UM of the Year, in the Jan. 6 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

In 2011, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won re-election as president of Liberia and also was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She’s credited with bringing stability to her country, as well as with fighting corruption and emphasizing education. She grew up a Methodist, and remains a deeply committed Wesleyan Christian, staying active in her UM church in Monrovia despite the demands on her time. For all these reasons, she was an easy choice for the Reporter’s 2011 United Methodist of the Year. Staff writer Mary Jacobs has the story.
 
A new Pew study shows that Christians account for about one-third of the world population, as they did a century ago. But where they are has changed dramatically. Christianity – including the Methodist version – has become truly global, with particularly fast growth in sub-Saharan Africa. We look at the details of the study and draw on UM sources for analysis.
 
A tiny, dying Episcopal church found new life through its community garden, which over eight years has produced about 20 tons of organically-grown vegetables, much of it bound for local food pantries. Faith & Leadership reports.
 
A UM church in Tallahassee, Fl., has long had a small group devoted to the study of both science and theology. Alan Moreton is in the group, and he contributed a report on how it works.
 
In commentaries, special contributor Mark P. Smith takes issue with United Methodists who are supporting the Occupy movement. The Rev. James Howell offers a personal look at prayer, and argues that seminaries should offer more instruction on the subject. Donald Haynes’ “Wesleyan Wisdom” takes on the survey showing that the UMC is regarded more favorably by Americans than other large faith groups. He notes that folks may like us, but they’re not joining us.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, and a Religion News Service feature on renewed debate about the faith of Thomas Jefferson.
 
We welcome story tips and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

P.S. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to join in the conversation.

Comments

[gary bebop]

Mark P. Smith makes some strong points here. He is much more effective in arguing for a UMC rebalance of its priorities than Donald Haynes, who seems "affected" by inside-the-box institutionalism even while denying it. I'd like to see more of what Mark P. Smith has to say.