NEWS AND FEATURES
Connecting with people through prayer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Jacqui King, a longtime United Methodist leader, found a new ministry praying with strangers. She has realized that when people pray together, mundane encounters can become miraculous. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Fasting offers witness to freedom
WASHINGTON — Sometimes politics and faith collide in ways that can shape national agendas. That's the hope with the Fast for Freedom, now underway in the U.S. capital. The fast is part of an ecumenical effort by the Congregation Action Network and Faith in Action to encourage Congress to utilize the jobs and infrastructure package and budget reconciliation process to codify a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented community members. Melissa Lauber reports.
Read story
Global Ministries
Hospital serves remote Congo village
ATLANTA — Nine new buildings constitute a new hospital complex in Tunda, a remote village in the Congo. It replaces a dilapidated hospital building that was too far gone to be fixed. The Global Health unit of United Methodist Global Ministries spent about $500,000 on the project. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
UM News: Bishop visits remote areas of Congo for first time
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Rural Advocates
$500 grants available for rural churches
BOVEY, Minn. — Rural churches can apply for $500 grants to be used to respond to specific needs in their communities. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. United Methodist Rural Advocates will notify the 10 grant recipients by Dec. 1.
Read press release
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 the UM News staff.
Creating a Culture of Renewal
3 obstacles that can keep a church stuck
CASPER, Wyo. — The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter identifies three barriers that can reinforce patterns in a congregation's decline. "But there is a way to gently dissolve them so you can start on the road to renewal," she writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race, California-Nevada Conference
Ideas for observing Juneteenth
GALVESTON, Texas — Juneteenth, June 19, marks the day in 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston to take control of the state and ensure all African Americans were freed. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers six ways for white people to observe the day. The California-Nevada Conference also has put together a pre-recorded worship service that local churches can use.
Read Religion and Race story on Juneteenth
Watch Juneteenth service
United Methodist Association
Webinar on navigating denominational change
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Andy Hendren, Wespath's chief legal and governance officer, plans to present a webinar on navigating church disruption and change as part of the United Methodist Association's 2021 Resilience 365 conference series. Hendren's presentation at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time June 23 will focus on General Conference, proposals for denominational separation and other considerations for United Methodist-affiliated organizations. The association works with United Methodist-affiliated health and welfare ministries.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Groups help alleviate hunger in Zimbabwe
Hanke looks back at UM Men tenure
EVENTS
Thursday, June 17-Saturday, June 19
Upper New York Annual Conference
Tuesday, July 20 or Monday, July 26
Saving Grace financial webinar
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.