Daily Digest - January 3, 2024

NEWS AND FEATURES

Ask The UMC
The path to greater regionalization
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference later this year would begin a process of greater adaptability of the Book of Discipline to fit the varying needs and opportunities of United Methodists worldwide. But even if all of the legislation brought to support this work is passed by the required margins, the effort is just the beginning, writes the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards. 
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Read more in regionalization series

Upper New York Conference
Community yoga opens church doors to new faces
MALONE, N.Y. — In October, Malone: Centenary United Methodist Church started offering free yoga classes twice a month. Seventy people showed up to that first class and attendance remains high. More than 90% of the participants don’t even worship at the church. The free lessons have not only opened the church doors to the community, but also completely filled the church’s food pantry cupboards. Shelby Winchell reports.
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United Methodist Communications
10 resolutions to help strengthen faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The shifting seasons of the church year and pages of the calendar bring near-constant opportunities to start anew and renew Christian discipleship. As 2024 begins, Laura Buchanan lists 10 resolutions that can help Christians grow in faith.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Remembering the Rev. Mel Munchinsky
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — The Rev. Miloslav “Mel” Munchinsky for years connected United Methodists in the U.S. and Eurasia, including Ukraine. He died on Dec. 15. Friends remember the retired Desert Southwest Conference elder as a leader who faithfully served both churches in Arizona and the wider denomination as a Eurasia mission leader with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. 
Read Desert Southwest Conference obituary
UM News: Planting churches in war-torn Ukraine 

North Carolina Conference
Boosting central conference education
GARNER, N.C. — The North Carolina Conference is the first United Methodist annual conference to receive an offering specifically for Professors in Methodism. At its annual conference last year, clergy and laity gave $7,543 for the fund. The conference also supported the fund as part of its Christmas offering. The Professors in Methodism endowed fund aims to raise $10 million to provide salary support for professors who will teach Methodist history, theology and polity in central conferences, church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. It is part of the Council of Bishops-endorsed initiative to support theological education in central conferences.
Watch video on the fund
Learn more

Global Ministries
Grants help keep students fed
ATLANTA — Students at seven colleges have access to free or low-cost food and hygiene products thanks to grants from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Food insecurity on college campuses is often a hidden problem because students do not want to admit they are in need. The grants were made possible by offerings on Human Relations Day, which is coming up Jan. 14. Christie R. House reports.
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To donate


PRESS RELEASES

Strengthening the Black Church 
Conference focuses on self-care, collaboration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century’s Shift Happens 2024 conference aims to inspire, encourage and equip laity, emphasizing the importance of self-care. The Jan. 10-12 gathering at St. Johns Downtown Church in Houston will feature keynote speaker Bishop Marvin Sapp, a renowned preacher and award-winning recording artist, and new Collab Labs, which will allow attendees to collaborate and receive guidance on developing new ministry opportunities. Cost to attend is $309.
Read press release
Learn more and register


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