NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodist Communications
Why does Lent begin with ashes?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a time for reflecting on our humanity, sins and mortality. Discover the history and traditions of Ash Wednesday, as well as how you can participate in this holy day of repentance.
Watch video
Download meme
Ask The UMC: When did Ash Wednesday begin?
United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina
‘Firewood church’ responds to community need
CULLOWHEE, N.C. — On a recent Saturday morning at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, volunteers split firewood and delivered it by the truckload to the homes of local seniors. Now in its 13th year, the ministry responds to a vital community need — and also has become an unexpected source of growth for the congregation, says the Rev. Mitch Boughman, the church’s senior pastor. Matt Garfield reports on the “firewood church.”
Read story
World Council of Churches
Nearly 500 Ukrainian religious sites damaged, destroyed
WASHINGTON — The Institute for Religious Freedom, a non-governmental human rights organization founded in 2001 in Kyiv, Ukraine, reports that at least 494 religious buildings in Ukraine have been destroyed, damaged or looted as a result of the Russian invasion, and seizure of religious buildings for use as Russian military bases increases the scale of destruction of religious sites in Ukraine. The data on the impact of the war on Ukrainian religious communities was presented during the Summit on International Religious Freedom Feb. 1. The World Council of Churches has a staff report.
Read story
North Texas Conference
St. Andrew members vote for disaffiliation
PLANO, Texas — St. Andrew United Methodist Church announced in October that it would be leaving The United Methodist Church, based on a decision by church leaders as opposed to a members’ vote. But after discussions by church leaders and North Texas Conference officials, St. Andrew did hold a vote by members on Feb. 21. They voted 859 in favor of disaffiliation and 12 against. A Feb. 22 North Texas Conference statement said the Plano megachurch has, with the vote and certain financial commitments, met disaffiliation requirements as listed in the Book of Discipline. St. Andrew is expected to be among the churches whose disaffiliations will be up for approval when the conference meets in special session on March 4.
Read statement
Read past UM News coverage
Fox 13
Clergy react to release on bond of colleague’s accused killer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Clergy friends of the Rev. Autura Eason-Williams are grappling with the release on bond of a youth charged with murdering her on July 18, 2022. Eason-Williams, a United Methodist district superintendent, was shot to death in a carjacking. Miguel Andrade, 15, faces several charges, including first-degree murder. Two others have been accused in the crimes against Eason-Williams. Jack Bilyeu gathered comments from some of Eason-Williams’ clergy friends about Andrade’s pre-trial release.
Watch report and read story
UM News: District superintendent killed in carjacking
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
A Lenten challenge for United Methodists
WASHINGTON — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, has offered a message and challenge for Lent. Bickerton writes: “There is no doubt that as we absorb the realities of splintering, disaffiliation and post-Covid, it is time for us as United Methodists to make the pivot away from what was into new and concerted efforts to reclaim, revive and renew The United Methodist Church throughout the world.”
Read press release
Read full message
Global Ministries
Pray for Ukraine event is Feb. 24
ATLANTA — Feb. 24 marks one year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. More than 8 million people have fled Ukraine and millions more have been uprooted inside the country. Thousands of lives have been lost. To acknowledge the anniversary, Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will lead a prayer for comfort and peace for Ukraine at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 24 on Facebook Live.
Read press release
Watch Facebook Live
RECENT HEADLINES
Church brings Christ to villagers’ doorsteps
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving
EVENTS
Tuesday, March 7
Voices From the Field: The Order of Deaconess & Home Missioner
Tuesday, March 14
Webinar: The Church Audit — It's Easier Than You Think
United Methodist Communications
Why does Lent begin with ashes?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a time for reflecting on our humanity, sins and mortality. Discover the history and traditions of Ash Wednesday, as well as how you can participate in this holy day of repentance.
Watch video
Download meme
Ask The UMC: When did Ash Wednesday begin?
United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina
‘Firewood church’ responds to community need
CULLOWHEE, N.C. — On a recent Saturday morning at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, volunteers split firewood and delivered it by the truckload to the homes of local seniors. Now in its 13th year, the ministry responds to a vital community need — and also has become an unexpected source of growth for the congregation, says the Rev. Mitch Boughman, the church’s senior pastor. Matt Garfield reports on the “firewood church.”
Read story
World Council of Churches
Nearly 500 Ukrainian religious sites damaged, destroyed
WASHINGTON — The Institute for Religious Freedom, a non-governmental human rights organization founded in 2001 in Kyiv, Ukraine, reports that at least 494 religious buildings in Ukraine have been destroyed, damaged or looted as a result of the Russian invasion, and seizure of religious buildings for use as Russian military bases increases the scale of destruction of religious sites in Ukraine. The data on the impact of the war on Ukrainian religious communities was presented during the Summit on International Religious Freedom Feb. 1. The World Council of Churches has a staff report.
Read story
North Texas Conference
St. Andrew members vote for disaffiliation
PLANO, Texas — St. Andrew United Methodist Church announced in October that it would be leaving The United Methodist Church, based on a decision by church leaders as opposed to a members’ vote. But after discussions by church leaders and North Texas Conference officials, St. Andrew did hold a vote by members on Feb. 21. They voted 859 in favor of disaffiliation and 12 against. A Feb. 22 North Texas Conference statement said the Plano megachurch has, with the vote and certain financial commitments, met disaffiliation requirements as listed in the Book of Discipline. St. Andrew is expected to be among the churches whose disaffiliations will be up for approval when the conference meets in special session on March 4.
Read statement
Read past UM News coverage
Fox 13
Clergy react to release on bond of colleague’s accused killer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Clergy friends of the Rev. Autura Eason-Williams are grappling with the release on bond of a youth charged with murdering her on July 18, 2022. Eason-Williams, a United Methodist district superintendent, was shot to death in a carjacking. Miguel Andrade, 15, faces several charges, including first-degree murder. Two others have been accused in the crimes against Eason-Williams. Jack Bilyeu gathered comments from some of Eason-Williams’ clergy friends about Andrade’s pre-trial release.
Watch report and read story
UM News: District superintendent killed in carjacking
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
A Lenten challenge for United Methodists
WASHINGTON — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, has offered a message and challenge for Lent. Bickerton writes: “There is no doubt that as we absorb the realities of splintering, disaffiliation and post-Covid, it is time for us as United Methodists to make the pivot away from what was into new and concerted efforts to reclaim, revive and renew The United Methodist Church throughout the world.”
Read press release
Read full message
Global Ministries
Pray for Ukraine event is Feb. 24
ATLANTA — Feb. 24 marks one year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. More than 8 million people have fled Ukraine and millions more have been uprooted inside the country. Thousands of lives have been lost. To acknowledge the anniversary, Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will lead a prayer for comfort and peace for Ukraine at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 24 on Facebook Live.
Read press release
Watch Facebook Live
RECENT HEADLINES
Church brings Christ to villagers’ doorsteps
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving
EVENTS
Tuesday, March 7
Voices From the Field: The Order of Deaconess & Home Missioner
Tuesday, March 14
Webinar: The Church Audit — It's Easier Than You Think
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