“Now, therefore be it resolved, we, the Arkansas Annual Conference, call upon the Congressional Delegation from the State of Arkansas to support and act upon Responsible Fire-Arm legislation.” — Text of a resolution the Arkansas Annual Conference passed with 75% of the vote.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Conferences take action on gun violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Even as United Methodist conferences deal with mounting church exits and disagreements over LGBTQ inclusion, they are bearing a shared witness on gun violence and urging actions beyond thoughts and prayers. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Church shares love with brown bags
ELLABELL, Ga. — Ellabell United Methodist Church has taken to the streets to share the love of Jesus. Every weekday during the third week of each month, church members stand on a busy street outside the rural community’s Dollar General and hand out sacks of food. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
Burundi Conference
Burundi president visits with United Methodists
GITEGA, Burundi — Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye joined United Methodist leaders and church members for Sunday worship at St. Peter’s Cathedral. Ndayishimiye praised the church for its ministries and unity and encouraged members to continue to pursue programs that improve the living conditions of those in need. Niyiragira Ladislas reports.
Read story
Michigan Conference
‘Hub of Hope’ church fights for change
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A community carnival was part of the efforts of a United Methodist church dubbed the “Hub of Hope” in its neighborhood. Washington Heights United Methodist Church is set in an area that is plagued by violence and economic hardship. The Rev. Monique French, the church’s pastor, said it was a gift for families to be able to enjoy a safe community event with free rides and games. Six other congregations participated in the carnival. James Deaton has the story.
Read story
United Women in Faith
Scholarship allows student to follow dreams
NEW YORK — A scholarship from United Women in Faith is allowing Maria Bipumba Kabangu to pursue her dreams of working in agribusiness and helping to lift her community in the Congo out of poverty. Kabangu is an incoming student at United Methodist Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network
Appalachian Ministry Network celebrates 50 years
WHEELING, W.Va. — The United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network's 50th anniversary assembly will be Oct. 5-7 and will feature Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Thomas Bickerton. For 50 years, members of the network have provided resources and support to hundreds of local churches and ministries serving the people of Appalachia.
Learn more and register
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 23
Financial webinar: Saving Grace Can Change Your Church
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Facing the Future Virtual Conference: Be Still as a Spiritual Practice
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Celebrating 100 years of mission in Eastern Congo
TUNDA, Congo (UM News) — Bishops, clergy and laity representing The United Methodist Church’s four episcopal regions in the country gathered recently to celebrate the first 100 years of Methodist mission in Eastern Congo. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story.
Read story
UM News: United Methodists organize peace caravan in Congo
Church's part of BSA bankruptcy approved
DOVER, Del. (UM News) — United Methodist leaders greeted with cautious optimism a judge’s partial approval of the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy reorganization plan. The denomination’s $30 million commitment to a fund for survivors of Scouting-related sex abuse gained the judge’s OK in a lengthy ruling issued July 29. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read press release
Poll about Jesus raises questions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Nearly half of those taking a survey on attitudes about Jesus and Christianity said believers are giving and loving. But a significant minority said Christians are hypocritical and judgmental. “I think what (the poll) demonstrates is that we have not done a sufficient job of teaching people who Jesus is and why he's important,” said the Rev. David F. Watson, professor of New Testament and academic dean at United Theological Seminary. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Examining threats to life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists value life and the opportunity for all to experience it abundantly. That is why The United Methodist Church rejects suicide and euthanasia (medically assisted dying), as well as capital punishment. Ask The UMC has more on the church’s stance and response to threats of life in Part 6 of its Valuing Life series.
Read story
Read more in series
Church turns over episcopal home to university
MONROVIA, Liberia (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Liberia recently decommissioned its episcopal residence and property for use by the United Methodist University of Liberia. The university plans to use the property to expand its graduate school. E Julu Swen has the story.
Read story
New 2022 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2022 annual conference reports. New this week is the Mississippi Conference.
Read reports
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Conferences take action on gun violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Even as United Methodist conferences deal with mounting church exits and disagreements over LGBTQ inclusion, they are bearing a shared witness on gun violence and urging actions beyond thoughts and prayers. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Church shares love with brown bags
ELLABELL, Ga. — Ellabell United Methodist Church has taken to the streets to share the love of Jesus. Every weekday during the third week of each month, church members stand on a busy street outside the rural community’s Dollar General and hand out sacks of food. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
Burundi Conference
Burundi president visits with United Methodists
GITEGA, Burundi — Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye joined United Methodist leaders and church members for Sunday worship at St. Peter’s Cathedral. Ndayishimiye praised the church for its ministries and unity and encouraged members to continue to pursue programs that improve the living conditions of those in need. Niyiragira Ladislas reports.
Read story
Michigan Conference
‘Hub of Hope’ church fights for change
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A community carnival was part of the efforts of a United Methodist church dubbed the “Hub of Hope” in its neighborhood. Washington Heights United Methodist Church is set in an area that is plagued by violence and economic hardship. The Rev. Monique French, the church’s pastor, said it was a gift for families to be able to enjoy a safe community event with free rides and games. Six other congregations participated in the carnival. James Deaton has the story.
Read story
United Women in Faith
Scholarship allows student to follow dreams
NEW YORK — A scholarship from United Women in Faith is allowing Maria Bipumba Kabangu to pursue her dreams of working in agribusiness and helping to lift her community in the Congo out of poverty. Kabangu is an incoming student at United Methodist Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network
Appalachian Ministry Network celebrates 50 years
WHEELING, W.Va. — The United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network's 50th anniversary assembly will be Oct. 5-7 and will feature Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Thomas Bickerton. For 50 years, members of the network have provided resources and support to hundreds of local churches and ministries serving the people of Appalachia.
Learn more and register
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 23
Financial webinar: Saving Grace Can Change Your Church
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Facing the Future Virtual Conference: Be Still as a Spiritual Practice
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Celebrating 100 years of mission in Eastern Congo
TUNDA, Congo (UM News) — Bishops, clergy and laity representing The United Methodist Church’s four episcopal regions in the country gathered recently to celebrate the first 100 years of Methodist mission in Eastern Congo. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story.
Read story
UM News: United Methodists organize peace caravan in Congo
Church's part of BSA bankruptcy approved
DOVER, Del. (UM News) — United Methodist leaders greeted with cautious optimism a judge’s partial approval of the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy reorganization plan. The denomination’s $30 million commitment to a fund for survivors of Scouting-related sex abuse gained the judge’s OK in a lengthy ruling issued July 29. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Read press release
Poll about Jesus raises questions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Nearly half of those taking a survey on attitudes about Jesus and Christianity said believers are giving and loving. But a significant minority said Christians are hypocritical and judgmental. “I think what (the poll) demonstrates is that we have not done a sufficient job of teaching people who Jesus is and why he's important,” said the Rev. David F. Watson, professor of New Testament and academic dean at United Theological Seminary. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Examining threats to life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists value life and the opportunity for all to experience it abundantly. That is why The United Methodist Church rejects suicide and euthanasia (medically assisted dying), as well as capital punishment. Ask The UMC has more on the church’s stance and response to threats of life in Part 6 of its Valuing Life series.
Read story
Read more in series
Church turns over episcopal home to university
MONROVIA, Liberia (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Liberia recently decommissioned its episcopal residence and property for use by the United Methodist University of Liberia. The university plans to use the property to expand its graduate school. E Julu Swen has the story.
Read story
New 2022 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2022 annual conference reports. New this week is the Mississippi Conference.
Read reports
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