"One of the pieces of good news with the Golden Globes is it has helped bring some high visibility to an issue we’ve all been trying to address for some time." — United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson.
NEWS AND FEATURES
World Council of Churches
Speaking out for all women
LOS ANGELES (WCC) — As bishop-in-residence at the Hollywood United Methodist Church, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson ministers to church members who were involved in the Golden Globes, where women wore black and highlighted a campaign to fight sexual misconduct. As vice moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, she is pleased to see the “Time’s Up” campaign expand to women across the globe. The WCC is part of a “Thursdays in Black” campaign. Susan Kim reports.
Read story
WCC and the "Thursdays in Black" campaign
InfoServ
What does it mean to 'resist evil, injustice and oppression'?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (InfoServ) — In their baptismal vows, United Methodists commit to "renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world" and "resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves." InfoServ looks at the biblical and baptismal history behind the renunciation of evil, in the latest installment of Ask the UMC.
Read story
Ask the UMC
Mountain Sky Area
Church offers help for fallen sheriff's deputies
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Each Sunday, St. Andrew United Methodist Church relies on Douglas County sheriff’s deputies to direct traffic and provide security. So when the church learned five local law enforcement officers had been shot in responding to a domestic disturbance, clergy and members felt the need to care for a suffering part of its family. The church is helping with funeral expenses for Deputy Zack Parrish and medical expenses of the four other hospitalized officers.
Read pastoral letter
To help with fund
Greater New Jersey Conference
Sharing recovery experiences in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — At the invitation of Bishop Hector Ortiz, Bishop John Schol led a team from the Greater New Jersey Conference here to share ideas from the Hurricane Sandy recovery ministry. United Methodists in New Jersey raised more than $400,000 for hurricane relief in 2017. Josh Kinney reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Former community developers sought for project
ATLANTA — As the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Community Developers program, names and contact information of former community developers are needed. If you served as a community developer, especially between 1968 and 2004, please provide name, years served, email and phone number.
Contact: [email protected]
Lake Junaluska
Conference tackles polarization
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Interfaith Peace Conference will offer an interfaith dialogue about polarization, March 1-4 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The conference theme is “Meeting the Other: Can We Talk?” Speakers will address how to communicate with civility and respect while upholding core values and religious traditions.
To register
COMMENTARIES
Faith & Leadership
Brave new world for Christian formation
DURHAM, N.C. — David L. Odom, executive director of leadership education at Duke Divinity School, writes about the challenges congregations and church leaders face in nurturing Christian faith in “an increasingly digital and networked world.”
Read essay
RECENT HEADLINES
'Black Archives Matter' campaign catches on
Congo churches react to cholera epidemic
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, Jan. 15
Online class: How to build and provide a course online, Jan. 15-Jan.29
Online class: Evangelism: How to love your neighbors to Christ, Jan. 15-Feb. 4
Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].
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.