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Dear Friends, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  The gathering of friends and family, bounteous food to share around a table, and often helping serve and sit at tables with those without family or a safe place to be.  All of it somehow speaks to the heart. Black Friday?  Not my favorite.  I learned a number of years ago that while for some, it’s a festive tradition, I … [Read more...] about Gratitude on Black Friday

Dear friends, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mainstream UMC!  We are grateful to do the work of Unity in Christ for our United Methodist Church.  We pray for all those traveling and gathering.  We say a special prayer for those who are alone today.  We are grateful for faith, family, and our church communities.  Please join us in making a special Thanksgiving … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear friends, As we prepare for Thanksgiving, members of the Mainstream UMC Board invite you to give a gift of Gratitude for our work on behalf of our United Methodist Church. Today’s message is from Rev. David Livingston. Please support Mainstream UMC: www.MainstreamUMC.com/Donate The United States is currently divided into red and blue parties, red and blue states, and red and blue … [Read more...] about Gratitude for Purple

Dear friends, As we prepare for Thanksgiving, members of the Mainstream UMC Board invite you to give a gift of Gratitude for our work on behalf of our United Methodist Church.  Today’s message is from Tim Crouch. Please support Mainstream UMC: www.MainstreamUMC.com/Donate Jesus calls us to be one, as he and God are one.  (John 17:20-23)  This is the guiding scripture for … [Read more...] about Gratitude for Unity in Christ

Dear friends, As we prepare for Thanksgiving, members of the Mainstream UMC Board invite you to give a gift of Gratitude for our work on behalf of our United Methodist Church.  Today’s message is from Jay Brim. Please support Mainstream UMC: www.MainstreamUMC.com/Donate The United Methodist Church descends from the first new, Christian denomination established on the North American … [Read more...] about Gratitude for Holy Conferencing

Dear Friends, There have been very few disaffiliations in Africa for one reason:  Because Africa does not want them. That line really could be the end of this email…but if you are a regular…you know that is not likely.  The trio of far-right advocacy groups are coming to General Conference 2024 to try to further divide the United Methodist Church.  They have submitted … [Read more...] about 6 Fallacies about Africa Disaffiliations

Dear Friends and Delegates, Mainstream does not typically respond to statements made about us. We are making an exception in this case because the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD) has accused us of “blatantly, demonstrably misrepresent[ing]” history. They recently sent this accusation to General Conference delegates in a clear attempt to sway their votes. The IRD is a far-right … [Read more...] about IRD’s Disinformation Campaign

Dear Friends, This past week, I had the privilege of attending the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) Convocation in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It was an inspiring several days that reminded me of why I am doing this work.  Here at Mainstream UMC, we spend most of our time on strategy, advocacy, and accountability.  It is easy to get into a rhythm of doing and doing.  And … [Read more...] about Let’s Not Forget Why

Dear Friends, The Mainstream UMC Board voted unanimously this week to strongly advocate for an end to disaffiliations through paragraph 2553.  As you may know, ¶2553 expires December 31, 2023.  This is the paragraph that traditionalists wrote and adopted at General Conference 2019.  It was their so-called “gracious exit”, and it was intended for the “liberals” to leave, not … [Read more...] about 4 Reasons to End Disaffiliations

Dear Friends, The trio of far-right advocacy groups continues to divide Africa like it has the US church.  Tom Lambrecht of Good News just insulted the African Bishops saying they only want to stay in the UMC for the money.  He claims, “expectations of continuing financial largesse from the general church may be disappointed in the future, due to implementing the proposed 40 percent … [Read more...] about Math: GMC Has Abandoned Africa