“Many persons have been asking about a systematic comparison since most United Methodist clergy and laity do not have a good picture of the profile of disaffiliating churches and, just as importantly, of those churches not disaffiliating.” — Lewis Center for Church Leadership, explaining the need for its new report looking at characteristics of churches leaving The United Methodist Church and those that are staying.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Report sheds light on disaffiliating churches
WASHINGTON (UM News) — A new Lewis Center for Church Leadership report finds that churches disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church are overwhelmingly in the South and Southwest. Compared with remaining United Methodist churches, they also are more likely to have a male pastor and a majority white membership. Sam Hodges reports.
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Church court addresses disaffiliation questions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Judicial Council released nine rulings March 1 dealing with the church law that governs church disaffiliations. The church court addressed such matters as the eligibility of some churches to exit and the role of conference trustees in setting the terms for disaffiliation. Heather Hahn reports.
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Global Ministries
Jubilee Project helps students, inmates
SNEEDVILLE, Tenn. — Incarcerated individuals and students in Hancock County have something in common. The Jubilee Project is helping both of them, with arts and crafts classes for the children and work opportunities for some inmates at Hancock County Jail. Lisa Nichols, a deaconess and executive director of the Jubilee Project, has the story.
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Indiana Conference
Cross-racial appointment connects communities
GARY, Ind. — The Rev. Leah Peksenak is modeling how to manage a cross-racial ministry in her two-point charge pastoring Hobart First and Marquette Park United Methodist churches. Hobart is a majority white congregation while Marquette is mixed race. Peksenak says the two churches work well together and have even studied racism in tandem after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Elyse Garverick has the story.
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United Women in Faith
Scott’s Run celebrates 100-year ministry
NEW YORK — A ministry that feeds people in Monongalia County, West Virginia, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Scott’s Run Settlement House does long-term work with the needy in the community, helping them find jobs, do home repairs and pay for medication. The nonprofit organization is one of United Women in Faith’s National Mission Institutions. Audrey Stanton-Smith reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Church and Society
Inaugural global social justice webinar announced
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is a co-sponsor of the inaugural global thematic webinar hosted by the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. The online-only event, “Social Justice: Migration, Racism & Discrimination, and Health,” will be at 9:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern time on March 2.
Read press release
Register for event
RESOURCES
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
Scholarships application deadline extended
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation has extended its scholarship applications deadline through March 10. The foundation awards more than $2 million in scholarships annually.
Read press release
To apply
RECENT HEADLINES
After hurricanes, Gulfside ministry marches on
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving
EVENTS
Thursday, March 2
Midterm State of The United Methodist Church address
Thursday, March 2
Faith Talks: Commemorating Women's History Month
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