“When the Capitol insurrection happened, and I saw Q flags and crosses and Confederate flags all being marched into the Capitol, I felt like I needed to do something.” — The Rev. Derek Kubilus, on starting a podcast to address the QAnon conspiracy theory movement.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Clergyman takes on QAnon through podcast
UNIONTOWN, Ohio (UM News) — The Rev. Derek Kubilus says QAnon and other conspiracy theories amount to a “mind virus” affecting individuals, families and congregations. Kubilus, pastor of Uniontown United Methodist Church, launched his own podcast to address QAnon. That led to an appearance on “60 Minutes.” Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
United Methodist Men
Gil Hanke plans to retire before year’s end
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gil Hanke, top executive of United Methodist Men since 2010, announced that he plans to retire before the end of 2021. Before leading the agency, Hanke was president of the Texas Conference United Methodist Men. Rich Peck has written a profile of Hanke’s ministry.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
Easter lilies bring hope to homebound
ROCK HILL, S.C. — People unable to leave their homes because of illness or other issues got some springtime cheer courtesy of an Easter lily delivery project led by the South Carolina Conference’s Rock Hill District. “People are hungry for ministry opportunities in the church right now that are safe, and this is just that,” said the district’s lay leader. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
Orlando Sentinel
Guard at children’s home dies after attack
ENTERPRISE, Fla. — A security guard who was hospitalized in critical condition after being punched in the head by a 14-year-old “multiple times” has died. Michael Ellis was trying to return the teen to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, which houses at-risk youth. “Mike served the children’s home with dedication for many years, and we are in mourning,” said the home’s president. Cristóbal Reyes reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council, Southern Methodist University
Museum’s entire collection heads to SMU
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The World Methodist Council announced that the entire contents of its museum will go to Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. Plans call for the collection to be transferred by May 15. The ecumenical council is also in negotiations to close its property at Lake Junaluska, its home for 65 years.
Read museum’s announcement
Read Perkins School of Theology 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.
When one’s enemy becomes one’s neighbor
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — A traumatic childhood memory, repressed for 40 years, came back to force United Methodist deacon Constance Hastings to confront racism in her upbringing.
Read commentary
Read more Personal Encounters with Racism
UM & Global
Potential hollowing out of the denomination
ATLANTA — David W. Scott, mission theologian, paints a dire picture of what would happen if the coming General Conference were unable to pass major legislation such as the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation and the Christmas Covenant.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Council of Bishops
Scholarships available for interfaith gathering
WASHINGTON — The Parliament of the World’s Religions has announced that its eighth global gathering is planned for Oct. 17-18 online. The United Methodist Council of Bishops will offer scholarships to cover the cost of registration for 15 United Methodists. Scholarship applications are due May 1.
Learn more about event
Scholarship application form (PDF)
RECENT HEADLINES
Celebrating and empowering women in Congo
Army chaplain returns to his native South Korea to serve
EVENTS
Monday, April 12-Friday, April 24
Lay Servant Ministries course: Patterned by Grace, How Liturgy Shapes Us
NEWS AND FEATURES
Clergyman takes on QAnon through podcast
UNIONTOWN, Ohio (UM News) — The Rev. Derek Kubilus says QAnon and other conspiracy theories amount to a “mind virus” affecting individuals, families and congregations. Kubilus, pastor of Uniontown United Methodist Church, launched his own podcast to address QAnon. That led to an appearance on “60 Minutes.” Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
United Methodist Men
Gil Hanke plans to retire before year’s end
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gil Hanke, top executive of United Methodist Men since 2010, announced that he plans to retire before the end of 2021. Before leading the agency, Hanke was president of the Texas Conference United Methodist Men. Rich Peck has written a profile of Hanke’s ministry.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
Easter lilies bring hope to homebound
ROCK HILL, S.C. — People unable to leave their homes because of illness or other issues got some springtime cheer courtesy of an Easter lily delivery project led by the South Carolina Conference’s Rock Hill District. “People are hungry for ministry opportunities in the church right now that are safe, and this is just that,” said the district’s lay leader. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
Orlando Sentinel
Guard at children’s home dies after attack
ENTERPRISE, Fla. — A security guard who was hospitalized in critical condition after being punched in the head by a 14-year-old “multiple times” has died. Michael Ellis was trying to return the teen to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, which houses at-risk youth. “Mike served the children’s home with dedication for many years, and we are in mourning,” said the home’s president. Cristóbal Reyes reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council, Southern Methodist University
Museum’s entire collection heads to SMU
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The World Methodist Council announced that the entire contents of its museum will go to Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. Plans call for the collection to be transferred by May 15. The ecumenical council is also in negotiations to close its property at Lake Junaluska, its home for 65 years.
Read museum’s announcement
Read Perkins School of Theology 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.
When one’s enemy becomes one’s neighbor
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — A traumatic childhood memory, repressed for 40 years, came back to force United Methodist deacon Constance Hastings to confront racism in her upbringing.
Read commentary
Read more Personal Encounters with Racism
UM & Global
Potential hollowing out of the denomination
ATLANTA — David W. Scott, mission theologian, paints a dire picture of what would happen if the coming General Conference were unable to pass major legislation such as the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation and the Christmas Covenant.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Council of Bishops
Scholarships available for interfaith gathering
WASHINGTON — The Parliament of the World’s Religions has announced that its eighth global gathering is planned for Oct. 17-18 online. The United Methodist Council of Bishops will offer scholarships to cover the cost of registration for 15 United Methodists. Scholarship applications are due May 1.
Learn more about event
Scholarship application form (PDF)
RECENT HEADLINES
Celebrating and empowering women in Congo
Army chaplain returns to his native South Korea to serve
EVENTS
Monday, April 12-Friday, April 24
Lay Servant Ministries course: Patterned by Grace, How Liturgy Shapes Us
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