“It’s a moment of fellowship. They’ll come on and they’ll catch up and they’ll talk to each other. That just makes me happy.” — Tina Boone, on connecting with church members on a conference call before Sunday worship at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church members dial in for fellowship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church provides Sunday worship service through the church’s conference phone line so participants who can’t attend in person can stay connected. The callers typically don’t have access to Zoom or Facebook Live. Church member Tina Boone coordinates the dial-in service and finds joy in providing a time of fellowship for her callers. Vernon Jordan has the story.
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Holston Conference
Conference helps rescue the rescuers
BISHOP, Va. — The Rev. Daniel Bradley was already worried about the dwindling funds available to operate the church and mission he leads in his isolated, impoverished community. But after January’s arctic blast caused a surprisingly large electric bill, he reached out for support. The Holston Conference is stepping up to help the only active church in the Bishop area. Annette Spence reports.
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Minnesota Conference
Congregations plan Native American ministry circles
MINNEAPOLIS — A year ago, the Foundation for Evangelism awarded $10,000 to the Minnesota Conference’s Committee on Native American Ministry to launch Native American ministry circles in five congregations throughout the state. Recently, representatives of the congregations gathered to receive a handmade drum, learn about Native American culture and receive initial training on how to lead such circles, which revolve around a drum and typically involve singing and storytelling in community. Christa Meland has the story.
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WVLT-CBS
Pastor discusses proposal for church security
SEYMOUR, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, during his State of the State address, announced his proposal to use $750,000 in state grants to make houses of worship safer. The Rev. Darren Kitts of Seymour United Methodist Church discussed what security steps his church has taken. William Puckett reports.
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RESOURCES
Ask The UMC
Why do churches mark Ash Wednesday?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: human sinfulness before God and human mortality. The United Methodist Ash Wednesday service focuses on those themes, helping worshippers realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ask The UMC has more on the tradition. United Methodist Communications also has a video explaining the observance.
Read Ask The UMC explanation
Watch video
Download Ash Wednesday graphic
Religion and Race
Celebrating lesser-known figures in Black History Month
WASHINGTON — The life, legacy and dream of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. are well known. But what about the life, legacy and witness of Clara Ester? To help churches celebrate Black History Month, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has created free, downloadable PDFs highlighting less well-known historical figures across The United Methodist Church, U.S. culture and internationally.
View resource
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