“I have seen the Holy Spirit working in more powerful ways through the online ministry in the last couple of years than I have through in-person ministry.” — The Rev. Brady Whitton, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Virtual church will continue after COVID-19
BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — The rewards of online ministry are too rich to give up if and when the coronavirus is a thing of the past, said the Rev. Brady Whitton, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge. Whitton says people have become connected to First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because of online contact during the pandemic. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Commentary: Pandemic not over, church must stay engaged
Florida Conference
Faith and vision led to ‘transformational’ university
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Bible teaches that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. That's what young Mary McLeod Bethune did when she opened the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904. She had $1.50 in working capital. Joe Henderson has the story of Bethune-Cookman University, one of 11 institutions supported by the United Methodist Black College Fund.
Read story
Dakotas Conference
Reservation youth suffering
MITCHELL, S.D. — In Todd County, the home of the Rosebud Reservation, 48% of the youth report feeling helpless, being depressed or having thoughts of harming themselves or someone else, according to a Youth Risk Behavior Survey. COVID-19 has made the past couple of years difficult, said Carol Galbraith, schools superintendent. Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey, interim bishop of the Dakotas Conference, has called on congregations to help their Native American neighbors. Deb Holland has the story.
Read story
Christianity Today
Document aims to guide Methodism
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — More than 60 theologically conservative scholars and theologians have signed a six-part, 62-page document they hope will guide the trajectory of Methodism. “The Faith Once Delivered: A Wesleyan Witness” was first drafted at The Next Methodism Summit in January. Signers come from the theologically conservative wing of The United Methodist Church as well as Anglican, Holiness and Pentecostal denominations. Daniel Silliman reports.
Read story
Read document (PDF)
United Methodist Communications
Going where no church has gone before
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New United Methodist Church billboards in South Africa invite people to find community and joy through Christian fellowship. It is a "first of its kind for a church to be advertised in this huge way," said Alvin Tiri Makunike, director of communications for the South Africa Conference. The campaign is one way that United Methodist Communications is encouraging people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Brenda Smotherman has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
‘Fiesta Jubilosa’ aids bilingual worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Songs and prayers in Spanish and English to aid bilingual worship are offered in the new “Fiesta Jubilosa” (“Joyful Fiesta”). The resource is published by The United Methodist Publishing House, which is distributing 5,000 copies at no charge to bilingual churches in the denomination. The general editor of “Fiesta Jubilosa” is Raquel Mora Martinez.
Read press release
RESOURCES
West Ohio Conference
Resources to help children with grief
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — For children struggling to process disturbing events such as the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, helpful resources are available. They include tips to help children deal with grief, conversations for youth about gun violence and a primer on how to provide space for young people to come to terms with school shootings.
See resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Church court modifies ruling on bishop elections
Africa Initiative ponders future of Methodism
EVENTS
Thursday, June 9-Saturday, June 11
Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference
Thursday, June 9-Saturday, June 11
Dakotas Annual Conference
NEWS AND FEATURES
Virtual church will continue after COVID-19
BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — The rewards of online ministry are too rich to give up if and when the coronavirus is a thing of the past, said the Rev. Brady Whitton, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge. Whitton says people have become connected to First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because of online contact during the pandemic. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Commentary: Pandemic not over, church must stay engaged
Florida Conference
Faith and vision led to ‘transformational’ university
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Bible teaches that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. That's what young Mary McLeod Bethune did when she opened the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904. She had $1.50 in working capital. Joe Henderson has the story of Bethune-Cookman University, one of 11 institutions supported by the United Methodist Black College Fund.
Read story
Dakotas Conference
Reservation youth suffering
MITCHELL, S.D. — In Todd County, the home of the Rosebud Reservation, 48% of the youth report feeling helpless, being depressed or having thoughts of harming themselves or someone else, according to a Youth Risk Behavior Survey. COVID-19 has made the past couple of years difficult, said Carol Galbraith, schools superintendent. Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey, interim bishop of the Dakotas Conference, has called on congregations to help their Native American neighbors. Deb Holland has the story.
Read story
Christianity Today
Document aims to guide Methodism
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — More than 60 theologically conservative scholars and theologians have signed a six-part, 62-page document they hope will guide the trajectory of Methodism. “The Faith Once Delivered: A Wesleyan Witness” was first drafted at The Next Methodism Summit in January. Signers come from the theologically conservative wing of The United Methodist Church as well as Anglican, Holiness and Pentecostal denominations. Daniel Silliman reports.
Read story
Read document (PDF)
United Methodist Communications
Going where no church has gone before
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New United Methodist Church billboards in South Africa invite people to find community and joy through Christian fellowship. It is a "first of its kind for a church to be advertised in this huge way," said Alvin Tiri Makunike, director of communications for the South Africa Conference. The campaign is one way that United Methodist Communications is encouraging people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Brenda Smotherman has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
‘Fiesta Jubilosa’ aids bilingual worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Songs and prayers in Spanish and English to aid bilingual worship are offered in the new “Fiesta Jubilosa” (“Joyful Fiesta”). The resource is published by The United Methodist Publishing House, which is distributing 5,000 copies at no charge to bilingual churches in the denomination. The general editor of “Fiesta Jubilosa” is Raquel Mora Martinez.
Read press release
RESOURCES
West Ohio Conference
Resources to help children with grief
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — For children struggling to process disturbing events such as the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, helpful resources are available. They include tips to help children deal with grief, conversations for youth about gun violence and a primer on how to provide space for young people to come to terms with school shootings.
See resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Church court modifies ruling on bishop elections
Africa Initiative ponders future of Methodism
EVENTS
Thursday, June 9-Saturday, June 11
Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference
Thursday, June 9-Saturday, June 11
Dakotas Annual Conference
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