“Most of the time, down the road, whatever it was that caused the divide goes away, and often we get back together.” — The Rev. Kevin Newburg, a history professor, on what typically has happened in Methodist splits.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church disaffiliations, court cases mount
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As General Conference continues to be delayed, an increasing number of congregations are parting ways with The United Methodist Church. Most are using the denomination’s disaffiliation procedures, but some are heading to civil court instead. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Global Ministries
Haiti recovery efforts continue
ATLANTA — Haitians continue to be aided by The United Methodist Church as they recover from an earthquake in August and Tropical Storm Grace, which hit just two days after the first tragedy. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has released a series of grants to help, with the latest providing emergency food rations to more than 5,000 people. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
The Stanly News and Press
College president remembered
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Rev. Jack J. Early, a lifelong Methodist and the former president of two United Methodist-related colleges, died Jan. 22 at age 96. Early was president of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, from 1958 to 1969. He then was president of Pfeiffer University from 1969 to 1971. Ken Keuffel has his obituary.
Read obituary
KIWA Radio
Pastors shaved bald to support missions
SHELDON, Iowa — Two ministers at Sheldon United Methodist Church raised $9,300 for missions work by volunteering to publicly have their heads shaved. The Revs. Jacob Sandholm and Kevin Gingerich got the haircuts at the church’s annual pre-Valentine’s Day Italian meal served by the youth. Scott Van Aartsen has the story.
Read and listen to story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops rebuke hatred, racism
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning the recent attacks and threats against houses of worship and institutions of learning in the United States. Specifically, the Feb. 8 statement referred to the recent attack on a synagogue in Texas and bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities.
Read press release
Read statement
Minnesota Conference
Bishop issues pastoral letter on police shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the Feb. 2 shooting of Amir Locke by police executing a no-knock warrant, Minnesota Conference Bishop David A. Bard issued calls for prayer for Locke’s family as well as an examination of the practice of no-knock warrants. “We seek genuine reform in policing, policies, procedures, and training that builds community and protects and serves … the whole community,” he wrote.
Read letter
Belmont United Methodist Church
Church members denounce anti-Semitism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Belmont United Methodist Church’s advocacy ministries council has issued a statement calling for the removal of “United Methodist” from the Holston United Methodist Home for Children. The adoption agency is in the news after refusing to help a Jewish couple. The Belmont statement points out that United Methodist teachings condemn anti-Semitism.
Read statement
Holston Conference: United Methodists speaking out
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.
Setting the record straight on disaffiliations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Bishop Robert Farr of the Missouri Conference offers advice to congregations that are considering leaving the denomination and raises concerns about false statements. While celebrating the ministry of churches that have chosen to part ways, Farr writes that the loss of connection is also a source of grief.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
The Upper Room
Online class focuses on Lenten hymns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Upper Room is offering a Lenten eCourse, “Listening Through Lent With James C. Howell,” based on his book “Unrevealed Until Its Season.” The online class includes the book and a weekly live session at noon U.S. Central time each Wednesday, March 9-April 13. A free webinar about the course will be held at 6 p.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 15. The course costs $34.
To register for Feb. 15 webinar
To register for Lenten eCourse
RECENT HEADLINES
Hendren aiming for stability at Wespath
Commentary: Stop yelling! I still can’t hear you!
EVENTS
Wednesday, March 2
Ash Wednesday
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church disaffiliations, court cases mount
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As General Conference continues to be delayed, an increasing number of congregations are parting ways with The United Methodist Church. Most are using the denomination’s disaffiliation procedures, but some are heading to civil court instead. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Global Ministries
Haiti recovery efforts continue
ATLANTA — Haitians continue to be aided by The United Methodist Church as they recover from an earthquake in August and Tropical Storm Grace, which hit just two days after the first tragedy. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has released a series of grants to help, with the latest providing emergency food rations to more than 5,000 people. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
The Stanly News and Press
College president remembered
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Rev. Jack J. Early, a lifelong Methodist and the former president of two United Methodist-related colleges, died Jan. 22 at age 96. Early was president of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, from 1958 to 1969. He then was president of Pfeiffer University from 1969 to 1971. Ken Keuffel has his obituary.
Read obituary
KIWA Radio
Pastors shaved bald to support missions
SHELDON, Iowa — Two ministers at Sheldon United Methodist Church raised $9,300 for missions work by volunteering to publicly have their heads shaved. The Revs. Jacob Sandholm and Kevin Gingerich got the haircuts at the church’s annual pre-Valentine’s Day Italian meal served by the youth. Scott Van Aartsen has the story.
Read and listen to story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops rebuke hatred, racism
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning the recent attacks and threats against houses of worship and institutions of learning in the United States. Specifically, the Feb. 8 statement referred to the recent attack on a synagogue in Texas and bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities.
Read press release
Read statement
Minnesota Conference
Bishop issues pastoral letter on police shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the Feb. 2 shooting of Amir Locke by police executing a no-knock warrant, Minnesota Conference Bishop David A. Bard issued calls for prayer for Locke’s family as well as an examination of the practice of no-knock warrants. “We seek genuine reform in policing, policies, procedures, and training that builds community and protects and serves … the whole community,” he wrote.
Read letter
Belmont United Methodist Church
Church members denounce anti-Semitism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Belmont United Methodist Church’s advocacy ministries council has issued a statement calling for the removal of “United Methodist” from the Holston United Methodist Home for Children. The adoption agency is in the news after refusing to help a Jewish couple. The Belmont statement points out that United Methodist teachings condemn anti-Semitism.
Read statement
Holston Conference: United Methodists speaking out
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.
Setting the record straight on disaffiliations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Bishop Robert Farr of the Missouri Conference offers advice to congregations that are considering leaving the denomination and raises concerns about false statements. While celebrating the ministry of churches that have chosen to part ways, Farr writes that the loss of connection is also a source of grief.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
The Upper Room
Online class focuses on Lenten hymns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Upper Room is offering a Lenten eCourse, “Listening Through Lent With James C. Howell,” based on his book “Unrevealed Until Its Season.” The online class includes the book and a weekly live session at noon U.S. Central time each Wednesday, March 9-April 13. A free webinar about the course will be held at 6 p.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 15. The course costs $34.
To register for Feb. 15 webinar
To register for Lenten eCourse
RECENT HEADLINES
Hendren aiming for stability at Wespath
Commentary: Stop yelling! I still can’t hear you!
EVENTS
Wednesday, March 2
Ash Wednesday
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