“The closure of church doors (during the pandemic) caused churches to suffer financially. … Most of our members give when they are present in worship services, revivals and conventions. Their absence also means an absence of offerings and tithes.” — The Rev. Oscar Nyasha, Harare (Zimbabwe) East District superintendent.
NEWS AND FEATURES
COVID-19 challenges congregations, families
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — With churches and schools in Zimbabwe forced to close doors at various times during the pandemic, finances and livelihoods have suffered. Clergy and students are among those feeling the impact. Grieving families also are struggling to find closure amid restrictions on funerals and other gatherings. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Crystal Springs Camp decommissioned
DOWAGIAC, Mich. — The past of Crystal Springs Camp was celebrated and its future, back in the hands of Native Americans, was anticipated during a Sept. 12 decommissioning ceremony. The Pokagon Band hasn’t announced its plans for the site, which was used by United Methodists for 160 years before being closed in 2019. Kay DeMoss reports.
Read story
KSHB-TV
Pastor looks ahead after church fire
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ten years ago, the Rev. Ben Bainbridge helped his church rebuild after the tornado in Joplin. Now he confronts the heavy damage caused by a fire on Sept. 20 at Keystone United Methodist Church, where he has been serving as lead pastor for three months. Megan Abundis reports.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Church farmers market shares God’s bounty
PENNINGTON, N.J. — This summer, the missions committee of Pennington United Methodist Church partnered with Rolling Harvest Farmers Market to provide cloth shopping bags filled with freshly picked organic produce and eggs to 100 underserved families. Rolling Harvest began 10 years ago as a way to distribute free produce to city residents who lack the means or opportunity to enjoy summer’s bounty. Joan Schwarzwalder has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Women
Registration for UMW Assembly 2022 open
NEW YORK — Registration for the United Methodist Women’s Assembly 2022 is open. The quadrennial event titled “Turn it Up!” is scheduled for May 20-22 at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with an optional Ubuntu Day of Service on Thursday, May 19. Early-bird registration discounts are available through Nov. 30.
Learn more and register
RESOURCES
ResourceUMC
Celebrating World Communion Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Oct. 3, United Methodists will join Christians around the globe to recognize oneness in Christ and celebrate World Communion Sunday. In The United Methodist Church, donations to the World Communion Special Sunday support scholarships to equip U.S. students of color and international students to transform the church and their communities as both laity and clergy.
Download resources
To give online
RECENT HEADLINES
Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
Leading Sierra Leone after tragedy
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 22
“Black-Palestinian Solidarity” webinar
NEWS AND FEATURES
COVID-19 challenges congregations, families
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — With churches and schools in Zimbabwe forced to close doors at various times during the pandemic, finances and livelihoods have suffered. Clergy and students are among those feeling the impact. Grieving families also are struggling to find closure amid restrictions on funerals and other gatherings. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Crystal Springs Camp decommissioned
DOWAGIAC, Mich. — The past of Crystal Springs Camp was celebrated and its future, back in the hands of Native Americans, was anticipated during a Sept. 12 decommissioning ceremony. The Pokagon Band hasn’t announced its plans for the site, which was used by United Methodists for 160 years before being closed in 2019. Kay DeMoss reports.
Read story
KSHB-TV
Pastor looks ahead after church fire
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ten years ago, the Rev. Ben Bainbridge helped his church rebuild after the tornado in Joplin. Now he confronts the heavy damage caused by a fire on Sept. 20 at Keystone United Methodist Church, where he has been serving as lead pastor for three months. Megan Abundis reports.
Read story
Greater New Jersey Conference
Church farmers market shares God’s bounty
PENNINGTON, N.J. — This summer, the missions committee of Pennington United Methodist Church partnered with Rolling Harvest Farmers Market to provide cloth shopping bags filled with freshly picked organic produce and eggs to 100 underserved families. Rolling Harvest began 10 years ago as a way to distribute free produce to city residents who lack the means or opportunity to enjoy summer’s bounty. Joan Schwarzwalder has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Women
Registration for UMW Assembly 2022 open
NEW YORK — Registration for the United Methodist Women’s Assembly 2022 is open. The quadrennial event titled “Turn it Up!” is scheduled for May 20-22 at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with an optional Ubuntu Day of Service on Thursday, May 19. Early-bird registration discounts are available through Nov. 30.
Learn more and register
RESOURCES
ResourceUMC
Celebrating World Communion Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Oct. 3, United Methodists will join Christians around the globe to recognize oneness in Christ and celebrate World Communion Sunday. In The United Methodist Church, donations to the World Communion Special Sunday support scholarships to equip U.S. students of color and international students to transform the church and their communities as both laity and clergy.
Download resources
To give online
RECENT HEADLINES
Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
Leading Sierra Leone after tragedy
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 22
“Black-Palestinian Solidarity” webinar
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