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United Methodist News' roots reach back to 1940, when the Commission on Public Information was created at the same General Conference that united the Methodist Protestant Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Even before that point, however, press offices with the predecessor denominations had been reporting on the life of the church. The 1968 merger of
United Methodist News' roots reach back to 1940, when the Commission on Public Information was created at the same General Conference that united the Methodist Protestant Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Even before that point, however, press offices with the predecessor denominations had been reporting on the life of the church. The 1968 merger of
Operating as usual
Abingdon Press has published a revised edition of “American Methodism,” its history of the and its predecessors. The new version adds a chapter covering 20 years of contentious debate over sexuality.
Abingdon Press has published a revised edition of “American Methodism,” its history of The United Methodist Church and its predecessors. The new version adds a chapter covering 20 years of contentious debate over sexuality.
The American Legion and other veterans’ groups are marking Four Chaplains Day, which commemorates the events of Feb. 3, 1943, when the troop ship USAT Dorchester sank during World War II. Four military chaplains, including the Methodist Lt. George L. Fox, gave their own life vests to others and helped as many men as possible to board the life boats.
February 3 is Four Chaplains Day in the USA. This day commemorates the events of February 3, 1943, when the troop ship […]
Imagine a church with multiple sites, sharing talents, gifts, financial resources and building space. That’s the grand vision behind the Hartsville Cooperative Parish, which brings together four churches. Two years in, the ministry experiment is thriving and reaching new people with the love of Christ. South Carolina United Methodist Advocate reports.
Two years in, the ministry experiment is thriving, its leaders and members invigorated with the plethora of creative ways to reach and love others in the name of Jesus Christ. By Jessica Brodie.
Charges have been filed in a United Methodist church fire that police suspect was arson. The fire at Rose Park in Virginia left its sanctuary significantly damaged.
https://starexponent.com/news/sheriff-arson-suspected-in-madison-county-church-fire/article_e99dedc8-9e4d-11ed-9d3c-b7b526260c8b.html
Sanctuary significantly damaged in blaze Wednesday at Rose Park Methodist Church in Wolftown; person of interest identified.
, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 8 of its “Is The United Methodist Church Really …?” series, the team tackles more inquiries.
Ask The UMC is a service of United Methodist Communications.
The Black church has been the epicenter for healing, help and hope for the least, last and lost, writes the Rev. Michael Bowie of SBC21. As begins, he sees an opportunity to explore how local Black churches can help Christians make the beloved community a reality.
As we begin the month of February, the nation is prepared to celebrate Black History Month. It is an excellent opportunity to remind us that the Black chur
A small church 70 miles southeast of St. Louis was one of the congregations to receive a One Matters Award from Discipleship Ministries. Potosi United Methodist Church was averaging 19 worshippers before the Rev. David Hendrick came aboard and concentrated on building community connections.
“Small but mighty” aptly describes the 125-member Potosi United Methodist Church, some 70 miles southwest of St. Louis, Missouri. The Washington County sea
In the days since video was released showing police officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, United Methodists have joined in grief and prayers for Nichols and his family. They also called for the recognition of Black people’s humanity.
With scholarships from Wespath Benefits and Investments , 12 theology students from Beni attending Kindu Methodist University are able to buy food and provide for other basic needs while at school.
With scholarships from Wespath, 12 theology students from Beni attending Kindu Methodist University are able to buy food and provide for other basic needs while at school.
Two churches are continuing a unique ministry after the death of the Rev. Doug Williams in 2019. Williams, who did woodworking as a hobby, recruited volunteers at Aldersgate Church and later at Salem United Methodist Church to make brightly colored wooden toy cars to give to children. Northern Illinois Conference - UMC has the story.
Kids Above All Vice President of Resource Development Zulma Colon and late Rev. Doug Williams with the toy cars in 2017. The late Rev. Doug Williams brought the idea of making and distributing toy wooden cars to his congregation at Aldersgate UMC in Rockford in 2011 as a new ministry to children. Co...
Seventy people from 15 annual conferences across Africa were given hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture. The late Bishop John K. Yambasu’s vision for the African continent is being realized through Global Ministries’ support for agriculture.
