“Through the mission trip, we give the youth different experiences, open their eyes wide to a different part of America and enhance their lives. The mission trip gave them a true sense of servanthood.” — Nancy Crandall, youth director of Oregon (Illinois) United Methodist Church.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Youth group strives to be ‘hope, love, light’
COALMONT, Tenn. (UM News) — After missing out on its 2020 mission trip due to COVID-19, a youth group from a small northern Illinois town traveled to Tennessee to work with Mountain T.O.P., a rural outreach project. For some of the young people, it was their first trip outside their hometown. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Is heaven the end goal for United Methodists?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The mission of The United Methodist Church is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." But what about after life on Earth? And how do United Methodists prepare people for getting to "what comes next?" Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores these questions and more in a special series on death and resurrection.
Read story
Read series
Read more Ask The UMC
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Exploring mission in Southeast Asia
ATLANTA — United Methodist Global Ministries’ Asia-Pacific Regional Office and the North Carolina and Texas conferences will host two virtual overviews of United Methodist mission in Vietnam and Laos this month. Global Ministries top executive Roland Fernandes and Bishops Scott J. Jones and Hope Morgan Ward are among those joining the conversation. The Vietnam Mission Initiative overview is Aug. 9, and the Laos overview is Aug. 26.
Read press release
World Council of Churches
Ecumenical youth day tackles climate change
GENEVA — International Youth Day, a World Council of Churches-led event, will focus this year on climate justice. The online event will be 5-10 a.m. U.S. Eastern time (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Central Europe) Aug. 12. The goal is to provide a common platform for young people from the council’s member churches and ecumenical partners to take ownership of their space in the ecumenical movement.
Read press release
To register
UM News: Young Methodists raising climate change awareness
COMMENTARIES
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 the UM News staff.
California-Nevada Conference
Diary from the Dixie Fire front line
GREENVILLE, Calif. — Marj Goosey, a member of Greenville United Methodist Church, is among those under evacuation orders as the Dixie Fire expands in northern California. She shares her reflections from the front lines. “By now you know much of Greenville is gone including the Methodist church. Suspect my house is gone,” she writes.
Read commentary
Read statement from Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 16-Monday, Sept. 27
Online course: A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Webinar: Cultivating the Craft of Asking
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years
BRYSON CITY, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Wayne "Wayner" Dickert, a 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and United Methodist pastor, has run a riverside worship service on the Nantahala River for 15 years. The ministry collects money for clean water projects in Haiti and has helped install 135 wells so far. Joey Butler and Mike DuBose have the story and photos.
View multimedia presentation
Watch video
Churches mask up, close doors as virus spikes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News) — As the U.S. sees a surge of the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19, United Methodist churches are taking extra precautions. Some are returning to online-only worship. Congregations are also taking steps to reach vaccine holdouts. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Pastor helps churchgoers explore ‘The Chosen’
SUGAR LAND, Texas (UM News) — United Methodists are gaining new insights into the Gospel stories of Jesus, thanks to an eight-week summer study series based on the popular TV program “The Chosen.” Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
Bishop urged to resolve auditing issues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist finance agency's board denied an emergency grant request from East Africa Bishop Daniel Wandabula and instead encouraged him to address long-standing financial concerns. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read GCFA press release
Goat-breeding program benefits vulnerable children
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Children as young as 3 have a brighter future as they benefit from an empowerment ministry funded by the Western Pennsylvania Conference. Launched in 2015, the goat-breeding program has benefited over 100 orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe’s Mutare District. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
Read story
Discussing Christian nationalism — carefully
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol spurred a new Courageous Conversations resource from Discipleship Ministries. It is designed to help United Methodists talk about Christian nationalism while maintaining civility. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
What organizations does the church fund?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the more frequent questions Ask The UMC receives is about whether The United Methodist Church funds particular non-United Methodist organizations. The United Methodist Communications team reports that some people are surprised by the United Methodist-related entities their apportionments fund partially or not at all.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
Global Ministries
Battling malaria in Congo
ATLANTA — Upgrades by United Methodists at the Lupandilo Hospital in Kamina, Congo, are helping expectant mothers and others battle malaria. The United Methodist Health Board in North Katanga partnered with Global Ministries and the North Texas and West Ohio conferences for a generator to keep all the equipment up and running, even when municipal electricity fails. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
Foundation for Evangelism
Service set for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox
HERMITAGE, Tenn. — A celebration of life service for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox, noted United Methodist evangelist, will be held at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time on Aug. 14 at Hermitage United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. H. Eddie and Mary Nell Fox Endowment for Evangelism at the Foundation for Evangelism.
