“The scorching sun can burn the crops, but not our hearts. The church is alive.” — Beauty Mukwekwezeke, Marange District lay leader, on the turnout during a United Methodist crusade in Zimbabwe.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church brings Christ to villagers’ doorsteps
BUHERA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A United Methodist crusade helped the Marange District regain some membership lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day event brought the Gospel to more than 200 villagers’ homes and resulted in dozens of new members and the return of others. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Ash Wednesday marks new beginning
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Ash Wednesday has gained added significance this year for Nicole Boddie, a pastor who serves Sabine Pass and St. John United Methodist churches. Even though it is a solemn occasion, one focused on repentance and mortality, there is hope ahead: the promise that comes with resurrection and celebration of Easter. During a season of disaffiliation that has affected her personally, Boddie says she sees reason for hope and the opportunity for a new beginning. Lindsay Peyton has the story.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Extending hospitality during Mardi Gras
NEW ORLEANS — The Rev. Jay Hogewood, pastor of Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church, said some may consider it heresy for a church to welcome people participating in a “hedonistic” event such as Mardi Gras, but he sees a ministry opportunity. Situated on St. Charles Avenue, right on the city’s parade route, the church sells “hospitality tickets” that give paradegoers access to relax, have a meal and watch the parade from church property. Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the church’s youth group activities and mission trip. Mark Lambert reports.
Read story
East Ohio Conference
United Methodists step up after train derailment
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — A United Methodist church became the command center for recovery efforts after the disastrous derailing of a train carrying hazardous chemicals. The Norfolk Southern Railway train derailed Feb. 3, spewing chemicals into the air in the 4,800-population town. East Palestine Centenary United Methodist Church was selected because of its work addressing social concerns in the community. The Rev. Ed Fashbaugh and Rick Wolcott have the story.
Read story
Virginia Conference
33 churches approved for disaffiliation
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Virginia Conference met Feb. 18 in a special called session and approved 33 churches for disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. New Town United Methodist Church in Williamsburg was not approved in a close vote. Madeline White reports.
Read report
See special session schedule
Las Cruces Sun-News
Church gives Valentine’s gift to community
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — For a second year, Morning Star United Methodist Church marked Valentine’s Day by offering free weddings and helping longtime married couples renew their vows. “I love love,” said one little girl who saw her parents wed. Leah Romero has the story.
Read story
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.
Red Letter Christians
What does Black history mean to white people?
ST. DAVIDS, Pa. — The current hostility to critical race theory reflects the resistance to embracing Black history as part of the collective history of Americans, writes Emily Jones on the Red Letter Christians website. Jones is executive for racial justice at United Women of Faith. “Few of us enjoy sitting with uncomfortable truths,” she says. Jones encourages white learners to engage in deeper understanding and action during Black History Month and beyond.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving
Hunger for God on display at revival
EVENTS
Monday, March 20-Saturday, April 1
Online course: Come to the Waters
Monday, March 20-Sunday, April 2
Online course: Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church brings Christ to villagers’ doorsteps
BUHERA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A United Methodist crusade helped the Marange District regain some membership lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day event brought the Gospel to more than 200 villagers’ homes and resulted in dozens of new members and the return of others. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Ash Wednesday marks new beginning
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Ash Wednesday has gained added significance this year for Nicole Boddie, a pastor who serves Sabine Pass and St. John United Methodist churches. Even though it is a solemn occasion, one focused on repentance and mortality, there is hope ahead: the promise that comes with resurrection and celebration of Easter. During a season of disaffiliation that has affected her personally, Boddie says she sees reason for hope and the opportunity for a new beginning. Lindsay Peyton has the story.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Extending hospitality during Mardi Gras
NEW ORLEANS — The Rev. Jay Hogewood, pastor of Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church, said some may consider it heresy for a church to welcome people participating in a “hedonistic” event such as Mardi Gras, but he sees a ministry opportunity. Situated on St. Charles Avenue, right on the city’s parade route, the church sells “hospitality tickets” that give paradegoers access to relax, have a meal and watch the parade from church property. Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the church’s youth group activities and mission trip. Mark Lambert reports.
Read story
East Ohio Conference
United Methodists step up after train derailment
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — A United Methodist church became the command center for recovery efforts after the disastrous derailing of a train carrying hazardous chemicals. The Norfolk Southern Railway train derailed Feb. 3, spewing chemicals into the air in the 4,800-population town. East Palestine Centenary United Methodist Church was selected because of its work addressing social concerns in the community. The Rev. Ed Fashbaugh and Rick Wolcott have the story.
Read story
Virginia Conference
33 churches approved for disaffiliation
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Virginia Conference met Feb. 18 in a special called session and approved 33 churches for disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. New Town United Methodist Church in Williamsburg was not approved in a close vote. Madeline White reports.
Read report
See special session schedule
Las Cruces Sun-News
Church gives Valentine’s gift to community
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — For a second year, Morning Star United Methodist Church marked Valentine’s Day by offering free weddings and helping longtime married couples renew their vows. “I love love,” said one little girl who saw her parents wed. Leah Romero has the story.
Read story
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.
Red Letter Christians
What does Black history mean to white people?
ST. DAVIDS, Pa. — The current hostility to critical race theory reflects the resistance to embracing Black history as part of the collective history of Americans, writes Emily Jones on the Red Letter Christians website. Jones is executive for racial justice at United Women of Faith. “Few of us enjoy sitting with uncomfortable truths,” she says. Jones encourages white learners to engage in deeper understanding and action during Black History Month and beyond.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving
Hunger for God on display at revival
EVENTS
Monday, March 20-Saturday, April 1
Online course: Come to the Waters
Monday, March 20-Sunday, April 2
Online course: Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
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