“We want to do everything we can to bring healing and wholeness for the survivors. … We are deeply committed to our congregations and particularly any of the congregations that have claims against them.” — Bishop John Schol, on the Boy Scouts of America’s sex abuse-triggered bankruptcy and its implications for local churches that sponsored Scouting troops.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leaders concerned about BSA bankruptcy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The long relationship of The United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America is strained as the BSA goes through a sex abuse-related bankruptcy and denomination leaders worry about liability for local churches that have sponsored Scouting troops. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read press release
COVID-19 alters dreams at Africa University
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — At least 19 Africa University students and staff have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the university grapples with online learning and other obstacles, it also is offering emotional support and encouragement. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
UM News: Colleges, seminaries grapple with shot, mask mandates
Global Ministries
UMCOR committed to helping Afghans
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief and Global Ministries are working to discern how best to help with the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, where they have been working with partners since the 1960s. A program is already planned to provide cash assistance to displaced families residing in the Kabul area. Donations for the efforts are being accepted.
Read story
Donate to UMCOR International Disaster Response
Memphis Conference
Christmas giving in August
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Conference already is working on sharing Christmas joy. The conference donated over 2,300 shoeboxes and $12,000 in financial support to the United Methodist Christmas Shoebox Project. The North Alabama United Methodist Disaster Relief Warehouse sponsors the project.
Read story and see photos
Mountain Sky Conference
Church builds blessing box memorial
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The weekend before Bobbi Bunger died, she talked with her family about the need for a little food pantry like the little libraries she had seen. Her father, sister and fellow members of Green Mountain United Methodist Church now have erected a blessing box in her memory.
Read story
New 2021 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Desert Southwest and Western Pennsylvania conferences.
Read reports
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Blessing service set for new missionaries
ATLANTA — Ten United Methodist missionaries will be blessed for ministry in the United States during a virtual service of worship Aug. 27. Of the new group, seven are Global Mission Fellows, two are Mission Advocates and one is a Church and Community Worker. The service will be broadcast on Facebook Live at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time.
Read press release
Watch livestream
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Correction: Narrative budget course free for clergy, laity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Discipleship Ministries has launched a new course for local church leaders on creating a narrative budget. A narrative budget uses storytelling to help get people excited about supporting ministries. The course, tentatively scheduled to be available in September, is free for United Methodist clergy and laity. A version of the course that will offer .5 CEUs at completion is available for a fee of $25. An item in yesterday’s Digest had incorrect information about the cost. UM News regrets the error.
Read story and watch video
Pre-register
RECENT HEADLINES
UM News World Photography Day
Ask The UMC: Death and Resurrection series
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Sept. 11
Online Lay Servant Ministries course: Come to the Waters
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leaders concerned about BSA bankruptcy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The long relationship of The United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America is strained as the BSA goes through a sex abuse-related bankruptcy and denomination leaders worry about liability for local churches that have sponsored Scouting troops. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read press release
COVID-19 alters dreams at Africa University
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — At least 19 Africa University students and staff have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the university grapples with online learning and other obstacles, it also is offering emotional support and encouragement. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
Read story
UM News: Colleges, seminaries grapple with shot, mask mandates
Global Ministries
UMCOR committed to helping Afghans
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief and Global Ministries are working to discern how best to help with the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, where they have been working with partners since the 1960s. A program is already planned to provide cash assistance to displaced families residing in the Kabul area. Donations for the efforts are being accepted.
Read story
Donate to UMCOR International Disaster Response
Memphis Conference
Christmas giving in August
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Conference already is working on sharing Christmas joy. The conference donated over 2,300 shoeboxes and $12,000 in financial support to the United Methodist Christmas Shoebox Project. The North Alabama United Methodist Disaster Relief Warehouse sponsors the project.
Read story and see photos
Mountain Sky Conference
Church builds blessing box memorial
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The weekend before Bobbi Bunger died, she talked with her family about the need for a little food pantry like the little libraries she had seen. Her father, sister and fellow members of Green Mountain United Methodist Church now have erected a blessing box in her memory.
Read story
New 2021 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Desert Southwest and Western Pennsylvania conferences.
Read reports
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Blessing service set for new missionaries
ATLANTA — Ten United Methodist missionaries will be blessed for ministry in the United States during a virtual service of worship Aug. 27. Of the new group, seven are Global Mission Fellows, two are Mission Advocates and one is a Church and Community Worker. The service will be broadcast on Facebook Live at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time.
Read press release
Watch livestream
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Correction: Narrative budget course free for clergy, laity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Discipleship Ministries has launched a new course for local church leaders on creating a narrative budget. A narrative budget uses storytelling to help get people excited about supporting ministries. The course, tentatively scheduled to be available in September, is free for United Methodist clergy and laity. A version of the course that will offer .5 CEUs at completion is available for a fee of $25. An item in yesterday’s Digest had incorrect information about the cost. UM News regrets the error.
Read story and watch video
Pre-register
RECENT HEADLINES
UM News World Photography Day
Ask The UMC: Death and Resurrection series
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Sept. 11
Online Lay Servant Ministries course: Come to the Waters
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.