roast coffee and run the small business marketing and selling. The latest addition is a coffee shop located in the church, and he has other plans, too. Jim Patterson reports.
Katrina: 20 years later
This year, a team from UM News returned to some of the areas hit the hardest by Hurricane Katrina to talk with church leaders and members who recall the devastation and the power of the United Methodist connection. Through photos, videos, interviews and podcasts, see how the people of The United Methodist Church have brought and sustained hope out of an unthinkable tragedy.
Supporting migrant workers in Hong Kong
A United Methodist pastor from the Philippines and a deaconess from the U.S. work to empower migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. The migrants are mostly women who often face difficult challenges in both their workplace and their relationship to families back home. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
