NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
Exploring Asbury’s influence on the role of bishops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The role of bishops in The United Methodist Church owes much to the pioneering work of Francis Asbury, one of American Methodism’s first bishops. Asbury set the precedents and laid the groundwork for much of what United Methodist bishops do today, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.
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Read more Ask The UMC
UM News: Celebrating Asbury’s impact on 2 shores
Greater New Jersey Conference
‘Long journey of self-discovery’ leads to pulpit
NEPTUNE, N.J. — From an early age, the Rev. Hector A. Burgos was pointed to as a leader, but ordained ministry was not on his radar. However, when his pastor and mentor fell ill and he agreed to cover the pulpit, he felt that pastoral leadership “was something that God was calling me into.” He’s now a district superintendent in the Greater New Jersey Conference. Denise Herschel shares Burgos’ story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Dancing with a United Methodist star
STATESBORO, Ga. — The Rev. Scott Hagan has taken a few dance classes, but the senior pastor of Statesboro First United Methodist Church will soon be joining a former competitive dancer to hoof it for a cause. The two will be among the teams competing in Dancing with the Statesboro Stars. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
For Our Shared Humanity
A 1,700-mile walk for understanding
HOPE, Texas — A United Methodist pastor will welcome a man at the end of a 1,700-mile walk to promote finding common ground in the U.S. John Inserra is scheduled to finish his long walk Oct. 22, and a segment about it is set to air at 8 a.m. that day in all time zones on “CBS Mornings.” Inserra is the brother of Catherine Inserra, an Illinois deaconess. The Rev. Warren Hornung, pastor of Hope United Methodist Church, will offer a blessing to Inserra at the end of his journey.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Theological Seminary
Seminary celebrates sesquicentennial
DAYTON, Ohio — United Theological Seminary on Oct. 10 celebrated its 150th anniversary and burned the mortgage on its current campus facilities. In 1871, what was then Union Biblical Seminary began with 11 students. The United Methodist seminary has since grown to 488 students in its most recent academic year.
Read press release
Watch video highlights
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.
Indiana Conference
Bishop calls for more concern for the poor
CARMEL, Ind. — Indiana Conference Bishop Julius C. Trimble writes about the conflict between claims that the United States was founded on Christian principles and the lack of urgency to help the least among us. He urges people of faith to support legislation that would strengthen the social safety net for those most in need of help. “Is the world better off when some of us are doing just fine while millions wake up hungry and go to bed without shelter? I think not,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Webinar examines pandemic and Black churches
ATLANTA — Gammon Theological Seminary plans to have a webinar at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Nov. 4 on its recent study of how COVID-19 affected Black United Methodist congregations. The study, on matters such as digital discipleship, online giving and pastors’ well-being, was conducted in partnership with multiple United Methodist organizations.
Register for webinar
UM News: Research shows Black churches’ resilience
RECENT HEADLINES
‘Church for nerds’ builds community without a building
Guidance for sexual harassment survivors
EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 28
Webinar: Engaging the Community for Social Transformation
Ask The UMC
Exploring Asbury’s influence on the role of bishops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The role of bishops in The United Methodist Church owes much to the pioneering work of Francis Asbury, one of American Methodism’s first bishops. Asbury set the precedents and laid the groundwork for much of what United Methodist bishops do today, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
UM News: Celebrating Asbury’s impact on 2 shores
Greater New Jersey Conference
‘Long journey of self-discovery’ leads to pulpit
NEPTUNE, N.J. — From an early age, the Rev. Hector A. Burgos was pointed to as a leader, but ordained ministry was not on his radar. However, when his pastor and mentor fell ill and he agreed to cover the pulpit, he felt that pastoral leadership “was something that God was calling me into.” He’s now a district superintendent in the Greater New Jersey Conference. Denise Herschel shares Burgos’ story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Dancing with a United Methodist star
STATESBORO, Ga. — The Rev. Scott Hagan has taken a few dance classes, but the senior pastor of Statesboro First United Methodist Church will soon be joining a former competitive dancer to hoof it for a cause. The two will be among the teams competing in Dancing with the Statesboro Stars. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
For Our Shared Humanity
A 1,700-mile walk for understanding
HOPE, Texas — A United Methodist pastor will welcome a man at the end of a 1,700-mile walk to promote finding common ground in the U.S. John Inserra is scheduled to finish his long walk Oct. 22, and a segment about it is set to air at 8 a.m. that day in all time zones on “CBS Mornings.” Inserra is the brother of Catherine Inserra, an Illinois deaconess. The Rev. Warren Hornung, pastor of Hope United Methodist Church, will offer a blessing to Inserra at the end of his journey.
Learn more
PRESS RELEASES
United Theological Seminary
Seminary celebrates sesquicentennial
DAYTON, Ohio — United Theological Seminary on Oct. 10 celebrated its 150th anniversary and burned the mortgage on its current campus facilities. In 1871, what was then Union Biblical Seminary began with 11 students. The United Methodist seminary has since grown to 488 students in its most recent academic year.
Read press release
Watch video highlights
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.
Indiana Conference
Bishop calls for more concern for the poor
CARMEL, Ind. — Indiana Conference Bishop Julius C. Trimble writes about the conflict between claims that the United States was founded on Christian principles and the lack of urgency to help the least among us. He urges people of faith to support legislation that would strengthen the social safety net for those most in need of help. “Is the world better off when some of us are doing just fine while millions wake up hungry and go to bed without shelter? I think not,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Webinar examines pandemic and Black churches
ATLANTA — Gammon Theological Seminary plans to have a webinar at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Nov. 4 on its recent study of how COVID-19 affected Black United Methodist congregations. The study, on matters such as digital discipleship, online giving and pastors’ well-being, was conducted in partnership with multiple United Methodist organizations.
Register for webinar
UM News: Research shows Black churches’ resilience
RECENT HEADLINES
‘Church for nerds’ builds community without a building
Guidance for sexual harassment survivors
EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 28
Webinar: Engaging the Community for Social Transformation
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