Faith Stories

Lindsey Dye pauses to wipe away Laura Smotherman’s tears as the couple renew their wedding vows during a service for three gay couples June 8 at Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Officiating is the Rev. Eric Mayle, Edgehill’s senior pastor. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Wedding ban gone, church honors 3 gay couples

Edgehill United Methodist Church held a vow-renewal service for three couples previously unable to wed in their church home under denominational restrictions that ended last year.

Faith Stories

“The Memory Garden” is the first in a series of Christian contemporary novels by Jessica Brodie, editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate and a member of Mount Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia, S.C. “United Methodism is woven into every element of this book,” Brodie says. Flower photograph by congerdesign, courtesy of Pixabay; book cover and portrait, courtesy of Jessica Brodie.

Author weaves United Methodism into novel

United Methodist Jessica Brodie takes inspiration from stories she shared as a writer and editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.

Church Leadership

‘Not-so-obvious introvert’ on church’s new vision

Words such as “boldly,” “joyfully” and “courageously” are rooted in an extroverted ideal, but pastor offers another way to view the vision statement.

Faith Stories

Susie and Ed Keefer pose with Miriam, age 4, in Kinshasa, Congo, in 2013. Shortly afterward, Miriam went home with the Keefers to the United States. The matching outfits were a gift from Dr. Rebecca Yohadi. Photo courtesy of Susie Keefer.

From mission volunteer to adoptive mom

When Susie Keefer traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, little did she know it would be the first of many mission journeys.

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