Ask The UMC
Tackling disaffiliation questions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the third installment of the new “Is The United Methodist Church Really…?” series, Ask The UMC addresses questions related to the future of the church and disaffiliation, including the recent Judicial Council ruling on what the Book of Discipline allows. These include recurring questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps.
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Read Part 1 on theology and pensions
Read Part 2 on human sexuality
California-Nevada Conference
Luau fundraiser is ministry in action
STOCKTON, Calif. — Who says youth fundraisers must be limited to car washes and doing odd jobs? More than 400 people crowded into the Holy Cross United Methodist Church parking lot to attend the multiracial congregation’s luau. Some 50 youth performed traditional Pacific Islander dances and helped raise $17,000 for the youth program. JB Brayfindley has the story.
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Mississippi Conference
Serving communities heading back to school
JACKSON, Miss. — Back-to-school celebrations give churches an opportunity to bless the scholars in their congregations and provide resources for students and families. Matthew Johnson gives an overview of how United Methodist churches in Mississippi are helping their communities welcome a new school year.
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Claflin University
University unveils monument to women veterans
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — United Methodist-related Claflin University honored Ret. Brigadier General Twanda E. Young at the Aug. 26 unveiling of the Veteran Women Monument on the university campus. Young, a 1989 graduate and 2018 inductee into the Claflin Hall of Fame, was the first woman commissioned from the ROTC cross-enrollment program at South Carolina State’s Bulldog Battalion to earn the rank of brigadier general. The Veteran Women Monument is a tribute to Claflin alumnae who served in the U.S military and is the first of its kind at a historically Black college or university.
Watch video of ceremony
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
Doubter's Parish
Finding Christian joy after a hard season
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Martin Thielen, a retired United Methodist pastor who operates the Doubter’s Parish website, has written a blog post titled “Where Is the Joy?” It’s a meditation on finding joy after two years of pandemic, and it references the film “Chocolat,” the hymn “Lord of the Dance” and Jesus’ changing of water into wine.
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Kentucky Conference
Workbook aims to help churches with decisions
CRESTWOOD, Ky. — A team of clergy and laity in the Kentucky Conference has produced a workbook for churches to help discern major decisions. While many churches might want to use the book to help determine their future in the shifting denominational landscape, the workbook is designed to be used for any major decision-making process.
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See discernment resources
Due West United Methodist Church
Dementia ministry plans online event Sept. 24
MARIETTA, Ga. — Loving Through Dementia, a ministry of Due West United Methodist Church, will have its 10th annual family conference online from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 24. Speakers include a full-time chaplain, advocates for Alzheimer’s research and a neurologist.
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