“I want to hear the responses, opinions and thoughts, from the rural areas to the urban areas.” — The Rev. Woojjae Im, a Minnesota Conference delegate to the 2019 special General Conference who is attending multiple town hall meetings for United Methodists in his state.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Big crowds for meetings on denomination’s future
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (UMNS) — United Methodists are turning out in force for conference meetings aimed at informing people about the special 2019 General Conference. Most meetings feature tutorials on the legislative options for helping the denomination remain unified despite persistent division over homosexuality. Kathy L. Gilbert and Sam Hodges report on how the conversations have gone.
Read story
Upper Room celebrates 80 years in Asia
SEOUL, South Korea (UMNS) — Methodists from across Asia recently came together on a mission: Help people around the world spend a moment with God each day. A leadership seminar was part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Upper Room's presence in Korea. The global ministry supports the spiritual life of Christians. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.
Read story
United Methodists fight illiteracy in Angola
LUANDA, Angola (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church in Angola is continuing its efforts to fight illiteracy in the country, partnering with the government on a new initiative that will turn its chapels into education centers to teach reading and writing. Orlando da Cruz has the story.
Read story
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Preparing Hurricane Michael response
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Hurricane Michael made landfall, the Alabama-West Florida Conference prepared the best ways to help in the immediate and long-term aftermath. The conference put together a website with suggestions on how people can help.
Visit website
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Mission agency focuses on Native issues
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is dedicating its Oct. 12-14 board meeting to educating members about issues affecting Native peoples, including the use of Native mascots for sports teams.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
Publishing House holds listening sessions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House has launched an intensive project to gather insights about effective ministries in congregations across The United Methodist Church. The denomination’s oldest agency is engaged in a yearlong project to check and clarify what each segment of church leaders needs most for disciple-making.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Iowa Conference
Iowa resources for Way Forward conversations
DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) — The Iowa Conference has created a host of resources for listening sessions being held by Bishop Laurie Haller and the Iowa General Conference delegates, including handouts and tips for the host churches.
Resources for local churches
Video of Bishop Haller discussing Way Forward proposals
RECENT HEADLINES
God’s grace flows freely over wall between nations
Church offers sanctuary to woman facing deportation
EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 25-Saturday, Oct. 27
National Prison Summit: Dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.