2025 bible reading

 

“4 Tabsis Yexus teb has tas, “Vaajtswv txujlug sau tseg has tas, 'Tsi yog mov xwb txhaj cawm tau tuabneeg txujsa, tabsis yog Vaajtswv tej lug txhua lu txhaj cawm tau.'”   Mathais 4:4

 

4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”   Mathew 4:4

 

“10 Kuv yuav ua koj teg num kuas kawg kuv lub sab lub ntsws; thov paab kuas kuv tsi xob tawv dlhau koj tej lug saamfwm! 11 Kuv khaws koj tej lug rua huv kuv lub sab, kuv txhaj tsi ua txhum rua koj. “12 Tug TSWV, kuv” “ua koj tsaug; thov qha koj tej kevcai rua kuv. 13 Kuv yuav muab tej kevcai kws koj muab cob rua kuv lawm cim rua nruab sab. ”

Ntawm Nkauj 119 : 10-13

What is Hmong American Day?

 

 

Hmong American Day, observed annually on May 14th, is a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions of the Hmong people to American society. It also commemorates the Hmong people's journey to the U.S. after the Vietnam War, their role as allies in the Secret War, and their enduring impact on American society. 

 
Here's a more detailed look at what Hmong American Day entails:
  • Historical Significance:
    May 14th marks the 48th anniversary of the final airlift of Hmong and Lao veterans who fought during the Vietnam War. Many Hmong refugees and their families immigrated to the United States after the war, seeking safety and a new beginning. 
     
  • Celebrations and Recognition:
    Hmong American Day is celebrated with various events, including festivals, cultural performances, and gatherings where the Hmong community comes together to honor their history, culture, and achievements. 
     
  • Honoring Veterans and Allies:
    The day also serves as a time to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of Hmong soldiers and civilians who supported U.S. efforts during the Secret War in Laos. 
     
  • Cultural Preservation:
    Hmong American Day is an opportunity to promote and preserve Hmong culture, traditions, and heritage, ensuring that future generations understand the rich history and contributions of the Hmong community. 
     

  • Community Building:

    It fosters a sense of community and unity among Hmong Americans, providing a platform to connect with friends, family, and fellow community members. 

For example, The Fresno Center in California hosts an annual Hmong American Day celebration, recognizing Hmong history, culture, and achievements. Similarly, the City of Appleton in Wisconsin was the first city in the state to proclaim May 14th as Hmong American Day. 

 

March 27, 2025

THE GLOBAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

General Conference delegates share enthusiasm for worldwide regionalization

The United Methodist Church is on the cusp of having a new structure with more flexibility thanks to worldwide regionalization, which aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making. This package of legislation was adopted by 78% of General Conference delegates last year, but because it requires a change to The United Methodist constitution, it must now be be ratified by annual conferences to take effect. As members of the Minnesota Conference prepare to vote on worldwide regionalization at our Annual Conference in June, Dakotas-Minnesota Area delegates share why they support it.  Read article
 

RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE

Rev. Brittany Radford: Showing up for women

The United Methodist Church has a long line of women from all backgrounds who have stood in the fire, not to be consumed, but to be transformed and to transform the world around them. During this Women’s History Month, Rev. Brittany Radford, director of racial equity and justice, explores in her latest blog post: How do we show up for our sisters, our daughters, our churches, and ourselves? She offers an activity for reflection, and some concrete ways we can honor and and support women all year long.  Read blog post

LENTEN STUDY

Chapter 4: Emmaus, with Rev. Woojae Im

In the fourth chapter of Tom Berlin’s “The Third Day,” we explore the journey of two sad and disappointed disciples walking to Emmaus on the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion. Their experience likely mirrors moments in our own lives when we have felt abandoned by or distanced from God. We are reminded that even in these moments, God’s grace is already at work, and Jesus is present with us. Through the disciples’ eventual recognition of the risen Christ, the Third Day transforms from a day of despair into renewed hope.  Chapter 4 resources: Video / Study guide + Full Lenten series

