NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
Understanding proposed regionalization plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference takes several steps toward a goal of building connectional unity while making room for customization in each region of the world. In Part 4 of a new series on regionalization, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards answers questions related to the legislation, including what could be customized by regional conferences and what is not included in the proposal.
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Dakotas Conference
Congregations connect with Ukrainians
BISMARCK, N.D. — Starting with driving lessons, a pastor leading the community-based church plant Mission Bismarck is helping refugees from Ukraine start new lives. The Rev. Cory Thrall is also collecting diapers, boots and winter coats with the help of Legacy United Methodist Church. They have provided beds and reasonably priced bikes as well. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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New England Conference
Church to build affordable housing
UNDERHILL, Vt. — The United Church of Underhill, a combined United Methodist and United Church of Christ congregation, is building affordable housing using 8.6 acres of recently purchased land behind its campus. The church has partnered with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity to develop and build six single-family homes and one duplex. “We need the development of affordable places to live,” said the Rev. Jennifer Mihok, pastor of Underhill. Beth DiCocco reports.
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Texas Conference
Following the path of Paul
HOUSTON — A clergy cohort from the Texas Conference joined colleagues from other conferences in an 11-day journey across Greece and Turkey, visiting spots where the apostle Paul went. The Rev. Trey Comstock offers a report and photos.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Women in Faith
Call for ceasefire in Middle East
NEW YORK — War takes a disproportionate toll on women, children and youth, and there needs to be a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East, said United Women in Faith in a Dec. 8 statement decrying the war in Gaza. UWF has condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel but urges the Biden Administration and Congress to support lifting the blockade on Gaza, opening unhindered humanitarian access and ending U.S. arm supplies to Israel. The women’s group also urges all parties to include women, women’s organizations and gender perspectives in peace negotiations.
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Finance and Administration
Agency unveils ‘Journey of a Dollar’ video
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency, has released its latest video, "UMC: Journey of a Dollar." The video, part of the ongoing Data-Driven Discernment: Charting Hope at General Conference campaign, seeks to shed light on the path a dollar takes once it enters the offering plate and how it supports individual congregations and The United Methodist Church’s global reach.
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RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Preaching help coming
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Resources, videos and workshops are coming to help pastors improve their preaching. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is launching the new service in 2024. The Rev. Derek C. Weber, director of preaching ministries at Discipleship Ministries, is heading the Hey Preacher project. It is financed through a grant from the Lilly Endowment.
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