Two-week program at West African center gives farmers hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture.
Black history is relevant to anyone interested in the story of America. The General Commission on Religion and Race has created a list of 29 ways that churches and individuals can participate in .
No matter your heritage, culture, or racial background, Black history is EVERYONE’s story. Here are 29 ways you, your family, and your congregation can celebrate and participate in Black History Month. Patronize a local or online Black-owned business. Attend church, Bible study, or w
We wish you a blessed Sunday. This week's Gospel lesson will be familiar to many since it comes from the Sermon on the Mount.
The Upper New York Conference recently sent a survey to assess clergy wellness. The Rev. Drew Sperry, a member of the conference team behind the survey, reflected on his own need for spiritual replenishment and how his needs match the needs of clergy across the country.
news article Evidence of clergy’s declining wellness January 4, 2023 / By The Rev. Drew Sperry, UNY Conference Leadership Team, UNY Clergy Wellness Team Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness. Click here to access t...
Five states significantly reduced the effects of the opioid epidemic through one unusual accountability practice. Methodists of all kinds would do well to pay attention, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith.
One unusual accountability practice reduced the opioid epidemic--and Methodists should pay attention why!
While surveying recovery efforts following a tornado in Selma, the Rev. Chris Ackerman, disaster response coordinator for the Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC, was struck by the volunteer teams working alongside survivors of the storm. Everywhere he looked, he writes, he saw Christ at work in others.
(Rev. Chris Ackerman) - In the midst of a terrible disaster, I experienced Christ this past week. On Saturday morning, I began my drive from Panama ...
The ’s pension agency Wespath Benefits and Investments is now offering retirement benefits to both the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Global Methodist Church — building closer ties in a time of upheaval.
The United Methodist Church’s pension agency is now offering retirement benefits to both the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Global Methodist denominations — building closer ties in a time of upheaval.
The new feature film “80 for Brady,” starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field and Rita Moreno, is based on a group of real-life friends who bonded over their love of football and especially “Greatest of All Time” quarterback Tom Brady. One of the film’s inspirations is a lifelong United Methodist. New England UMC has the story.
Betty Pensavalle, member of First UMC in North Attleboro, MA, and her friends inspired movie "80 for Brady."
A national day of prayer and fasting on Feb. 1 has been declared by the Rev. Dennis Blackwell and the group Black Methodists for a Better Future to ask for God’s help curbing gun, domestic and economic violence as well as systemic racism.
United Methodists are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls for advocacy after a wave of mass shootings from California to Louisiana to Iowa.
From California to Iowa, United Methodists are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls for advocacy against gun violence. Heather Hahn reports for UM News.
"Choose Hope. Take Action. Change Lives." That's the motto the Valdosta State University Wesley Foundation recently chose to embody through its partnership with Sole Hope. The campus ministry is now bringing hope one shoe at a time. South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church has the story.
By Ashtyn Ray, Student, Valdosta State University “Choose Hope. Take Action. Change Lives.” That’s the motto the Valdosta State University Wesley ...
The United Methodist Church is helping empower women through a group-based funding strategy where women contribute to and benefit from small loans.
Three San Antonio churches of different racial/ethnic membership model “beloved community” by coming together for a special service ahead of MLK Day March.
God loves everyone, and no one should disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church just because they are uncomfortable with those who are different, writes the Rev. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null in a commentary.
We do not get to choose who can be in God’s flock. It is for everyone whom Jesus chooses to bring in. Commentary by the Rev. Dr. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null for United Methodist News.
A suspected terrorist attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship.
The attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship.
Out of death comes new life. That’s at the heart of the Christian story, and it’s also at the center of the story of two new Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC faith communities.
(Kara Witherow for the AWFUMC) - Out of death comes new life. That’s at the heart of every Christian’s story, and it’s also at the center of the ...
Our hearts go out to people who lost loved ones and our prayers for healing for those injured in a mass shooting during Lunar New Year festivities in. Monterey Park outside Los Angeles.
The mass shooting, one of California's worst in recent memory, occurred on Lunar New Year's Eve. The gunman remains at large and a motive is unknown.