GROWING IN LOVE OF GOD

Luke-Acts 2025: Reflections and resources for Luke 12

In this Lenten season of self-examination, Luke 12 offers us some challenging things to wrestle with—our own hypocrisy, things we are hiding, fear that keeps us from standing up or doing the right thing, our witness of Christ, our need to control or hoard resources, worry that holds us captive, our stewardship of the call and gifts God has given us, and our readiness and attentiveness to God’s Spirit. Make time this week to reflect on these things. Join Dakotas-Minnesota Area Facebook group / Additional resource: A reflection on Luke 12 from Rev. Luke Edwards of the Western North Carolina Conference

Resources and opportunities

  • 2025 legislation submission period closing soon: The 2025 Minnesota Annual Conference Session is about three months away! One of the important things we do at this gathering is vote on legislation to help us advance our work as the Minnesota Conference and fulfill our collective mission to make disciples. The period to submit legislation is now open, and submissions are due TOMORROW, March 28.  Submit proposed legislation

  • How to get what you need from AI: New to AI? Or just looking to get better results? Either way, United Methodist Communications has a course for you...and the best part is that it’s free and self-paced! You will learn what AI is, its capabilities and limits, how to use AI ethically, and how AI tools can be powerful partners. You’ll also discover how to craft AI prompts that get results.  Learn more

Across the connection

  • United Methodists grapple with loss of foreign aid: United Methodists are feeling the effects of the dismantling of U.S. foreign assistance and speaking out about how such aid saves lives. Africa University and the United Methodist Committee on Relief are among the United Methodist ministries that have long worked with partners in the U.S. government.  Read article

  • Churches confront mass federal layoffs: Pastoral care, prayer, and protests—these are some of the ways United Methodist congregations are supporting church members and others affected by Trump administration job cuts and slashing of government services. Many United Methodist churches also are adjusting their budgets to account for laid-off members’ strained finances.  Read article

 

Happy Mther's Day

 

Faith and Fellowship: A Mother's Love is a Gift from God

 

Being a mother is a very important role that God chooses to give to many women. Children are a treasure from the Lord, Psalm 127: 3-5. Mothers have a unique and crucial role in the lives of their children. Mothers are called to nurture, care, develop, encourage, teach, train, discipline, embrace, and most importantly love their children. Rather good or bad, a mother’s love is much like the love of God. The word of God speaks in scripture of a motherly side of God.

God promises in Isaiah 16:13 - “As a mother comforts her child, I shall comfort you.” Jesus even compares his love and care to a mother hen, as he grieves before Jerusalem in Luke 13:34. As children, we have learned to depend solely on our mothers (fathers). As a child our first and most powerful experience of love came from our mothers. The love from our mothers starts from the womb and continues in the arms of our mothers.

The word of God never says that every woman must be a mother by carrying a child for nine months. God has given us mothers that may not have carried a child in the womb. However it says every woman that has been blessed with motherhood should treat the role with the utmost respect and responsibility. A Godly mother never hates motherhood, or treats it like a boring routine. A mother will carry her baby within her body, feed the baby, lull the baby and looks after her child until she leaves this earth. A mother’s love never ends!!!

Proverbs 22:6 teaches us to train up a child in the way they should go. A Mothers love will teach and guide us. The most precious mother God gave us in the Bible was a woman to give birth to his son Jesus Christ. The woman Mary is the most significant mother in the Holy Book. There are other mothers throughout the Bible that have done great things for their children. These mothers are influential mothers in the word of God.

Today as we celebrate our mothers let us remember the mothers who has gone home to be with the Lord. We say Happy Mothers Day in heaven. Psalm 34: -18, “ The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crush spirit”.

As we celebrate the love of a mother,
Let us remember the words from the great Shirley Caesar.
”I remember mama and the love that she gave, kneeling by her bedside, I can still hear mama say, the people are depending on you; don’t you let them down. I remember mama in a happy way. Now mama is sleeping in the bosom of Jesus Christ. I remember mama in a happy way!”

As we meditate on the word of God this week let us remember, the Bible consistently tells us to honor and love our mothers. A mothers love is like food to our souls!

May God so richly bless!