“May God, the father, the son and the Holy Spirit … lead you to keep your promises, among them restoring the dignity of human beings to those of us who have fled bloody dictatorships.” — One migrant in a note to President-elect Joe Biden.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Migrants looking to Biden for immigration reform
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (UM News) — President-elect Joe Biden promised immigration reforms during his presidential campaign. Migrants are writing to him asking that he keep those promises. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
USA Today
Man charged in fatal shooting at church
WINONA, Texas — A Jan. 3 shooting at Starrville Methodist Church left the pastor dead and two others wounded. Authorities charged a 21-year-old man with capital murder and assault and said he had hidden in the East Texas church overnight after fleeing police. Bishop Scott Jones said Starrville Methodist left the United Methodist denomination some decades back. He urged prayers for the congregation. Ryan W. Miller reports.
Read story
Houston Chronicle
Anne Hearn, bishop’s wife, dies at 89
GALVESTON, Texas — Elizabeth Anne Hearn, wife of the late Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn, died Dec. 17 at 89. She was laid to rest Jan. 2 in Ruston, Louisiana, next to her husband of 68 years. Because of COVID-19, the family plans a memorial service at a later date when it is safe to gather.
Read obituary
WPSD Local 6
103-year-old COVID-19 survivor credits faith, friends
REIDLAND, Ky. — A 103-year-old COVID-19 survivor credits her faith and friends, especially at Reidland United Methodist Church, with giving her strength. “My telephones at home, they were hardly still, praying for me for my healing and to hang in there,” said Anne Quarles. “I couldn't have done it without them.” Chris Yu reports.
Read story and watch video
Global Ministries
EarthKeepers expands reach through online training
ATLANTA — Expanding from several days of in-person instruction to a more extensive online training has attracted some to the EarthKeepers program who were unable to participate before, says the Rev. Jenny Phillips, program director. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries commissioned 24 new EarthKeepers from 14 United Methodist annual conferences through an online service on Dec. 8. Michelle Okabayashi reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
National Association of United Methodist Foundations
Group funds disaster relief grants
DALLAS — The National Association of United Methodist Foundations funded $10,000 grants to three local Methodist foundations in order to help with disaster relief. The money went to the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation for wildfire relief efforts, Iowa United Methodist Foundation for relief efforts related to the August derecho and the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana for hurricane relief.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Men
Reflecting on lessons from John Wesley
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Even 229 years after his death, John Wesley has lessons for the Methodist movement he began. The winter 2021 issue of UMMen magazine looks at ways Wesley’s teachings can be applied to the modern church. In addition to reposting Wesley’s writings on various topics, a parallel is made between his class meetings and today’s reality of ministry via Zoom.
Read issue
RECENT HEADLINES
2020: Remembering notable United Methodists
Church puts love into action amid pandemic
EVENTS
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Stewardship and Finance webinar: Get It Right at the Starting Line
NEWS AND FEATURES
Migrants looking to Biden for immigration reform
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (UM News) — President-elect Joe Biden promised immigration reforms during his presidential campaign. Migrants are writing to him asking that he keep those promises. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
USA Today
Man charged in fatal shooting at church
WINONA, Texas — A Jan. 3 shooting at Starrville Methodist Church left the pastor dead and two others wounded. Authorities charged a 21-year-old man with capital murder and assault and said he had hidden in the East Texas church overnight after fleeing police. Bishop Scott Jones said Starrville Methodist left the United Methodist denomination some decades back. He urged prayers for the congregation. Ryan W. Miller reports.
Read story
Houston Chronicle
Anne Hearn, bishop’s wife, dies at 89
GALVESTON, Texas — Elizabeth Anne Hearn, wife of the late Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn, died Dec. 17 at 89. She was laid to rest Jan. 2 in Ruston, Louisiana, next to her husband of 68 years. Because of COVID-19, the family plans a memorial service at a later date when it is safe to gather.
Read obituary
WPSD Local 6
103-year-old COVID-19 survivor credits faith, friends
REIDLAND, Ky. — A 103-year-old COVID-19 survivor credits her faith and friends, especially at Reidland United Methodist Church, with giving her strength. “My telephones at home, they were hardly still, praying for me for my healing and to hang in there,” said Anne Quarles. “I couldn't have done it without them.” Chris Yu reports.
Read story and watch video
Global Ministries
EarthKeepers expands reach through online training
ATLANTA — Expanding from several days of in-person instruction to a more extensive online training has attracted some to the EarthKeepers program who were unable to participate before, says the Rev. Jenny Phillips, program director. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries commissioned 24 new EarthKeepers from 14 United Methodist annual conferences through an online service on Dec. 8. Michelle Okabayashi reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
National Association of United Methodist Foundations
Group funds disaster relief grants
DALLAS — The National Association of United Methodist Foundations funded $10,000 grants to three local Methodist foundations in order to help with disaster relief. The money went to the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation for wildfire relief efforts, Iowa United Methodist Foundation for relief efforts related to the August derecho and the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana for hurricane relief.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Men
Reflecting on lessons from John Wesley
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Even 229 years after his death, John Wesley has lessons for the Methodist movement he began. The winter 2021 issue of UMMen magazine looks at ways Wesley’s teachings can be applied to the modern church. In addition to reposting Wesley’s writings on various topics, a parallel is made between his class meetings and today’s reality of ministry via Zoom.
Read issue
RECENT HEADLINES
2020: Remembering notable United Methodists
Church puts love into action amid pandemic
EVENTS
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Stewardship and Finance webinar: Get It Right at the Starting Line
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