We wish you a blessed third Sunday after Epiphany when we celebrate Jesus' call to His disciples.
Pilgrimages are not vacations, and pilgrims are not tourists. Rather, these holy treks have the power to change lives. The Revs. Steven Manskar and Chris Heckert discuss their roles as both pilgrimage leaders and pilgrims on the latest episode of "Get Your Spirit in Shape."
Pilgrimages are not vacations and pilgrims are not tourists. Instead, these holy treks have the power to change lives. United Methodist pastors Steven Manskar and Chris Heckert share their experiences.
For several months, Bishop David Graves said he has heard people push church disaffiliation from the as a good business deal. “If this is a business deal for you, then I ask you to please do some soul searching and reflect on your motivations,” he writes.
Friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, Last week I communicated some critical information related to decisions from our AWF Trustees. These...
In an annual letter to the civil rights icon, the Rev. Reggie Lee celebrates victories by Black candidates for both U.S. Senate and the episcopacy of the as signs of King’s dream coming to fruition.
In an annual letter to the civil rights icon, the Rev. Reggie Lee celebrates victories by Black candidates for both U.S. Senate and the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church as signs of King’s dream coming to fruition. Commentary by the Rev. Dr. Reginald E. Lee on UM News.
The Tazama Christ youth program provides employment opportunities and mentoring in communities prone to drug and substance abuse.
Tazama Christ United Methodist Church youth program provides employment opportunities and mentoring in communities prone to drug and substance abuse.
The Foundation for Evangelism has opened the 2023 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. A total of $350,000 is available for grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium-size congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. A grant application webinar is set for 2-3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 26.
Foundation for Evangelism To promote, encourage and provide resources for Wesleyan evangelism Grant Seekers
The Rev. Joel Mora Peña served as an episcopal leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. and leading churches as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference. He died Jan. 3 at age 88.
The Rev. Joel Mora Peña served as an episcopal leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. and leading United Methodist churches as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference. He died Jan. 3 at age 88.
Bishop Lanette Plambeck, who recently began work in the Dakotas and Minnesota conferences, reflects in a video on how her Army training helped prepare her for a career in the church. She is an Operation Desert Storm veteran with 25 years’ experience working with people who have experienced violence and trauma.
Bishop Lanette Plambeck has 25 years of experience working with people who have experienced violence and trauma. She served in the U.S. Army as a Russian linguist in military intelligence. Once she returned from Desert Storm, she was trained in human services and did clinical work. These experiences...
United Methodists launched the Twins Association of Zimbabwe in 2016 to assist mothers of multiples, support children through school and empower them economically through various projects.
A record number of early response teams have responded since a band of tornadoes devastated Selma and other Alabama communities. UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief also gave Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC a $10,000 solidarity grant to serve immediate needs. The conference has this update on the need and the church response.
On Thursday, January 12, 2023, multiple tornadoes touched down within the bounds of the Alabama-West Florida Conference killing at least seven and ...
The Judicial Council has added to its docket a request from the Council of Bishops - The United Methodist Church for clarification on the church court’s Decision 1451. The ruling said new delegate elections are not required for the coming General Conference scheduled in 2024. The bishops’ request asked for the court to rule on related questions. Briefs are due Feb. 16, and reply briefs are due Feb. 26. See docket. https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/judicial-council-fall-2022-docket
The Rev. Carlton “Sam” Young’s autobiography covers his long career as a United Methodist composer, arranger, church music editor and scholar. The 96-year-old is perhaps bets known as the editor of The United Methodist Hymnal.
The Rev. Carlton “Sam” Young’s autobiography covers his long career as a United Methodist composer, arranger, hymnal editor and scholar.
The Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, a pastor and scholar on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., offers what might be King’s message to the church in 2023. “King helped us to understand more fully the essence of human dignity and worth, and the importance for these to be enacted among all of us if we will ever be all that God calls to be,” Hunt writes. https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-and-a-letter-to-america-2023/
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Crosses stand in front of a stained glass window at Sistersville (W.Va.) First United Methodist Church. File photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
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