Original Posting At http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LovingGodWithAllYourMind/~3/Zn8ZwsNj8cw/ This is a prayer I shared at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church on June 14, 2020 as we celebrated becoming a Reconciling Congregation in 2005.  O God of grace and God of glory, on Your people pour Your power. We need Your power to navigate these challenging times. Even when it is time to celebrate, we find it hard to find Your peace and joy. Lord, in Your love – HEAR OUR PRAYER. As we look to our biblical ancestors, O God I’m reminded of how You invited the Israelites into a covenant to be a ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/practicing-faith/the-doctrine-of-faq/ Neither the Bible nor Christian doctrine are lists of answers to “frequently asked questions” about human life, writes the Rev. Jason Valendy ..read more

Original Posting At https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtfulpastor/2020/06/15/difficult-dismantle-racism-human-nature/ We have no magic wand that says, “OK, we’re just going to dismantle racism and be done with it.” We need consistent, systemic change that affects both all levels of society and the most profound parts of our souls. Here’s a universal life maxim: the dominants of any society always set the rules. True from ..read more

Original Posting At https://josephyoo.com/2020/06/15/god-shows-up-sunday-liturgy/ Our bitterness will turn to joy because God always shows up. (we’ve also time stamped the liturgy for you ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-global-nature/global-christian-solidarity-with-the-george-floyd-protests/ Racism is global, but the particular combination of systemic racism and police violence that led to the George Floyd protests is a distinctively U. S. dysfunction. Why, then, have Christians and others around the world joined protests ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-world/advocating-justice/filipinos-speak-out-against-anti-terrorism-bill/ Filipino United Methodists join their fellow citizens in protesting an “anti-terrorism” bill that they say will only worsen human rights abuses in the Philippines ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-world/advocating-justice/marcha-calls-the-global-church-to-eradicate-racism_1/ The unofficial caucus for Hispanic and Latino issues in The United Methodist Church urges continuous marches and demonstrations to pressure governments to do away with systemic racism ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-world/advocating-justice/with-great-privilege-comes-great-responsibility/ As an “honorary white male,” the Rev. Jack Shitama, a Japanese American, believes he must not remain silent in the face of the power and authority that reinforces privilege ..read more

Original Posting At https://um-insight.net/in-the-world/advocating-justice/wesleyan-theology-racism-and-intentionality-why-ignorance-is/ Racism is so much more than individual, intentional acts; it’s also systemic.  It’s built into the ways we operate as a society and a culture, but Dr. Josh Fitzpatrick believes the Wesleyan idea of prevenient grace can help ..read more

Original Posting At http://www.umglobal.org/2020/06/recommended-readings-european-umc.html The wave of new coronavirus cases has passed its peak in almost all European countries. While concerns about the virus remain high, and while life is very different in many ways from what it was pre-pandemic, some European Methodist Churches are taking tentative steps towards reopening. It is clear, however, that worship services will be different after reopening than they were before. For instance, UMC leaders in Austria and Hungary have given guidelines about social distancing, wearing masks, and clea ..read more