“It is a way for the church, even in its forms, to begin to acknowledge more the fullness of who we are as human beings.” — The Rev. Sandra Olewine on adding the term “non-binary” to church statistical forms.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church to start counting non-binary members
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency approved adding the term “non-binary” alongside “male” and “female” on church statistical forms. The change affects only U.S. churches. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
What is church stance on organ donation, cremation?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Organ donation is widely encouraged in many countries. And cremation, even in the United States, has become the most chosen option for the bodies of those who have died. What do United Methodists think about these things? Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores this question and others related to United Methodists beliefs about death and resurrection in a new series.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
The Tennessean
Church leader who empowered women dies at 80
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Carolyn Ruth Oehler, a lifelong United Methodist who led at various levels of the denomination, died June 13 at age 80. Throughout her ministry, Oehler advocated for women’s empowerment and racial equality. She wrote the churchwide study on inclusive language titled “Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, Language about God and People” as well as a history of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Read obituary
Global Ministries
Fighting human trafficking in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — After a church helped his family as a boy, Patrick Booth is returning the favor by helping people in Cambodia escape from human traffickers. A former private counselor, Booth now helps lead the Cambodia Mission Initiative Khemer, which uses a “Business as Mission” model to help victims of human trafficking, whether it’s sexual or labor exploitation. Christie R. House and Booth report.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Love Prevails
Group announces departure from denomination
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — After years of direct action in support of LGBTQ equality at general church meetings, Love Prevails announced that it is departing The United Methodist Church. “Love Prevails has come to the painful conclusion that the UMC’s leadership and methods are so corrupt that we must replace ‘Disclose, Divest, and Disrupt’ with one final word — ‘Depart,’” said the letter signed by 12 members.
Read press release
Read letter
RESOURCES
Day1
The Rev. Dana Everhart to preach on ‘Day1’
ATLANTA — The Rev. Dana A. Everhart, senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta, will be the featured preacher July 18 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace. The nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program is also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.
Visit Day1
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists in Angola support flood survivors
Rural churches emerging from coronavirus
EVENTS
Wednesday, June 30
Social Media Day Q&A hosted by United Methodist Communications
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church to start counting non-binary members
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency approved adding the term “non-binary” alongside “male” and “female” on church statistical forms. The change affects only U.S. churches. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
What is church stance on organ donation, cremation?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Organ donation is widely encouraged in many countries. And cremation, even in the United States, has become the most chosen option for the bodies of those who have died. What do United Methodists think about these things? Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores this question and others related to United Methodists beliefs about death and resurrection in a new series.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
The Tennessean
Church leader who empowered women dies at 80
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Carolyn Ruth Oehler, a lifelong United Methodist who led at various levels of the denomination, died June 13 at age 80. Throughout her ministry, Oehler advocated for women’s empowerment and racial equality. She wrote the churchwide study on inclusive language titled “Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, Language about God and People” as well as a history of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Read obituary
Global Ministries
Fighting human trafficking in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — After a church helped his family as a boy, Patrick Booth is returning the favor by helping people in Cambodia escape from human traffickers. A former private counselor, Booth now helps lead the Cambodia Mission Initiative Khemer, which uses a “Business as Mission” model to help victims of human trafficking, whether it’s sexual or labor exploitation. Christie R. House and Booth report.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Love Prevails
Group announces departure from denomination
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — After years of direct action in support of LGBTQ equality at general church meetings, Love Prevails announced that it is departing The United Methodist Church. “Love Prevails has come to the painful conclusion that the UMC’s leadership and methods are so corrupt that we must replace ‘Disclose, Divest, and Disrupt’ with one final word — ‘Depart,’” said the letter signed by 12 members.
Read press release
Read letter
RESOURCES
Day1
The Rev. Dana Everhart to preach on ‘Day1’
ATLANTA — The Rev. Dana A. Everhart, senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta, will be the featured preacher July 18 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace. The nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program is also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.
Visit Day1
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists in Angola support flood survivors
Rural churches emerging from coronavirus
EVENTS
Wednesday, June 30
Social Media Day Q&A hosted by United Methodist Communications
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