TODAY’S HEADLINES
Photo essay: Reflections of a father’s love
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As we head into Father’s Day in the U.S. this weekend, UM News photographer Mike DuBose shares images to remind us that fathers from all over the world and all walks of life have dreams for their children and deserve to be celebrated.
View photo essay
Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
United Methodists continue helping Ukrainian neighbors
ZURICH — A gasoline shortage poses a challenge for distributing humanitarian aid in Ukraine, but United Methodist responders in Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia report that their communities are continuing to help refugees and send supplies into the embattled country as it resists a Russian invasion. Urs Schweizer has an update.
Read report (PDF)
Global Ministries
Congo health centers coming back
ATLANTA — A health clinic looted during 2017 fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reinvigorated, along with 19 other clinics in remote areas. The facility in the village of Nganza has used grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to get its maternity unit up to par and also improve community outreach. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
Rethink Church
UFOs, extraterrestrials and faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest episode of the Compass podcast, the Rev. Ryan Dunn explores the theological implications of discovering life outside of our planet. In addition to speaking with clergy who also work in scientific fields, Dunn mines the archives of United Methodist Communications for episodes of “Night Call,” a 1960s-era production of The Methodist Church that occasionally delved into topics such as UFO sightings.
Listen to podcast
No Daily Digest on Monday, June 20
There will be no Daily Digest on Monday, June 20, due to the Juneteenth holiday. UM News wishes everyone a blessed Juneteenth.
PRESS RELEASES
Texas Conference
Bishop Jones announces retirement
HOUSTON — Texas Conference Bishop Scott Jones plans to retire from the active episcopacy at the end of 2022. Earlier this month, he had said he was willing to lead the Texas Conference through 2024. But in a June 17 letter to the conference, he said he changed his mind after further thought and prayer. He added: “Increasing disobedience and escalating conflict in the denomination have made my service as a bishop of the whole church seem much more problematic.”
Read bishop’s full letter to the conference
RESOURCES
Smoky Mountain News
Lake Junaluska plans summer worship series
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center plans to host outdoor, lakeside Sunday worship services led by inspirational United Methodist preachers from June 26 through Aug. 14 as part of the Summer Worship Series. The services will be at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time at the lakeside tent near Stuart Auditorium.
See list of preachers
EVENTS
Wednesday, June 22-Friday, June 24
North Alabama Annual Conference
Thursday, June 30
Learning session: Facebook Groups for Churches with live Q&A
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Clergy session vote highlights LGBTQ divide
LAKELAND, Fla. (UM News) — The Florida Conference clergy session last week decided against approving an entire 16-person slate for advancement on the track to becoming ordained elders or deacons. The decision roiled the conference, reverberated across The United Methodist Church and underscored the denomination’s conflict over full LGBTQ inclusion. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Conference, megachurch reach legal settlement
MARIETTA, Ga. (UM News) — The North Georgia Conference and its largest-membership church have reached a settlement that will see the church pay millions to leave the denomination with property. The settlement ends a public dispute that began when Mt. Bethel refused its senior pastor's reappointment to a new conference position. However, at least some Mt. Bethel members are disappointed in the agreement. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Mothers on border share stories of desperation, hope
TIJUANA, Mexico (UM News) — Three mothers describe the ordeals and dangers they have faced as immigrants trying to move their families to a safer life in the United States. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez has their stories.
Read story
Striving for equity in pastor salaries
DURHAM, N.C. (UM News) — A study on salary disparities between Black and white United Methodist pastors in North and South Carolina shows that Black pastors make substantially less than their white counterparts. The researchers suggest revenue sharing and moving salary decisions involving pastors out of local churches to annual conferences. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Commentary: The metaverse and Methodism
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Online worship services are a great start, says digital marketing expert and lay minister Kelly Price, but it is time to move into digital spaces such as the metaverse if the church wants to be relevant in the future.
