NEWS AND FEATURES
Church exits denomination for LGBTQ equality
SAVANNAH, Ga. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church has seen multiple congregations disaffiliate since the contentious 2019 General Conference. Asbury Memorial Church is the first to leave in recent years expressly in support of its LGBTQ members, and a New England congregation has plans to do likewise. Heather Hahn reports.
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Fundraising, assessments on tap for SBC21
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The new national director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is prioritizing fundraising and getting information about the vitality of Black churches. SBC21 is dedicated to helping predominantly Black congregations become more effective in mission and ministry. Jim Patterson reports.
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Global Ministries
Sheltering in Love grants help with housing
ATLANTA — The Sheltering in Love campaign was created in response to the many ministerial needs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, 141 grants totaling over $1.5 million have been awarded, with many going to United Methodist National Mission Institutions with long histories of service in their communities. In the second in a two-part series, Christie R. House profiles some grant recipients who are helping with housing and homelessness.
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Read Part 1: Faithful UMC institutions stretch to serve communities
Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Big impact on county's food needs
PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. — Every Saturday, the sidewalk in front of Prairie Grove United Methodist Church is lined with boxes filled with food to provide meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, the church has served 371 families and 1,646 individuals in this rural northwest Arkansas community. Lynn Kutter has the story.
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United Methodist Men
Men plan ecumenical day of prayer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In an effort to address racism and the continuing violence against African Americans, United Methodist Men will host a National Day of Prayer with leaders of men's ministries from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The event will be held via Zoom Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. Central time and is open to all.
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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.
Embracing whole truth about Methodism and race
MADISON, N.J. (UM News) — While Methodism founder John Wesley consistently denounced slavery, the American Methodist record on slavery and race has been inconsistent. "A full accounting of the Methodist track record on race reveals that in every era of the church's life, race has been a source of contention and strife," writes the Rev. Ian Straker, a historian of religion.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Bishop Yambasu remembered as bridge builder
Rev. Gil Caldwell, civil rights pioneer, dies
EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 10
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