“I want to continue to serve God with this mobility, to win souls for Jesus.” — Samuel Kasororo, a United Methodist father of six who lost his leg during war in Congo.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Church restores hope, mobility to disabled
FIZI, Congo (UM News) — Shouts of joy rang out across eastern Congo as representatives of The United Methodist Church distributed mobility aids to people living with disabilities. More than 120 people received wheelchairs, canes, crutches and tricycles that will enable them to get around more easily and participate more fully in the life of the church. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Understanding disaffiliation legislation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In Part 2 of a new series highlighting what’s new for General Conference, the Ask The UMC team dives into disaffiliation legislation. While the legislation adopted by the 2019 General Conference has expired, eight additional proposals to permit disaffiliation have been submitted to the upcoming legislative assembly. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards offers an analysis of each one.
Read analysis
Read Part 1 on the budget
California-Pacific Conference
Act of repentance sought for Hawaii’s conquest
PEARL CITY, Hawaii — The California-Pacific Conference has submitted legislation to General Conference seeking a formal apology to native Hawaiians for the church’s role in the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893. The conference shared a video on the legacy of Queen Lili‘uokalani and the history that led to this legislation.
Watch video
United Methodist Communications
Revised Social Principles and creation care
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Revised Social Principles coming before General Conference voters this month include increased attention to creation care. “In the new document we are setting ourselves more within the community of all creation to show our interdependence with the earth,” said John Hill, the interim top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Philip J. Brooks reports.
Read story
Burundi Conference
Retreat supports clergy work, well-being
NGOZI, Burundi — More than 400 clergy gathered for a retreat last month to discuss their role as shepherds in the church and their mission to care for the well-being of their flock. The participants also learned about clergy self-care and time management and were encouraged to strengthen unity in the church. The Rev. Ladislas Niyiragira has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Green team gets moving
YANKTON, S.D. — Following up on a call by the Dakotas Annual Conference to start green teams in every church to do work to help the environment, members of First United Methodist Church sprang into action. They started with insulation projects in the church building. “The green team concept in a church is trying to get other people to embrace this different way of doing things that’s better for our planet and to help mitigate climate change,” said Dan Johnson, a lay leader at the church. Doreen Gosmire reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
General Conference
Marshals, pages sought for GC2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists interested in serving as marshals or pages for the postponed General Conference taking place April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, are encouraged to apply online no later than April 15. “We are seeking volunteers to bolster the ranks to most effectively serve the General Conference,” said Mark Wharff, who serves as a coordinator for the Pages and Marshals Team.
Read press release
To apply
United Methodist Communications
Appeal launched to support news
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Foundation for United Methodist Communications has launched an appeal to support the work of UM News at General Conference. The appeal notes the importance of supporting newsgathering in a time of great change and tighter budgets in the church. UM News and United Methodist Communications sincerely appreciate the support that people across the denomination have provided already in response to the appeal.
Learn more
To donate
RESOURCES
Pre-General Conference video resources
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As The United Methodist Church approaches a major legislative gathering that will determine its future, UM News is providing video resources to help people better understand how the legislative assembly works and what legislation is under consideration. The latest installment includes conversations with the top executives of United Women in Faith and the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, as well as a Discipleship Ministries panel about having civil conversations at General Conference.
Watch videos
EVENTS
Monday, April 8-Monday, June 3
Online course: Journey Through the Psalms
Tuesday, April 23-Friday, May 3
General Conference
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Bishop faced death — and wrote about it
KELLER, Va. (UM News) — Retired Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, a learned and independent-minded presence in The United Methodist Church, died March 28 at home in Virginia, after being in hospice care. He was 75. Whitaker led the Florida Conference from 2001 to 2012. Well into retirement and facing terminal illness, he wrote an essay titled “Learning to Die,” and it has found many readers. Sam Hodges reports.
Read obituary
Caring for people with memory issues
COLUMBIA, S.C. (UM News) — Millions are dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that affect memory. United Methodist churches and members can offer support in these situations. Washington Street United Methodist Church has started a monthly worship service designed for people with dementia. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
UM News: Book aims to help dementia caregivers cope
Judge orders disputed church property returned
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (UM News) — The Northern Illinois Conference has resumed possession of Naperville Korean United Methodist Church’s property after a judge’s ruling, the conference announced. Church leaders said the March 21 temporary injunction is a meaningful step in moving forward from a conflict between the conference and a breakaway group that had withdrawn from the disaffiliation process required by the Book of Discipline and barred the remaining congregation from entering the church building. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
Read story
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Church friendship grows from kidney donation
WEST CHESTER, Pa. — When Diane Boggess needed a second kidney transplant, her church family at Grove United Methodist Church came to the rescue. After hearing a sermon on sacrificial friendship, church member Susan Parno decided to step up as a donor. “It was the Holy Spirit who brought these two women together at Grove,” said the Rev. Gary Knerr. John W. Coleman shares their story in honor of National Donate Life Month.
Read story
Council of Bishops
United Methodists urged to celebrate 50 days of Easter
WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton encourages United Methodists to join in celebrating the resurrected Christ for the full 50 days of Easter. Easter faith “challenges us to believe that resurrection and new life in Christ is always available and always present for those who believe,” Bickerton writes.
Read statement
Ask The UMC: What is the Easter season for?
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