“Tyre faced a gross injustice. … Jesus came preaching love, justice and mercy. And here we are, we’re still doing that.” — The Rev. Deborah Smith, senior pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leaders mourn Tyre Nichols, seek change
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UM News) — In the days since video was released showing police officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, United Methodists have joined in grief and prayers for Nichols and his family. Some recalled their own experiences with police violence. All called for justice and the recognition of Black people’s humanity. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Recovery needs remain after Hurricane Ida
NEPTUNE, N.J. — With so many disasters occurring since Hurricane Ida battered New Jersey communities in 2021, many may have forgotten about its destruction of 80,000 homes in 12 counties and the loss of 30 lives. Two new videos produced by the Greater New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania conferences offer important reminders of Ida’s survivors and the need for more volunteers to help them. John Coleman has the story.
Read story and watch videos
KnoxTNToday.com
Church to offer housing for foster kids
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Tim Jackson, pastor at Vestal United Methodist Church, says his church has accepted a proposal to use its education building to house up to 18 foster children who are aging out of the system. "We’re hoping that by the end of the year we’ll be getting our first kids," Jackson said. Betsy Pickle reports.
Read story
UM News: Knoxville church banks on outreach
California-Nevada Conference
Strengthening partnerships with missionaries
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The United Methodist Church has missionaries across five continents in many types of professions, from pastors and teachers to nurses and agricultural advisers. The California-Nevada Conference recently hosted a webinar on how to build partnerships with the missionaries commissioned by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. JB Brayfindley has the story.
Read story
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.
Upper New York Conference
Spiritual restoration in the wild
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Jesus often retreated to nature. Thomas Merton and Saint Francis of Asissi also knew the outdoors to be a spiritual haven. The Rev. Henry Frueh, Upper New York Conference spiritual director, suggests ways to escape the confines of the church office and the pulpit to “speak” with nature.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Webinar focuses on mental health ministries
FULTON, Md. — "Accessibility Conversations" is a monthly webinar hosted by the Baltimore-Washington Conference to help participants learn more about the different aspects of accessibility for people with differing abilities in the life of the church. The next webinar, scheduled for 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern time on Feb. 3, is an overview of recommendations and best practices for implementing a mental health ministry.
Register for webinar
Lake Junaluska
Center plans confirmation retreat
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center plans to host a confirmation retreat for youth groups March 31-Apil 3. The retreat is part of youth ministry programming at Lake Junaluska.
Learn more and register
RECENT HEADLINES
Wespath supports student pastors in Congo
Book highlights generational passion for justice
EVENTS
Thursday, Feb. 2
Webinar: Teaching and Preaching Lent 2023 with Adam Hamilton
Monday, Feb. 13
Webinar: Clergy, Stay on Top of Your Taxes!
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leaders mourn Tyre Nichols, seek change
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UM News) — In the days since video was released showing police officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, United Methodists have joined in grief and prayers for Nichols and his family. Some recalled their own experiences with police violence. All called for justice and the recognition of Black people’s humanity. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Recovery needs remain after Hurricane Ida
NEPTUNE, N.J. — With so many disasters occurring since Hurricane Ida battered New Jersey communities in 2021, many may have forgotten about its destruction of 80,000 homes in 12 counties and the loss of 30 lives. Two new videos produced by the Greater New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania conferences offer important reminders of Ida’s survivors and the need for more volunteers to help them. John Coleman has the story.
Read story and watch videos
KnoxTNToday.com
Church to offer housing for foster kids
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Tim Jackson, pastor at Vestal United Methodist Church, says his church has accepted a proposal to use its education building to house up to 18 foster children who are aging out of the system. "We’re hoping that by the end of the year we’ll be getting our first kids," Jackson said. Betsy Pickle reports.
Read story
UM News: Knoxville church banks on outreach
California-Nevada Conference
Strengthening partnerships with missionaries
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The United Methodist Church has missionaries across five continents in many types of professions, from pastors and teachers to nurses and agricultural advisers. The California-Nevada Conference recently hosted a webinar on how to build partnerships with the missionaries commissioned by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. JB Brayfindley has the story.
Read story
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.
Upper New York Conference
Spiritual restoration in the wild
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Jesus often retreated to nature. Thomas Merton and Saint Francis of Asissi also knew the outdoors to be a spiritual haven. The Rev. Henry Frueh, Upper New York Conference spiritual director, suggests ways to escape the confines of the church office and the pulpit to “speak” with nature.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Webinar focuses on mental health ministries
FULTON, Md. — "Accessibility Conversations" is a monthly webinar hosted by the Baltimore-Washington Conference to help participants learn more about the different aspects of accessibility for people with differing abilities in the life of the church. The next webinar, scheduled for 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern time on Feb. 3, is an overview of recommendations and best practices for implementing a mental health ministry.
Register for webinar
Lake Junaluska
Center plans confirmation retreat
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center plans to host a confirmation retreat for youth groups March 31-Apil 3. The retreat is part of youth ministry programming at Lake Junaluska.
Learn more and register
RECENT HEADLINES
Wespath supports student pastors in Congo
Book highlights generational passion for justice
EVENTS
Thursday, Feb. 2
Webinar: Teaching and Preaching Lent 2023 with Adam Hamilton
Monday, Feb. 13
Webinar: Clergy, Stay on Top of Your Taxes!
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