“When churches lose their tradition and history, they lose their reason for being and … they have no motivation to push forward.” — Retired Bishop Forrest Stith.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Preserving Black church history
MADISON, N.J. (UM News) — The African American Methodist Heritage Center needs money and attention so it can continue to preserve the history of African American Methodists. The center is prioritizing fundraising in 2022 and considering a name change. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Big gift for tornado recovery efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The McKendree Village Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference for disaster recovery after December tornadoes devastated the region. Nashville Area Bishop Bill McAlilly accepted the check, saying the money would have an immediate impact on many people affected by the twisters.
Read story
Kentucky Conference
Bishop visits storm survivors
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Bishop Leonard Fairley visited storm-damaged areas in Kentucky, and children from a local church collected 95 activity boxes to help salvage Christmas for youngsters who were impacted by the deadly tornadoes. The bishop’s stops included Bowling Green, Madisonville and Dawson Springs. Alan Wild reports.
Read about bishop’s visit
Read about toy drive
Colorado Public Radio, Mountain Sky Conference
Churches step up after Marshall fire
DENVER — United Methodists are stepping up after the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and businesses. Colorado Public Radio has the story of how Highlands United Methodist Church is helping the Bovens, who lost their home and all of their possessions. Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Karen P. Oliveto shared how churches are providing shelter and how others can help with prayers, financial donations and fire buckets.
Colorado Public Radio: ‘What was important was life’
Read bishop’s statement
To donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief
Archives and History
Rev. DarEll T. Weist remembered
MADISON, N.J. — The Rev. DarEll T. Weist, a board member of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, died of a heart attack Dec. 10. Weist, who grew up in the Evangelical United Brethren tradition, revitalized the position of California-Pacific Conference historian and served as chair of the Western Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History.
Read remembrance
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Service set for former US senator
ATLANTA — Former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson was known for working with politicians on both sides of the political aisle. Many fellow United Methodists remember the Georgia Republican as a faithful church member who taught Sunday school for 30 years at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Isakson died Dec. 19 at age 76 after struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church will host and livestream his funeral service at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 6.
Read obituary
Read Emory University tribute
UM News: Notable church members who died in 2021
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops pay homage to Archbishop Tutu
WASHINGTON — United Methodist bishops joined the world in mourning the death of Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, their Anglican colleague, who was buried Jan. 1 in Cape Town, South Africa. “In the midst of grief, we also celebrate the life of one who did not hesitate to use the Gospel to advocate for human rights,” said Bishops Cynthia Fierro Harvey and Sally Dyck in a statement. Harvey is Council of Bishops president, and Dyck is ecumenical officer. Retired Bishop Will Willimon also remembered when the archbishop visited Duke Chapel.
Read press release
Read statement (PDF)
Read Bishop Willimon’s remembrance
Read about Tutu and Emory's Candler School of Theology
United Methodist Publishing House
UMCom makes room for Publishing House
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Faced with pandemic-related financial challenges, the United Methodist Publishing House sold its building last year. Though most Publishing House employees are working from home, the agency has still needed office space, and it’s getting that from United Methodist Communications. The Publishing House, which is self-supporting, reports on the mutual benefits of the partnership.
Read press release
UM News: Publishing House moves pension plan, sells campus
RECENT HEADLINES
2021: The year in photos
$30 million from United Methodists in BSA bankruptcy
EVENTS
Sunday, Jan. 16
Human Relations Day
NEWS AND FEATURES
Preserving Black church history
MADISON, N.J. (UM News) — The African American Methodist Heritage Center needs money and attention so it can continue to preserve the history of African American Methodists. The center is prioritizing fundraising in 2022 and considering a name change. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Big gift for tornado recovery efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The McKendree Village Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference for disaster recovery after December tornadoes devastated the region. Nashville Area Bishop Bill McAlilly accepted the check, saying the money would have an immediate impact on many people affected by the twisters.
Read story
Kentucky Conference
Bishop visits storm survivors
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Bishop Leonard Fairley visited storm-damaged areas in Kentucky, and children from a local church collected 95 activity boxes to help salvage Christmas for youngsters who were impacted by the deadly tornadoes. The bishop’s stops included Bowling Green, Madisonville and Dawson Springs. Alan Wild reports.
Read about bishop’s visit
Read about toy drive
Colorado Public Radio, Mountain Sky Conference
Churches step up after Marshall fire
DENVER — United Methodists are stepping up after the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and businesses. Colorado Public Radio has the story of how Highlands United Methodist Church is helping the Bovens, who lost their home and all of their possessions. Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Karen P. Oliveto shared how churches are providing shelter and how others can help with prayers, financial donations and fire buckets.
Colorado Public Radio: ‘What was important was life’
Read bishop’s statement
To donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief
Archives and History
Rev. DarEll T. Weist remembered
MADISON, N.J. — The Rev. DarEll T. Weist, a board member of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, died of a heart attack Dec. 10. Weist, who grew up in the Evangelical United Brethren tradition, revitalized the position of California-Pacific Conference historian and served as chair of the Western Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History.
Read remembrance
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Service set for former US senator
ATLANTA — Former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson was known for working with politicians on both sides of the political aisle. Many fellow United Methodists remember the Georgia Republican as a faithful church member who taught Sunday school for 30 years at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Isakson died Dec. 19 at age 76 after struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church will host and livestream his funeral service at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 6.
Read obituary
Read Emory University tribute
UM News: Notable church members who died in 2021
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops pay homage to Archbishop Tutu
WASHINGTON — United Methodist bishops joined the world in mourning the death of Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, their Anglican colleague, who was buried Jan. 1 in Cape Town, South Africa. “In the midst of grief, we also celebrate the life of one who did not hesitate to use the Gospel to advocate for human rights,” said Bishops Cynthia Fierro Harvey and Sally Dyck in a statement. Harvey is Council of Bishops president, and Dyck is ecumenical officer. Retired Bishop Will Willimon also remembered when the archbishop visited Duke Chapel.
Read press release
Read statement (PDF)
Read Bishop Willimon’s remembrance
Read about Tutu and Emory's Candler School of Theology
United Methodist Publishing House
UMCom makes room for Publishing House
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Faced with pandemic-related financial challenges, the United Methodist Publishing House sold its building last year. Though most Publishing House employees are working from home, the agency has still needed office space, and it’s getting that from United Methodist Communications. The Publishing House, which is self-supporting, reports on the mutual benefits of the partnership.
Read press release
UM News: Publishing House moves pension plan, sells campus
RECENT HEADLINES
2021: The year in photos
$30 million from United Methodists in BSA bankruptcy
EVENTS
Sunday, Jan. 16
Human Relations Day
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