"I ask this devastated population to love each other, because today the church has just shown her love." — Jean Tshomba, UMCOR's disaster management coordinator in eastern Congo.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Cooperative church efforts aid Congo volcano recovery
GOMA, Congo (UM News) — More than 3,500 homes were destroyed and more than 450,000 residents evacuated after the Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted May 22. Serving in partnership, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Connexio Switzerland responded to urgent needs after the disaster. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports on the church's efforts to help displaced survivors.
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UM News: Volcano eruption in Congo hits church, homes
Dakotas Conference
New ideas for rural ministries
MITCHELL, S.D. — The Dakotas Connection Initiative is studying ways to reinvigorate rural churches, financed by a nearly $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. Possibilities being looked at include having several "hub" churches linked to a larger church, online church models and coaching local church leaders instead of bringing in new leadership to transform churches. The Revs. Rebecca Trefz, Zach Kingery and Annie Carlson report.
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Wesleyan Covenant Association
WCA assembly meets online
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Global Legislative Assembly of the Wesleyan Covenant Association met online June 15 to consider agenda items left over from an April meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. The assembly passed resolutions endorsing reports on ministry with marginalized people and global missional partnerships. The WCA is a traditionalist group within The United Methodist Church and is planning for the creation of a traditionalist denomination. The Rev. Walter Fenton reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Virginia Conference
United Methodist communicator receives Emmy
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Virginia Conference celebrates that Hunter Bryn, its digital media specialist, received an Emmy on June 26 for his photojournalism work last year with NBC12. Bryn joined the conference staff in October 2020.
See list of Emmy winners (PDF)
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Helping churches make use of social media
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications will observe Social Media Day on June 30. Social media is more than being social. United Methodist Communications offers help for churches that seek to use social media to inform, encourage, inspire and engage followers of Christ.
See Social Media Day resources
To register for a Social Media Day Q&A
United Methodist Communications
Podcast on digital ministry premieres
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new weekly podcast with tips on improving online ministries launched with five episodes on June 17. Produced and hosted by the Rev. Ryan Dunn of United Methodist Communications, "Pastoring in the Digital Parish" should serve as "the digital ministry class you missed in seminary." The podcast is available via Apple, Google, Spotify and Amazon, as well as on the ResourceUMC website.
Read press release
ResourceUMC: Pastoring in the Digital Parish
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