NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
Ask The UMC: Valuing Life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists worldwide seek to bring abundant life to people at every stage through the hands-on ministries we support and the advocacy we do. In a new seven-part series, Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores the ways United Methodists value life and help others experience the abundance of life Jesus promises. The first two installments address maternal and neonatal health and the denomination’s views on abortion and adoption.
Read more
South Georgia Conference
Couple shares God’s love with waves, smiles
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Nearly every weekday during the school year, a “cute little old couple” sat in their front yard in a pair of green Adirondack chairs, drinking coffee and waving at passersby. What started as a one-day sendoff for their grandson grew into something much bigger than Janie and Fred Alexander ever imagined. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
New England Conference
Pastor and young parishioner collaborate on children's book
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — When the Rev. Debra Hanson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, decided to write a book for children, she chose an expert on the subject as her collaborator: then 10-year-old congregation member Alexa Langs. The result is “Precious Pearlina,” with illustrations by Alexa, about a little penguin who discovers that she is indeed precious just as God made her. Conference staff have the story.
Read story
Discipleship Ministries
New energy during COVID-19
BELINGTON, W.Va. — During the early days of COVID-19, Corley United Methodist Church brought in three new members, had one baptism and one reaffirmation of faith. Corley is one of five congregations that received the One Matters Award from Discipleship Ministries last year. Local licensed pastor Jon Fox began his appointment there shortly before the pandemic hit. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodists for Kairos Response
Webinar on lobbying offered
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A webinar presentation about influencing elected leaders, with a focus on the lives of Palestinians living in Israel, is set for July 13. Unofficial advocacy groups United Methodists for Kairos Response and the Methodist Federation for Social Action are offering the free event at 1 p.m. Eastern U.S. time.
Read press release
Register for webinar
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.
Have the courage to walk the messy middle
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Missouri Bishop Robert D. Farr says the Jesus model — turning the other cheek, listening and engaging in holy conversation — does not divide us into separate groups just because we don’t agree. “Division is always a choice,” he writes. “If an annual conference and its churches can figure that out, they can return to doing God’s mission and be amazing for God’s people.”
Read commentary
Greater New Jersey Conference
Are you ready for rest and renewal?
NEPTUNE, N.J. — For some, vacation season means trying to fit as many activities as possible into our slated time off from work. For others, it is a time to relax and enjoy much-needed downtime. No matter how you choose to reset this summer, writes Meg Sizemore, communications manager for the Greater New Jersey Conference, “remember to trust that God is in control and in God, we can find rest.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
How to create artisan communities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite God's beautiful example, many people don’t incorporate the arts in their spiritual lives. Setting up a faith-focused artisan community could be the perfect way to bring people from multiple generations together in one ministry. Gavin Richardson has some tips on getting started.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Churchwomen put smiles on patients’ faces
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Sept. 25
Online course: A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Monday, Aug. 15-Monday, Oct. 17
Online course: Religion and Science: Pathways to Truth
Ask The UMC
Ask The UMC: Valuing Life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists worldwide seek to bring abundant life to people at every stage through the hands-on ministries we support and the advocacy we do. In a new seven-part series, Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores the ways United Methodists value life and help others experience the abundance of life Jesus promises. The first two installments address maternal and neonatal health and the denomination’s views on abortion and adoption.
Read more
South Georgia Conference
Couple shares God’s love with waves, smiles
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Nearly every weekday during the school year, a “cute little old couple” sat in their front yard in a pair of green Adirondack chairs, drinking coffee and waving at passersby. What started as a one-day sendoff for their grandson grew into something much bigger than Janie and Fred Alexander ever imagined. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
New England Conference
Pastor and young parishioner collaborate on children's book
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — When the Rev. Debra Hanson, pastor of First United Methodist Church, decided to write a book for children, she chose an expert on the subject as her collaborator: then 10-year-old congregation member Alexa Langs. The result is “Precious Pearlina,” with illustrations by Alexa, about a little penguin who discovers that she is indeed precious just as God made her. Conference staff have the story.
Read story
Discipleship Ministries
New energy during COVID-19
BELINGTON, W.Va. — During the early days of COVID-19, Corley United Methodist Church brought in three new members, had one baptism and one reaffirmation of faith. Corley is one of five congregations that received the One Matters Award from Discipleship Ministries last year. Local licensed pastor Jon Fox began his appointment there shortly before the pandemic hit. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodists for Kairos Response
Webinar on lobbying offered
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A webinar presentation about influencing elected leaders, with a focus on the lives of Palestinians living in Israel, is set for July 13. Unofficial advocacy groups United Methodists for Kairos Response and the Methodist Federation for Social Action are offering the free event at 1 p.m. Eastern U.S. time.
Read press release
Register for webinar
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.
Have the courage to walk the messy middle
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Missouri Bishop Robert D. Farr says the Jesus model — turning the other cheek, listening and engaging in holy conversation — does not divide us into separate groups just because we don’t agree. “Division is always a choice,” he writes. “If an annual conference and its churches can figure that out, they can return to doing God’s mission and be amazing for God’s people.”
Read commentary
Greater New Jersey Conference
Are you ready for rest and renewal?
NEPTUNE, N.J. — For some, vacation season means trying to fit as many activities as possible into our slated time off from work. For others, it is a time to relax and enjoy much-needed downtime. No matter how you choose to reset this summer, writes Meg Sizemore, communications manager for the Greater New Jersey Conference, “remember to trust that God is in control and in God, we can find rest.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
How to create artisan communities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite God's beautiful example, many people don’t incorporate the arts in their spiritual lives. Setting up a faith-focused artisan community could be the perfect way to bring people from multiple generations together in one ministry. Gavin Richardson has some tips on getting started.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Churchwomen put smiles on patients’ faces
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Sept. 25
Online course: A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Monday, Aug. 15-Monday, Oct. 17
Online course: Religion and Science: Pathways to Truth
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