NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
What should congregations know about disaffiliation?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the 2020 General Conference postponed to 2024 and the announcement by the Wesleyan Covenant Association that it will launch the Global Methodist Church on May 1, there are many questions about disaffiliation. The Ask The UMC team has created a FAQ in an effort to provide clarity about the process and dispel confusion.
Read FAQ
Read more Ask The UMC
Michigan Conference
Extraordinary women celebrated
LANSING, Mich. — To celebrate Women’s History Month, three clergywomen in the Michigan Conference shed light on their journeys and the support they’ve had along the way. The Revs. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Melanie J. Carey and Hillary Thurston-Cox speak about family members and the female mentors who helped them shine.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Making amends for KKK donation
NEW ORLEANS — Algiers United Methodist Church is acknowledging its past to help eradicate racism. To reconcile a $100 donation from the Ku Klux Klan in 1922, the church announced that a donation of $1,675 has been committed for the next 12 months, with the money going to organizations that strengthen people of color and work to end racism. The higher amount is what $100 from 1922 would be worth today. The church also is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the consecration of its sanctuary. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel reports.
Read story
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Helping Tongan siblings after tsunami
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Pacific Island nation of Tonga is still struggling after volcanic eruptions in January triggered a tsunami that wiped out several islands and destroyed many people’s homes, farms and crops. Lents Tongan Fellowship of Portland has been busy collecting supplies to send in a large shipping container, which is scheduled to leave April 21. The Rev. Fungalei Taufoou also is appealing for help in the effort.
Read letter
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Report highlights communications ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications has released its 2021 Annual Report spotlighting the agency’s communications initiatives and activities on behalf of The United Methodist Church around the world. Highlights include the launch of the “Pastoring in the Digital Parish” podcast, the #BeUMC campaign, new training opportunities and strengthening communication infrastructure. Dan Krause, chief executive, said, “In 2021, we continued to move forward to stay relevant in an ever-changing world."
Read press release
Read report
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.
The church is splintering, not splitting
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — Framing the denomination’s situation as a “split” suggests the church is dividing into two groups, writes the Rev. William B. Lawrence. In reality, The United Methodist Church is splintering because congregations are moving in a variety of directions.
Read commentary
Status and Role of Women
Clergywomen promote hope and healing
BOSTON — The history of women’s admission to the clergy is one fraught with denial and refusal to see women as full people within the church, writes the Rev. Emily Nelms Chastain. She describes Methodist women who worked to open pulpits and eventually the episcopacy to women. Chastain is an ordained United Methodist deacon.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Church court evaluates bishops’ decisions
Long-haul relief needed for Ukraine
EVENTS
Saturday, April 23
Caring for God’s Creation Through Just Energy for All
Ask The UMC
What should congregations know about disaffiliation?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the 2020 General Conference postponed to 2024 and the announcement by the Wesleyan Covenant Association that it will launch the Global Methodist Church on May 1, there are many questions about disaffiliation. The Ask The UMC team has created a FAQ in an effort to provide clarity about the process and dispel confusion.
Read FAQ
Read more Ask The UMC
Michigan Conference
Extraordinary women celebrated
LANSING, Mich. — To celebrate Women’s History Month, three clergywomen in the Michigan Conference shed light on their journeys and the support they’ve had along the way. The Revs. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Melanie J. Carey and Hillary Thurston-Cox speak about family members and the female mentors who helped them shine.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Making amends for KKK donation
NEW ORLEANS — Algiers United Methodist Church is acknowledging its past to help eradicate racism. To reconcile a $100 donation from the Ku Klux Klan in 1922, the church announced that a donation of $1,675 has been committed for the next 12 months, with the money going to organizations that strengthen people of color and work to end racism. The higher amount is what $100 from 1922 would be worth today. The church also is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the consecration of its sanctuary. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel reports.
Read story
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Helping Tongan siblings after tsunami
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Pacific Island nation of Tonga is still struggling after volcanic eruptions in January triggered a tsunami that wiped out several islands and destroyed many people’s homes, farms and crops. Lents Tongan Fellowship of Portland has been busy collecting supplies to send in a large shipping container, which is scheduled to leave April 21. The Rev. Fungalei Taufoou also is appealing for help in the effort.
Read letter
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Report highlights communications ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications has released its 2021 Annual Report spotlighting the agency’s communications initiatives and activities on behalf of The United Methodist Church around the world. Highlights include the launch of the “Pastoring in the Digital Parish” podcast, the #BeUMC campaign, new training opportunities and strengthening communication infrastructure. Dan Krause, chief executive, said, “In 2021, we continued to move forward to stay relevant in an ever-changing world."
Read press release
Read report
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.
The church is splintering, not splitting
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — Framing the denomination’s situation as a “split” suggests the church is dividing into two groups, writes the Rev. William B. Lawrence. In reality, The United Methodist Church is splintering because congregations are moving in a variety of directions.
Read commentary
Status and Role of Women
Clergywomen promote hope and healing
BOSTON — The history of women’s admission to the clergy is one fraught with denial and refusal to see women as full people within the church, writes the Rev. Emily Nelms Chastain. She describes Methodist women who worked to open pulpits and eventually the episcopacy to women. Chastain is an ordained United Methodist deacon.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Church court evaluates bishops’ decisions
Long-haul relief needed for Ukraine
EVENTS
Saturday, April 23
Caring for God’s Creation Through Just Energy for All
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.