“There are plenty of resources out there, financial and leadership. We just need to open our imaginations and put groups who are willing to discern the Holy Spirit to lead us into the right places.” — Bishop Connie Shelton
NEWS AND FEATURES
Fresh expressions needed in funding, too
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Churches need to get more creative to fund their ministries instead of relying on what they get in collection plates, say participants of the recent Fresh Expressions national conference. Options for alternative funding include applying for grants and running small businesses. Jim Patterson has the story.
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UM News: Fresh Expressions movement offers hope
Florida Conference
Tracing Black Methodists’ legacy
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Black Church in Florida United Methodism can be considered a church within a church. It is deeply woven within the fabric of the United Methodist connection, but it is also distinct in its history, practice and ethos. The Rev. Lee Hall-Perkins writes about the historical context of Black Methodists in the state through the stories of two of the state’s oldest Methodist congregations, both named Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
As Idaho execution looms, churches speak out
POCATELLO, Idaho — The United Methodist Church has opposed the death penalty for nearly 70 years. With Idaho scheduling the execution of Thomas Creech on Feb. 28, Pocatello First United Methodist Church and the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise held public forums on the death penalty. Abe Bonowitz and the Rev. Karen Hernandez offer suggestions for how United Methodists can respond.
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Minnesota Conference
Church supports community after shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — Bishop Lanette Plambeck and others in the Minnesota Conference reached out to the Burnsville community after two police officers and a first responder died in a Feb. 18 shooting. The day after the tragedy, Grace United Methodist, Spirit of Truth and River Hills United Methodist churches hosted a Service of Lament and Healing. On Feb. 22, United Methodists joined in an interfaith prayer vigil. Christa Meland has the story.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
North Texas Conference
Black church must resume nourishing art, scholarship
DESOTO, Texas — The great period of art and scholarship known as the Harlem Renaissance has its roots in the Black church, writes the Rev. Bryant Phelps, senior pastor of Life Center United Methodist Church. The Black church “must again embrace the revolutionary work of inspiring and inflaming Black artistry and scholarship,” Phelps writes.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
UMCOR Sunday set for March 10
ATLANTA — The special offering on UMCOR Sunday supports the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, so the denomination’s relief arm can respond swiftly to disasters around the world and serve as a source of healing. Resources are available to mark UMCOR Sunday, which is set for March 10 this year.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Amid church losses, proposed budget slashed
United Methodists killed in Congo attack
EVENTS
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Coffee Chat: Parental Leave Policy
Wednesday, March 6-Saturday, March 9
Black Methodists for Church Renewal 57th General Meeting
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