“If you come in here and want me to cut your hair, we’re going to bring up in conversation somewhere down the line how you feel about joining this church.” — Jake Sherrell, on Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, where he has been a member for almost 80 years.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Community rallies around barbershop evangelist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A faith journey that started on the mourner’s bench has helped Jake Sherrell bring hundreds to Christ through his barber chair. Although the longtime member of Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church is battling stage 4 cancer, “his mind and his spirit are still on fire” for the Lord, his pastor said. Mike DuBose has the story and photos.
Read story
Dakotas Conference
Planting seeds with an after-school program
MITCHELL, S.D. — The Sonshine Club at two South Dakota churches helps parents by giving their children a place to go after school. Organizers are hoping it may attract more young people to the church. “It gets a little noisy, and they move around a lot, but it is a lot of fun to see so many kids at the church,” said Mary Tillberg, a member of Ethan United Methodist Church and volunteer for the program. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
United Women in Faith
Loans help women in Sierra Leone
NEW YORK — Interest-free loans from United Women in Faith are helping women in Sierra Leone start businesses and become financially independent. The African nation is one of four regions where United Women in Faith has empowered working teams to strategize on and implement plans for their community’s needs. Mary Esther Sovula says the program gave her the ability to start a soap-making business. Keziah Kargbo has the story.
Read story
WTKR-CBS
Church packs 25,000 meals
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach United Methodist Church on a Sunday morning teamed up with Rise Against Hunger with the goal of packing 25,000 meals for people in need. “It’s not just a meal. You're giving someone a nutritious meal,” said Mandi Cutchins, the director of missions. WTKR staff have the story.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Missouri Conference
Bishop Farr: Stand against violence
ST. LOUIS — Missouri Conference Bishop Bob Farr is calling on United Methodists to stand against violence after a teenage student and teacher were killed and at least seven others were injured by a 19-year-old man who entered a St. Louis high school with a gun and more than a dozen, 30-round magazines. “Let us advocate for safer communities, safer schools and building bridges to beloved community,” he wrote.
Read Bishop Farr’s statement
Read United Methodist guide on standing against gun violence
National Justice for Our Neighbors
Transporting of migrants condemned
ANNANDALE, Va. — Two United Methodist groups are condemning the transporting of migrants out of state by governors in Texas, Florida and Arizona, and calling for the end of using asylum seekers as political pawns. MARCHA, The United Methodist Church’s Hispanic/Latino caucus, joined National Justice for Our Neighbors in the statement.
Read press release
Church and Society
New Peace Pole marks UN Disarmament Week
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society plans to host a special ceremony Oct. 26 to install a new Peace Pole on the United Methodist Building grounds on Capitol Hill. The installation will take place during United Nations Disarmament Week.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
New bikes, Bibles help pastors spread Gospel
Jurisdictions advised to elect 14 US bishops
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 7-Friday, Dec. 9
Lord, It's Boring in My Prayer Closet: How to Revitalize Your Prayer Life
Monday, Nov. 7-Monday, Nov. 28
Online course: Timothy Circle Mentor Training
NEWS AND FEATURES
Community rallies around barbershop evangelist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A faith journey that started on the mourner’s bench has helped Jake Sherrell bring hundreds to Christ through his barber chair. Although the longtime member of Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church is battling stage 4 cancer, “his mind and his spirit are still on fire” for the Lord, his pastor said. Mike DuBose has the story and photos.
Read story
Dakotas Conference
Planting seeds with an after-school program
MITCHELL, S.D. — The Sonshine Club at two South Dakota churches helps parents by giving their children a place to go after school. Organizers are hoping it may attract more young people to the church. “It gets a little noisy, and they move around a lot, but it is a lot of fun to see so many kids at the church,” said Mary Tillberg, a member of Ethan United Methodist Church and volunteer for the program. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
United Women in Faith
Loans help women in Sierra Leone
NEW YORK — Interest-free loans from United Women in Faith are helping women in Sierra Leone start businesses and become financially independent. The African nation is one of four regions where United Women in Faith has empowered working teams to strategize on and implement plans for their community’s needs. Mary Esther Sovula says the program gave her the ability to start a soap-making business. Keziah Kargbo has the story.
Read story
WTKR-CBS
Church packs 25,000 meals
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach United Methodist Church on a Sunday morning teamed up with Rise Against Hunger with the goal of packing 25,000 meals for people in need. “It’s not just a meal. You're giving someone a nutritious meal,” said Mandi Cutchins, the director of missions. WTKR staff have the story.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Missouri Conference
Bishop Farr: Stand against violence
ST. LOUIS — Missouri Conference Bishop Bob Farr is calling on United Methodists to stand against violence after a teenage student and teacher were killed and at least seven others were injured by a 19-year-old man who entered a St. Louis high school with a gun and more than a dozen, 30-round magazines. “Let us advocate for safer communities, safer schools and building bridges to beloved community,” he wrote.
Read Bishop Farr’s statement
Read United Methodist guide on standing against gun violence
National Justice for Our Neighbors
Transporting of migrants condemned
ANNANDALE, Va. — Two United Methodist groups are condemning the transporting of migrants out of state by governors in Texas, Florida and Arizona, and calling for the end of using asylum seekers as political pawns. MARCHA, The United Methodist Church’s Hispanic/Latino caucus, joined National Justice for Our Neighbors in the statement.
Read press release
Church and Society
New Peace Pole marks UN Disarmament Week
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society plans to host a special ceremony Oct. 26 to install a new Peace Pole on the United Methodist Building grounds on Capitol Hill. The installation will take place during United Nations Disarmament Week.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
New bikes, Bibles help pastors spread Gospel
Jurisdictions advised to elect 14 US bishops
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 7-Friday, Dec. 9
Lord, It's Boring in My Prayer Closet: How to Revitalize Your Prayer Life
Monday, Nov. 7-Monday, Nov. 28
Online course: Timothy Circle Mentor Training
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