“I don’t know how to be a Christian and not be engaged in things like this. I wish it wasn’t as unique as it is.” — Steve Holz-Russell, missions coordinator at Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver, on the church’s homeless ministry.
NEWS AND FEATURES
UMC.org
Church parking lots double as safe spaces
DENVER — From June to December, Park Hill United Methodist Church members pitched 40 fishing huts on the church’s parking lot as part of the city’s “Safe Outdoors Spaces” program for people experiencing homelessness. Park Hill is among several United Methodist congregations that have discovered that inviting people who lack housing to rest and recharge on church property is a way to put their faith into action. Annette Spence reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC: Help for those facing homelessness
Dakotas Conference
Hospitality is key for church success
MITCHELL, S.D. — Creating a welcoming culture for guests is critical to the success of local churches, says the host of a webinar produced by the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary. Jason Moore says that making a good first impression online and at the church door is key. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
Holston Conference
Churchgoers speak out on adoption agency
ALCOA, Tenn. — The Holston Conference has released a statement clarifying that it is a separate institution from an adoption agency accused of discriminating against a Jewish couple. At the same time, First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge released a resolution denouncing actions brought to light by court cases involving the agency. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story
Read church’s resolution
WRIC-TV
Church holds vigil after officers killed
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. — Half a mile from where two campus officers were killed, prayer poured out of the sanctuary of Bridgewater United Methodist Church. The church hosted the community service after John Painter and J.J. Jefferson were killed at the Bridgewater College campus. Ben Dennis reports.
Read story and watch video
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 the UM News staff.
A call to constant communion
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Chase Crickenberger said that for early Methodists, receiving communion as often as one possibly could was not an option; it was a duty to God. Though many churches serve communion only once a month, “in this time of church division, constant communion can bring healing and a deeper encounter with God’s grace,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Resources for observing Black History Month
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has several resources available for churches and individuals looking to honor Black History Month in February. They include children’s activities, tips and best practices for white congregations as they observe the celebration, and a list of 29 different ways anyone can participate.
View resources
Wespath
Free mental health seminars
GLENVIEW, Ill. — United Methodists are invited to participate in “First Aid for Mental Health,” a two-part webinar set for March 10 and 24. One in five Americans experiences mental illness each year, and the 2021 Clergy Well-being Survey revealed a steady decline in the mental and emotional health of clergy. The sessions will be led by Chris White, a hostage and crisis negotiator.
Learn more and register
RECENT HEADLINES
Churches begin long process of recovery from tornadoes
James Salley on growing tomorrow’s African leaders
EVENTS
Tuesday, March 2-Monday, April 11
Online course: Biblical Storytelling Weekly for Lent
NEWS AND FEATURES
UMC.org
Church parking lots double as safe spaces
DENVER — From June to December, Park Hill United Methodist Church members pitched 40 fishing huts on the church’s parking lot as part of the city’s “Safe Outdoors Spaces” program for people experiencing homelessness. Park Hill is among several United Methodist congregations that have discovered that inviting people who lack housing to rest and recharge on church property is a way to put their faith into action. Annette Spence reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC: Help for those facing homelessness
Dakotas Conference
Hospitality is key for church success
MITCHELL, S.D. — Creating a welcoming culture for guests is critical to the success of local churches, says the host of a webinar produced by the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary. Jason Moore says that making a good first impression online and at the church door is key. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
Holston Conference
Churchgoers speak out on adoption agency
ALCOA, Tenn. — The Holston Conference has released a statement clarifying that it is a separate institution from an adoption agency accused of discriminating against a Jewish couple. At the same time, First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge released a resolution denouncing actions brought to light by court cases involving the agency. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story
Read church’s resolution
WRIC-TV
Church holds vigil after officers killed
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. — Half a mile from where two campus officers were killed, prayer poured out of the sanctuary of Bridgewater United Methodist Church. The church hosted the community service after John Painter and J.J. Jefferson were killed at the Bridgewater College campus. Ben Dennis reports.
Read story and watch video
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 the UM News staff.
A call to constant communion
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Chase Crickenberger said that for early Methodists, receiving communion as often as one possibly could was not an option; it was a duty to God. Though many churches serve communion only once a month, “in this time of church division, constant communion can bring healing and a deeper encounter with God’s grace,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Resources for observing Black History Month
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has several resources available for churches and individuals looking to honor Black History Month in February. They include children’s activities, tips and best practices for white congregations as they observe the celebration, and a list of 29 different ways anyone can participate.
View resources
Wespath
Free mental health seminars
GLENVIEW, Ill. — United Methodists are invited to participate in “First Aid for Mental Health,” a two-part webinar set for March 10 and 24. One in five Americans experiences mental illness each year, and the 2021 Clergy Well-being Survey revealed a steady decline in the mental and emotional health of clergy. The sessions will be led by Chris White, a hostage and crisis negotiator.
Learn more and register
RECENT HEADLINES
Churches begin long process of recovery from tornadoes
James Salley on growing tomorrow’s African leaders
EVENTS
Tuesday, March 2-Monday, April 11
Online course: Biblical Storytelling Weekly for Lent
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