“What an absolute honor to have his memory live on in the hearts of others in such a fun way.” — Nicole Wright, on a new playground dedicated to her son at the United Methodist church he attended in Brunswick, Georgia.
NEWS AND FEATURES
South Georgia Conference
Church’s new playground honors child’s life
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Landon Martinez was bright, vibrant and fun. Landon’s Landing, the new playground at The Chapel Midtown in Brunswick, bears his name and honors his life and legacy. Martinez was active in the United Methodist church before he died in October 2018 of meningitis at age 12. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
NPR, UM News
Asian American United Methodist blazed trail
EDGEWATER, Md. — Norman Y. Mineta, the trailblazing Asian American public servant, was also a lifelong member of what is now The United Methodist Church. Mineta, who spent part of his childhood in a U.S. internment camp, went on to serve as mayor of San Jose, California, as an influential U.S. congressman and as commerce secretary under President Clinton and transportation secretary under President George W. Bush. He also remained a member of what is now Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose. He died May 3 at 90.
Read obituary
Read UM News coverage of Mineta’s visit with Katrina survivors
Greater Northwest Area
Churches improve inclusivity with accessibility
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A lifelong member of Puyallup United Methodist Church in Washington recently was able to use the newly installed ramp to access the chancel area of the sanctuary for the first time in her life. Kristen Caldwell reports on how Puyallup and Ebbert Memorial United Methodist Church are learning that inclusiveness means improving access for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.
Read story
St. Luke Church
Memorial set for Rose King, bishop’s wife
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Margaret Rosetta “Rose” King, the wife of retired United Methodist Bishop James R. King Jr., died April 27. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time May 6 at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus. Family visitation will be at noon. The service will be livestreamed.
To watch livestream
Religion News Service
Will the World Council of Churches expel Kirill?
PASADENA, Calif. — The World Council of Churches faces questions about the membership of the Russian Orthodox Church after Patriarch Kirill gave his blessing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Jack Jenkins interviewed United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, a member of WCC’s executive committee, about the situation.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference
Ukraine-Moldova moved from Russian bishop’s area
COPENHAGEN — The Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference voted by a 98% majority to move the Ukraine-Moldova Provisional Annual Conference from the Eurasia Episcopal Area to the Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Area. The vote came in an April 30 online extra session. The move is effective immediately but is temporary, lasting until the central conference’s next regular session. Delegates supporting the change cited the need to remove Ukrainian United Methodists from the supervision of Moscow-based Bishop Eduard Khegay, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Khegay has decried the invasion but also opposed the conference’s move. He and delegates from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation did not participate in the extra session.
Read press release
Read pre-session UM News coverage
RECENT HEADLINES
Lawson Institute advances nonviolence work
United Methodists urged to relaunch their church
EVENTS
Monday, May 9-Friday, May 13
Communications Learning Week: Taking the Next Step
NEWS AND FEATURES
South Georgia Conference
Church’s new playground honors child’s life
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Landon Martinez was bright, vibrant and fun. Landon’s Landing, the new playground at The Chapel Midtown in Brunswick, bears his name and honors his life and legacy. Martinez was active in the United Methodist church before he died in October 2018 of meningitis at age 12. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
NPR, UM News
Asian American United Methodist blazed trail
EDGEWATER, Md. — Norman Y. Mineta, the trailblazing Asian American public servant, was also a lifelong member of what is now The United Methodist Church. Mineta, who spent part of his childhood in a U.S. internment camp, went on to serve as mayor of San Jose, California, as an influential U.S. congressman and as commerce secretary under President Clinton and transportation secretary under President George W. Bush. He also remained a member of what is now Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose. He died May 3 at 90.
Read obituary
Read UM News coverage of Mineta’s visit with Katrina survivors
Greater Northwest Area
Churches improve inclusivity with accessibility
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A lifelong member of Puyallup United Methodist Church in Washington recently was able to use the newly installed ramp to access the chancel area of the sanctuary for the first time in her life. Kristen Caldwell reports on how Puyallup and Ebbert Memorial United Methodist Church are learning that inclusiveness means improving access for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.
Read story
St. Luke Church
Memorial set for Rose King, bishop’s wife
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Margaret Rosetta “Rose” King, the wife of retired United Methodist Bishop James R. King Jr., died April 27. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time May 6 at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus. Family visitation will be at noon. The service will be livestreamed.
To watch livestream
Religion News Service
Will the World Council of Churches expel Kirill?
PASADENA, Calif. — The World Council of Churches faces questions about the membership of the Russian Orthodox Church after Patriarch Kirill gave his blessing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Jack Jenkins interviewed United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, a member of WCC’s executive committee, about the situation.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference
Ukraine-Moldova moved from Russian bishop’s area
COPENHAGEN — The Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference voted by a 98% majority to move the Ukraine-Moldova Provisional Annual Conference from the Eurasia Episcopal Area to the Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Area. The vote came in an April 30 online extra session. The move is effective immediately but is temporary, lasting until the central conference’s next regular session. Delegates supporting the change cited the need to remove Ukrainian United Methodists from the supervision of Moscow-based Bishop Eduard Khegay, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Khegay has decried the invasion but also opposed the conference’s move. He and delegates from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation did not participate in the extra session.
Read press release
Read pre-session UM News coverage
RECENT HEADLINES
Lawson Institute advances nonviolence work
United Methodists urged to relaunch their church
EVENTS
Monday, May 9-Friday, May 13
Communications Learning Week: Taking the Next Step
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