TODAY’S HEADLINES
Noteworthy United Methodists remembered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists over the past 12 months have marked the passing of influential church leaders, a storied NFL coach, a beloved contemporary Christian music artist, the denomination’s first Asian American bishop and a pastor named Bible. Heather Hahn has 40 remembrances of notable church members memorialized in 2022.
Read story
Conferences reach out to those grieving disaffiliation
DALLAS (UM News) — A Texas Conference district superintendent created the Oasis Network to support faithful United Methodists who want to stay in the denomination after their local church has chosen to leave. That’s just one of the innovative ways in which conferences are walking alongside those feeling displaced by disaffiliation. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
Pastor brings chess club to kids
ATLANTA — The Rev. Josh Miles of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church started a chess club for kids at his apartment complex. With support from the church, 20 young people participated weekly over pizza. Sybil Davidson has an interview with Miles.
Read Q&A
Rethink Church
Songs for Christmas skeptics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If you’re feeling the Christmas blues, you're not alone. In the latest episode of the Compass podcast, the Rev. Ryan Dunn reflects on the background of some popular Christmas tunes that arose out of sadness and strife. “Christmas is a glimpse. It is not something fully realized,” Dunn writes.
Listen to podcast
WKBN-CBS
Church delights with life-size Candy Land
VIENNA, Ohio — For the seventh year, Vienna United Methodist Church has brought a popular board game to life. This month, about 1,000 people have played life-size Candy Land. “I love Christmas and I love seeing people happy,” said the coordinator of the outreach event. Anna Marsick reports.
Read story and watch video
WHDH-Boston
Church hosts vigil ahead of Sandy Hook anniversary
WOBURN, Mass. — In advance of the 10th anniversary of the Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, a crowd of area residents gathered at Woburn United Methodist Church to honor the memory of all of those lost to gun violence. Candles were lit during the vigil and a series of speakers addressed the issue of gun violence and shared stories of how it has impacted their lives. Sabrina Silva reports.
Read story
No Daily Digest Dec. 19-Jan. 2
This is 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
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications, United Methodist Men
Agencies to share digs, enhance collaboration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commission on United Methodist Men plans to relocate its office to available space in the United Methodist Communications facility — just about a mile away. The men’s agency plans to sell its current building and utilize the more extensive space provided by United Methodist Communications to add a classroom area for training. United Methodist Communications already shares space with the Publishing House.
Read press release
Ipsos
Is the real meaning of Christmas being lost?
WASHINGTON — A new poll reveals that 75% of Americans believe the true meaning of Christmas is being forgotten. Ipsos, a market research and polling company, also reports that Christians are more likely (84%) to think Americans have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas compared to non-religious Americans (60%). The poll was conducted Dec. 9-11 on a sample of 1,023 adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
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 UM News staff.
Our future: The heart of United Methodism
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church can be a place for all who want to be part of the broad middle, carrying out the church’s mission in the world, writes Bishop Gary Mueller. He offers six principles for the denomination to remain united and show the world the difference that Jesus makes.
Read commentary
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Writing Bible-Based Plays, Step by Step
Monday, Jan. 9-Monday, March 20
Rebuild & Renew the Church Post-Pandemic
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Learning to 'live welcome' in response to human need
NEW YORK (UM News) — When busloads of asylum seekers started rolling into Manhattan in August, the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew immediately responded. The congregation’s Advent theme this year — embodying Advent through hope, love, joy and peace — is playing out through its expanding migrant ministry. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Read sidebar: Small tasks add up to larger ministry
Church court: No new elections needed for GC2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court concluded that the next gathering of General Conference scheduled for 2024 is to be designated the postponed 2020 session. That means the same lay and clergy delegates elected to serve in 2020 can vote at what many United Methodists expect to be a momentous legislative assembly. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
The role of angels at Christmas and beyond
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The story of Jesus’ birth includes angels who step in periodically with critical information and instructions. The author of the new book “The Angels of Christmas” examines those stories and encourages readers to take the role of angels themselves. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
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
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
Noteworthy United Methodists remembered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists over the past 12 months have marked the passing of influential church leaders, a storied NFL coach, a beloved contemporary Christian music artist, the denomination’s first Asian American bishop and a pastor named Bible. Heather Hahn has 40 remembrances of notable church members memorialized in 2022.
