Greetings, e-Readers!
As we were going to press last week, Fort Hood Army Post was
experiencing the worst mass shooting a U.S. military base has ever seen. So
this week, we kicked into gear to cover that story. I reached several United
Methodist clergy in Central Texas as well as some military chaplains to find
out what soldiers and their families need in the aftermath, and how the church is helping to support them.
Two of our commentaries this week are related to the Fort Hood shooting: The Rev. Skip Blancett, pastor of First UMC of Killeen, Texas, tells how we can cope with tragedy, and Dr. Robert Hunt of Perkins School of Theology at SMU cautions against an "us-versus-them" attitude and reminds us that we are people of forgiveness. (In other commentaries, Bishop Woodie White reflects on the power of love and Shannon Vowell takes on culture-chasing churches.)
I spent last week covering the Council of Bishops meeting at Lake Junaluska and have the details about the Call to Action they are issuing to try to overhaul the denomination. Start reading now, because it's a tall order!
Thanksgiving Day is almost here, so Mary Jacobs takes a look at gratitude. Turns out there are concrete benefits to following that biblical mandate to give thanks in all circumstances. That's so God.
Plus, how one UM church is partnering with the New York Yankees to feed the hungry right there in the ballpark's neighborhood, and our regular features, such as History of Hymns.
Enjoy!
Two of our commentaries this week are related to the Fort Hood shooting: The Rev. Skip Blancett, pastor of First UMC of Killeen, Texas, tells how we can cope with tragedy, and Dr. Robert Hunt of Perkins School of Theology at SMU cautions against an "us-versus-them" attitude and reminds us that we are people of forgiveness. (In other commentaries, Bishop Woodie White reflects on the power of love and Shannon Vowell takes on culture-chasing churches.)
I spent last week covering the Council of Bishops meeting at Lake Junaluska and have the details about the Call to Action they are issuing to try to overhaul the denomination. Start reading now, because it's a tall order!
Thanksgiving Day is almost here, so Mary Jacobs takes a look at gratitude. Turns out there are concrete benefits to following that biblical mandate to give thanks in all circumstances. That's so God.
Plus, how one UM church is partnering with the New York Yankees to feed the hungry right there in the ballpark's neighborhood, and our regular features, such as History of Hymns.
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Robin Russell, Managing Editor
Robin Russell, Managing Editor
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