United Methodist Portal
CD REVIEW: Camp’s worshipful tone stands out in new album
Thu, 2 Sep 2010 03:28:53 GMT
We Cry Out offers a mix of inspiring and modern music. Mallory McCall has more on this latest CD release from Jeremy Camp.
WESLEYAN WISDOM: Imitate Wesley: Use every medium for witnessing
Thu, 2 Sep 2010 03:28:39 GMT
Would John Wesley tweet and blog? Donald Haynes thinks so, and offers examples of Wesley’s progressive life and habits that today’s UM pastors should adopt.
Church agency hosts ethnic interns in D.C.
Thu, 2 Sep 2010 03:28:28 GMT
Individuals from five ethnic caucuses of the UMC are selected each year to participate in summer internships in Washington, D.C. Erin Edgemon of UMNS has more on these young adults and their passion for social justice.
Special-needs camps build hope, confidence
Thu, 2 Sep 2010 03:28:20 GMT
United Methodist special-needs camps focus on what campers can do—not what their medical condition dictates they cannot do. Barbara Dunlap-Berg of UMNS has the feature on these camps that help to build self-assurance and hope.
COMMENTARY: Are we changing lives or merely affiliations?
Wed, 1 Sep 2010 02:29:54 GMT
Bishop Robert Schnase shares why UM churches should focus more on changing lives than just adding numbers in membership.
EDITOR'S CORNER: Too bland for our own good?
Wed, 1 Sep 2010 02:29:47 GMT
“The University of Phoenix of religions”? Prompted by The Daily Show host Jon Stewart’s recent remarks, Robin Russell explores why this is the common perception of United Methodism.
Facebook users vote for favorites in UM Hymnal
Wed, 1 Sep 2010 02:29:43 GMT
What’s your favorite hymn? A recent poll of Facebook fans uncovered the top favorite hymns from the UM Hymnal. Ben Rhodes of UMNS has more on this story.
Checking off their list: Dallas-area center keeps kids stocked up on school supplies
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:18:33 GMT
The Wesley Rankin Center in Dallas helped lower-income families prepare for school with backpacks filled with school supplies in exchange for volunteer hours. Mallory McCall has the story.
Church sets training event on sexual ethics
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:18:26 GMT
A churchwide training on sexual ethics in January 2011 will address a problem that is often overlooked. Barbara Dunlap-Berg of UMNS has the story.
Staying on topic: Topical sermons are popular, but lectionary holds its own
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:26:47 GMT
In an independent study earlier this year, United Methodist churches that used topical preaching showed greater vitality than those using the lectionary. Mary Jacobs explores both styles of sermons and shows why neither should be discounted.
Church leaders urge countering fear on mosque
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:26:36 GMT
Demonstrations mount with the anniversary of 9/11 and the controversy of the Islamic center to be built near Ground Zero. Heather Hahn examines national reactions, including church leaders.
AGING WELL: Helping adult children cope with aging parents
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:26:20 GMT
Adults face added concerns in caring for their aging parents, yet many do not plan until the situation arises. Missy Buchanan shares how one church is helping prepare adult children for the task ahead.
WESLEYAN WISDOM: Recovering a sense of God’s presence
Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:55:58 GMT
In the busyness of daily life, are we losing a sense of God’s presence in solitude? Donald Haynes shares the changing culture of reverence and the value of silence.
No room on Sunday? Try Saturday school
Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:22:55 GMT
Sunday is no longer reserved just for church activities, so why not host Sunday school-type activities on other days of the week? Heather Hahn profiles the “Saturday School” held at one central Missouri church.
Christian Science Monitor
Israeli-Palestinian talks: no breakthroughs, but a way forward
The Israeli, Palestinian leaders agree to meet again in less than two weeks and to work on a ‘framework agreement for permanent status.’
Could Israeli-Palestinian talks bring peace?
Direct Middle East peace talks got under way today in Washington.
Race to the Top promises new era of standardized testing
US awards $330 million to two coalitions of states to develop standardized testing as part of its Race to the Top competition; tests to employ computers to measure students' skills.
Illegal immigrants: Which states have lost the most?
The number of illegal immigrants in the US has declined by about 1 million since the start of the recession. A new study looks at the trend state by state. Here are the top five.
Gangs vs. Chicago police: an open feud over blame for street violence
Gang representatives in Chicago held a press conference Thursday to explain why gangs cannot be held solely responsible for stopping street violence, which has escalated this summer.
Hurricane Earl bears down on Outer Banks, following well-worn path
Hurricane Earl is only the latest hurricane to put North Carolina in its path. The state has seen billions of dollars of damage since its founding.
Why Fox News has agreed to run an unflattering ad
Fox News has accepted an ad that takes on Fox’s parent company, News Corp. It could turn out to be a good public-relations move for the cable channel.
What are the real values behind buying local?
It may not always make sense to buy local. Consider what added value - or values - the local business offers, before making your decision.
Mariner Energy oil rig fire extinguished, no sign of oil spill in Gulf
An oil rig run belonging to Mariner Energy caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday. The Coast Guard has now refuted earlier reports of an oil sheen on the water.
Joe Arpaio: Why is Obama administration suing an outspoken Arizona sheriff?
The Justice Department said Thursday that Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona's Maricopa County is not cooperating in an investigation into whether his department has used racial profiling in sweeps to catch illegal immigrants.
Top 5 issues on the table for Israeli-Palestinian talks
These are the five most central issues that Israel and the Palestinian Authority need to address in the latest round of peace talks, which began Sept. 2.
