“We’re going to see some losses, and in some places significant losses. But there’s new, exciting efforts popping up everywhere to create churches centered on being disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” — Pat Luna, a lifelong United Methodist who advocates for staying in the denomination.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Taking stock after a season of disaffiliations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church is completing its first big wave of church exits since a church law allowing disaffiliation took effect and a breakaway denomination launched. But amid these losses, church members see signs of hope, including lay-led efforts to “Stay UMC.” Heather Hahn and Sam Hodges report.
Read story
See UM News chart on disaffiliations
Read General Council on Finance and Administration press release
Ask The UMC
More disaffiliation questions answered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 7 of its “Is The United Methodist Church Really …?” series, the team tackles inquiries related to Paragraph 2553; the settlement agreement with Boy Scouts of America for congregations that disaffiliate; and charge conference membership for retired clergy.
Read story
Read previous installments
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Conference sends 10,000 Christmas cards to prisoners
NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Nearly 7,000 Christmas cards were sent to prisoners in 12 correctional facilities through the efforts of the Prison Ministries and Restorative Justice Team in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The prisoners also got more than 3,000 blank cards so they can send holiday greetings to family and friends. The conference has the story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Campus ministry addresses recent shooting
FROSTBURG, Md. — The United Campus Ministry at Frostburg State University has had a particular calling this semester as it prepares students for the stress of finals. The campus ministry, one of five supported by the Baltimore-Washington Conference, also is working to address the realities of gun violence after a shooting this fall killed a student. The Rev. Neal Christie reports.
Read story
New 2022 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2022 annual conference reports. New this week is the Central Congo Conference.
Read reports
No Daily Digest Dec. 19-Jan. 2
The Dec. 16 Friday Digest will be the last UM News Digest of the year. The Daily Digest will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Please enjoy this Christmas-themed meme to download and share. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Download meme
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 UM News staff.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Seminarian ‘cautiously hopeful’ after climate meeting
EVANSTON, Ill. — Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S., has a strong commitment to climate stewardship. A Garrett student, Seán Hansen, recently attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). He shares his reflections on that important gathering.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Exploring the role of angels at Christmas and beyond
Community rallies around barbershop evangelist
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Online course: Opening Ourselves to Grace — Basic Christian Practices
Monday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 21
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
NEWS AND FEATURES
Taking stock after a season of disaffiliations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church is completing its first big wave of church exits since a church law allowing disaffiliation took effect and a breakaway denomination launched. But amid these losses, church members see signs of hope, including lay-led efforts to “Stay UMC.” Heather Hahn and Sam Hodges report.
Read story
See UM News chart on disaffiliations
Read General Council on Finance and Administration press release
Ask The UMC
More disaffiliation questions answered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 7 of its “Is The United Methodist Church Really …?” series, the team tackles inquiries related to Paragraph 2553; the settlement agreement with Boy Scouts of America for congregations that disaffiliate; and charge conference membership for retired clergy.
Read story
Read previous installments
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Conference sends 10,000 Christmas cards to prisoners
NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Nearly 7,000 Christmas cards were sent to prisoners in 12 correctional facilities through the efforts of the Prison Ministries and Restorative Justice Team in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The prisoners also got more than 3,000 blank cards so they can send holiday greetings to family and friends. The conference has the story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Campus ministry addresses recent shooting
FROSTBURG, Md. — The United Campus Ministry at Frostburg State University has had a particular calling this semester as it prepares students for the stress of finals. The campus ministry, one of five supported by the Baltimore-Washington Conference, also is working to address the realities of gun violence after a shooting this fall killed a student. The Rev. Neal Christie reports.
Read story
New 2022 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2022 annual conference reports. New this week is the Central Congo Conference.
Read reports
No Daily Digest Dec. 19-Jan. 2
The Dec. 16 Friday Digest will be the last UM News Digest of the year. The Daily Digest will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Please enjoy this Christmas-themed meme to download and share. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Download meme
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 UM News staff.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Seminarian ‘cautiously hopeful’ after climate meeting
EVANSTON, Ill. — Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S., has a strong commitment to climate stewardship. A Garrett student, Seán Hansen, recently attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). He shares his reflections on that important gathering.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Exploring the role of angels at Christmas and beyond
Community rallies around barbershop evangelist
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Online course: Opening Ourselves to Grace — Basic Christian Practices
Monday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 21
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
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