“It’s hard to imagine anyone who has had more impact on Methodism and the Methodist purposes than Taylor Boone.” — Rio Texas Conference Bishop Robert Schnase, speaking of the Rev. Boone, a San Antonio lawyer and United Methodist deacon.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Lawyer-minister made a big difference
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — Many in the Rio Texas Conference are remembering with gratitude the Rev. Taylor Boone, who as a lawyer helped bring about the expansion of United Methodist-related health care in the region and later, as an ordained deacon, oversaw a homeless ministry even as he kept practicing law. Boone died Sept.15 at age 72. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Mountain Sky Conference
Much-debated shelter now up and running
DENVER — Park Hill United Methodist Church is a site for a city-sanctioned Safe Outdoor Space, providing temporary shelter for the unhoused. The city and church’s plans led to a lawsuit that was dismissed. Kathryn Witte explains how the church got involved in the project and why it persisted in the ministry.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Meet ‘The People’s Church of El Barrio’
HARLEM, N.Y. — First Spanish United Methodist Church serves its East Harlem neighborhood with its food distribution program, a wellness initiative, Saturday block parties and the cultivation of unity. “This is our opportunity to also be God’s witnesses, to also show about the power of the Spirit and the power of the people,” said the Rev. Dorlimar Lebrón Malavé, the church’s pastor.
Read story and watch video
WREG-TV
Church holds prayer service after mass shooting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Community members came together for a prayer service at Collierville United Methodist Church to remember the lives lost and those impacted by a Sept. 23 mass shooting that killed one and injured 14 others. “My family has not shared that our church family has been touched yet, and I’ve been thankful for that,” said the Rev. Deborah Suddarth, Collierville senior pastor. “But I know that other churches and other families have been deeply affected, lives have been lost, and there is no making sense of that.” Jordan James reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
Webinars to help reinvigorate Black churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Black clergy and ministry leaders can get tips on growing and transforming their congregations and communities during a monthlong series of webinars. The training series will be offered at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Central time each Thursday from Sept. 30 to Oct. 21. The webinars will kick off the 25th anniversary celebration of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. The celebration will include a national conference.
Read press release
UM News: Research shows Black churches’ resilience
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 29-Friday, Oct. 1
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s Leadership Institute 2021
Monday, Oct. 11-Monday, Dec. 6
Online course: Methodist Identity — Our Beliefs
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Program preaches that real men respect women
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — An eight-week course offered to United Methodist men contradicts the sexist notions that can lead to violence and harmful attitudes about women. Domestic violence in the U.S. went up 8.1% after lockdowns were ordered during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
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
Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — After 27 years leading Wespath through economic crises and toward investments that are ecologically and ethically sound, Barbara Boigegrain is retiring at the end of the year. One of her signpost accomplishments is the creation of a pension plan for United Methodist clergy in Africa. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: A Wesleyan take on personal finance
Church hits airwaves to reach vulnerable communities
NAROK, Kenya (UM News) — The Rev. Josam Kariuki of Trinity United Methodist Church, Central District, found a new way to livestream worship services and share messages of hope during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He started a radio and television station at the church to reach vulnerable communities with vital information. Faith Wanjiru has the story.
Read story
Commentary: Texas abortion law will save lives
WILSON, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth, president of the advocacy group Lifewatch, argues that the new Texas law on abortion expresses the will of the people of the state to limit abortion. He argues that Roe v. Wade has cost too many lives.
Read commentary
Commentary: Law should prompt action, not just outrage
SAN DIEGO (UM News) — Lynn Parsons, a United Methodist laywoman, shares about the abortion she had in the 1970s and says Texas’ new restrictions on abortion should challenge the church to speak candidly and constructively about human sexuality.
Read commentary
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Lawyer-minister made a big difference
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — Many in the Rio Texas Conference are remembering with gratitude the Rev. Taylor Boone, who as a lawyer helped bring about the expansion of United Methodist-related health care in the region and later, as an ordained deacon, oversaw a homeless ministry even as he kept practicing law. Boone died Sept.15 at age 72. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Mountain Sky Conference
Much-debated shelter now up and running
DENVER — Park Hill United Methodist Church is a site for a city-sanctioned Safe Outdoor Space, providing temporary shelter for the unhoused. The city and church’s plans led to a lawsuit that was dismissed. Kathryn Witte explains how the church got involved in the project and why it persisted in the ministry.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Meet ‘The People’s Church of El Barrio’
HARLEM, N.Y. — First Spanish United Methodist Church serves its East Harlem neighborhood with its food distribution program, a wellness initiative, Saturday block parties and the cultivation of unity. “This is our opportunity to also be God’s witnesses, to also show about the power of the Spirit and the power of the people,” said the Rev. Dorlimar Lebrón Malavé, the church’s pastor.
Read story and watch video
WREG-TV
Church holds prayer service after mass shooting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Community members came together for a prayer service at Collierville United Methodist Church to remember the lives lost and those impacted by a Sept. 23 mass shooting that killed one and injured 14 others. “My family has not shared that our church family has been touched yet, and I’ve been thankful for that,” said the Rev. Deborah Suddarth, Collierville senior pastor. “But I know that other churches and other families have been deeply affected, lives have been lost, and there is no making sense of that.” Jordan James reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
Webinars to help reinvigorate Black churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Black clergy and ministry leaders can get tips on growing and transforming their congregations and communities during a monthlong series of webinars. The training series will be offered at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Central time each Thursday from Sept. 30 to Oct. 21. The webinars will kick off the 25th anniversary celebration of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. The celebration will include a national conference.
Read press release
UM News: Research shows Black churches’ resilience
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 29-Friday, Oct. 1
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s Leadership Institute 2021
Monday, Oct. 11-Monday, Dec. 6
Online course: Methodist Identity — Our Beliefs
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Program preaches that real men respect women
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — An eight-week course offered to United Methodist men contradicts the sexist notions that can lead to violence and harmful attitudes about women. Domestic violence in the U.S. went up 8.1% after lockdowns were ordered during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
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
Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — After 27 years leading Wespath through economic crises and toward investments that are ecologically and ethically sound, Barbara Boigegrain is retiring at the end of the year. One of her signpost accomplishments is the creation of a pension plan for United Methodist clergy in Africa. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: A Wesleyan take on personal finance
Church hits airwaves to reach vulnerable communities
NAROK, Kenya (UM News) — The Rev. Josam Kariuki of Trinity United Methodist Church, Central District, found a new way to livestream worship services and share messages of hope during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He started a radio and television station at the church to reach vulnerable communities with vital information. Faith Wanjiru has the story.
Read story
Commentary: Texas abortion law will save lives
WILSON, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth, president of the advocacy group Lifewatch, argues that the new Texas law on abortion expresses the will of the people of the state to limit abortion. He argues that Roe v. Wade has cost too many lives.
Read commentary
Commentary: Law should prompt action, not just outrage
SAN DIEGO (UM News) — Lynn Parsons, a United Methodist laywoman, shares about the abortion she had in the 1970s and says Texas’ new restrictions on abortion should challenge the church to speak candidly and constructively about human sexuality.
Read commentary
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