“We don't know if they lived a good life or a bad life. All we know is that they are a child of sacred worth that is deserving of respect and honor in their death.” — The Rev. Jay Voorhees, who organized the Call the Name program to ensure funerals for people whose bodies aren’t claimed by family.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Making sure all are mourned
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A United Methodist pastor is recruiting clergy to conduct graveside funeral services for homeless people and others who might not otherwise be mourned. The Rev. Jay Voorhees, lead pastor at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, has fashioned a funeral service that briefly pays tribute to the deceased, saying repeatedly that, “we remember them.” Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: Churches extend helping hands to homeless
California-Nevada Conference
Small church turns to mini-ministries
SHASTA LAKE, Calif. — Strapped for funds and volunteer time, members of Community United Methodist Church have turned to mini-ministries to connect with non-church members. The first of these ministries provided towels and blankets for local animal shelters and sanctuaries. The Rev. Tara Macy has the story.
Read story
Saint Paul School of Theology
Online chapel a hit at seminary
LEAWOOD, Kan. — Going online for weekly chapel has proven advantageous for Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary. Students at both the Kansas and Oklahoma campuses worship together with other students taking classes online from wherever they live. “I think online worship has strengthened the connection of our community,” said the Rev. Casey Sigmon, a faculty member who leads chapel.
Read story
Religion News Service
Pastor leaves church after TV appearance in drag
NEWBURGH, Ind. — The Rev. Craig Duke was relieved from his pastoral duties last week at Newburgh United Methodist Church after receiving pushback from congregants over his appearance on HBO’s “We’re Here,” where locals in small towns across the U.S. are transformed into drag queens. A statement from the Indiana Conference clarified that Duke did not resign and was not fired, but that “he and the Conference felt that he was no longer able to effectively serve in parish ministry with the Newburgh congregation.” Emily McFarlan Miller reports.
Read story
KBMT-12NewsNow
Man sentenced in church, business scam
BEAUMONT, Texas — Reuben Alvarez Sr., who was involved in a “business email compromise scam” that targeted the General Council on Finance and Administration among other organizations, has been sentenced to six years in prison with credit for time served. He also must pay $18,000 in restitution. Raegan Gibson reports.
Read story and watch video
UM News: Indictment in scam that snagged church agency
Correction
The quote of the day featured in the Dec. 6 Daily Digest — “We grieved over the loss. (But) I knew in my heart that God had a big plan; it was bigger and better than we imagined. God was faithful to us.” — was by Pam Robinson, co-director of Dodson Chapel Childcare at Hermitage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church. The quote was misattributed. UM News regrets the error.
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.
Trees symbolize a reformed denomination
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Setting a new tree for every member of The United Methodist Church is a positive way to announce the church’s reformation to the world, suggests the Rev. Mel West, a retired pastor. “Whatever form the denomination takes going forward, we are still of one root, one trunk, several branches and many leaves,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Men
UM Men winter magazine available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The winter edition of United Methodist Men's magazine features stories on Scouting and dismantling racism as well as new top executive Greg Arnold’s vision for the agency’s future.
Read issue
RECENT HEADLINES
Tornado destroys church, but not its ministry
2021 annual conference reports
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 17-Friday, Feb. 25
Online course: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry
NEWS AND FEATURES
Making sure all are mourned
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A United Methodist pastor is recruiting clergy to conduct graveside funeral services for homeless people and others who might not otherwise be mourned. The Rev. Jay Voorhees, lead pastor at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, has fashioned a funeral service that briefly pays tribute to the deceased, saying repeatedly that, “we remember them.” Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: Churches extend helping hands to homeless
California-Nevada Conference
Small church turns to mini-ministries
SHASTA LAKE, Calif. — Strapped for funds and volunteer time, members of Community United Methodist Church have turned to mini-ministries to connect with non-church members. The first of these ministries provided towels and blankets for local animal shelters and sanctuaries. The Rev. Tara Macy has the story.
Read story
Saint Paul School of Theology
Online chapel a hit at seminary
LEAWOOD, Kan. — Going online for weekly chapel has proven advantageous for Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary. Students at both the Kansas and Oklahoma campuses worship together with other students taking classes online from wherever they live. “I think online worship has strengthened the connection of our community,” said the Rev. Casey Sigmon, a faculty member who leads chapel.
Read story
Religion News Service
Pastor leaves church after TV appearance in drag
NEWBURGH, Ind. — The Rev. Craig Duke was relieved from his pastoral duties last week at Newburgh United Methodist Church after receiving pushback from congregants over his appearance on HBO’s “We’re Here,” where locals in small towns across the U.S. are transformed into drag queens. A statement from the Indiana Conference clarified that Duke did not resign and was not fired, but that “he and the Conference felt that he was no longer able to effectively serve in parish ministry with the Newburgh congregation.” Emily McFarlan Miller reports.
Read story
KBMT-12NewsNow
Man sentenced in church, business scam
BEAUMONT, Texas — Reuben Alvarez Sr., who was involved in a “business email compromise scam” that targeted the General Council on Finance and Administration among other organizations, has been sentenced to six years in prison with credit for time served. He also must pay $18,000 in restitution. Raegan Gibson reports.
Read story and watch video
UM News: Indictment in scam that snagged church agency
Correction
The quote of the day featured in the Dec. 6 Daily Digest — “We grieved over the loss. (But) I knew in my heart that God had a big plan; it was bigger and better than we imagined. God was faithful to us.” — was by Pam Robinson, co-director of Dodson Chapel Childcare at Hermitage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church. The quote was misattributed. UM News regrets the error.
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.
Trees symbolize a reformed denomination
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Setting a new tree for every member of The United Methodist Church is a positive way to announce the church’s reformation to the world, suggests the Rev. Mel West, a retired pastor. “Whatever form the denomination takes going forward, we are still of one root, one trunk, several branches and many leaves,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Men
UM Men winter magazine available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The winter edition of United Methodist Men's magazine features stories on Scouting and dismantling racism as well as new top executive Greg Arnold’s vision for the agency’s future.
Read issue
RECENT HEADLINES
Tornado destroys church, but not its ministry
2021 annual conference reports
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 17-Friday, Feb. 25
Online course: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry
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