“There are many other things that will take over our attention, and the world’s attention, but we’re going to keep derecho survivors in our prayers and in our actions.” — The Rev. Catie Newman, Iowa Conference disaster response coordinator.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leads storm recovery in Iowa
MARION, Iowa (UM News) — Church volunteers are coming from all over Iowa and other states to help after an Aug. 10 derecho that left a 700-mile path of destruction. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Vandalized church doors repainted
JENISON, Mich. — The congregation at Georgetown United Methodist Church reacted quickly when brightly colored doors that had been placed in front of the church to symbolize an all-inclusive welcome were vandalized. Church members came together to repaint the doors and reaffirm their support for the LGBTQ community. Kay DeMoss has the story.
Read story
Pandemic leads more girls to early marriages
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create upheaval in the lives of schoolchildren, especially girls in impoverished areas where food and other resources are scarce. At The United Methodist Church’s Chapanduka Secondary School, six girls between the ages of 14 and 17 have married since schools shut down in March, according to school officials. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
World Council of Churches
Caring United Methodist faces during COVID-19
GENEVA — For the past 25 years, Mike DuBose has been putting a face on the work of The United Methodist Church as a photojournalist for the denomination’s news agency. As COVID-19 has spread around the world, that face has been mostly covered by a mask.
See photo essay
PRESS RELEASES
Meharry Medical College
Meharry receives $34 million gift
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies has awarded $34 million to Meharry Medical College, one of the historically Black schools supported by The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund. The gift will provide scholarships for medical students to help increase the number of Black doctors in the U.S. by significantly reducing their debt burden.
Read press release
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.
A new reformation? Look to the NGOs
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — The church of today stands at the threshold of a new reformation, measured not by its size or budget, but its heart, writes the Rev. Mel West. Following the example of nongovernmental organizations, its members will “prefer deeds over creeds, work over words and mentors over messengers and who will seek co-workers more than converts.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Wesley Theological Seminary
Seminary offers tuition-free military chaplain degree
WASHINGTON — Wesley Theological Seminary is offering a tuition-free doctor of ministry program for military chaplains. Wesley plans to have the first cohort meet on its Washington campus the first week of March 2021, depending on COVID-19 policies at that time. All other coursework will be online.
To apply
RECENT HEADLINES
Churches see census as part of their mission
Community project births new congregation
EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 10
Webinar: A Closer Look at the Offering
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leads storm recovery in Iowa
MARION, Iowa (UM News) — Church volunteers are coming from all over Iowa and other states to help after an Aug. 10 derecho that left a 700-mile path of destruction. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Vandalized church doors repainted
JENISON, Mich. — The congregation at Georgetown United Methodist Church reacted quickly when brightly colored doors that had been placed in front of the church to symbolize an all-inclusive welcome were vandalized. Church members came together to repaint the doors and reaffirm their support for the LGBTQ community. Kay DeMoss has the story.
Read story
Pandemic leads more girls to early marriages
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create upheaval in the lives of schoolchildren, especially girls in impoverished areas where food and other resources are scarce. At The United Methodist Church’s Chapanduka Secondary School, six girls between the ages of 14 and 17 have married since schools shut down in March, according to school officials. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
World Council of Churches
Caring United Methodist faces during COVID-19
GENEVA — For the past 25 years, Mike DuBose has been putting a face on the work of The United Methodist Church as a photojournalist for the denomination’s news agency. As COVID-19 has spread around the world, that face has been mostly covered by a mask.
See photo essay
PRESS RELEASES
Meharry Medical College
Meharry receives $34 million gift
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies has awarded $34 million to Meharry Medical College, one of the historically Black schools supported by The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund. The gift will provide scholarships for medical students to help increase the number of Black doctors in the U.S. by significantly reducing their debt burden.
Read press release
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.
A new reformation? Look to the NGOs
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — The church of today stands at the threshold of a new reformation, measured not by its size or budget, but its heart, writes the Rev. Mel West. Following the example of nongovernmental organizations, its members will “prefer deeds over creeds, work over words and mentors over messengers and who will seek co-workers more than converts.”
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Wesley Theological Seminary
Seminary offers tuition-free military chaplain degree
WASHINGTON — Wesley Theological Seminary is offering a tuition-free doctor of ministry program for military chaplains. Wesley plans to have the first cohort meet on its Washington campus the first week of March 2021, depending on COVID-19 policies at that time. All other coursework will be online.
To apply
RECENT HEADLINES
Churches see census as part of their mission
Community project births new congregation
EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 10
Webinar: A Closer Look at the Offering
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