“No one has ever done something so important for us in this place. Our souls and bellies are full, and we thank God for touching your hearts and sending you to provide food support.” — Dada Naivo, on outreach from The United Methodist Church in Madagascar.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Church in Madagascar feeds hungry
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (UM News) — Members of the first United Methodist church in the island nation of Madagascar took their ministry on the road to help a community facing food challenges. Church members preached and provided support in Faratanjona, where many of the village’s 1,500 residents lack basic commodities and the community doesn’t have infrastructure, including schools, clinics and roads. Esdras Rakotoarivony has the story.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
General Conference worship leader shares insights
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Serving as worship leader at the upcoming General Conference is an assignment that Raymond Trapp is embracing by offering music that both showcases the diversity of the church and also meets people at their point of need. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, Trapp shares insights into his musical strategy and his self-care routine for the 11-day event.
Listen to podcast
No Daily Digest Jan. 15
In observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, there will be no UM News Daily Digest on Monday, Jan. 15. The digest will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Download UM News meme
PRESS RELEASES
South Georgia Conference
Georgia foundation names new president
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. — The Georgia United Methodist Foundation board unanimously approved a recommendation to elect the Rev. Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley as the foundation’s next president and chief executive officer. Coppedge-Henley, a longtime pastor who previously worked with the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, started her new role on Jan. 9.
Read press release
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.
Baltimore-Washington Conference
What would MLK say today?
BALTIMORE — This year marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the 60th anniversary of King's receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, a King scholar and pastor of Epworth Chapel United Methodist Church in Baltimore, shares his annual letter, reflecting on today's world through the voice of the esteemed civil rights leader.
Read letter
RESOURCES
Amplify Media
Help for preparing for Lent
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amplify Media, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, has scheduled a two-part Lenten webinar series at noon U.S. Central time Jan. 23 and Jan. 25. The first session features the Rev. Susan Robb discussing her book “Remember: God’s Covenants and the Cross.” The second session will feature Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin discussing his book “The Third Day: Living the Resurrection.” The Rev. Magrey deVega will host.
Learn more and register
Foundation for Evangelism
Grants available for church innovation
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism will open the Equipping the Local Church grant cycle on Jan. 15. Up to 50 grants of $5,000 or $10,000 are available to small- and medium-size church congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. An information session is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 25. Applications close Feb. 29.
Read press release
Register for information session
EVENTS
Sunday, Jan. 14
Human Relations Day
Wednesday, Feb. 7-Friday, Feb. 9
Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Building hope through homes in Haiti
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (UM News) — Despite unrest in Haiti, a United Methodist clergy couple’s charitable organization continues to help build homes for members of a rural, mountainous community in the Caribbean nation. Nearly 80 homes have been built in Fondwa so far, and more than 100 additional families are on the waiting list. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Church helps thousands of malnourished children
GOMA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church is helping care for malnourished children in Congo. As part of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health program, United Methodists provide nutritional supplements, medical care and advice to parents on infant feeding and care. In 2023, the church helped more than 2,300 malnourished children, including 771 with acute malnutrition. The program is supported by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Global Health unit. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
What is the purpose of the Season after Epiphany?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Season after Epiphany has a specific role in the disciple-making work of the local church. The readings of the Revised Common Lectionary support each congregation in the kind of work it most needs to do during these weeks to get ready for the next phase of ministry during Lent. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards explains.
Read story
Southeastern Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction's leaders advise no bishop elections
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy recommends that the jurisdiction not have bishop elections when it meets in July. Instead, the committee is recommending delegates reconfigure episcopal areas — making the Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and South Georgia conferences one area and making the Central Appalachian Missionary (formerly Red Bird), Kentucky and Holston conferences another. The North Central Jurisdiction also has scheduled a special session online at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 23 to approve new episcopal areas.
Read Southeastern Jurisdiction letter
Read North Central Jurisdiction press release
Commentary: One leader for two agencies raises questions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — The United Methodist boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries are on track to have a single top executive. The Rev. William B. Lawrence argues that what appears to be a move for efficiency may result in diminished effectiveness for the church.
Read commentary
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