“When you got to know her, you realized what a renaissance person she was.” — Bishop Grant Hagiya, speaking of the late Bishop Beverly Shamana
NEWS AND FEATURES
‘Renaissance’ Bishop Beverly Shamana dies at 81
EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (UM News) — Bishop Beverly Shamana, who led the California-Nevada Conference from 2000 to 2008, has died at age 81. She was the second female African American elected to the United Methodist episcopacy. Bishop Grant Hagiya described her as a “renaissance person,” given her talents as an artist and musician, as well as church leader. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read Council of Bishops press release
South Carolina Conference
Kidney disease puts woman in prayerful place
CAMDEN, S.C. — For United Methodist Stephanie Ponds Henry, a free health screening at her annual conference meeting led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 kidney disease. She is now on the national transplant list. She is waiting and praying to see what God intends for her. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Church hosts school-uniform drive
MACON, Ga. — Each month this year, Wesley United Methodist Church has chosen a mission project as a way to give back to its community. For July, the congregation collected gently used or new school uniforms and hosted a free uniform giveaway. Kara Witherow reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Scarritt Bennett Center
Scarritt Bennett leader stepping down
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sarah Wilke, executive director of the Scarritt Bennett Center, plans to step down at the end of 2021. Wilke has led the independent nonprofit for five years. Scarritt Bennett, whose campus is owned by United Methodist Women, serves as a conference center and hub for women's empowerment, racial justice, spiritual formation and education of laity. The center is launching a search for a new executive director.
Read press release
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.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Connecting with people God places before you
WASHINGTON — Churches can improve outreach efforts by focusing on people nearby, writes Ann Michel of the Lewis Center. She points to building users, members’ family and friends, and the church’s immediate neighbors as people God has placed in a congregation’s pathway.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Training on effective communications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Valuable information to help church leaders communicate better is available Aug. 24-25 during Moving the Church Forward Through Communication, a virtual conference led by United Methodist Communications. The ecumenical sessions will include insights on reaching different generations, orienting to the digital-first era and maximizing the effectiveness of online worship and engagement. The cost of the workshop is $50.
Read press release
Register
Western North Carolina Conference
Bringing together mysticism and Methodism
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. — The Rev. Paul Reissman, United Methodist pastor in the Michigan Conference, talks about his ministry, Mystic Winds. The Wesleyan contemplative community aims to bring together Christian mysticism and Wesleyan teachings. Reissman speaks with John Harrell of Ministry Incubators.
Watch video
Learn more about Mystic Winds
RECENT HEADLINES
Youth group strives to be ‘hope, love, light’ to neighbors
Pastor helps churchgoers explore ‘The Chosen’
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 12
Webinar: How Small Groups Bring Connection to Post-Pandemic Church
NEWS AND FEATURES
‘Renaissance’ Bishop Beverly Shamana dies at 81
EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (UM News) — Bishop Beverly Shamana, who led the California-Nevada Conference from 2000 to 2008, has died at age 81. She was the second female African American elected to the United Methodist episcopacy. Bishop Grant Hagiya described her as a “renaissance person,” given her talents as an artist and musician, as well as church leader. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read Council of Bishops press release
South Carolina Conference
Kidney disease puts woman in prayerful place
CAMDEN, S.C. — For United Methodist Stephanie Ponds Henry, a free health screening at her annual conference meeting led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 kidney disease. She is now on the national transplant list. She is waiting and praying to see what God intends for her. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Church hosts school-uniform drive
MACON, Ga. — Each month this year, Wesley United Methodist Church has chosen a mission project as a way to give back to its community. For July, the congregation collected gently used or new school uniforms and hosted a free uniform giveaway. Kara Witherow reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Scarritt Bennett Center
Scarritt Bennett leader stepping down
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sarah Wilke, executive director of the Scarritt Bennett Center, plans to step down at the end of 2021. Wilke has led the independent nonprofit for five years. Scarritt Bennett, whose campus is owned by United Methodist Women, serves as a conference center and hub for women's empowerment, racial justice, spiritual formation and education of laity. The center is launching a search for a new executive director.
Read press release
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.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Connecting with people God places before you
WASHINGTON — Churches can improve outreach efforts by focusing on people nearby, writes Ann Michel of the Lewis Center. She points to building users, members’ family and friends, and the church’s immediate neighbors as people God has placed in a congregation’s pathway.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Training on effective communications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Valuable information to help church leaders communicate better is available Aug. 24-25 during Moving the Church Forward Through Communication, a virtual conference led by United Methodist Communications. The ecumenical sessions will include insights on reaching different generations, orienting to the digital-first era and maximizing the effectiveness of online worship and engagement. The cost of the workshop is $50.
Read press release
Register
Western North Carolina Conference
Bringing together mysticism and Methodism
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. — The Rev. Paul Reissman, United Methodist pastor in the Michigan Conference, talks about his ministry, Mystic Winds. The Wesleyan contemplative community aims to bring together Christian mysticism and Wesleyan teachings. Reissman speaks with John Harrell of Ministry Incubators.
Watch video
Learn more about Mystic Winds
RECENT HEADLINES
Youth group strives to be ‘hope, love, light’ to neighbors
Pastor helps churchgoers explore ‘The Chosen’
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 12
Webinar: How Small Groups Bring Connection to Post-Pandemic Church
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