“I think as a person of color, I know that I have to work harder than my siblings who are white, just so that I could be seen that I'm almost equal to the leadership — almost.” — The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Minority pastors ‘have to keep on pushing’
ATLANTA (UM News) — Hard discussions about bias and race took place at the Facing the Future conference, held Nov. 14-16. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race organized the meeting of about 300 pastors engaged in cross-cultural ministries. Hope and hurt comingled at the event as attendees compared notes on how they were accepted and sometimes made to feel unwelcome. Jim Patterson reports.
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Exodus House celebrates 25 years of changing lives
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — “Exodus House is where God turned my life around,” said Shane Vaughn, a 2003 graduate of the Oklahoma Conference ministry that was created to help people fresh out of prison start a new life. Vaughn was one of about 85 people who came out to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Exodus House. He was joined by lay and clergy people who had been supporting the ministry, but most of the day’s guests were former residents like him. Boyce Bowdon has the story.
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Global Ministries
Recovery from 2022 hurricane continuing
ATLANTA — A $2 million grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief is assisting recovery from 2022’s Hurricane Ian in Florida. The grant to the Florida Conference helps provide long-term recovery to 165 households — nearly 400 individuals — who are among the most vulnerable members of the affected communities, including single parents, those with disabilities, the elderly and recent retirees without community ties. United Methodist Board of Global Ministries staff have the story.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Enhancing Culture of Call experiences
NORRISTOWN, Pa. — The number of young elders in The United Methodist Church reached a record low in 2023, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership reported. One way the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences are trying to reverse the trend is by cultivating a Culture of Call — helping church members, especially young members, to hear, discern and respond to God’s call to ministry in their lives. The conference and local seminaries are offering gatherings to discuss how to enhance the experience. John W. Coleman reports.
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Explore United Methodist photos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — UM News has thousands of images of The United Methodist Church in action throughout the world. These images are free to use for United Methodist organizations that provide an identifying credit.
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PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Wesley Christmas tree ornaments available
MADISON, N.J. — How about a shout out to John Wesley on your Christmas tree this year? The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History is offering ornaments of Wesley for $20. The ornaments are made by a Christian charity in Thailand and India that employs women who are skilled at hand sewing, giving them an opportunity to work within their rural communities rather than having to move away to larger cities. The proceeds go to Archives and History for its work promoting and preserving the history of The United Methodist Church.
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RESOURCES
Hope Springs Eternal
Pastor talks with cancer survivors
MARION, Va. — The Rev. Natalie Justice, a pastor in the Holston Conference, is dealing with endometrial cancer after surviving breast cancer. She previously hosted positive conversations about the future of The United Methodist Church. She now has launched a new video series in which she discusses her own journey with cancer and talks with other cancer survivors. The series is titled: “Hope Springs Eternal: Positive Conversations for Cancer Survivors and Families.”
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RECENT HEADLINES
Bishop Toquero remembered as ‘champion of the poor’
McConnell’s legacy one of ‘joyful ministry’
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Jan. 21
Online course: Preaching on Fractured Ground
Monday, Jan. 15-Friday, Feb. 23
Online course: Join Jesus in Rural Ministry
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