Read commentary
Ask The UMC
Why do United Methodist pastors change churches?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many United Methodist congregations in the United States will receive new clergy leadership beginning July 1. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more about the history of how and why clergy are moved to new appointments.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
Photo essay: Reflections of a father’s love
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As we head into Father’s Day in the U.S. this weekend, UM News photographer Mike DuBose shares images to remind us that fathers from all over the world and all walks of life have dreams for their children and deserve to be celebrated.
View photo essay
Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
United Methodists continue helping Ukrainian neighbors
ZURICH — A gasoline shortage poses a challenge for distributing humanitarian aid in Ukraine, but United Methodist responders in Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia report that their communities are continuing to help refugees and send supplies into the embattled country as it resists a Russian invasion. Urs Schweizer has an update.
Read report (PDF)
Global Ministries
Congo health centers coming back
ATLANTA — A health clinic looted during 2017 fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reinvigorated, along with 19 other clinics in remote areas. The facility in the village of Nganza has used grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to get its maternity unit up to par and also improve community outreach. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
Rethink Church
UFOs, extraterrestrials and faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest episode of the Compass podcast, the Rev. Ryan Dunn explores the theological implications of discovering life outside of our planet. In addition to speaking with clergy who also work in scientific fields, Dunn mines the archives of United Methodist Communications for episodes of “Night Call,” a 1960s-era production of The Methodist Church that occasionally delved into topics such as UFO sightings.
Listen to podcast
No Daily Digest on Monday, June 20
There will be no Daily Digest on Monday, June 20, due to the Juneteenth holiday. UM News wishes everyone a blessed Juneteenth.
PRESS RELEASES
Texas Conference
Bishop Jones announces retirement
HOUSTON — Texas Conference Bishop Scott Jones plans to retire from the active episcopacy at the end of 2022. Earlier this month, he had said he was willing to lead the Texas Conference through 2024. But in a June 17 letter to the conference, he said he changed his mind after further thought and prayer. He added: “Increasing disobedience and escalating conflict in the denomination have made my service as a bishop of the whole church seem much more problematic.”
Read bishop’s full letter to the conference
RESOURCES
Smoky Mountain News
Lake Junaluska plans summer worship series
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center plans to host outdoor, lakeside Sunday worship services led by inspirational United Methodist preachers from June 26 through Aug. 14 as part of the Summer Worship Series. The services will be at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time at the lakeside tent near Stuart Auditorium.
See list of preachers
EVENTS
Wednesday, June 22-Friday, June 24
North Alabama Annual Conference
Thursday, June 30
Learning session: Facebook Groups for Churches with live Q&A
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Clergy session vote highlights LGBTQ divide
LAKELAND, Fla. (UM News) — The Florida Conference clergy session last week decided against approving an entire 16-person slate for advancement on the track to becoming ordained elders or deacons. The decision roiled the conference, reverberated across The United Methodist Church and underscored the denomination’s conflict over full LGBTQ inclusion. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Conference, megachurch reach legal settlement
MARIETTA, Ga. (UM News) — The North Georgia Conference and its largest-membership church have reached a settlement that will see the church pay millions to leave the denomination with property. The settlement ends a public dispute that began when Mt. Bethel refused its senior pastor's reappointment to a new conference position. However, at least some Mt. Bethel members are disappointed in the agreement. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Mothers on border share stories of desperation, hope
TIJUANA, Mexico (UM News) — Three mothers describe the ordeals and dangers they have faced as immigrants trying to move their families to a safer life in the United States. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez has their stories.
Read story
Striving for equity in pastor salaries
DURHAM, N.C. (UM News) — A study on salary disparities between Black and white United Methodist pastors in North and South Carolina shows that Black pastors make substantially less than their white counterparts. The researchers suggest revenue sharing and moving salary decisions involving pastors out of local churches to annual conferences. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Commentary: The metaverse and Methodism
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Online worship services are a great start, says digital marketing expert and lay minister Kelly Price, but it is time to move into digital spaces such as the metaverse if the church wants to be relevant in the future.
Read commentary
Ask The UMC
Why do United Methodist pastors change churches?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many United Methodist congregations in the United States will receive new clergy leadership beginning July 1. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more about the history of how and why clergy are moved to new appointments.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
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.