“The church opened so many doors for me that I will be forever grateful for. It gave me a different life.” — Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
NEWS AND FEATURES
As trial date set, bishop reflects on ministry
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Longtime Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, suspended from her church duties for more than a year, discussed her decades of ministry with The United Methodist Church and her experience with suspension. She faces a church trial scheduled for later this year. Heather Hahn reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Bishops pledge to continue dismantling racism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is pledging its ongoing dedication to anti-racism work, both within the church and in our communities. A revival of the Dismantling Racism campaign, launched in June 2020, will strengthen efforts to recognize racism as a sin and challenge unjust systems of power and access. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, Council of Bishops president, talks about this effort in a video message.
Watch video
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Camp celebrates 50 years of hymn sings
GLYNTON, Md. — Emory Grove, a historic Methodist camp meeting ground, has been a center for summer worship for 156 years. In 1973, the Rev. George Lovell realized that there was no midweek worship and proposed a Wednesday night hymn sing. On July 5, Emory Grove began its 50th year of that tradition. Kathy Mellott reports.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Dog and handler honored for promoting wellness
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A dog can be much more than just "man's best friend" — especially Quinn, who provides mental, physical and spiritual support through the Western Pennsylvania Conference’s one-of-a-kind facility dog ministry. Quinn and his handler, Hannah Empfield, have been named two of three winners of this year’s Conference Board of Pensions Wellness Champion award. Conference staff report.
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Michigan Conference
United Methodists tour Wesley’s England
LANSING, Mich. — Twenty United Methodists from Michigan toured sites in England related to John Wesley, founder of Methodism. The April 16-25 journey included stops in Epworth and Bristol, and meetings with members of the Methodist Church of Britain. The trip was organized by the Rev. Faith Fowler, pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church. James Deaton has the story.
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New 2023 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the Oregon-Idaho, Tennessee-Western Kentucky and West Virginia conferences.
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PRESS RELEASES
Wespath Benefits and Investments
Farhadieh joins Wespath
GLENVIEW, Ill. — An executive from the Illinois State Board of Investment has been tapped as the new deputy chief investment officer of Wespath Benefits and Investments. Johara F. Farhadieh will replace Dave Zellner, chief investment officer, who is retiring in 2024. “She will bring a deep understanding of capital markets, fresh perspectives from her life’s experiences and relational talents with diverse stakeholders to Wespath and our mission of caring for those who serve,” said Andy Hendren, top executive at Wespath.
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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.
Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences
The church must continue to work toward equal opportunity for all
NEPTUNE, N.J. — The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring affirmative action in college admissions to be unconstitutional “has only made our mission more challenging,” writes Bishop John Schol. He said it becomes a greater responsibility of the church to step forward and ensure equal opportunities for advancement.
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RESOURCES
Dakotas Conference
Good church administrative practices taught
MITCHELL, S.D. — Tips on developing a budget, creating church boards and instituting uniting practices are included in a video that was recorded at a Dakotas Annual Conference meeting on June 8 and is now available online. Panelists include Jim Ducker, executive director of finance and administration; and Al Roll, missional impact coach. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Planting churches in war-torn Ukraine
Commentary: Bouncing forward as African United Methodists
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