“Criminalized poverty is antithetical to the Gospel lived by Jesus. In the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, inclusive of Grants Pass, we will double down on our commitment to house God's beloved.” — Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth
NEWS AND FEATURES
US Supreme Court ruling puts focus on housing
PORTLAND, Ore. (UM News) — United Methodists see reason to increase their efforts to care for homeless people after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld ordinances that make sleeping outside a crime. Those efforts include building affordable housing on church property. The Greater Northwest Area, which includes the Oregon city where the Supreme Court case originated, has made housing a ministry focus. Heather Hahn reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Conference deals with funds from church exits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The South Carolina Annual Conference passed two motions regarding funds from separating churches. In 2023, the South Carolina Conference received $17.5 million from the 113 churches that separated from The United Methodist Church, and on June 11 at this year’s conference, an additional 112 churches separated. That second amount is not yet known. Jessica Brodie reports.
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New Mexico Conference
Bishop Schnase announces retirement
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bishop Robert Schnase, who leads the New Mexico and Rio Texas conferences, announced in a video that he plans to request retirement at the end of August. His retirement helps the South Central Jurisdiction reduce its number of bishops to six, as General Conference approved. He notes that it also helps with the denomination’s financial sustainability. His retirement increases the number of U.S. bishop retirements this year to eight.
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UM News: GC delegates pass budget, reduce US bishops
Michigan Conference
UMCOR’s Amick looks forward
LANSING, Mich. — The Rev. Jack Amick of the United Methodist Committee on Relief credits his childhood church, Dixboro United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, for opening his eyes to the world. Amick, director of global migration and special assignment for UMCOR, provides leadership for grant writing, training and global conversations in forums including the United Nations. Kay DeMoss reports.
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Arkansas Conference
Helping pets after disaster
DECATUR, Ark. — After tornadoes swept through Northwest Arkansas in late May, the Arkansas Conference’s Volunteers in Missions and Disaster Response were on the scene. Gayle Fiser of Pinnacle View United Methodist Church helped people talk about their pets’ needs as well, and provided pet prayer blankets when desired. Day Davis has the story.
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No UM News Digest July 3-5
There will be no UM News Digest on July 3 and 4 and no Friday Digest on July 5 due to the U.S. Independence Day holiday. The Digest will resume its regular schedule July 8. UM News wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday.
PRESS RELEASES
Higher Education and Ministry
Fernandes now leads 2 agencies
ATLANTA — As of July 1, Roland Fernandes officially added the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry to his duties, in addition to heading the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The new post follows the retirement of former Higher Education and Ministry chief executive the Rev. Greg Bergquist on June 30. The boards of both agencies will meet together in Nashville, Tennessee, this fall, to continue discussions of opportunities for missional and strategic alignment.
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Higher Education Foundation
Higher ed foundation welcomes president
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation’s board welcomes Philip Jamieson as its new president/chief executive officer. Jamieson succeeds Bob Fletcher, who retired at the end of June after a 13-year tenure.
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RESOURCES
The Caring Congregation
Care Ministry webinar available
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Caring Congregation, a nonprofit founded to help build effective care teams, is partnering with Lay Servant Ministries of The United Methodist Church to offer a National Care Ministry webinar July 12-13. The course covers topics including theological foundations of care, boundaries, visitation, care for the dying and establishing a culture of care in your church.
Register for event
United Methodist Communications
Neurodiversity: A spectrum of ministries serves all
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist promise of “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” means that our spaces, communications and ministry offerings are accessible to all. With autism diagnoses on the rise and many families staying away from churches because of fear, past harm or ableist theology, there are people in every community waiting for a church to reach out with words of welcome. Laura Buchanan shares tips on how churches can create neurodiverse ministries.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, July 29-Saturday, Aug. 11
Online course: Ministry for Dementia Patients
Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26
Online microcourse: Declutter, Downsize and Move — A Spiritual Journey About Possessions
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