“We see desperation in many countries. … If these funds can help alleviate a feeling of desperation or hopelessness, then we’ve done a part of our work.” — The Rev. Cynthia Weems, about the Encounter with Christ fund.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Sustaining faith partnerships with Latin America
ATLANTA (UM News) — For years, small grants provided by the Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean fund have had a big impact. A mission partnership of several Methodist bodies, the fund has been nurtured by dedicated supporters working to add to their ranks. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Los Angeles Times
Nativity depicts Holy Family as refugees
CLAREMONT, Calif. — Claremont United Methodist Church’s Nativity scene, depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph in separate cages to demonstrate the Trump administration’s separation of families at the border, has drawn criticism and support. The Rev. Karen Clark Ristine, pastor of Claremont, said, “We wanted the Holy Family to stand in for those nameless people because they also were refugees.” James Queally reports.
Read story
Summit leads United Methodists to heart of border woes
Church mobilizes after earthquakes damage Albania
TIRANA, Albania (UM News) — After a series of more than 500 earthquakes in two days — the strongest of which claimed more than 20 lives — Albanian United Methodists are seeking ways to offer material help and emotional support in the hardest-hit areas. Urs Schweizer reports.
Read story
The Courier of Montgomery County
Texas church serves up faith with barbecue
MONTGOMERY, Texas — Steve Freeman, who heads adult Sunday school classes at Montgomery United Methodist Church, has started the MUMC Cookers to prepare barbecue for area charities and families displaced by disaster. He also has a few barbecue-related Bible stories he likes to share. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Lansing CityPulse
Church is both religious, arts landmark
LANSING, Mich. — Central United Methodist Church — with its original Ionia stone exterior, colossal stained-glass windows and four-story communal center — has been a downtown arts destination since the 1920s. Today, renting facilities helps offset the cost of maintaining the massive and ornate structure. David Winkelstern has the story.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Wilke Institute has worldwide reach
WINFIELD, Kan. — The Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College has had a big impact on campus and across the world, thanks to online classes. Todd Seifert, Great Plains Conference communications director, tells the story in his latest “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.
Listen to podcast
COMMENTARIES
Glorious Life
Desire to keep congregations intact
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In his “Glorious Life” blog, the Rev. C. Don Jones observes that for all the talk about The United Methodist Church dissolving or separating as a denomination, few people seem to expect or want the same for their own congregations.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Jurisdictional conference sues SMU
Doctors’ strike taxes United Methodist hospitals
EVENTS
Saturday, Dec. 14
Appalachian Christmas Craft Show at Lake Junaluska
NEWS AND FEATURES
Sustaining faith partnerships with Latin America
ATLANTA (UM News) — For years, small grants provided by the Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean fund have had a big impact. A mission partnership of several Methodist bodies, the fund has been nurtured by dedicated supporters working to add to their ranks. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Los Angeles Times
Nativity depicts Holy Family as refugees
CLAREMONT, Calif. — Claremont United Methodist Church’s Nativity scene, depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph in separate cages to demonstrate the Trump administration’s separation of families at the border, has drawn criticism and support. The Rev. Karen Clark Ristine, pastor of Claremont, said, “We wanted the Holy Family to stand in for those nameless people because they also were refugees.” James Queally reports.
Read story
Summit leads United Methodists to heart of border woes
Church mobilizes after earthquakes damage Albania
TIRANA, Albania (UM News) — After a series of more than 500 earthquakes in two days — the strongest of which claimed more than 20 lives — Albanian United Methodists are seeking ways to offer material help and emotional support in the hardest-hit areas. Urs Schweizer reports.
Read story
The Courier of Montgomery County
Texas church serves up faith with barbecue
MONTGOMERY, Texas — Steve Freeman, who heads adult Sunday school classes at Montgomery United Methodist Church, has started the MUMC Cookers to prepare barbecue for area charities and families displaced by disaster. He also has a few barbecue-related Bible stories he likes to share. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Lansing CityPulse
Church is both religious, arts landmark
LANSING, Mich. — Central United Methodist Church — with its original Ionia stone exterior, colossal stained-glass windows and four-story communal center — has been a downtown arts destination since the 1920s. Today, renting facilities helps offset the cost of maintaining the massive and ornate structure. David Winkelstern has the story.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Wilke Institute has worldwide reach
WINFIELD, Kan. — The Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College has had a big impact on campus and across the world, thanks to online classes. Todd Seifert, Great Plains Conference communications director, tells the story in his latest “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.
Listen to podcast
COMMENTARIES
Glorious Life
Desire to keep congregations intact
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In his “Glorious Life” blog, the Rev. C. Don Jones observes that for all the talk about The United Methodist Church dissolving or separating as a denomination, few people seem to expect or want the same for their own congregations.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Jurisdictional conference sues SMU
Doctors’ strike taxes United Methodist hospitals
EVENTS
Saturday, Dec. 14
Appalachian Christmas Craft Show at Lake Junaluska
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