“No one knows how long the war will go on, but it is apparent that the United Methodist Church in Ukraine will be walking with people who are affected by it for years to come.” — Katie Hills Uzoka, director of international disaster response, United Methodist Committee on Relief.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Ukrainian United Methodists care for fellow countrymen
UZHHOROD, Ukraine (UM News) — United Methodists in western Ukraine are opening their churches and homes to house evacuees from the war with Russia. Three shelters operated by the denomination care for about 100 displaced people per day, providing shelter, food, medicine and other necessities. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Video: Ukrainian pastor talks about helping evacuees
WUSA-CBS
Former youth leader charged with sex crimes
ANNANDALE, Va. — A 61-year-old former church member who periodically helped lead youth activities is facing more than 20 charges of sex crimes, including the sexual assault of a child. “Saint Matthews United Methodist Church has been fully cooperating with the police on this matter,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. Brittney Melton reports.
Read story and watch video
Idaho Capital Sun
Embracing a new model for affordable housing
BOISE, Idaho — For years, the Rev. Joseph Bankard of Collister United Methodist Church hoped to put the extra land on his church’s property to good use. Now the church is working with LEAP Housing to use the land for family homes and address Treasure Valley’s affordable-housing crisis. Mia Maldonado has the story.
Read story
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Course helps churches create impactful imagery
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new course from United Methodist Communications aims to equip church leaders to easily create graphic designs and videos for social media, presentations and more. "Outreach and Design Using Canva" is scheduled for Aug. 15-Sept. 9. Designed with busy schedules in mind, the course will be delivered in a self-paced online format. Optional live web session gatherings are set for 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration will run through Aug. 10.
Learn more
To register
Finance and Administration
Guide offers discounts, resources for ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has released its updated Ministry Resource Guide. The free guide features special offers, discounts and programs from vetted ministry partners and is designed to help local churches and other United Methodist ministries.
Read press release
Read Ministry Resource Guide
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Webinar: Saving Grace Learning Community
Monday, Aug. 15-Friday, Aug. 26
Online course: Becoming Accountable Disciples
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Church offers solace to grieving families
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodist churches held memorial services where people who lost loved ones during COVID-19 gathered to console one another and celebrate life — things they were unable to do during pandemic restrictions. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
Hispanic pastor made large impact
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — The Rev. Roberto Gómez had a 43-year career as a United Methodist clergyman, making a large impact as pastor, district superintendent, general agency board member and more. He also pushed successfully for a Spanish-language hymnal for the denomination. Gómez died May 26 at age 75. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
District superintendent killed in carjacking
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UM News) — Many are feeling shock and grief after a United Methodist district superintendent was shot and killed in an apparent carjacking. The Rev. Autura Eason-Williams was a beloved leader in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Wespath talks pensions at Germany meeting
KÖNIGSWINTER, Germany (UM News) — Officials of The United Methodist Church’s pension and health benefits agency met with central conference representatives to discuss pension plan sustainability in a challenging period for the denomination. Klaus Ulrich Ruof has the story.
Read story
106 Florida churches sue to exit denomination
LAWTEY, Fla. (UM News) — The Florida Conference is facing a lawsuit filed by more than 100 churches that want to leave The United Methodist Church with property and transfer to a breakaway, theologically conservative denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Commentary: Don't just stand there. Do something!
COLBY, Isle of Man (UM News) — In the wake of more mass shootings in the U.S., the Rev. Dr. Sean C. Turner feels that too often we wait for politicians to lead meaningful change. “A law has its place, and laws are important. But our own faithful personal and social formation is vital,” he writes.
Read commentary
Ask The UMC
New installments in Valuing Life series
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — 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. Two new installments address child welfare and health care for all.
Read Part 3: Growing up — Child welfare
Read Part 4: Staying alive — Health care for all
Read more in series
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Ukrainian United Methodists care for fellow countrymen
UZHHOROD, Ukraine (UM News) — United Methodists in western Ukraine are opening their churches and homes to house evacuees from the war with Russia. Three shelters operated by the denomination care for about 100 displaced people per day, providing shelter, food, medicine and other necessities. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Video: Ukrainian pastor talks about helping evacuees
WUSA-CBS
Former youth leader charged with sex crimes
ANNANDALE, Va. — A 61-year-old former church member who periodically helped lead youth activities is facing more than 20 charges of sex crimes, including the sexual assault of a child. “Saint Matthews United Methodist Church has been fully cooperating with the police on this matter,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. Brittney Melton reports.
Read story and watch video
Idaho Capital Sun
Embracing a new model for affordable housing
BOISE, Idaho — For years, the Rev. Joseph Bankard of Collister United Methodist Church hoped to put the extra land on his church’s property to good use. Now the church is working with LEAP Housing to use the land for family homes and address Treasure Valley’s affordable-housing crisis. Mia Maldonado has the story.
Read story
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Course helps churches create impactful imagery
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new course from United Methodist Communications aims to equip church leaders to easily create graphic designs and videos for social media, presentations and more. "Outreach and Design Using Canva" is scheduled for Aug. 15-Sept. 9. Designed with busy schedules in mind, the course will be delivered in a self-paced online format. Optional live web session gatherings are set for 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration will run through Aug. 10.
Learn more
To register
Finance and Administration
Guide offers discounts, resources for ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has released its updated Ministry Resource Guide. The free guide features special offers, discounts and programs from vetted ministry partners and is designed to help local churches and other United Methodist ministries.
Read press release
Read Ministry Resource Guide
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Webinar: Saving Grace Learning Community
Monday, Aug. 15-Friday, Aug. 26
Online course: Becoming Accountable Disciples
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Church offers solace to grieving families
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodist churches held memorial services where people who lost loved ones during COVID-19 gathered to console one another and celebrate life — things they were unable to do during pandemic restrictions. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
Hispanic pastor made large impact
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — The Rev. Roberto Gómez had a 43-year career as a United Methodist clergyman, making a large impact as pastor, district superintendent, general agency board member and more. He also pushed successfully for a Spanish-language hymnal for the denomination. Gómez died May 26 at age 75. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
District superintendent killed in carjacking
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UM News) — Many are feeling shock and grief after a United Methodist district superintendent was shot and killed in an apparent carjacking. The Rev. Autura Eason-Williams was a beloved leader in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Wespath talks pensions at Germany meeting
KÖNIGSWINTER, Germany (UM News) — Officials of The United Methodist Church’s pension and health benefits agency met with central conference representatives to discuss pension plan sustainability in a challenging period for the denomination. Klaus Ulrich Ruof has the story.
Read story
106 Florida churches sue to exit denomination
LAWTEY, Fla. (UM News) — The Florida Conference is facing a lawsuit filed by more than 100 churches that want to leave The United Methodist Church with property and transfer to a breakaway, theologically conservative denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Commentary: Don't just stand there. Do something!
COLBY, Isle of Man (UM News) — In the wake of more mass shootings in the U.S., the Rev. Dr. Sean C. Turner feels that too often we wait for politicians to lead meaningful change. “A law has its place, and laws are important. But our own faithful personal and social formation is vital,” he writes.
Read commentary
Ask The UMC
New installments in Valuing Life series
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — 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. Two new installments address child welfare and health care for all.
Read Part 3: Growing up — Child welfare
Read Part 4: Staying alive — Health care for all
Read more in series
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