Read UM News obituary
For more on making a memorial gift
Missouri Conference
NomadMax takes to the road for mission
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — The Rev. Max Marble, retired director of creative ministries for the Missouri Conference, has sold his possessions and taken to the road in his Volkswagen van to help with NOMADS projects. NOMADS, which stands for Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service, provide volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations. Marble has released the first of what he plans to be periodic videos on his journey.
Watch video
The Call to Cook
Homemade dog treats: They’re gobble-worthy
PLAINFIELD, Ill. — The Rev. Sherry Steele of Plainfield United Methodist Church found a way to add an extra bit of love to her congregation’s blessing of the animals: homemade dog treats. Annette Spence has the story and recipe.
Read story
Discipleship Ministries
Primer for churches on cryptocurrency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Churches may be grappling with gifts of cryptocurrency. The Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, offers 10 things for churches to know about volatile digital currency such as bitcoin and dogecoin. He urges churches to have a gift acceptance policy.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
United Methodist leads American Medical Association
GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Dr. Gerald E. Harmon, a family medicine physician, is the 176th president of the American Medical Association, the nation’s premier physician organization. He is a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Rainbow gelatin brightens church potlucks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rainbow gelatin is a favorite at church potlucks in Hawaii, where rainbows are a common sight in the lush, tropical climate. Lilla Marigza has a video on how to make this recipe, which she says takes time but is sure to bring smiles.
Watch video and get recipe
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Youth group strives to be ‘hope, love, light’
COALMONT, Tenn. (UM News) — After missing out on its 2020 mission trip due to COVID-19, a youth group from a small northern Illinois town traveled to Tennessee to work with Mountain T.O.P., a rural outreach project. For some of the young people, it was their first trip outside their hometown. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Is heaven the end goal for United Methodists?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The mission of The United Methodist Church is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." But what about after life on Earth? And how do United Methodists prepare people for getting to "what comes next?" Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores these questions and more in a special series on death and resurrection.
Read story
Read series
Read more Ask The UMC
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Exploring mission in Southeast Asia
ATLANTA — United Methodist Global Ministries’ Asia-Pacific Regional Office and the North Carolina and Texas conferences will host two virtual overviews of United Methodist mission in Vietnam and Laos this month. Global Ministries top executive Roland Fernandes and Bishops Scott J. Jones and Hope Morgan Ward are among those joining the conversation. The Vietnam Mission Initiative overview is Aug. 9, and the Laos overview is Aug. 26.
Read press release
World Council of Churches
Ecumenical youth day tackles climate change
GENEVA — International Youth Day, a World Council of Churches-led event, will focus this year on climate justice. The online event will be 5-10 a.m. U.S. Eastern time (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Central Europe) Aug. 12. The goal is to provide a common platform for young people from the council’s member churches and ecumenical partners to take ownership of their space in the ecumenical movement.
Read press release
To register
UM News: Young Methodists raising climate change awareness
COMMENTARIES
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 the UM News staff.
California-Nevada Conference
Diary from the Dixie Fire front line
GREENVILLE, Calif. — Marj Goosey, a member of Greenville United Methodist Church, is among those under evacuation orders as the Dixie Fire expands in northern California. She shares her reflections from the front lines. “By now you know much of Greenville is gone including the Methodist church. Suspect my house is gone,” she writes.
