“Climate change affects everyone in some way.” — Bishop Agustín Altamirano Ramos, a leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Mexican Methodists respond to climate crisis
ACAPULCO, Mexico (UM News) — As residents of this seaside resort continue to put their lives back together following an October hurricane, a Methodist pastor said the storm offers a wake-up call about the climate crisis. The Methodist Church of Mexico — with support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief — is responding as climate change pushes congregations throughout the country to address new pastoral challenges. The Rev. Paul Jeffrey reports.
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UM News: Celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Mexico
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Health clinic dream becomes thriving reality
POINT WASHINGTON, Fla. — For many Floridians, health care can be inaccessible. However, Point Washington United Methodist Church has played a critical role in helping a free medical clinic provide safe and affordable health care in its community. The Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig has the story.
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Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Conference files suit against breakaway congregation
SHELBYVILLE, Ill. — The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has filed a lawsuit in Shelby County against a breakaway congregation that declared its independence from The United Methodist Church without completing the steps of disaffiliation required by the denomination’s Book of Discipline. The complaint, filed in Shelby County Circuit Court, alleges the former Cowden United Methodist Church has taken assets in violation of the denomination’s trust clause. Paul Black reports.
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Alaska Conference
Conference holds special session Jan. 29
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Conference has scheduled an online special session “to reconsider our decision to ask the General Conference to release us from Missionary Conference status in order to become a mission district of the PNW (Pacific Northwest) Conference.” The session is scheduled for 6 p.m. U.S. Alaska time Jan. 29.
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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.
Discipleship Ministries
Baby boomers ready to serve
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner, older adult ministries coordinator for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, says baby boomer United Methodists are seeking new ways to serve. “We can be mentors; we can teach; we can follow; we can lead. We’ve got years ahead of us,” she writes. A new newsletter, Equipping Disciples, will share information on maximizing the efforts of older, baby boomer-era members of The United Methodist Church.
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RESOURCES
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Methodist leaders speak on Palestine, Israel
WASHINGTON — An online briefing titled “Methodists in Palestine in a Time of War” is set for Jan. 31, beginning at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. Speaking on conditions across Palestine and Israel will be Methodist Church of Southern Africa Bishop Ivan Abrahams, who is current general secretary of the World Methodist Council, and David Wildman, of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, retired top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, will moderate. The briefing is presented by United Methodist Kairos Response and the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
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UMCNext, Mainstream UMC
Advocacy groups hold joint online roundtables
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — UMCNext and Mainstream UMC, both unofficial centrist United Methodist advocacy groups, are joining together to hold four online roundtables ahead of General Conference. The first session, titled “The Church We Dream Of,” is scheduled for 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 1. Among the speakers will be Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin.
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Monday, Feb. 12-Monday, March 18
Proclaiming Scripture with a Storytelling Spirit for Lent
Thursday, Feb. 29-Friday, March 1
Livestreamed General Conference orientation for delegates
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