“We don’t plan to stay and leave everything ‘status quo.’ We want to stay and see change creating a more equitable United Methodist Church.” — The Rev. Candace M. Lewis, president-dean of Gammon Theological Seminary, on the concerns listed by Black clergy and laity in a new survey about the future of the denomination.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Black clergy, laity share perspectives on church’s future
ATLANTA (UM News) — Asked for their perspectives of United Methodism’s future, more than 650 Black clergy and laity from every jurisdiction in The United Methodist Church listed three top concerns facing the denomination: discrimination and racism; inequities in appointments and salaries; and lack of young adults in church leadership. They responded to a recent survey by Gammon Research Institute, part of Gammon Theological Seminary. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports.
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Mission moves across Congo River
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (UM News) — As an initial step in establishing a United Methodist mission field in the Republic of Congo, John Wesley United Methodist Church was recently planted in the country’s capital. The new church has 150 members. Central Congo Episcopal Area Bishop Daniel Lunge, who spent three days in Brazzaville, stressed the need to train more people to expand the church's presence. The Rev. Fiston Okito has the story.
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Kentucky Conference
Bishop responds after Louisville shooting
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bishop Leonard Fairley, who leads the Kentucky and the Central Appalachian Missionary conferences, is urging prayer and advocacy for laws addressing gun violence after a mass shooting at a bank resulting in the deaths of at least five people and the hospitalization of eight. “When will our proclamation of the Gospel match our will to move our elected leaders to act now?” the bishop wrote in a statement.
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Missouri Conference
Responding to tornado that killed 5
BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. — The Missouri Conference is responding to a tornado that touched down April 5 in southeastern Missouri and killed at least five people. Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Scott Burdin has been in touch with pastors and first responders in the area. He is asking people not to self-deploy but to give financially to the recovery efforts. Fred Koenig has an update.
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Donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief
Holston Conference
Prayer weekend draws 200
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The “one and only purpose” for the Weekend of Prayer held throughout Holston Conference was to “strengthen our spiritual discipline of prayer,” Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett said. About 200 people attended the gathering, held across four churches and united by a livestreamed program. Annette Spence reports.
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Watch livestream recording
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race, SBC21
Racial justice agencies decry expulsion of legislators
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century have issued a joint statement criticizing the Tennessee state legislature’s April 6 vote to expel two Black legislators for leading a protest against gun violence on the House floor. Noting that a third legislator involved in the protest, who is white, was not expelled, the statement reads: “The decision by state lawmakers to expel these individuals is a clear violation of their freedom of speech and an act of discrimination based on race.”
Read statement
UM News: Tennessee clergy speak out for gun reform
United Methodist Insurance Program
Insurance program sees quarterly gains
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Insurance Program has announced results for the first quarter ending March 31. The program has more than 150 new customers. In many cases, these ministries saw savings over their previous insurance, the United Methodist Insurance Program said.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Bishop offers resources to advocate for gun reform
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following the deadly shooting at The Covenant School, Bishop William T. McAlilly is urging United Methodists to join together in a letter-writing campaign to elected officials to advocate for gun reform legislation. He and the conference have put together tools for writing letters.
See resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Retired pastors step up amid disaffiliations
Young people drive church growth in Kyrgyzstan
EVENTS
Monday, April 17-Monday, May 1
Online course: Leading Missional Small Groups
Thursday, April 20
Out of Ashes: A Service of Lament in a Season of Disaffiliation
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