Read story
Conferences reach out to those grieving disaffiliation
DALLAS (UM News) — A Texas Conference district superintendent created the Oasis Network to support faithful United Methodists who want to stay in the denomination after their local church has chosen to leave. That’s just one of the innovative ways in which conferences are walking alongside those feeling displaced by disaffiliation. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
Pastor brings chess club to kids
ATLANTA — The Rev. Josh Miles of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church started a chess club for kids at his apartment complex. With support from the church, 20 young people participated weekly over pizza. Sybil Davidson has an interview with Miles.
Read Q&A
Rethink Church
Songs for Christmas skeptics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If you’re feeling the Christmas blues, you're not alone. In the latest episode of the Compass podcast, the Rev. Ryan Dunn reflects on the background of some popular Christmas tunes that arose out of sadness and strife. “Christmas is a glimpse. It is not something fully realized,” Dunn writes.
Listen to podcast
WKBN-CBS
Church delights with life-size Candy Land
VIENNA, Ohio — For the seventh year, Vienna United Methodist Church has brought a popular board game to life. This month, about 1,000 people have played life-size Candy Land. “I love Christmas and I love seeing people happy,” said the coordinator of the outreach event. Anna Marsick reports.
Read story and watch video
WHDH-Boston
Church hosts vigil ahead of Sandy Hook anniversary
WOBURN, Mass. — In advance of the 10th anniversary of the Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, a crowd of area residents gathered at Woburn United Methodist Church to honor the memory of all of those lost to gun violence. Candles were lit during the vigil and a series of speakers addressed the issue of gun violence and shared stories of how it has impacted their lives. Sabrina Silva reports.
Read story
No Daily Digest Dec. 19-Jan. 2
This is 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
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications, United Methodist Men
Agencies to share digs, enhance collaboration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commission on United Methodist Men plans to relocate its office to available space in the United Methodist Communications facility — just about a mile away. The men’s agency plans to sell its current building and utilize the more extensive space provided by United Methodist Communications to add a classroom area for training. United Methodist Communications already shares space with the Publishing House.
Read press release
Ipsos
Is the real meaning of Christmas being lost?
WASHINGTON — A new poll reveals that 75% of Americans believe the true meaning of Christmas is being forgotten. Ipsos, a market research and polling company, also reports that Christians are more likely (84%) to think Americans have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas compared to non-religious Americans (60%). The poll was conducted Dec. 9-11 on a sample of 1,023 adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
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 UM News staff.
Our future: The heart of United Methodism
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church can be a place for all who want to be part of the broad middle, carrying out the church’s mission in the world, writes Bishop Gary Mueller. He offers six principles for the denomination to remain united and show the world the difference that Jesus makes.
Read commentary
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Writing Bible-Based Plays, Step by Step
Monday, Jan. 9-Monday, March 20
Rebuild & Renew the Church Post-Pandemic
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Learning to 'live welcome' in response to human need
NEW YORK (UM News) — When busloads of asylum seekers started rolling into Manhattan in August, the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew immediately responded. The congregation’s Advent theme this year — embodying Advent through hope, love, joy and peace — is playing out through its expanding migrant ministry. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Read sidebar: Small tasks add up to larger ministry
Church court: No new elections needed for GC2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court concluded that the next gathering of General Conference scheduled for 2024 is to be designated the postponed 2020 session. That means the same lay and clergy delegates elected to serve in 2020 can vote at what many United Methodists expect to be a momentous legislative assembly. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
The role of angels at Christmas and beyond
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The story of Jesus’ birth includes angels who step in periodically with critical information and instructions. The author of the new book “The Angels of Christmas” examines those stories and encourages readers to take the role of angels themselves. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
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
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
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