“When people don’t come to see you, there’s a loneliness, there’s an alienation and then it’s so much harder to reconnect. But when you have someone that comes to see you on a regular basis, it’s almost like you have one foot still out there.” — Richard Samuels, a former Indiana prisoner, about the importance of visitors while incarcerated.
Prison visits help inmates, families
INDIANAPOLIS (UM News) — Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry has shuttled 100,000 people to visit relatives in dozens of Indiana prisons, racking up 700,000 miles of travel. It all started when Cecelia Whitfield’s son went to prison and she found out many families didn’t have transportation to allow them to visit. Jim Patterson reports.
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TODAY'S HEADLINES
United Methodist Communications
Safeguarding safe spaces: A firefighter's ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Protecting sacred spaces is a passion for firefighter and deaconess Selena Ruth Smith. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the cradle United Methodist shares tips for how all of us can promote fire safety in our local congregations.
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Indiana Conference
Bishop speaks on Springfield killing
CARMEL, Ind. — Bishop Julius C. Trimble is calling for prayers for the family of Sonya Massey, who was shot to death by a police officer on July 6 after calling the department for help. “This for many is a reminder that the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act needs to be seriously considered by Congress,” Trimble said. “This law would prevent and remedy racial profiling and limit qualified immunity in the face of reckless behavior by police officers.”
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Great Plains Conference
Multicultural service reflects community
LEXINGTON, Neb. — The mission statement of La Mesa Mosaic, the new multicultural service at Lexington First United Methodist Church, can be explained simply: “to worship God in all the different languages, so everybody feels at home.” The service includes a mix of Spanish, English and French, reflecting the growing number of Latino and African immigrants in the area. David Burke reports.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Church elder, Path 1 leader, remembered
PHOENIX — The life of the Rev. Thomas Butcher, the first executive officer for Path 1 at United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, will be celebrated Aug. 15 in Grapevine, Texas. Butcher served several United Methodist churches in the Desert Southwest Conference over the years, worked for the conference as director of New Faith Communities and was a district superintendent. In the early 2000s, he led Discipleship Ministries’ church planting program as executive officer of Path 1. He died on July 27. Desert Southwest Conference staff have the story.
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California-Nevada Conference
California Legislature recognizes church
MORGAN HILL, Calif. — Morgan Hill United Methodist Church recently received a certificate of recognition from the California Legislature for the congregation’s inclusivity. The Rev. Linda Holbrook writes about how the church seeks to make all visitors feel welcome.
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PRESS RELEASES
Wespath
Farhadieh starts work as chief investment officer
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Johara Farhadieh began work Aug. 1 as the chief investment officer of Wespath Benefits and Investments. The move completes the succession plan began last year when she was hired as deputy investment officer with the intent that she would take over after the retirement of Dave Zellner. Farhadieh said she wants to offer clients more choice. “I think that’s really important for us to assess what are the needs of our clients, and what are we offering to ensure we are meeting those needs,” she said.
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The United Methodist Publishing House
Abingdon Press editor to exit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The acquisitions editor for Abingdon Press is leaving The United Methodist Publishing House imprint for a new position. Brian Sigmon, who also served as editor of the Book of Discipline and the Daily Christian Advocate, will exit Aug. 5 for a position as CEO of Friendship Press, the publishing arm of the National Council of Churches of Christ.
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Council of Bishops
Interim leaders named for Nigeria
WASHINGTON — Following the resignation of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, interim leaders have been announced for The United Methodist Church in Nigeria. Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council Bishops, announced today that Bishops John Schol, Eben Nhiwatiwa and Patrick Streiff will work together to provide leadership, and Bishop David Yemba will serve in an advisory role. Schol will serve as the interim lead bishop, and Nhiwatiwa will join him when he travels to Nigeria. “The team will continue to serve until a new bishop is elected, consecrated, and assumes the role of the Bishop of Nigeria,” Malone said. A new bishop will be elected in December and take office in early 2025, she said. She requested prayers for Schol and the episcopal leadership team.
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UM News: Nigeria bishop leaves United Methodist Church
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here.
Wednesday, Sept. 25-Friday, Sept. 27
Leadership Institute 2024
Monday, Sept. 9-Friday, Sept. 20
Online course: Becoming Accountable Disciples
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Nigeria bishop leaves United Methodist Church
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Bishop John Wesley Yohanna has left The United Methodist Church, and the Council of Bishops is naming interim leadership for the church in Nigeria. The move caps years of conflict around leadership of the church in Nigeria. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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Bishops, deaconesses and exits on court agenda
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — On its fall docket, The United Methodist Church’s top court faces legal questions about actions at the recent General Conference, U.S. bishop assignments and a property dispute in Liberia. This will be the current Judicial Council’s first session since its members’ elections at General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
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Ask The UMC
Speaking to the world with (closer to) one voice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 General Conference adopted a thoroughly revised set of Social Principles, the result of feedback from members of the worldwide church over a period of more than a decade. Part 4 of Ask The UMC’s “The UMC really is …” series looks at why this was necessary, how the process unfolded and how the Revised Social Principles better reflect the voices of the whole of the denomination. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards has an analysis.
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Texas Conference
Mission teams do disaster response in Texas
HOUSTON — After Hurricane Beryl caused damage in Texas, early response teams from Texas and Louisiana have been helping restore hope and normalcy. “Our primary objective is to make homes secure and allow homeowners to get back into their homes as quickly as possible, as long as they’re safe,” said John Saul, Early Response Team coordinator for the Louisiana Conference. Brant Mills reports.
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Church and Society
United Methodists urged to advocate for housing bill
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is asking United Methodists to urge their elected officials to support the Yes in God’s Back Yard Act, which supports faith-based organizations and colleges wanting to build and preserve affordable housing on their land while reducing barriers to the development of this housing. The United Methodist Social Principles supports ministries “that promote asset-building among the poor.”
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