How Capitalism Perpetuates Immigration

Powerful article on how are capitalism and immigration linked. Clearly for those of us who have been advocating for changes in immigration policy, we cannot overlook the reality of its causes: i.e., poverty, NAFTA, colonialism, etc. Read and share. How Capitalism Perpetuates Immigration

Ministry Matters™ | Preaching on Race: Theology Rather Than Anthropology

Follow this link to a powerful call from one of our Bishops to take the bull by the horn and start preaching about race, and other issues that matter to our society. PREACHING ON RACE: THEOLOGY RATHER THAN ANTHROPOLOGY is a great way to get the conversation going in church. Enjoy it! Ministry Matters™ | Preaching on Race: Theology Rather Than Anthropology

What draws people to church? Poll has insights

What draws people to church? Poll has insights – BWCUMC.org | Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church



Barna Poll Methodology

Barna’s Seeker Study used a national, random and representative sample of 406 young adults across the United States, drawn from an online panel. Individuals on the panel were screened to identify people who met the criteria of a seeker.



To be considered a seeker, a person must be: currently ages 18 to 34, not affiliated with The United Methodist Church, not an active churchgoer (infrequent church attendance) or not committed to a church (frequent church attendance).



The person also needed to answer “yes” to at least four of the following statements:

• Searching for meaning and purpose
• Something feels missing from your life
• Have emotional pain or frustration that you’d like to resolve
• A spiritual person
• Seeking something better spiritually in life
• On a quest for spiritual truth
• Want to have a difference with your life
• Have a passion for social justice
• Contribute to the common good of your community

Barna weighted the sample by gender and region to be nationally representative. Research took place Nov. 26-Dec. 7, 2015. The margin of error is 4.7 percentage points, and the survey has a 95 percent confidence level. Barna estimates the survey findings represents 20-25 million Americans, about one-tenth of the U.S. adult population.

To see complete study

Church: Can We Get Over Ourselves?

Great Article by Elaine Heath. I believe this is where the conversation on the future of the church needs to be. The article does not cover every detail and nuance but it is great for a conversation starter. So start the conversation, share your views. Church: Can We Get Over Ourselves?

Preaching As Though We Had Enemies by Stanley Hauerwas | Articles | First Things

I decided that I needed to share with you this powerful article by Stanley Hauerwas. In Church we were talking about our need as followers of Jesus to cause trouble in the world, as Hauerwas puts it: "...may we preach so truthfully that people will call us terrorists." Living out the faith in the subversive Jesus should leave a profound mark in the world we live. Enjoy it!

Preaching As Though We Had Enemies by Stanley Hauerwas | Articles | First Things

A wonderful meditation from one of the members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Frederick, MD. We have been doing the study written by Mike Slaughter: "Christmas Is Not Your birthday."

Enjoy it!!

Dear Prayer Warriors

Thank you for all your prayers for our church.  The atmosphere at Trinity has been building  in intensity from an exciting autumn with a successful stewardship drive and a fabulous Operation Christmas  Child  to The fourth week of Advent.  This week culminates in the birth of Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer for all mankind. This is a time of jubilation for all Christians.  However, we all know there is a secular, cultural side of Christmas which sometimes threatens to overwhelm
the religious celebration.

Our author Slaughter reminds us that Christmas is not our birthday.  It is Jesus' birthday.  Thus His wishes should be a Christian's concern.  And Christ made His wishes known in Scripture:

"In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."   Matthew 5: 16

Or  "And the crowds asked him, 'What shall we do?' "And He answered them, 'Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none and whoever has food is to do likewise.' " Luke 3: 10-11

God gave us the greatest gift--Jesus, who came to redeem us.  Then Jesus taught us how to live in His way.  That is, we are to do His work on earth before we take the place He saved for us in Heaven.  That is the gift He asked of us, for His birthday and all days.  Let your Advent celebration include Christ's gift--  help for those in need.

Prayer-- Dear Lord, we praise you and rejoice in your sending Your greatest gift of all: Your Son.  In addition we thank you for providing abundance in our lives.  In our joy of celebrating Our Redeemer's birth, let us remember your wishes for us.  Help us to love you by loving the least of these in tangible ways this Christmas.  Please bless the poor, the oppressed, and the sick at this time.  Give our world leaders wisdom in their decisions;  let them benefit the world.  In Jesus' name we pray.

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.  Expect unexpected things above all that we ask or think."      Andrew Murray

"He has told you, O Mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."      Micah 6: 8

Teaching the Truth About America's History: Only the Truth Can Make Us Free | Marian Wright Edelman

Powerful article on the importance of teaching a history that is going to bring truthful information to our children and to our people. Do not let those who want only to focus on the positive, and triumphalistic aspects of our history to high-jack our right to know and understand the truth about OUR history. As you know history is a complex compilation of our past experiences and the drama of the lives that lived through it. Read and share.

Teaching the Truth About America's History: Only the Truth Can Make Us Free | Marian Wright Edelman