“We must stop stirring the pots and creating our own chaos. We have the power within us, by the Holy Spirit, to speak truth, to act on the injustices in our world. We must speak the truth with love, and in love.” — Council of Bishops President Cynthia Fierro Harvey.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops, delegates called to mission focus
BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey challenged bishops and General Conference delegates to focus on shared mission, not frustrations. In her second public address as Council of Bishops president, Harvey spoke to church leaders dealing with the crisis of a potential church split and the second pandemic-caused General Conference postponement. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Megachurch seeks exit over appointment strife
MARIETTA, Ga. (UM News) — The largest congregation in the North Georgia Conference is beginning the disaffiliation process and its senior minister is surrendering his credentials as a United Methodist elder. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church’s April 26 announcement follows its public protest against the pastor's appointment away from the church. The conference and church have different descriptions of what happened. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
How churches can help former inmates adapt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A free series of webinars April 26-30 will offer advice to church members on how to support former prison inmates. "I see this as a ministry that the church really needs to embrace because 600,000 returning citizens come (home) every year, and guess what? They’re coming to your communities," said the Rev. Michael L. Bowie, national director for Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Kansas City church closing after 165 years
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, founded in 1856, is closing after experiencing a long decline and the death this past winter of three key members. Members recalled the church as having a small-town feel, though it is in Kansas City. David Burke has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Theological Seminary
Grant supports houses of study
DAYTON, Ohio — United Theological Seminary has received a $50,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The United Methodist seminary will use the grant to further develop and research the effectiveness of its houses of study. Houses of study provide an approach to specialized theological education by working with other religious organizations.
Read press release
UM News: Racial diversity linked to church growth
North Carolina Conference
Stricter emissions goals urged
GARNER, N.C. — A conference creation care committee is urging the denomination’s general agencies to go further than the already stated goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The committee would like a shorter-term goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030.
Read statement
Agencies set greenhouse gas emissions goal
World Council of Churches
Group observes World Immunization Week
GENEVA — The child-rights organization UNICEF has designated April 24-30 as World Immunization Week. The World Council of Churches plans to intensify support for vaccinations by appointing 10 influential members from the fellowship to join UNICEF’s 300 Vaccination Champions. The objective is to exercise influence through social media and other channels to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19 and other diseases.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Lack of ruling adds to protocol concerns
Leadership body invites church to vision work
EVENTS
Sunday, May 30
Peace with Justice Sunday
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops, delegates called to mission focus
BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey challenged bishops and General Conference delegates to focus on shared mission, not frustrations. In her second public address as Council of Bishops president, Harvey spoke to church leaders dealing with the crisis of a potential church split and the second pandemic-caused General Conference postponement. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Megachurch seeks exit over appointment strife
MARIETTA, Ga. (UM News) — The largest congregation in the North Georgia Conference is beginning the disaffiliation process and its senior minister is surrendering his credentials as a United Methodist elder. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church’s April 26 announcement follows its public protest against the pastor's appointment away from the church. The conference and church have different descriptions of what happened. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
How churches can help former inmates adapt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A free series of webinars April 26-30 will offer advice to church members on how to support former prison inmates. "I see this as a ministry that the church really needs to embrace because 600,000 returning citizens come (home) every year, and guess what? They’re coming to your communities," said the Rev. Michael L. Bowie, national director for Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Kansas City church closing after 165 years
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, founded in 1856, is closing after experiencing a long decline and the death this past winter of three key members. Members recalled the church as having a small-town feel, though it is in Kansas City. David Burke has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Theological Seminary
Grant supports houses of study
DAYTON, Ohio — United Theological Seminary has received a $50,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The United Methodist seminary will use the grant to further develop and research the effectiveness of its houses of study. Houses of study provide an approach to specialized theological education by working with other religious organizations.
Read press release
UM News: Racial diversity linked to church growth
North Carolina Conference
Stricter emissions goals urged
GARNER, N.C. — A conference creation care committee is urging the denomination’s general agencies to go further than the already stated goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The committee would like a shorter-term goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030.
Read statement
Agencies set greenhouse gas emissions goal
World Council of Churches
Group observes World Immunization Week
GENEVA — The child-rights organization UNICEF has designated April 24-30 as World Immunization Week. The World Council of Churches plans to intensify support for vaccinations by appointing 10 influential members from the fellowship to join UNICEF’s 300 Vaccination Champions. The objective is to exercise influence through social media and other channels to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19 and other diseases.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Lack of ruling adds to protocol concerns
Leadership body invites church to vision work
EVENTS
Sunday, May 30
Peace with Justice Sunday
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