“There is absolutely no question that The United Methodist Church … has been a backbone of America since the 1700s. And it is painful to watch this church go through what at best can be described as a schism.” — Cobb County Superior Court Judge J. Stephen Schuster at the end of a hearing.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Judge lifts North Georgia disaffiliation pause
MARIETTA, Ga. (UM News) — A judge ruled from the bench that 185 North Georgia churches can proceed with The United Methodist Church’s disaffiliation process. Meanwhile, the Rio Texas Conference has filed suit against churches seeking to circumvent that process. Heather Hahn reports.
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Michigan Conference
Two churches get $100,000 clean energy grants
LANSING, Mich. — Two United Methodist churches are among 11 faith communities getting $100,000 grants to make their churches more energy efficient. Asbury United Methodist Church in Flint and Greensky Hill United Methodist Church in Charlevoix are receiving Sacred Spaces Clean Energy Grants from the state of Michigan and World Renew, an international disaster response and community development nonprofit organization. Glenn M. Wagner has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
‘The Recap’ visits churches around the world
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest episode of “The Recap” video series looks at a North Carolina church’s Easter-themed art walk as well as a flourishing United Methodist movement in Madagascar and a newly chartered Samoan congregation in Alaska. Produced by United Methodist Communications, “The Recap” aims to provide viewers a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how the denomination is transforming the world.
Watch episode
KTVU-Fox
Historic Japanese church thrives in California
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Wesley United Methodist Church, established more than 125 years ago by Japanese immigrants, is still thriving in San Jose today. “I am standing on the shoulders of many, many people who have sacrificed a lot to build up this church,” the Rev. John Oda said. LaMonica Peters has the story.
Watch video and read story
No Daily Digest May 18
There will be no Daily Digest on Thursday, May 18, so UM News can attend a staff event. The Friday Digest will resume on May 19.
PRESS RELEASES
North Carolina and Western North Carolina conferences
$5.25 million grants to strengthen faith communities
GARNER, N.C. — The United Methodist Church’s North Carolina and Western North Carolina conferences are each getting $5.25 million in grant money from the Duke Endowment to launch new faith communities and strengthen existing congregations. The funds “will provide vital resources to help the conferences address the challenges posed by recent disaffiliations,” according to a press release.
Read press release
Watch announcement video with Bishops Ken Carter and Connie Mitchell Shelton
The National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry
Webinar to discuss impact of new immigration laws
ATLANTA — The National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry of The United Methodist Church, in partnership with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and Board of Church and Society, will host a bilingual webinar on May 31 about new state regulations being planned in Texas and Florida that will potentially impact churches serving immigrant communities. The webinar, at noon U.S. Eastern time, can be viewed via ResourceUMC.org and Recursos Metodistas Unidos, ResourceUMC.org’s Spanish language platform.
Read press release in English and Spanish
RESOURCES
General Council on Finance and Administration
Church business administration academy offered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Registration is open for the Academy of Church Business Administration, a two-week educational program for individuals who support administrative leadership in churches and the denomination. Topics include human resources, staff development, property management, communications, strategic planning and financial management. Sessions are scheduled for June 20-30 in Nashville.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Black caucus draws closer to African partners
Historian urges bishops: Reclaim ‘vile’ heritage
EVENTS
Monday, June 5-Friday, June 16
Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices
Monday, June 5-Friday, June 16
Online course: Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition
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