“I am asking for prayers for our faithful who are in the bush, without food, without medicine, and whose homes have been looted.” — The Rev. M. Sachou, a United Methodist missionary assigned to the Central African Republic, on insecurity in the region.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church helps displaced in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic (UM News) — As post-election violence continues to rage, United Methodists are offering shelter and other humanitarian aid to people seeking refuge from armed rebels. Chadrack Tambwe Londe and Isaac Broune report.
Read story
Texas Conference
Texas church rallies after broken pipes, flooding
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — Many churches across Texas are dealing with broken pipes and flooding from freezing temperatures last week. Lindsay Peyton reports on members’ quick actions to minimize the damage at Friendswood United Methodist Church, near Houston.
Read story
Churches serve as warming centers, shelters
Global Ministries
UMCOR responding to winter storm
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has worked with conference disaster relief coordinators to provide immediate funding and long-term support since the winter storm led to power outages and burst pipes across Texas and other southern states. People can support recovery efforts by giving to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery Advance #901670.
To give
Northwest Florida Daily News
The Rev. Thomas Butts, civil rights veteran, dies
MONROEVILLE, Ala. — The Rev. Thomas Lane Butts Jr., an outspoken pastor who championed desegregation during the civil rights movement, died Feb. 15 at 90. Butts served United Methodist congregations in Florida and Alabama, including serving as pastor to famed novelist Harper Lee and her sister, Alice Lee, a pioneering lawyer. Kevin Robinson has an obituary.
Read obituary
KERA News
Black clergy united for housing project
DALLAS — In connection with the PBS documentary “The Black Church,” public broadcasting station KERA interviewed the Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., a longtime United Methodist pastor, seminary professor and political figure in Dallas. He led an ecumenical coalition of Black clergy in building a major housing project called Unity Estates.
Read and watch interview
Read other coverage of the Black church in Dallas
‘Black Church’ film taps United Methodist sources
National Justice for Our Neighbors
Torture victim wins asylum
ANNANDALE, Va. — Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, a United Methodist immigration ministry, recently won an asylum case for an African man of the Fulani ethnic minority. He was kicked off his ancestral land and tortured before making his escape to the U.S., where lawyers for the group helped him secure a future.
Read story
RESOURCES
West Ohio Conference
Clinic on digital discipleship in March
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Insights on doing effective ministry and discipleship on social media will be offered during Bishop Gregory Palmer’s March 4 leadership clinic. Palmer’s guest will be author Nona Jones. Cost for the webinar is $20 for people inside the West Ohio Conference and $40 for others.
Read release and register
Higher Education Foundation
Deadline nears for scholarship applications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Applications for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation are due March 1. Applicants must be United Methodist members and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school full time for the 2021-22 academic year.
To submit applications
Learn more
RECENT HEADLINES
Book revisits pastor’s reticence on civil rights
A virtual General Conference faces hurdles
EVENTS
Monday, March 8-Friday, March 26
Cultivating Faith online course: Gardening as an Experiential Bible Study
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church helps displaced in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic (UM News) — As post-election violence continues to rage, United Methodists are offering shelter and other humanitarian aid to people seeking refuge from armed rebels. Chadrack Tambwe Londe and Isaac Broune report.
Read story
Texas Conference
Texas church rallies after broken pipes, flooding
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — Many churches across Texas are dealing with broken pipes and flooding from freezing temperatures last week. Lindsay Peyton reports on members’ quick actions to minimize the damage at Friendswood United Methodist Church, near Houston.
Read story
Churches serve as warming centers, shelters
Global Ministries
UMCOR responding to winter storm
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has worked with conference disaster relief coordinators to provide immediate funding and long-term support since the winter storm led to power outages and burst pipes across Texas and other southern states. People can support recovery efforts by giving to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery Advance #901670.
To give
Northwest Florida Daily News
The Rev. Thomas Butts, civil rights veteran, dies
MONROEVILLE, Ala. — The Rev. Thomas Lane Butts Jr., an outspoken pastor who championed desegregation during the civil rights movement, died Feb. 15 at 90. Butts served United Methodist congregations in Florida and Alabama, including serving as pastor to famed novelist Harper Lee and her sister, Alice Lee, a pioneering lawyer. Kevin Robinson has an obituary.
Read obituary
KERA News
Black clergy united for housing project
DALLAS — In connection with the PBS documentary “The Black Church,” public broadcasting station KERA interviewed the Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., a longtime United Methodist pastor, seminary professor and political figure in Dallas. He led an ecumenical coalition of Black clergy in building a major housing project called Unity Estates.
Read and watch interview
Read other coverage of the Black church in Dallas
‘Black Church’ film taps United Methodist sources
National Justice for Our Neighbors
Torture victim wins asylum
ANNANDALE, Va. — Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, a United Methodist immigration ministry, recently won an asylum case for an African man of the Fulani ethnic minority. He was kicked off his ancestral land and tortured before making his escape to the U.S., where lawyers for the group helped him secure a future.
Read story
RESOURCES
West Ohio Conference
Clinic on digital discipleship in March
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Insights on doing effective ministry and discipleship on social media will be offered during Bishop Gregory Palmer’s March 4 leadership clinic. Palmer’s guest will be author Nona Jones. Cost for the webinar is $20 for people inside the West Ohio Conference and $40 for others.
Read release and register
Higher Education Foundation
Deadline nears for scholarship applications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Applications for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation are due March 1. Applicants must be United Methodist members and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school full time for the 2021-22 academic year.
To submit applications
Learn more
RECENT HEADLINES
Book revisits pastor’s reticence on civil rights
A virtual General Conference faces hurdles
EVENTS
Monday, March 8-Friday, March 26
Cultivating Faith online course: Gardening as an Experiential Bible Study
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.