“What we’ve learned … is that for the church to live into its fullest potential, it needs a strong center but also a strong edge. I think foundations are in a beautiful place to play that role at the edge.” — Tom Locke, longtime president of the Texas Methodist Foundation.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Influencing from the edge
HONEY GROVE, Texas (UM News) — Tom Locke will soon retire as president of the Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Investive, the former United Methodist Development Fund. Locke, 70, has led TMF for nearly 30 years, a period of tremendous growth in assets that also included a new focus on fostering innovative leadership in The United Methodist Church. In a Q&A with Sam Hodges, Locke reflects on his career, talks about United Methodist foundations as important “edge organizations” and shares what’s next for him.
Read interview
South Carolina Conference
Ministry helps with new direction after prison
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — After 25 years in prison, a kind-faced man called “Unk” was at a loss upon his release. He says the ministry Turn90 helped him turn his life around. Stuart Andrews, a United Methodist and Turn90 board member, calls the ministry the best of Christianity. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
The Methodist Church in Ireland
Irish church boosts United Methodist Ukraine relief
BELFAST — The Methodist Church in Ireland is providing financial support to United Methodist clergy and laity who are assisting Ukrainian refugees as they flee into Poland, Romania and other countries. “Our Irish Methodist family has been shocked to see the violent invasion of Ukraine and the heart-breaking plight of its people,” the denomination said on its website.
Read report
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Freedom of the press helps inform and inspire
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — World Press Freedom Day is May 3, a day of support for and awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. For The United Methodist Church, World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to celebrate United Methodist News, the official newsgathering agency of the church.
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.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Evangelism is not a dirty word
WASHINGTON — People’s understanding and practice of evangelism are too often captive to stereotypes and false perceptions. Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe Jr. says Christians can redeem evangelism by moving beyond marketing and manipulation to reclaim a Jesus-inspired vision of evangelism.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Wespath
Learn about loan forgiveness
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Two webinars about student loan forgiveness for people who pursue careers in public service are set for May 9 and May 11, courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments. The U.S. Education Department started allowing people who work in faith-based organizations to get loan forgiveness last year.
Read press release
Register for May 9 webinar
Register for May 11 webinar
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists urged to relaunch their church
What happens when a new denomination launches?
EVENTS
Thursday, May 12
Tell Your Ministry Story: Understanding Video for Digital Disciple Making
Monday, May 23-Friday, May 27
Carolinas Black Clergy Leadership Retreat 2022
NEWS AND FEATURES
Influencing from the edge
HONEY GROVE, Texas (UM News) — Tom Locke will soon retire as president of the Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Investive, the former United Methodist Development Fund. Locke, 70, has led TMF for nearly 30 years, a period of tremendous growth in assets that also included a new focus on fostering innovative leadership in The United Methodist Church. In a Q&A with Sam Hodges, Locke reflects on his career, talks about United Methodist foundations as important “edge organizations” and shares what’s next for him.
Read interview
South Carolina Conference
Ministry helps with new direction after prison
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — After 25 years in prison, a kind-faced man called “Unk” was at a loss upon his release. He says the ministry Turn90 helped him turn his life around. Stuart Andrews, a United Methodist and Turn90 board member, calls the ministry the best of Christianity. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
The Methodist Church in Ireland
Irish church boosts United Methodist Ukraine relief
BELFAST — The Methodist Church in Ireland is providing financial support to United Methodist clergy and laity who are assisting Ukrainian refugees as they flee into Poland, Romania and other countries. “Our Irish Methodist family has been shocked to see the violent invasion of Ukraine and the heart-breaking plight of its people,” the denomination said on its website.
Read report
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Freedom of the press helps inform and inspire
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — World Press Freedom Day is May 3, a day of support for and awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. For The United Methodist Church, World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to celebrate United Methodist News, the official newsgathering agency of the church.
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.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Evangelism is not a dirty word
WASHINGTON — People’s understanding and practice of evangelism are too often captive to stereotypes and false perceptions. Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe Jr. says Christians can redeem evangelism by moving beyond marketing and manipulation to reclaim a Jesus-inspired vision of evangelism.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Wespath
Learn about loan forgiveness
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Two webinars about student loan forgiveness for people who pursue careers in public service are set for May 9 and May 11, courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments. The U.S. Education Department started allowing people who work in faith-based organizations to get loan forgiveness last year.
Read press release
Register for May 9 webinar
Register for May 11 webinar
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists urged to relaunch their church
What happens when a new denomination launches?
EVENTS
Thursday, May 12
Tell Your Ministry Story: Understanding Video for Digital Disciple Making
Monday, May 23-Friday, May 27
Carolinas Black Clergy Leadership Retreat 2022
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