NEWSpirit Blog
The NEWSpirit Blog shares diverse, connectional viewpoints from conference, district and local church leaders, serving as a companion blog to the NEWSpirit Weekly Digest and NEWSpirit quarterly newspaper.
From Pulpit & Pew
From Pulpit & Pew is an experimental blog through which we hope to attract and share interesting news and views from clergy and laity about key concerns in congregational and community life.
Celebrating Clergywomen during Women’s History Month, Part 3
The Rev. Julia Singleton
For Women’s History Month, the Rev. Julia Singleton shared in her essay last week responding clergywomen’s memorable “Wow” moments of their ministries. In part three this week, she shares their answers to her third question, “We owe so much to those who came before us. What woman inspired you in… Read More
Celebrating Clergywomen during Women’s History Month, Part 2
The Rev. Julia Singleton
For Women’s History Month, the Rev. Julia Singleton shared in her essay last week responding clergywomen’s memorable “Wow” moments of their ministries. In part two this week, she shares their answers to her second question: “All clergy face challenges in ministry, but what challenges do you think female-identifying clergy specifically… Read More
Celebrating Clergywomen during Women’s History Month
By the Rev. Julia Singleton
Part 1: EPA, GNJ clergywomen witness to their ‘Wow’ moments in ministry During Women’s History Month in March, we typically commemorate women who have shaped the history of Methodism, beginning with Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley. Throughout the centuries, women have been vital to the denomination’s… Read More
The Lengthening of Our Days
Bishop John Schol
These days we are traveling through the season of Lent, the weeks from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday—40 days, excluding Sundays. While we may honor sacrifices during Lent, Sundays are considered mini-Easters and are not days to sacrifice, but to celebrate and enjoy. However, in my childhood, my mom made… Read More
Hearts and Ashes
By The Rev. Julia Singleton*
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from… Read More
You are what you read
The Rev. Julia Singleton
Those who know me know that I love to read. I may not always remember books in detail, but I absorb them. They become a part of me. As a pastor, I move a lot. During one of my moves my brother-in-law announced, “This is too many books, I’m not… Read More
And the dream lives on…
The Rev. Steven Morton
“At the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.” (Numbers 8:25) Our revels now are ended. These our actors,As I foretold you, were all spirits, andAre melted into air, into thin air…We are such stuff as dreams are made on… In William Shakespeare’s… Read More
The Secret to Thankfulness
The Rev. Lloyd Speer*
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” —Philippians 4:11-12 As Thanksgiving approaches each year, it can be hard to feel thankful if we don’t have an abundance of positive things occurring in our life. Fortunately, all is not lost if that is where we… Read More
Leadership Matters: Be that candle
The Rev. Steven Morton
“One candle can light a thousand other candles and still remain lit itself. Be that candle.” —James Altucher The tale of the starfish is often told: A young girl was walking along a beach where hundreds of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to… Read More