“I would urge folks to vote in favor of the two because I believe that that is our sweet spot with regard to where we are across our jurisdiction.” — Fred Brewington, making a motion for the Northeastern Jurisdiction to elect two new bishops.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Jurisdictions advised to elect 14 US bishops
NEPTUNE, N.J. (UM News) — Faced with uncertainties around the denomination’s finances and future membership, jurisdictional leaders are recommending United Methodists elect fewer U.S. bishops than there will be vacancies. But after the Northeastern Jurisdiction met for a special session Oct. 15, it’s clear all five U.S. jurisdictions will be holding episcopal elections. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Late pastor’s love notes kept coming
LUFKIN, Texas — Pam and Carl Lundberg shared the vocation of leading United Methodist churches in east Texas. The married couple also had a favorite phrase: “Love you more.” After Carl’s death, Pam kept finding notes from him, signed that way. Ronnie Crocker reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Pizza ministry serves community
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — A pizza ministry at Alexandria United Methodist Church has pumped $20,000 into the community. Six years ago, two church members built a wood-fired oven that has led to a partnership with other nonprofit organizations. The church sold about 250 pizzas every Wednesday during the summer. “This is really truly discipleship in so many ways because it’s not about getting butts in seats,” said the Rev. Amy VanValkenburg. “It’s about how we live our lives in community with one another.”
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Men
Men’s Ministries director named
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Sterling L. Eaton will begin work Oct. 31 as the new director of the Center for Men’s Ministries, United Methodist Men announced. “His depth of vocational experience, pastoral experience and leadership ability is in complete alignment with our new ministry direction,” said Greg Arnold, top executive of United Methodist Men. Eaton is a Navy veteran who has been serving as a United Methodist pastor in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
Read press release
The Nyadire Connection
More help for girls in Zimbabwe
PITTSBURGH — Girls at the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in rural northeastern Zimbabwe are getting help from two new fundraising efforts for The Nyadire Connection’s Girl Empowerment Pad Program. The first is a Giving Tree initiative that will make it possible to purchase supplies in Zimbabwe and avoid shipping delays and storage fees. The second is a sewing scholarship at the Tabudirira Vocational School that will enable recipients to earn income by sewing and training other students to sew. The goal of the pad program is to keep girls in school during their menstrual cycle to avoid learning loss.
Read press release (PDF)
Learn more
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Email still relevant for church outreach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With myriad ways for people to connect, email remains a tried-and-true means of communication. Aaron Crisler shares advice from United Methodist Communications staff on how churches can put together effective email campaigns.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
South Africans march against gender-based violence
Native American leader discusses threatened cultures
EVENTS
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Just Energy 4 All monthly webinar
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Discipleship in Urban Settings webinar
NEWS AND FEATURES
Jurisdictions advised to elect 14 US bishops
NEPTUNE, N.J. (UM News) — Faced with uncertainties around the denomination’s finances and future membership, jurisdictional leaders are recommending United Methodists elect fewer U.S. bishops than there will be vacancies. But after the Northeastern Jurisdiction met for a special session Oct. 15, it’s clear all five U.S. jurisdictions will be holding episcopal elections. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Late pastor’s love notes kept coming
LUFKIN, Texas — Pam and Carl Lundberg shared the vocation of leading United Methodist churches in east Texas. The married couple also had a favorite phrase: “Love you more.” After Carl’s death, Pam kept finding notes from him, signed that way. Ronnie Crocker reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Pizza ministry serves community
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — A pizza ministry at Alexandria United Methodist Church has pumped $20,000 into the community. Six years ago, two church members built a wood-fired oven that has led to a partnership with other nonprofit organizations. The church sold about 250 pizzas every Wednesday during the summer. “This is really truly discipleship in so many ways because it’s not about getting butts in seats,” said the Rev. Amy VanValkenburg. “It’s about how we live our lives in community with one another.”
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Men
Men’s Ministries director named
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Sterling L. Eaton will begin work Oct. 31 as the new director of the Center for Men’s Ministries, United Methodist Men announced. “His depth of vocational experience, pastoral experience and leadership ability is in complete alignment with our new ministry direction,” said Greg Arnold, top executive of United Methodist Men. Eaton is a Navy veteran who has been serving as a United Methodist pastor in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
Read press release
The Nyadire Connection
More help for girls in Zimbabwe
PITTSBURGH — Girls at the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in rural northeastern Zimbabwe are getting help from two new fundraising efforts for The Nyadire Connection’s Girl Empowerment Pad Program. The first is a Giving Tree initiative that will make it possible to purchase supplies in Zimbabwe and avoid shipping delays and storage fees. The second is a sewing scholarship at the Tabudirira Vocational School that will enable recipients to earn income by sewing and training other students to sew. The goal of the pad program is to keep girls in school during their menstrual cycle to avoid learning loss.
Read press release (PDF)
Learn more
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Email still relevant for church outreach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With myriad ways for people to connect, email remains a tried-and-true means of communication. Aaron Crisler shares advice from United Methodist Communications staff on how churches can put together effective email campaigns.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
South Africans march against gender-based violence
Native American leader discusses threatened cultures
EVENTS
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Just Energy 4 All monthly webinar
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Discipleship in Urban Settings webinar
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