Read commentary
Read statement from Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 16-Monday, Sept. 27
Online course: A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Webinar: Cultivating the Craft of Asking
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years
BRYSON CITY, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Wayne "Wayner" Dickert, a 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and United Methodist pastor, has run a riverside worship service on the Nantahala River for 15 years. The ministry collects money for clean water projects in Haiti and has helped install 135 wells so far. Joey Butler and Mike DuBose have the story and photos.
View multimedia presentation
Watch video
Churches mask up, close doors as virus spikes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News) — As the U.S. sees a surge of the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19, United Methodist churches are taking extra precautions. Some are returning to online-only worship. Congregations are also taking steps to reach vaccine holdouts. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Pastor helps churchgoers explore ‘The Chosen’
SUGAR LAND, Texas (UM News) — United Methodists are gaining new insights into the Gospel stories of Jesus, thanks to an eight-week summer study series based on the popular TV program “The Chosen.” Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
Bishop urged to resolve auditing issues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist finance agency's board denied an emergency grant request from East Africa Bishop Daniel Wandabula and instead encouraged him to address long-standing financial concerns. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read GCFA press release
Goat-breeding program benefits vulnerable children
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Children as young as 3 have a brighter future as they benefit from an empowerment ministry funded by the Western Pennsylvania Conference. Launched in 2015, the goat-breeding program has benefited over 100 orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe’s Mutare District. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
Read story
Discussing Christian nationalism — carefully
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol spurred a new Courageous Conversations resource from Discipleship Ministries. It is designed to help United Methodists talk about Christian nationalism while maintaining civility. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
What organizations does the church fund?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the more frequent questions Ask The UMC receives is about whether The United Methodist Church funds particular non-United Methodist organizations. The United Methodist Communications team reports that some people are surprised by the United Methodist-related entities their apportionments fund partially or not at all.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
Global Ministries
Battling malaria in Congo
ATLANTA — Upgrades by United Methodists at the Lupandilo Hospital in Kamina, Congo, are helping expectant mothers and others battle malaria. The United Methodist Health Board in North Katanga partnered with Global Ministries and the North Texas and West Ohio conferences for a generator to keep all the equipment up and running, even when municipal electricity fails. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
Foundation for Evangelism
Service set for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox
HERMITAGE, Tenn. — A celebration of life service for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox, noted United Methodist evangelist, will be held at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time on Aug. 14 at Hermitage United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. H. Eddie and Mary Nell Fox Endowment for Evangelism at the Foundation for Evangelism.
Read UM News obituary
For more on making a memorial gift
Missouri Conference
NomadMax takes to the road for mission
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — The Rev. Max Marble, retired director of creative ministries for the Missouri Conference, has sold his possessions and taken to the road in his Volkswagen van to help with NOMADS projects. NOMADS, which stands for Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service, provide volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations. Marble has released the first of what he plans to be periodic videos on his journey.
Watch video
The Call to Cook
Homemade dog treats: They’re gobble-worthy
PLAINFIELD, Ill. — The Rev. Sherry Steele of Plainfield United Methodist Church found a way to add an extra bit of love to her congregation’s blessing of the animals: homemade dog treats. Annette Spence has the story and recipe.
Read story
Discipleship Ministries
Primer for churches on cryptocurrency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Churches may be grappling with gifts of cryptocurrency. The Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, offers 10 things for churches to know about volatile digital currency such as bitcoin and dogecoin. He urges churches to have a gift acceptance policy.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
United Methodist leads American Medical Association
GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Dr. Gerald E. Harmon, a family medicine physician, is the 176th president of the American Medical Association, the nation’s premier physician organization. He is a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Rainbow gelatin brightens church potlucks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rainbow gelatin is a favorite at church potlucks in Hawaii, where rainbows are a common sight in the lush, tropical climate. Lilla Marigza has a video on how to make this recipe, which she says takes time but is sure to bring smiles.
Watch video and get recipe
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