Top Chef contestants compete to make astronaut meals
Sept. 1 episode of Bravo's reality show, 'Top Chef', featured a space-food challenge from NASA. The winner, Angelo Sosa, will have his short rib dish flown into orbit.
Google Chrome 6: What it is and how to get it
Google Chrome turns 2 today – and Google is celebrating with the release of Chrome 6.
Abbas agrees to fresh Israeli-Palestinian talks in Egypt, but has little support at home
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed today to meet again in two weeks. But Mr. Abbas has little support at home for the talks, even among allies.
In Somalia, foreign intervention won't resolve Al Shabab threat
The best hope for stability in Somalia may lie in African Union troops, but they can't take the offensive against the terrorist group Al Shabab.
Matt Leinart: Could the Cardinals and their quarterback part ways?
Matt Leinart is a former first-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals. However, the former Heisman Trophy winner and his coach reportedly don't see eye-to-eye.
As Iraq combat operations end, US forces try to cement gains
While Iraq combat operations are over, the 50,000 remaining US soldiers in Iraq are looking to cement their achievements by sending out small groups of advisers to help improve Iraqi Army performance.
Monitor breakfast with AFL-CIO President Trumka -- public pension cuts
When you hear about public employees who retire before 60 on full salaries, it's hard to work up sympathy for unions defending those pensions before state budget cutters. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka disagrees. What about CEO salaries, he asks?
Guns, drugs, and La Barbie: Why America is responsible for Mexican drug cartels
Drug lords like La Barbie threaten Mexico's security with American-bought firearms, and finance their violent empires with American drug money.
Congo rejects recommendation in UN report on genocide
Guest blogger Jason Stearns says that the Congolese government's rejection of recommendations made in a UN report on the possible genocide makes it less likely that crimes will be adequately addressed.
Top issue in Israeli-Palestinian talks: When will real negotiations begin?
Before Mideast peace talks Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the two sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that they have nothing to gain by waiting to tackle thorny issues.
Middle East peace talks: Why there's hope the bitter divide can be bridged
A university seminar involving Palestinian, Israeli, and American students showed us that even passionate disagreement can be surmounted with a universal language of democratic moderation and mutuality.
Proposal: Keep the value of the Bush tax cuts, but change who gets them
Instead of extending the $75 billion tax cut for the wealthy, who will hide it under a mattress, shift the tax cut to benefit low- and middle-income wage earners, who will spend it.
Oil rig explosion: Is oil leaking from Mariner Energy rig near Vermillion Bay?
Oil rig explosion reports are so far unclear about whether a Mariner Energy facility south of Vermillion Bay has caused an oil leak. The rig is in shallow water, and no injuries are confirmed.
Hurricane Earl path stretches from North Carolina to Boston Harbor
Hurricane Earl path prompts tropical-storm or hurricane warnings from North Carolina to Hull, Mass. Earl, packing 140 m.p.h. winds, is slated to brush Cape Hatteras overnight.
Tony Blair memoir: I'd do Iraq again, and I considered firing Gordon Brown
In his new memoir, former British prime minister Tony Blair shares misgiving about the Iraq war – and catalogs his extensive struggles with then-finance minister Gordon Brown.
Low mortgage rates go lower. Better days ahead for housing market?
Low mortgage rates fell still more this week – to the lowest level ever in four decades of tracking. Also, the number of pending home sales posted a rise for the month of July.
Ready for a break? Take a long weekend retreat.
Labor Day Weekend provides a great opportunity to recharge yourself and do some serious thinking. Here are tips on how to get the most benefit from the time.
Is Gotham City ready for two Batmans?
The Bruce Wayne Batman is coming back – but the Dick Grayson Batman is staying put.
Union leader Trumka's bleak view under a Republican-led House
Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president, predicts that Democrats will defy conventional wisdom and keep control of the Senate and House in November. But if Republicans take over even just the House, 'any chance of progress will be ended,' says the union leader.
Strikes in South Africa could have long-term economic consequences
In South Africa, 1.3 million striking public service workers refuse government offers, further disrupting schools and hospitals and posing long term economic problems.
Burger King goes private. More deals cooking?
Burger King buyout for $3.3 billion fuels speculation. Will more restaurants follow Burger King's lead?
US and Iran face off – at World Basketball Championships
The US and Iran set aside controversy over Iran’s nuclear program to play a World Basketball Championships match that featured NBA players including Hamed Haddadi of Iran.
Trade relations between Hoth and Mustafar? Lessons from fantasy worlds.
The law of comparative advantage shows the benefit of trade between regions with extremely different resources - and the costs of protectionism.
AFL-CIO president to Sarah Palin: Change or be linked with McCarthyism
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka charged that if Republican political star Sarah Palin is not more careful in her choice of words, the political movement she has helped to create will be linked with 1950s McCarthyism.
Hurricane Earl path: Power outages could vex Long Island, Cape Cod
Hurricane Earl path is expected to unleash wind gusts of 75 to 100 miles per hour. Utility crews are gearing up.
Back-to-school quiz: Which president was a school teacher?
Some presidents had been college lecturers, deans, or academy presidents. But only one was a school teacher of young children. Hint: Think Texas.
Oil rig explosion off Louisiana coast
Oil rig explosion was west of the site of the April explosion that caused the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil rig explosion was reported by a commercial helicopter flying over the area Thursday morning. All 13 people aboard the oil rig have been accounted for.
Why sin taxes don't work
Parliament might create a minimum price for alcohol in the UK. Like 'sin taxes' in any country, this plan has obvious benefits, but hidden costs.
Astronomers spot galaxy releasing gassy 'superwind'
A starburst galaxy some 80 million light-years away from earth is unleashing a powerful wind of gas, researchers say.