“We give voice to anti-racist messages. But we have no church law that allows anyone to be brought up on charges if they participate in racist actions. … And we have never committed ourselves, system-wide, to the desegregation of congregations in The United Methodist Church.” — The Rev. William B. Lawrence
NEWS AND FEATURES
Methodism overdue for becoming ‘woke,’ author says
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. William B. Lawrence embraces a controversial word and lays out the history of racism within Methodism in his new book, “When the Church Woke.” Lawrence — a church historian who also has been a pastor, district superintendent, seminary professor and theological school dean — talks with Sam Hodges about the book.
Read Q&A
New York Conference
Cooperative parish relationship makes churches stronger
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The five United Methodist congregations that make up the New Room Cooperative Parish say that pooling their resources and integrating their ministries makes them stronger together. It’s not uncommon to see members of one church at the Bible study or worship service of another, and there are future plans to integrate administratively to having only one staff parish and finance committee between the group. New York Conference staff report.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Conference sees record 50 clergy candidates
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Great Plains Conference Board of Ordained Ministry — or BoOM for short — has seen a boom of its own this year. A record 50 candidates interviewed with the board from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at Topeka First United Methodist Church as part of the credentialing process that will lead to ordination. David Burke has the story.
Read story
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
New church formed after disaffiliation
WASHINGTON, Ill. — One hundred former members of Crossroads United Methodist Church, which plans to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, met in a pole barn as they begin a new faith journey. Bishop Frank Beard has recognized the Washington United Methodist Fellowship as a new church plant in the conference. “There is an amazing spirit among this group,” said Curtis Brown, director of connectional ministries.
Read story
New annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News continues to post 2022 annual conference reports as they become available. New this week are the Mozambique Southeast and Mozambique North conferences.
Read reports
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.
South Carolina United Methodist Advocate
Connection is rooted in Christ, not denomination
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Churches in South Carolina are starting to discern whether to stay or leave The United Methodist Church. Jessica Brodie, South Carolina United Methodist Advocate editor, writes that she is convinced that the connection among Methodists will remain strong regardless of what churches decide because connection is rooted in Christ.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
New resource connects Lenten practice, anti-racism
WASHINGTON — “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism” is a new Lenten resource from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and is intended for congregations to use in a small-group setting. The purpose of the study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism without forcing either one to be what they are not.
View resource
Finance and Administration
Webinar explores 2023 tech updates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration plans to hold a webinar that will explore computer updates in 2023 and how to keep donor and employee information secure. The webinar is set for 11 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 28.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Church brings health services to rural community
Using our brains: A proposal for General Conference
EVENTS
Monday, Feb. 20-Friday, March 31
Biblical Women, Lenten Longing and 21st Century Lives
Monday, Feb. 27-Friday, March 17
Online course: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
NEWS AND FEATURES
Methodism overdue for becoming ‘woke,’ author says
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. William B. Lawrence embraces a controversial word and lays out the history of racism within Methodism in his new book, “When the Church Woke.” Lawrence — a church historian who also has been a pastor, district superintendent, seminary professor and theological school dean — talks with Sam Hodges about the book.
Read Q&A
New York Conference
Cooperative parish relationship makes churches stronger
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The five United Methodist congregations that make up the New Room Cooperative Parish say that pooling their resources and integrating their ministries makes them stronger together. It’s not uncommon to see members of one church at the Bible study or worship service of another, and there are future plans to integrate administratively to having only one staff parish and finance committee between the group. New York Conference staff report.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Conference sees record 50 clergy candidates
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Great Plains Conference Board of Ordained Ministry — or BoOM for short — has seen a boom of its own this year. A record 50 candidates interviewed with the board from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at Topeka First United Methodist Church as part of the credentialing process that will lead to ordination. David Burke has the story.
Read story
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
New church formed after disaffiliation
WASHINGTON, Ill. — One hundred former members of Crossroads United Methodist Church, which plans to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, met in a pole barn as they begin a new faith journey. Bishop Frank Beard has recognized the Washington United Methodist Fellowship as a new church plant in the conference. “There is an amazing spirit among this group,” said Curtis Brown, director of connectional ministries.
Read story
New annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News continues to post 2022 annual conference reports as they become available. New this week are the Mozambique Southeast and Mozambique North conferences.
Read reports
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.
South Carolina United Methodist Advocate
Connection is rooted in Christ, not denomination
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Churches in South Carolina are starting to discern whether to stay or leave The United Methodist Church. Jessica Brodie, South Carolina United Methodist Advocate editor, writes that she is convinced that the connection among Methodists will remain strong regardless of what churches decide because connection is rooted in Christ.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
New resource connects Lenten practice, anti-racism
WASHINGTON — “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism” is a new Lenten resource from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and is intended for congregations to use in a small-group setting. The purpose of the study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism without forcing either one to be what they are not.
View resource
Finance and Administration
Webinar explores 2023 tech updates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration plans to hold a webinar that will explore computer updates in 2023 and how to keep donor and employee information secure. The webinar is set for 11 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 28.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Church brings health services to rural community
Using our brains: A proposal for General Conference
EVENTS
Monday, Feb. 20-Friday, March 31
Biblical Women, Lenten Longing and 21st Century Lives
Monday, Feb. 27-Friday, March 17
Online course: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
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