NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
Remembering Bishop Francis Burns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Francis Burns was the first Black bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Elected in 1858, he served as a missionary bishop in Liberia. His rise to ministry and the episcopate happened against a background of American racism, colonialism and imperialism, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications. In honor of Black History Month, the team has more on this pioneer in Methodism.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
South Georgia Conference
Church builds beds for children
WAYNESBORO, Ga. — Every child needs a bed. That’s the driving force behind a new ministry at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church. Kara Witherow reports how the church is providing youngsters with a good night’s sleep.
Read story
USA Today
Bethune-Cookman, Philander Smith, Rust threatened
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Three United Methodist-related schools — Bethune-Cookman University, Philander Smith College and Rust College — are among the historically Black colleges and universities that have had bomb threats this week. Bethune-Cookman, in Daytona Beach, received one on Jan. 31. Threats were made against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Rust in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on Feb. 1.
Read about threat to Bethune-Cookman
Read about threat to Philander Smith
Read about threat to Rust
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishop Woodie W. White honored
ATLANTA — The state of Georgia has honored retired United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White with the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Civil Rights Award. The award recognizes White’s unwavering advocacy for leadership development in the fight for civil rights. The late Lowery, a United Methodist pastor, was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Read press release
United Methodist Women
Rosa Parks’ birthday is Transit Equity Day
NEW YORK — United Methodist Women is a sponsor of Transit Equity Day, which falls on Feb. 4, the birthday of civil rights worker Rosa Parks. She famously refused to give up her seat on a public bus, a significant event in the struggle for equal rights. Activities will support the agenda of safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and affordable transit that is accessible to all.
Read press release
Get more information
Foundation Investment Management
Foundation reports substantial growth
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Foundation Investment Management, a strategic asset manager of The United Methodist Church, reports that 2021 year-end performance and returns for its customers have resulted in industry-surpassing returns on investments. The foundation’s investments adhere to United Methodist Social Principles.
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 the UM News staff.
‘We’ve come this far by faith’
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (UM News) — Reflecting on the growing divisions within the United States, retired Bishop Forrest C. Stith thinks that an underlying problem is a refusal to address issues related to equity and the racial divide. He compares national divisions to those within United Methodism, noting that the denomination’s “rich diversity is our strength and can be our liability.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Communication planning for churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is hosting Developing a Strategy for Communication Planning, a four-week online learning experience. Course facilitators will connect with participants through video workshops, assignments and discussion sessions to help churches take the next steps toward visioning and implementing effective communication planning. The course is set for Feb. 7-March 4. The last day to register is Feb. 2. Space is limited.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Changes, expansion for United Methodist Men
Church helps nurse children back to health in Congo
EVENTS
Monday, Feb. 28-Monday, April 18
Online course: Seeing Differently — A Lenten Journey With Your Camera
Ask The UMC
Remembering Bishop Francis Burns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Francis Burns was the first Black bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Elected in 1858, he served as a missionary bishop in Liberia. His rise to ministry and the episcopate happened against a background of American racism, colonialism and imperialism, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications. In honor of Black History Month, the team has more on this pioneer in Methodism.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
South Georgia Conference
Church builds beds for children
WAYNESBORO, Ga. — Every child needs a bed. That’s the driving force behind a new ministry at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church. Kara Witherow reports how the church is providing youngsters with a good night’s sleep.
Read story
USA Today
Bethune-Cookman, Philander Smith, Rust threatened
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Three United Methodist-related schools — Bethune-Cookman University, Philander Smith College and Rust College — are among the historically Black colleges and universities that have had bomb threats this week. Bethune-Cookman, in Daytona Beach, received one on Jan. 31. Threats were made against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Rust in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on Feb. 1.
Read about threat to Bethune-Cookman
Read about threat to Philander Smith
Read about threat to Rust
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishop Woodie W. White honored
ATLANTA — The state of Georgia has honored retired United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White with the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Civil Rights Award. The award recognizes White’s unwavering advocacy for leadership development in the fight for civil rights. The late Lowery, a United Methodist pastor, was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Read press release
United Methodist Women
Rosa Parks’ birthday is Transit Equity Day
NEW YORK — United Methodist Women is a sponsor of Transit Equity Day, which falls on Feb. 4, the birthday of civil rights worker Rosa Parks. She famously refused to give up her seat on a public bus, a significant event in the struggle for equal rights. Activities will support the agenda of safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and affordable transit that is accessible to all.
Read press release
Get more information
Foundation Investment Management
Foundation reports substantial growth
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Foundation Investment Management, a strategic asset manager of The United Methodist Church, reports that 2021 year-end performance and returns for its customers have resulted in industry-surpassing returns on investments. The foundation’s investments adhere to United Methodist Social Principles.
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 the UM News staff.
‘We’ve come this far by faith’
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (UM News) — Reflecting on the growing divisions within the United States, retired Bishop Forrest C. Stith thinks that an underlying problem is a refusal to address issues related to equity and the racial divide. He compares national divisions to those within United Methodism, noting that the denomination’s “rich diversity is our strength and can be our liability.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Communication planning for churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is hosting Developing a Strategy for Communication Planning, a four-week online learning experience. Course facilitators will connect with participants through video workshops, assignments and discussion sessions to help churches take the next steps toward visioning and implementing effective communication planning. The course is set for Feb. 7-March 4. The last day to register is Feb. 2. Space is limited.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Changes, expansion for United Methodist Men
Church helps nurse children back to health in Congo
EVENTS
Monday, Feb. 28-Monday, April 18
Online course: Seeing Differently — A Lenten Journey With Your Camera
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