“The message we want to send is we are not out of the woods yet.” — The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration, on the Episcopal Fund.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Funding for bishops improves but still shaky
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — With increased giving and cost savings from retirements, the fund that supports United Methodist bishops is in better shape, and bishops will receive their first raise in three years. However, the denomination’s financial leaders still warn of possible troubles ahead for the Episcopal Fund. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read Finance and Administration press release
Status and Role of Women
Pay gap persists between clergywomen and men
CHICAGO — How do United Methodist clergywomen’s salaries compare to their male counterparts? A report by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women found clergywomen are faring a little better than in 2015, but more work is needed. In 2020, clergywomen made, on average, 11% less than clergymen.
Read report
Mississippi Conference
ICE raid, pandemic still reverberate
JACKSON, Miss. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, more commonly known as ICE, raided several work sites in Mississippi in August 2019. Jasmine Haynes talks with the Rev. Sheila Cumbest about how United Methodists have responded after about 680 people were arrested in the largest single-state immigration enforcement action in U.S. history. “Even in the middle of the pandemic, we didn’t stop helping families with rent and utilities,” Cumbest said.
Watch video
Michigan Conference
Michigan camp sold to Pokagon Band
DOWAGIAC, Mich. — A decommissioning service is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Crystal Springs Camp and Retreat Center, which has been sold to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “It was the right thing to do,” said Michigan Area United Methodist Camping executive director David Berkey. “Before Europeans settled here, all of Michigan was Native American land. We felt it was an important gesture toward restorative justice to return the land in this way.”
Read story
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Jeff Swenson, bishop’s husband, dies
PASADENA, Calif. — Jeff Swenson, husband of retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, died Aug. 22 at home of cancer. He and his wife frequently rode a tandem bike to wherever the bishop was preaching. The couple was coming up on their 53rd wedding anniversary on Aug. 31. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. U.S. Pacific time Oct. 9 at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Back-to-school bash with VBS twist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With fall approaching, churches can reconnect with families that attended vacation Bible school by holding a back-to-school bash. To reinforce the summer's Bible lessons, volunteer Jayne Andrews suggests ways to repurpose decorations, reimagine snacks and remind families of God's love.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Church farming project grows skills in rural Kenya
Pastor reflects on abuses at Indian boarding schools
EVENTS
Thursday, Aug. 26
Laos Mission Initiative Overview
NEWS AND FEATURES
Funding for bishops improves but still shaky
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — With increased giving and cost savings from retirements, the fund that supports United Methodist bishops is in better shape, and bishops will receive their first raise in three years. However, the denomination’s financial leaders still warn of possible troubles ahead for the Episcopal Fund. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read Finance and Administration press release
Status and Role of Women
Pay gap persists between clergywomen and men
CHICAGO — How do United Methodist clergywomen’s salaries compare to their male counterparts? A report by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women found clergywomen are faring a little better than in 2015, but more work is needed. In 2020, clergywomen made, on average, 11% less than clergymen.
Read report
Mississippi Conference
ICE raid, pandemic still reverberate
JACKSON, Miss. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, more commonly known as ICE, raided several work sites in Mississippi in August 2019. Jasmine Haynes talks with the Rev. Sheila Cumbest about how United Methodists have responded after about 680 people were arrested in the largest single-state immigration enforcement action in U.S. history. “Even in the middle of the pandemic, we didn’t stop helping families with rent and utilities,” Cumbest said.
Watch video
Michigan Conference
Michigan camp sold to Pokagon Band
DOWAGIAC, Mich. — A decommissioning service is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Crystal Springs Camp and Retreat Center, which has been sold to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “It was the right thing to do,” said Michigan Area United Methodist Camping executive director David Berkey. “Before Europeans settled here, all of Michigan was Native American land. We felt it was an important gesture toward restorative justice to return the land in this way.”
Read story
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Jeff Swenson, bishop’s husband, dies
PASADENA, Calif. — Jeff Swenson, husband of retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, died Aug. 22 at home of cancer. He and his wife frequently rode a tandem bike to wherever the bishop was preaching. The couple was coming up on their 53rd wedding anniversary on Aug. 31. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. U.S. Pacific time Oct. 9 at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Back-to-school bash with VBS twist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With fall approaching, churches can reconnect with families that attended vacation Bible school by holding a back-to-school bash. To reinforce the summer's Bible lessons, volunteer Jayne Andrews suggests ways to repurpose decorations, reimagine snacks and remind families of God's love.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Church farming project grows skills in rural Kenya
Pastor reflects on abuses at Indian boarding schools
EVENTS
Thursday, Aug. 26
Laos Mission Initiative Overview
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