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3 weeks ago | 
julieroys.com | Jim Patterson |Julie Roys
Zeta is missing. She is the sister of Regina, who did turn up March 28 at First United Methodist Church of Austin for the weekly women-only spa day ministry at the church, called At the Well. Regina and other regulars were worried. “Regina … said (Zeta) didn’t come back to where they were staying last night,” said Judy Breckbill, a retired nurse who has volunteered with At the Well each Friday at the church since the program began in 2019.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
chapter16.org | Jim Patterson |Maria Browning
Carl Perkins is an unexpected choice of subject for the prolific musician biographer Jeff Apter, who lays out the life of the atypically modest rock star in Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly. Apter credits No One Here Gets Out Alive, the scandalous biography about supreme hedonist Jim Morrison of The Doors, as his first inspiration.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key Points: The life of a performer in small-time wrestling can be a world of loneliness, addiction and injuries. The Rev. Steven Barber, a United Methodist pastor in Alabama, shows up at wrestling events bearing bottled waters and a willingness to listen. He’s been accepted as an unofficial chaplain at five wrestling promotions, and he’d like to expand. It didn’t look good for Rolando Perez, a strutting rooster of a man with a small frame, big hair and a bad attitude.
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Nov 13, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key points: With Donald Trump’s election, United Methodists wonder what it means for them and the issues that divide the denomination. Immigration, LGBTQ rights, the environment and other issues are likely to be impacted by Trump’s return to power. Some church leaders are hoping middle ground can be found for people to connect despite differences. After a divisive election cleared the way for Donald Trump to return to the presidency, there were both tears and cheers from United Methodists.
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Nov 12, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key points: Members of the Connectional Table, most of whom are new, met Oct. 24-27 in Dallas for an orientation meant to help them plan for “a new future.” The leadership body coordinates the denomination’s ministries and resources. A major emphasis of the orientation was learning more about colonialism, connectionalism and regionalization.
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Oct 25, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key points: Change, including cuts, will continue as the leadership of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry work more closely, but no merger is planned. Both agencies are losing about 50% of the money they receive from apportionments — shares of church giving. Roland Fernandes was re-elected as the top executive of both agencies for the 2025-2028 quadrennium.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson |Kansas City
Key points: The biennial National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice took place Oct. 2-5. Participants heard from speakers and learned about the issues around mass incarceration. The top executive of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century shared how he is personally affected by the justice system. Missouri Conference leaders noted the execution of Marcellus Williams, a convicted murderer who was put to death on Sept. 24 in the state, while doubts about his guilt persisted.
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Oct 7, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key points: Haleign Baker and Wendy Noe crossed paths at the Dove Recovery House for Women — one as an addict and the other a leader. One of the major supporters of Dove House is St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Baker says she is on the mend after counseling at Dove House. Her T-shirt declares “My Life’s in Ruins.” Once, it was true. “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry,” says Haleign Baker, 22, with a rueful smile.
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Oct 2, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key Points: Hurricane Helene cut a path of destruction, leaving at least 179 people dead and ravaging homes and infrastructure across the southeastern U.S. In western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, United Methodist efforts were mostly limited to getting supplies to people, including some who were cut off because of roads being destroyed. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with all affected conferences as communities begin to assess their needs.
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Sep 24, 2024 | 
umnews.org | Jim Patterson
Key points The United Methodist Church does not tell its members how to vote, but it does enumerate the values members of the denomination could consider as they make their decisions. An election toolkit is available online as a guide, put together by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the Baltimore-Washington Conference and United Methodist Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
