Social connection is a lifesaver
What’s the point of human existence if we’re not part of something bigger than ourselves?
Our need for connection is rooted deep within our biology — as important as food, water and shelter. In fact, a 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General stated that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and supersedes the negative impacts of obesity and physical inactivity.
This must be the place: ‘A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just’
The quote used to title this column was stated by the late Pope Francis, who passed away last week at age 88. Rest easy, good sir.
Pope Francis was cool in my book, even though I can’t say the same for the Catholic Church, in general. I’m an incredibly spiritual person, not religious. And, as someone who grew up surrounded by Catholicism, I’ve never been a fan of the church’s antics over the centuries and millennia (“antics” is a very, very diluted word to describe the dark history).
Franklin FUMC hosts bazaar auction
When it comes to staying the course, First United Methodist Church (FUMC), Franklin has a long history of supporting those in need in Macon County (and beyond) through its mission projects and fundraisers.
Mother’s Day piano concert
Leonidas Lagrimas will present “Musical Storytellers: A Piano Recital” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.
Lake Junaluska hosts regional youth groups
Lake Junaluska hosted youth groups from across the Southeast recently during its annual Winter Youth Retreats.
Let’s keep politics and religion separate
To the Editor:
This week a friend posted a Will Rogers quote from 1931 that is certainly relevant today. “Ten men in our country could buy the whole world and ten million can’t buy enough to eat.”
Creating A Different Kind Of Church
“This is my kind of church.”
That’s how one participant described the lunar women’s circles I started hosting recently.
Sitting in the mess can be worth it
I’m not the traditional church-going type. “Christianity” is an antiquated, laden term of which I’m not a fan. My faith is unique, evolving. My God is changing and alive with the times. My Bible is a book of stories, metaphors and poetry. It is not a hard and fast guidepost.
Local Methodist churches form Justice and Reconciliation Team
The Smoky Mountain District of the First United Methodist Church has created a Justice and Reconciliation Team to take on the work of understanding and healing discrimination in Western North Carolina.
COVID-19 cluster identified in Macon church
Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 cluster of positive cases in an area church located in Franklin.
