“Neither bishops or district superintendents have the authority to excommunicate lay persons from the church, nor to remove individuals from candidacy for ministry.” — Statement from Michigan Area leaders.
Online ordination ends clergy candidacy
LANSING, Mich. (UMNS) — By getting an online ordination through another denomination, a United Methodist clergy candidate has dropped out of the ordination process and abandoned her church membership. Michigan Area leaders offered that explanation in a Sept. 9 statement about Ginny Mikita, who with credentials from the Universal Life Church, officiated at the same-sex wedding of the Rev. Benjamin and Monty Hutchison. Heather Hahn reports.
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Young clergy growth all among women
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Women are responsible for gains in the percentage of elders under age 35 in The United Methodist Church, according to the annual Clergy Age Trends report from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. In 2015, 986 young elders make up 6.56 percent of the pool of active elders, but the pool of elders is down by 3,000 since 2005. The percentage of women among young elders has increased from 31 percent in 2005 to 41 percent in 2015. Among young deacons, the percentage of women is 80 percent.
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Communications outreach after 9/11
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — With Igniting Ministry, United Methodist Communications turned to advertising to communicate the denomination's message to the world. Just six days after the national television campaign was launched, the country was reeling from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The United Methodist Church was one of the first advertisers back on television, with a message of hope and support: “The people of The United Methodist Church are praying with you.” Laura Buchanan reports.
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A prayer for the anniversary of 9/11
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Discipleship Ministries offers a devotional to use in observing the tragedy of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
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Commentary: Sacrificing for sake of next generation
LAKELAND, Minn. (UMNS) — The people of St. Croix Valley United Methodist Church in Lakeland voted to turn over their building, their identity and their way of being church to fast-growing Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The move allows Embrace to launch a Twin Cities campus in the building this fall. “The heroes of the story are the people of St. Croix Valley United Methodist Church in Lakeland. They were willing to give over everything — who they are, what they have, what has been sacred and meaningful to them — for the sake of reaching the next generation,” the Rev. Cindy Gregorson writes in a commentary.
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Read conference report on new campus
Building hospitality in Detroit
DETROIT (UMNS) — The Young Leaders Initiative is rehabbing a home as a hostel for visiting missionaries and volunteers in mission. Called Foundry House, it will also be the base for Motown Mission staff. Kay DeMoss reports for the Michigan Area.
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New communicator for women’s commission
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Jenn Meadows is the new director of communications for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women. The University of Indianapolis graduate also is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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9 tips for communicating with Hispanics and Latinos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Today's congregations are challenged to become more effective in communicating across demographic and cultural divides. United Methodist Communications offers tips to help churches reach out to Hispanic and Latino families.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Texas Conference's "Black Church Forum" — 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at Journey of Faith, a United Methodist church,130 Atascocita Road in Humble, Texas. Details
Thursday, Sept. 17
Worship service, remembering shooting victims at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. — Service begins at 11:30 a.m., at Perkins Chapel, Perkins School of Theology, on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas. Details
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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