“It is crucial that we take great care in how we craft the budget.” — The Rev. Moses Kumar, General Council on Finance and Administration’s top executive.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Finance board gets update on giving, reserves
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Giving to United Methodist ministries was lower in the first three months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. However, collection rates varied widely among church funds. Heather Hahn reports on the General Council on Finance and Administration board meeting.
Read story
Brown to leave Impact Church in 2022
ATLANTA — The Rev. Olu Brown, founder and lead pastor of Impact Church, announced May 16 his plans to retire from local church ministry in June 2022. Brown said he plans to pursue entrepreneurial and consulting endeavors full time. He will continue to serve Impact for the next year and will help orient the new lead pastor, once appointed by the North Georgia Conference’s Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson.
Watch video announcement
Read Atlanta Journal-Constitution story
UM News: Growing impact of new churches
The Kansas City Star
Historic church to close
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church will have a closing ceremony on June 27. The historic church was visited by Helen Keller and became known for ministry to Kansas City’s poor, as well as for having a beautiful interior and an organ prized by musicians. Financial challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic, forced the closure decision. Patrick Neas reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Southeastern Jurisdiction, Council of Bishops
Bishops announce episcopal supervision plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Council of Bishops has approved episcopal-supervision changes for the Southeastern Jurisdiction due to the retirement of four bishops. Under the plan, Bishops Ken Carter, Leonard Fairley, David Graves and Debbie Wallace-Padgett will each take on leadership of one conference in addition to the ones they currently lead. Their new roles begin Sept. 1.
Read press release
Baraboo First United Methodist Church
Bishop to speak on anti-Asian crimes
BARABOO, Wis. — Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Conference will speak May 20 during a free Zoom event to mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Jung will address hate crimes targeting Asian people, which rose by nearly 150% last year.
Read press release
Register
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.
Michigan Conference
Juggling life in a pandemic
DETROIT — Yeo Jin Yun, a Global Mission Fellow US-2 serving in Detroit since August 2019, believed she was doing a great job juggling the different elements of pandemic living. Then she hit “a brick wall.” She leaned on a supportive community to get through the difficult time.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Celebrating Asian American, Pacific Islander heritage
WASHINGTON — The Commission on Religion and Race has designed two new infographics for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to help churches provide information about these cultures. “Ten Things to Know About Asian Americans” and “Ten Honorable Traits of Pacific Islander Culture” are available for download on the agency’s website.
Download resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Church leaders urge COVID-19 vaccines in Congo
Europeans make plans for separation
EVENTS
Sunday, May 30
Peace with Justice Sunday
NEWS AND FEATURES
Finance board gets update on giving, reserves
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Giving to United Methodist ministries was lower in the first three months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. However, collection rates varied widely among church funds. Heather Hahn reports on the General Council on Finance and Administration board meeting.
Read story
Brown to leave Impact Church in 2022
ATLANTA — The Rev. Olu Brown, founder and lead pastor of Impact Church, announced May 16 his plans to retire from local church ministry in June 2022. Brown said he plans to pursue entrepreneurial and consulting endeavors full time. He will continue to serve Impact for the next year and will help orient the new lead pastor, once appointed by the North Georgia Conference’s Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson.
Watch video announcement
Read Atlanta Journal-Constitution story
UM News: Growing impact of new churches
The Kansas City Star
Historic church to close
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church will have a closing ceremony on June 27. The historic church was visited by Helen Keller and became known for ministry to Kansas City’s poor, as well as for having a beautiful interior and an organ prized by musicians. Financial challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic, forced the closure decision. Patrick Neas reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Southeastern Jurisdiction, Council of Bishops
Bishops announce episcopal supervision plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Council of Bishops has approved episcopal-supervision changes for the Southeastern Jurisdiction due to the retirement of four bishops. Under the plan, Bishops Ken Carter, Leonard Fairley, David Graves and Debbie Wallace-Padgett will each take on leadership of one conference in addition to the ones they currently lead. Their new roles begin Sept. 1.
Read press release
Baraboo First United Methodist Church
Bishop to speak on anti-Asian crimes
BARABOO, Wis. — Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Conference will speak May 20 during a free Zoom event to mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Jung will address hate crimes targeting Asian people, which rose by nearly 150% last year.
Read press release
Register
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.
Michigan Conference
Juggling life in a pandemic
DETROIT — Yeo Jin Yun, a Global Mission Fellow US-2 serving in Detroit since August 2019, believed she was doing a great job juggling the different elements of pandemic living. Then she hit “a brick wall.” She leaned on a supportive community to get through the difficult time.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Celebrating Asian American, Pacific Islander heritage
WASHINGTON — The Commission on Religion and Race has designed two new infographics for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to help churches provide information about these cultures. “Ten Things to Know About Asian Americans” and “Ten Honorable Traits of Pacific Islander Culture” are available for download on the agency’s website.
Download resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Church leaders urge COVID-19 vaccines in Congo
Europeans make plans for separation
EVENTS
Sunday, May 30
Peace with Justice Sunday
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.