“Young was the undisputed dean of Protestant mainline church music at the end of the 20th century as a church musician, composer, educator, hymnal editor, choral conductor and mentor.” — C. Michael Hawn on the Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Carlton ‘Sam’ Young was United Methodism’s maestro
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young is best known as the editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, but his contributions to church music and the denomination went well beyond that. Young died May 21 at age 97 and was working until almost the very end. Sam Hodges reports.
Read feature obituary
Greater New Jersey Conference
Church volunteers pack 10,000 meals
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Fifty volunteers from Trinity United Methodist Church worked hard and fast to pack 10,000 nutritious meals in just over two hours to help fill hungry stomachs — and they had fun doing it. John W. Coleman has the story.
Read story
Greater Northwest Area
United Methodists march for nuclear-free Arctic
JUNEAU, Alaska — While in Alaska for the installation service of Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, members of the Greater Northwest Area cabinet had the chance to meet and march with individuals seeking peace and care for creation in the Arctic. Bridgeforth, a U.S. Air Force veteran, sees a common cause between The United Methodist Church and veterans working to make the Arctic free of nuclear weapons. Kristen Caldwell reports.
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No Daily Digest May 29 and May 30
In observance of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday, there will be no UM News Daily Digest on Monday, May 29, and Tuesday, May 30. The digest will return on May 31. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend.
PRESS RELEASES
Native American International Caucus
Caucus urges support for Indian Child Welfare Act
SELBYVILLE, Del. — The Native American International Caucus of The United Methodist Church is calling for supporting the Indian Child Welfare Act as a Supreme Court decision looms that could weaken it. The act ensures that priority is given to place orphaned Native American children with extended family or communities that maintain a connection to their culture. The court is considering a lawsuit by a white Texas couple who adopted a Native American child despite the Navajo Nation’s wish for placement in a more culturally relevant setting.
Read press release and call to action
United Women in Faith
Vonner elected as chief executive
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith will welcome a new chief executive on June 1. Sally Vonner has worked in various positions for the women’s organization since 2010. A graduate of Perkins School of Theology, Vonner said her focus will be “to continue and expand the mission and reach of United Women in Faith” and “work to improve the lives of women, children and youth around the world.” She follows Harriett Jane Olson, who retired earlier this month.
Read press release
EVENTS
Wednesday, May 31
Webinar: The impact of new immigration laws on church witness
Tuesday, July 25-Friday, July 28
YOUTH 2023
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
A pilgrimage through Methodist history
BALTIMORE (UM News) — Sixteen travelers traversed Washington and Baltimore, taking in United Methodist churches, cemeteries and other historic sites on a social justice pilgrimage. The group got to contrast The United Methodist Building in a tony part of Washington with a tiny, dank, brick building at nearby Mt. Zion Cemetery, where escaped slaves hid as they tried to make their way to freedom along the underground railroad. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
As church exits rise, proposed budget drops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In the wake of projected losses from church closures and disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s finance agency continues to shrink the proposed budget heading to General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read Connectional Table and GCFA press release
Korean churches commit to Mongolia mission work
HONOLULU (UM News) — The United Methodist Mongolia Mission Initiative Summit gathered participants from Mongolia, South Korea and mainland America May 10-13 to discuss the ministry’s future and direction. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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New 2023 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the Austria Provisional, Czech Republic, Liberia and Serbia-North Macedonia-Albania conferences.
Read reports
Rio Texas Conference
Update on Rio Texas litigation
SAN ANTONIO — Several Rio Texas Conference churches that had indicated they would try to disaffiliate without going through the established process have reconsidered and will now be following that process, said Kevin Reed, chair of the conference board of trustees. The conference last week announced it has, as a last resort, filed suit to prevent 40 churches from leaving without meeting disaffiliation requirements. Those that have reconsidered will be dropped from the lawsuit, Reed said.
Read conference press release
Read UM News story about lawsuit
See 2023 special sessions schedule
World Council of Churches
Ecumenical group brings Pentecost greetings
GENEVA — The presidents of the World Council of Churches send Christians joyful greetings for the feast of Pentecost on May 28, when they celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church. The United Methodist Church is a member of the ecumenical group. “The miracle is that rich diversity and loving unity can hold hands. This is a gift of the Spirit,” the presidents’ message said.
Read message
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