“I call on you who are here to receive these gifts to remain grateful to God in your present conditions.” — Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna at a dedication for tricycles that help with mobility issues.
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists in Nigeria distribute 50 tricycles
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — A partnership between the United Methodist Southern Nigeria Conference and the Beautiful Gate Handicap Center recently improved the lives of people with mobility issues. At a commissioning ceremony, Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna encouraged churchgoers to have hope and be thankful to God. Ezekiel Ibrahim reports.
Read story
Indiana Conference
Elder to offer prayers at big auto races
CARMEL, Ind. — A United Methodist elder in Terre Haute is set to offer two prayers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 30-31. The Rev. Kent Lundy, a chaplain with the Air National Guard, will pray before an Indycar Series race and also the NASCAR Xfinity Series contest. Lundy plans to pray for the safety of those involved as well as “unseen servants” such as cleanup teams. Leanne Ketcham has the story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Hot dog! That’s church outreach
VALDOSTA, Ga. — Long associated with baseball games and summer celebrations, hot dogs are now quickly becoming associated with Bemiss United Methodist Church. The congregation has designated the last Saturday of each month as Hot Dogs and Jesus Day. Kara Witherow has the story of the church’s unusual outreach.
Read story
Texas Conference
Putting the class meeting into practice
NEEDVILLE, Texas — The Rev. Roger Clayton did his doctoral dissertation on how John Wesley’s ideas about Methodist class meetings can work in a modern church setting. Clayton has gone beyond theory to establish a class meeting at Needville United Methodist Church, where he is pastor. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Courthouse News
Federal judge tosses suit against trust clause
MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin federal judge on July 25 dismissed a lawsuit from a local church challenging a provision in state law that recognizes the United Methodist trust clause. Hebron Community Methodist Church, a congregation that voted to leave the denomination, filed the suit seeking to overturn a provision that essentially says the property of any disaffiliating local Methodist church “shall rest” with the Wisconsin Conference. U.S. District Judge William Conley wrote that “under any of the neutral principles of law cited, Hebron clearly would not retain ownership of that property.” Joe Kelly reports.
Read story
UM News: Conferences diverge in handling church exits
PRESS RELEASES
Higher Education Foundation
Scholarship available for chaplaincy candidates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Chaplain Samuel Grover Powell Scholarship, which supports seminary students preparing for chaplaincy in a branch of the U.S. military. Applicants do not have to be members of The United Methodist Church.
Read press release
To apply
RESOURCES
Church of the Resurrection
Church hosts forum on faith and abortion
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection will host a forum on faith and abortion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. U.S. Central time on Wednesday. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor, will moderate a discussion featuring female panelists, including medical professionals, a legal scholar, a judge and a former Kansas legislator. Videos from leaders on different sides of the issue will be shown. The event will be in the sanctuary and will be livestreamed as well.
To learn more and watch
United Methodist Communications
Facebook Q&A for local churches planned
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications on Wednesday will host a question-and-answer session to help congregations grow through marketing and outreach. The session is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Central time on Facebook.com/umcom. Communications experts will be on hand to answer questions throughout that timeframe.
Visit United Methodist Communications Facebook page
Set event reminder
RECENT HEADLINES
Book aims to help dementia caregivers cope
Ukrainian United Methodists care for fellow countrymen
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 1-Thursday, Aug. 4
Festival of Wisdom and Grace
Monday, Aug. 15-Monday, Oct. 17
Online course: Religion and Science — Pathways to Truth
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists in Nigeria distribute 50 tricycles
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — A partnership between the United Methodist Southern Nigeria Conference and the Beautiful Gate Handicap Center recently improved the lives of people with mobility issues. At a commissioning ceremony, Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna encouraged churchgoers to have hope and be thankful to God. Ezekiel Ibrahim reports.
Read story
Indiana Conference
Elder to offer prayers at big auto races
CARMEL, Ind. — A United Methodist elder in Terre Haute is set to offer two prayers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 30-31. The Rev. Kent Lundy, a chaplain with the Air National Guard, will pray before an Indycar Series race and also the NASCAR Xfinity Series contest. Lundy plans to pray for the safety of those involved as well as “unseen servants” such as cleanup teams. Leanne Ketcham has the story.
Read story
South Georgia Conference
Hot dog! That’s church outreach
VALDOSTA, Ga. — Long associated with baseball games and summer celebrations, hot dogs are now quickly becoming associated with Bemiss United Methodist Church. The congregation has designated the last Saturday of each month as Hot Dogs and Jesus Day. Kara Witherow has the story of the church’s unusual outreach.
Read story
Texas Conference
Putting the class meeting into practice
NEEDVILLE, Texas — The Rev. Roger Clayton did his doctoral dissertation on how John Wesley’s ideas about Methodist class meetings can work in a modern church setting. Clayton has gone beyond theory to establish a class meeting at Needville United Methodist Church, where he is pastor. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Courthouse News
Federal judge tosses suit against trust clause
MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin federal judge on July 25 dismissed a lawsuit from a local church challenging a provision in state law that recognizes the United Methodist trust clause. Hebron Community Methodist Church, a congregation that voted to leave the denomination, filed the suit seeking to overturn a provision that essentially says the property of any disaffiliating local Methodist church “shall rest” with the Wisconsin Conference. U.S. District Judge William Conley wrote that “under any of the neutral principles of law cited, Hebron clearly would not retain ownership of that property.” Joe Kelly reports.
Read story
UM News: Conferences diverge in handling church exits
PRESS RELEASES
Higher Education Foundation
Scholarship available for chaplaincy candidates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Chaplain Samuel Grover Powell Scholarship, which supports seminary students preparing for chaplaincy in a branch of the U.S. military. Applicants do not have to be members of The United Methodist Church.
Read press release
To apply
RESOURCES
Church of the Resurrection
Church hosts forum on faith and abortion
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection will host a forum on faith and abortion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. U.S. Central time on Wednesday. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor, will moderate a discussion featuring female panelists, including medical professionals, a legal scholar, a judge and a former Kansas legislator. Videos from leaders on different sides of the issue will be shown. The event will be in the sanctuary and will be livestreamed as well.
To learn more and watch
United Methodist Communications
Facebook Q&A for local churches planned
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications on Wednesday will host a question-and-answer session to help congregations grow through marketing and outreach. The session is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Central time on Facebook.com/umcom. Communications experts will be on hand to answer questions throughout that timeframe.
Visit United Methodist Communications Facebook page
Set event reminder
RECENT HEADLINES
Book aims to help dementia caregivers cope
Ukrainian United Methodists care for fellow countrymen
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 1-Thursday, Aug. 4
Festival of Wisdom and Grace
Monday, Aug. 15-Monday, Oct. 17
Online course: Religion and Science — Pathways to Truth
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