NEWS AND FEATURES
Ask The UMC
What is the purpose of the Season after Epiphany?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Season after Epiphany has a specific role in the disciple-making work of the local church. The readings of the Revised Common Lectionary support each congregation in the kind of work it most needs to do during these weeks to get ready for the next phase of ministry during Lent. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards explains.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Community engagement leads to church’s growth
BALTIMORE — Since being appointed to St. Luke United Methodist Church in 2022, Pastor Angelic Williams has created vibrant ministries as she takes the church to the streets. Attendance in worship has gone from about 19 to between 60 and 75. On a good week, there are 95 worshippers. District leaders say they are surprised that she has accomplished years of ministry in just months. Melissa Lauber has her story.
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Church and Society
Series highlights United Methodist Building history
WASHINGTON — On Jan. 10, 1924, the United Methodist Building officially opened on Capitol Hill. Each month in 2024, as part of its new “On This Day” series, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society will highlight notable days offering glimpses into the momentous 100-year history of the United Methodist Building and the people called Methodists often walking along side ecumenical partners living their faith through social witness.
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Lewistown News-Argus
Pastors run aces to fund food pantries
LEWISTOWN, Mont. — In what is becoming a New Year’s tradition for the couple, Mountain Sky pastors the Revs. Andrew and Emma Bridgeman headed to Disney World to run for a good cause. The couple planned to take part in four races in four days to raise money for Central Montana Community Cupboard, the area’s food pantry, during what is typically a slump in giving for many nonprofit organizations. Will Briggs reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Union Combined Parish
4 churches merge for stronger ministry
BOSTON — Four United Methodist churches in the Greater Boston area have together formed the Union Combined Parish. As a multisite congregation, the parish unites the historic Union, Old West, Community and Glendale churches. The Union Combined Parish’s flagship initiative, Home + Table, is already addressing housing and food insecurity in the area.
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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.
Church and Society
Reflections on COP28
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Emily Carroll, a local church pastor and executive director of Green the Church Louisiana, attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society delegation. She offers her thoughts on what she saw and learned at the event.
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RESOURCES
Western Methodist Justice Movement
Webinar tackles Christian nationalism
MINNEAPOLIS — Christian nationalism is an ideology that seeks to merge Christian and U.S. identities. The result, many Christians believe, is a distortion of both the Christian faith and the U.S. constitutional democracy. The Western Methodist Justice Movement, a United Methodist group in the Western Jurisdiction, plans to discuss biblical responses to Christian nationalism from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Pacific time Jan. 20.
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RECENT HEADLINES
2023: The year in photos
Room at the inn, courtesy of Hispanic church
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 15-Friday, Feb. 23
God’s Presence in Life’s Challenges
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Stewardship & Finance: Getting It Right at the Starting Line
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