“It is our prayer that we remain hopeful for our financial future and our work together for the people and the ministry of The United Methodist Church.” — The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Board gets update on giving, online worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The spread of COVID-19 has made an impact on United Methodist finances and online worship attendance. At its August meeting, the board of the denomination’s finance agency got an update on both. The board also named a new general counsel. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read GCFA press release
New York Conference
Churches get help with protective gear
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The New York Conference provided nearly $500,000 to about 400 churches to help procure personal protective equipment to make worship services safer. The equipment is needed to meet stringent standards for reopening churches during the coronavirus pandemic. Lisa Isom has the story.
Read story
West Ohio Conference
Reentry kits protect released prisoners
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Prisoners released in Ohio are getting help avoiding the coronavirus from kits donated by the West Ohio Conference. The kits include shampoo, hand sanitizer, a mask and an encouraging note from the West Ohio United Methodist Women. Mariellyn Grace reports.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Church pays pension obligations
FULTON, Md. — Chews Memorial United Methodist Church presented a check for nearly $9,000 to make good on a pledge to pay its share of pension and health benefits for retired pastors. Chews Memorial, located in Harwood, took part in a program in which churches are offered a lien against church property to get more time to pay back the debt. It is the first church in the program to make complete payment. Melissa Lauber has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn dies
GALVESTON, Texas — Retired United Methodist Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn died Aug. 31 at his home. He was 89. United Methodist News will have a full obituary Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Read press release
Global Ministries
New missionaries blessed during virtual service
ATLANTA — Seven Global Mission Fellows were blessed for ministry during a virtual service by the Board of Global Ministries and will serve two years in a state where they do not currently reside. International assignments aren’t happening this year because of COVID-19 travel conditions and safety concerns.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Global AIDS Committee
AIDS committee hosts free webinar series
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee plans to host a series of educational webinars at Facebook.com/UMCglobalaidsfund and later archived on its website. The webinar series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central time Oct. 1, Dec. 1, Feb. 1, April 1 and June 1.
Get details
Visit Global AIDS Committee site
RECENT HEADLINES
Louisiana churches hit by Hurricane Laura
Water project lightens load for new mothers
EVENTS
Monday, Sept. 7-Friday, Sept. 25
Online course — Rethinking the Second Coming of Christ: Exposing Dispensational Rapture Theology
Thursday, Sept. 17
Mission Beyond COVID: Asian Americans, COVID-19 and Race
NEWS AND FEATURES
Board gets update on giving, online worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The spread of COVID-19 has made an impact on United Methodist finances and online worship attendance. At its August meeting, the board of the denomination’s finance agency got an update on both. The board also named a new general counsel. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read GCFA press release
New York Conference
Churches get help with protective gear
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The New York Conference provided nearly $500,000 to about 400 churches to help procure personal protective equipment to make worship services safer. The equipment is needed to meet stringent standards for reopening churches during the coronavirus pandemic. Lisa Isom has the story.
Read story
West Ohio Conference
Reentry kits protect released prisoners
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Prisoners released in Ohio are getting help avoiding the coronavirus from kits donated by the West Ohio Conference. The kits include shampoo, hand sanitizer, a mask and an encouraging note from the West Ohio United Methodist Women. Mariellyn Grace reports.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Church pays pension obligations
FULTON, Md. — Chews Memorial United Methodist Church presented a check for nearly $9,000 to make good on a pledge to pay its share of pension and health benefits for retired pastors. Chews Memorial, located in Harwood, took part in a program in which churches are offered a lien against church property to get more time to pay back the debt. It is the first church in the program to make complete payment. Melissa Lauber has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn dies
GALVESTON, Texas — Retired United Methodist Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn died Aug. 31 at his home. He was 89. United Methodist News will have a full obituary Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Read press release
Global Ministries
New missionaries blessed during virtual service
ATLANTA — Seven Global Mission Fellows were blessed for ministry during a virtual service by the Board of Global Ministries and will serve two years in a state where they do not currently reside. International assignments aren’t happening this year because of COVID-19 travel conditions and safety concerns.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Global AIDS Committee
AIDS committee hosts free webinar series
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee plans to host a series of educational webinars at Facebook.com/UMCglobalaidsfund and later archived on its website. The webinar series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central time Oct. 1, Dec. 1, Feb. 1, April 1 and June 1.
Get details
Visit Global AIDS Committee site
RECENT HEADLINES
Louisiana churches hit by Hurricane Laura
Water project lightens load for new mothers
EVENTS
Monday, Sept. 7-Friday, Sept. 25
Online course — Rethinking the Second Coming of Christ: Exposing Dispensational Rapture Theology
Thursday, Sept. 17
Mission Beyond COVID: Asian Americans, COVID-19 and Race
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