“We need to reclaim our own narrative and stop allowing other people to write the narrative for us.” — Texas Conference Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey addressing a legal forum.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Legal forum offers guidance for time of schism
CHICAGO (UM News) — United Methodist bishops, conference legal advisers and other church leaders met to share insights on dealing with church disaffiliations. The leaders got a status update on lawsuits involving church withdrawals. They also discussed how to work toward a future with hope. Heather Hahn reports.
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Central and Southern Europe Central Conference
Bishops meet new North Africa pastors
TUNIS, Tunisia – Amid challenging times, The United Methodist Church in North Africa sees hope. The active pastors of the church in Algeria recently met here with Bishop Patrick Streiff and Bishop Stefan Zürcher, both from the Central and Southern Europe Central Conference, to share personal stories of life and faith. Despite differences around key issues such as human sexuality, participants expressed joy in working together now and in the future with Jesus Christ as the foundation.
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WREG-CBS
2 Memphis churches merge flocks
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A wedding of sorts has taken place in downtown Memphis. For 18 months, Bluff City Church and First United Methodist Church have been “courting,” said Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Bishop Bill McAlilly. The merger of the two churches was also a commitment to remain United Methodist. Katherine Burgess reports.
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Texas Conference
Church-based medical clinic hits stride
HOUSTON — The University of Houston College of Nursing Health Clinic has found a happy home at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. The clinic, open since 2021, offers free basic medical care to unsheltered people and the working poor. The number served has gradually grown and services have expanded. Lindsay Peyton has the story, with photos by Annie Mulligan.
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Dakotas Conference
Church offers toy library
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Children whose parents are on budgets can get toys to play and learn with from the Toy Lending Library at First United Methodist Church. The toys are grouped in boxes for various ages and sanitized after being returned. “Since the organization’s start in 2015, our toy boxes have been borrowed or renewed more than 16,000 times,” said Anelis Coscioni, who worked with the Optimist Club of Sioux Falls to start the Toy Lending Library after learning about the need. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Relationship restored with East Africa
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and East Africa Episcopal Area have reached an agreement to restore their relationship and make possible the placement of missionaries in East Africa and the resumption of programs and ministries in humanitarian aid, agriculture, global health and church revitalization. The confidential agreement follows a decade-long freeze on distribution of church and mission funds after internal audits raised questions about the episcopal area’s use of certain funds.
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Emory University Center for the Study of Law and Religion
Webinar on vacant houses of worship
ATLANTA — The growing crisis of vacant or emptying houses of worship across the U.S. and Europe will be analyzed during a May 3 free webinar. Participants scheduled to take part include legal scholars, urban planners, architects, public officials, real estate experts, sociologists, religious leaders and historic preservationists. Registration is required to participate.
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 UM News staff.
United Women in Faith
UWF available to all women
NEW YORK — Members of United Women in Faith can remain with the organization if their church disaffiliates from the United Methodist denomination. Tara Barnes of UWF offers an overview of the disaffiliation saga and the options for United Women of Faith members who are affected and provides information debunking some misinformation around the topic.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Group previews the coming General Conference
DENVER — The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy will explore “A Potentially Momentous 2024 United Methodist General Conference” in a free webinar at 6 p.m. U.S. Mountain time, 8 p.m. Eastern time, May 18. Speakers from the U.S., Congo and the Philippines will discuss key issues that will shape debate at the church’s top legislative assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Amid rupture, bishops called to renew church
Consultation charts way for missional church
EVENTS
Thursday, May 4
Webinar: Courageous Conversations on Disaffiliation
Monday, May 8-Friday, May 19
Campus Ministry: Empowering Congregations to Support Students
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