“I’m living in the same parsonage where my grandfather lived when he was the pastor at CMU. I’m in this home where my mom grew up for part of her life, and my aunts and uncle grew up for part of their lives. I’m part of a legacy.” — Audra Hudson, director at Central Michigan University Wesley Foundation, talking about her family’s roots in ministry.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Michigan Conference
Pastor, chaplain connect with Methodist roots
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Rev. Julie Kline, the first female senior pastor at Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, and Audra Hudson, the first female director at the Central Michigan University Wesley Foundation since the organization’s founding female chaplain some 100 years ago — gain inspiration from their father and grandfather, the Rev. Ken Kline, who died in 1989. Diane Brown has the story.
Read story
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Conference: Keep focus on Black lives
PORTLAND, Ore. — Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky and other Oregon-Idaho Conference leaders urge United Methodists not to let the tumult in Portland distract from anti-racism work. In a statement, the church leaders affirmed nonviolent protest but condemned violence by some protesters and police. They also condemned the involvement of federal law enforcement as “an unwelcome intrusion.”
Read statement
Florida Conference
‘Mac Packs’ help seniors stay in touch
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — When Memorial United Methodist Church moved worship and classes online, finding new ways to keep connected with homebound seniors became a priority. That’s when Carrie “Carrie Mac” McCannell-Scruggs, the church’s communications coordinator, sprang into action. The Florida Conference has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Where did ‘narthex,’ ‘nave’ come from?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many church architecture terms come from Latin and Greek origins. For centuries, one common plan of church architecture had been to build the worship space in the shape of a cross with the narthex and nave on one end, cross arms, and the sanctuary at the other end. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on these and other church terms.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
World Council of Churches
WCC addresses global concerns
GENEVA — In a meeting with a format and focus dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive committee of the World Council of Churches addressed vital international developments and approved Aug. 31-Sept. 8, 2022, as the new dates for the WCC 11th Assembly, to be held in Karlsruhe, Germany. Retired United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson is a member of the executive committee.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion News Service
Duke Divinity, Candler deans join call for moral leadership
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke Divinity School Dean Greg Jones and Candler School of Theology Dean Jan Love are among six seminary executives who have issued a joint call for moral leadership in the U.S. The two United Methodist seminary deans joined the others in naming as triple crises the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption and racism.
Read statement
RECENT HEADLINES
Clean water efforts aid villagers during pandemic
Young African leaders unite for COVID-19 campaign
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 3-Monday, Sept. 14
Online class: Out of Exodus — A Journey of Open and Affirming Ministry
NEWS AND FEATURES
Michigan Conference
Pastor, chaplain connect with Methodist roots
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Rev. Julie Kline, the first female senior pastor at Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, and Audra Hudson, the first female director at the Central Michigan University Wesley Foundation since the organization’s founding female chaplain some 100 years ago — gain inspiration from their father and grandfather, the Rev. Ken Kline, who died in 1989. Diane Brown has the story.
Read story
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Conference: Keep focus on Black lives
PORTLAND, Ore. — Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky and other Oregon-Idaho Conference leaders urge United Methodists not to let the tumult in Portland distract from anti-racism work. In a statement, the church leaders affirmed nonviolent protest but condemned violence by some protesters and police. They also condemned the involvement of federal law enforcement as “an unwelcome intrusion.”
Read statement
Florida Conference
‘Mac Packs’ help seniors stay in touch
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — When Memorial United Methodist Church moved worship and classes online, finding new ways to keep connected with homebound seniors became a priority. That’s when Carrie “Carrie Mac” McCannell-Scruggs, the church’s communications coordinator, sprang into action. The Florida Conference has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Where did ‘narthex,’ ‘nave’ come from?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many church architecture terms come from Latin and Greek origins. For centuries, one common plan of church architecture had been to build the worship space in the shape of a cross with the narthex and nave on one end, cross arms, and the sanctuary at the other end. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on these and other church terms.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
World Council of Churches
WCC addresses global concerns
GENEVA — In a meeting with a format and focus dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive committee of the World Council of Churches addressed vital international developments and approved Aug. 31-Sept. 8, 2022, as the new dates for the WCC 11th Assembly, to be held in Karlsruhe, Germany. Retired United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson is a member of the executive committee.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion News Service
Duke Divinity, Candler deans join call for moral leadership
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke Divinity School Dean Greg Jones and Candler School of Theology Dean Jan Love are among six seminary executives who have issued a joint call for moral leadership in the U.S. The two United Methodist seminary deans joined the others in naming as triple crises the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption and racism.
Read statement
RECENT HEADLINES
Clean water efforts aid villagers during pandemic
Young African leaders unite for COVID-19 campaign
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 3-Monday, Sept. 14
Online class: Out of Exodus — A Journey of Open and Affirming Ministry
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