“We put it out there that it’s a safe vaccine. We try to be that beacon of light in the area and open the church up to everybody; that’s our charge.” — André Dingle, trustee, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches get COVID-19 vaccines to thousands
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Fifteen United Methodist churches in Charlotte have launched an effort to be a trusted place for vaccinations in a community that may lack access or be hesitant. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Church leaders fight school segregation
NEPTUNE, N.J. — In 2019, Bishop John Schol and leaders from the Greater New Jersey Conference stood with other organizations to file a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and the Board of Education to desegregate the state’s public schools. As they await a ruling later this year, the conference is working with other desegregation advocates to end the huge disparities in New Jersey’s educational system, one of the most segregated in the nation. Heather Mistretta reports.
Read story
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Bishop Beard plans medical leave
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Bishop Frank J. Beard, who leads the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, will take medical leave, effective July 1, to care for his eyesight. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, who led the conference in 2008-2012, will serve as interim bishop and continue to lead the West Ohio Conference. Beard said he plans to return Jan. 1 “to lead with or without eyesight.” Paul Black has the story.
Read story
Read Bishop Beard's ‘Vision and Sight’ column
New 2021 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Hungary Provisional and Liberia conferences.
Read reports
PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Racism workbook released for Heritage Sunday
MADISON, N.J. — A workbook on racism in The United Methodist Church is available for Heritage Sunday on May 23, published by United Methodist Archives and History. Heritage Sunday is a day for United Methodists to reflect on church history and commit themselves to the continuing call of God.
Read press release
Download workbook (PDF)
Perkins School of Theology
Miles, Campbell named to endowed chairs
DALLAS — Two Wesley scholars on the faculty of Perkins School of Theology have been appointed to endowed chairs, effective June 1. The Rev. Rebekah Miles will be the Susanna Wesley Centennial Professor of Practical Theology. The Rev. Ted Campbell will be the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies.
Read press release
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.
Is church separation a good or bad idea?
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) — The Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka, a missionary in Côte d’Ivoire, said that separation in the church could affect Africa more than any other continent, and United Methodists must work to keep the unity of the Body of Christ. “The American church should resolve the issue without including Africans in the debate of traditionalists or centrists,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
5 reasons why smaller numbers may be better
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — COVID-19 has left many churches worrying about how to increase attendance. Could smaller in-person worship lead to more engaged members and a more inviting environment for visitors? Tricia K. Brown writes about five reasons bigger isn’t always better.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops’ election plans draw mixed reaction
Publishing House rebounds
EVENTS
Thursday, June 3-Friday, June 4
Memphis Annual Conference
Thursday, June 10-Friday, June 11
Tennessee Annual Conference
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches get COVID-19 vaccines to thousands
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Fifteen United Methodist churches in Charlotte have launched an effort to be a trusted place for vaccinations in a community that may lack access or be hesitant. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Church leaders fight school segregation
NEPTUNE, N.J. — In 2019, Bishop John Schol and leaders from the Greater New Jersey Conference stood with other organizations to file a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and the Board of Education to desegregate the state’s public schools. As they await a ruling later this year, the conference is working with other desegregation advocates to end the huge disparities in New Jersey’s educational system, one of the most segregated in the nation. Heather Mistretta reports.
Read story
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Bishop Beard plans medical leave
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Bishop Frank J. Beard, who leads the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, will take medical leave, effective July 1, to care for his eyesight. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, who led the conference in 2008-2012, will serve as interim bishop and continue to lead the West Ohio Conference. Beard said he plans to return Jan. 1 “to lead with or without eyesight.” Paul Black has the story.
Read story
Read Bishop Beard's ‘Vision and Sight’ column
New 2021 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Hungary Provisional and Liberia conferences.
Read reports
PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Racism workbook released for Heritage Sunday
MADISON, N.J. — A workbook on racism in The United Methodist Church is available for Heritage Sunday on May 23, published by United Methodist Archives and History. Heritage Sunday is a day for United Methodists to reflect on church history and commit themselves to the continuing call of God.
Read press release
Download workbook (PDF)
Perkins School of Theology
Miles, Campbell named to endowed chairs
DALLAS — Two Wesley scholars on the faculty of Perkins School of Theology have been appointed to endowed chairs, effective June 1. The Rev. Rebekah Miles will be the Susanna Wesley Centennial Professor of Practical Theology. The Rev. Ted Campbell will be the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies.
Read press release
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.
Is church separation a good or bad idea?
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) — The Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka, a missionary in Côte d’Ivoire, said that separation in the church could affect Africa more than any other continent, and United Methodists must work to keep the unity of the Body of Christ. “The American church should resolve the issue without including Africans in the debate of traditionalists or centrists,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
5 reasons why smaller numbers may be better
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — COVID-19 has left many churches worrying about how to increase attendance. Could smaller in-person worship lead to more engaged members and a more inviting environment for visitors? Tricia K. Brown writes about five reasons bigger isn’t always better.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops’ election plans draw mixed reaction
Publishing House rebounds
EVENTS
Thursday, June 3-Friday, June 4
Memphis Annual Conference
Thursday, June 10-Friday, June 11
Tennessee Annual Conference
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