NEWS AND FEATURES
Holston Conference
When Paul met Sally: Volunteers find love
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The first time Paul Morgan met Sally Ball, they were standing amid the dusty archives at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church. Almost two years later, after showing up from separate churches to help get the 100-year-old building back on its feet, the two were married in Magnolia Avenue’s sanctuary on Dec. 30. Annette Spence has the story.
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UM News: Knoxville church banks on outreach
Southeastern Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction's leaders advise no bishop elections
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy recommends that the jurisdiction not have bishop elections when it meets in July. Instead, the committee is recommending delegates reconfigure episcopal areas — making the Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and South Georgia conferences one area and making the Central Appalachian Missionary (formerly Red Bird), Kentucky and Holston conferences another. The North Central Jurisdiction also has scheduled a special session online at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 23 to approve new episcopal areas.
Read Southeastern Jurisdiction letter
Read North Central Jurisdiction press release
Global Ministries
Ministering in the Czech Republic
ATLANTA — The Revs. Kirk Sims and Nicole Haack Sims, United Methodist missionaries in the Czech Republic, have found that immigrants often display a remarkable tenacity of faith and radical acceptance of others that equip them to reinvigorate and expand the reach of the gospel. “From a theological perspective, building bridges between differences is fundamental to our faith,” Kirk Sims said. “There is so much that is dividing our church and communities right now. But in Christ, those barriers can come down.” Staff members at the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have the story.
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Legacy.com
Texas laywoman made her voice heard
TEMPLE, Texas — Barbara Wendland, a committed United Methodist who served and challenged the church in various ways, has died at age 90. She reached many through her reform-minded newsletter, Connections, and through her books, including “Misfits: The Church’s Hidden Strength.” Wendland was twice a lay delegate to General Conference and was both an alumna and executive board member of Perkins School of Theology.
Read obituary
The Associated Press
Cause of helicopter crash near church unknown
UPPER DARBY, Pa. — Federal investigators say they have been unable to determine what caused a medical flight to go haywire before the helicopter crash-landed next to Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in a Philadelphia suburb. The crash on Jan. 11, 2022, saw no loss of life, but the pilot was injured. The Associated Press reports.
Read story
Read Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s story on crash
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.
Having one leader for two agencies raises questions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — The United Methodist boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries are on track to have a single top executive. The Rev. William B. Lawrence argues that what appears to be a move for efficiency may result in diminished effectiveness for the church.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Rural Advocates
Scholarships available for youth ministries
CONCORD, N.H. — Churches working to reach young people in rural settings are eligible to apply for $500 scholarships to be used in that work. The United Methodist Rural Advocates is accepting applications until Jan. 10. Five recipients will be notified by Feb. 1.
Read press release
Application
RECENT HEADLINES
Church helps thousands of malnourished children in Congo
Looking ahead to General Conference
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 15-Friday, Feb. 23
Laying a Biblical Foundation for Young Adult Ministry
Monday, Jan. 15-Friday, Feb. 23
Join Jesus in Rural Ministry
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