# Roundup: Ecumenism, same-sex marriage, evangelicals, Frontier Services

> A religious organisation is a remarkably poor vessel for either piety or prophecy.

19 July 2012 · News

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/roundup-ecumenism-same-sex-marriage-evangelicals-frontier-services/

## [Embattled ecumenism](https://www.christiancentury.org/reviews/2012-07/embattled-ecumenism-jill-k-gill)

A religious organisation is a remarkably poor vessel for either piety or prophecy.

## [When evangelicals were cool](https://www.realclearreligion.org/articles/2012/07/09/when_evangelicals_were_cool.html)

If we can’t exactly claim *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* as the album that changed America’s faith, then it made a mighty contribution.

## [Church marks centenary of outback care](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-18/uniting-church-frontier-services-century/4138398?section=sa)

The Uniting Church is marking a century of outback work by its caring network, now known as Frontier Services.

## [United Methodist conferences reject church’s stance on gays](https://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=12013973&notoc=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+umnsheadlines+%28United+Methodist+News+Service+Headlines%29)

Rejecting the denomination’s stance on gay rights and same-sex marriage were important issues for at least 15 United Methodist annual (regional) conferences this summer.

## [Despite doubters, mainline Protestant churches are poised for success](https://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/18/despite-doubters-mainline-protestant-churches-are-poised-for-success/)

The Episcopal Church’s decision on same-sex blessings wasn’t a leap beyond; it was the last gasp of old ways of thinking, namely, that Sunday worship and in-house protocols are what matter.