“We were sitting around talking about how the church should be missional, should be outside the four walls. We were thinking about ways to give back to the community and also spread the Word.” — Sam Weicht, pastor of Butler (Indiana) United Methodist Church, on the start of a new ministry that is helping people with car repairs.
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodist Communications
COVID-19 has slowed, not stopped, missions work
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The fruitcake assembly line at Robertsdale United Methodist Church in Alabama was silent in 2020, but the church hopes to ramp back up its main mission fundraising ministry this year. From Indiana to Ireland, United Methodists have found ways to keep doing mission work throughout a year of global pandemic. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Black pastor welcomed by all-white churches
ELLIS, Neb. — The Rev. Hollis Patterson reports experiencing “nothing but love” in his nearly four years as a Black pastor serving two all-white churches in rural Nebraska. David Burke shares the details of Patterson’s remarkable ministry journey.
Read story
Higher Education and Ministry
Sharing about her journey to ordained ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Nickie Moreno Howard knew from a young age that she wanted to preach and lead Bible studies. A Journey Toward Ordained Ministry scholarship helped her achieve her dream, and now she’s a JTOM mentor. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports.
Read story
Biloxi Sun Herald
Church organist played at her own funeral
MOSS POINT, Miss. — Ida Mae Cumbest played piano and organ at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church for 75 years and earned the Guinness Record as the longest-tenured church pianist and organist in the world. A recording of Cumbest playing her favorite hymns accompanied her funeral. She died at age 99. Mary Perez has the story.
Read story
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
What keeps young adults from ordination?
WASHINGTON — The Lewis Center for Church Leadership conducted an informal survey to find out why young adults opted out of ordination in The United Methodist Church. The denomination’s struggle around homosexuality emerged as a significant factor, but other factors contribute. Ann A. Michel reports on the results from the 239 respondents.
Read story
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 the UM News staff.
A Lenten call to reflect on human dignity
FULTON, Md. (UM News) — “This Lent, during your set-aside time of daily prayer, I invite you to consider the dignity of all people and the need to affirm human rights around the world,” writes Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. In Rockville, Mizo United Methodist Church is praying for Myanmar, where many members have family ties, and the bishop also noted other areas around the world where suffering is great.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Mountain Sky Conference
Video series discusses COVID-19 vaccines
DENVER — The Mountain Sky Conference has released a series of four videos and other resources featuring United Methodist medical professionals discussing the COVID-19 vaccines.
See COVID-19 vaccine toolkit
Higher Education and Ministry
Book giveaway planned at webinar on travel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Travel author and public television host Rick Steves plans to give away five autographed copies of his book “For the Love of Europe” during his online discussion on “Travel as a Spiritual Act.” The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry event is scheduled for 8 p.m. U.S. Central time March 23.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Delegates say bishops' plan oversteps bounds
Clergy care a priority in pandemic year
EVENTS
Thursday, March 25
Week of Prayer webinar: Migrants and Refugees in the COVID-19 Pandemic
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodist Communications
COVID-19 has slowed, not stopped, missions work
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The fruitcake assembly line at Robertsdale United Methodist Church in Alabama was silent in 2020, but the church hopes to ramp back up its main mission fundraising ministry this year. From Indiana to Ireland, United Methodists have found ways to keep doing mission work throughout a year of global pandemic. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Black pastor welcomed by all-white churches
ELLIS, Neb. — The Rev. Hollis Patterson reports experiencing “nothing but love” in his nearly four years as a Black pastor serving two all-white churches in rural Nebraska. David Burke shares the details of Patterson’s remarkable ministry journey.
Read story
Higher Education and Ministry
Sharing about her journey to ordained ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Nickie Moreno Howard knew from a young age that she wanted to preach and lead Bible studies. A Journey Toward Ordained Ministry scholarship helped her achieve her dream, and now she’s a JTOM mentor. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports.
Read story
Biloxi Sun Herald
Church organist played at her own funeral
MOSS POINT, Miss. — Ida Mae Cumbest played piano and organ at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church for 75 years and earned the Guinness Record as the longest-tenured church pianist and organist in the world. A recording of Cumbest playing her favorite hymns accompanied her funeral. She died at age 99. Mary Perez has the story.
Read story
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
What keeps young adults from ordination?
WASHINGTON — The Lewis Center for Church Leadership conducted an informal survey to find out why young adults opted out of ordination in The United Methodist Church. The denomination’s struggle around homosexuality emerged as a significant factor, but other factors contribute. Ann A. Michel reports on the results from the 239 respondents.
Read story
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 the UM News staff.
A Lenten call to reflect on human dignity
FULTON, Md. (UM News) — “This Lent, during your set-aside time of daily prayer, I invite you to consider the dignity of all people and the need to affirm human rights around the world,” writes Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. In Rockville, Mizo United Methodist Church is praying for Myanmar, where many members have family ties, and the bishop also noted other areas around the world where suffering is great.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Mountain Sky Conference
Video series discusses COVID-19 vaccines
DENVER — The Mountain Sky Conference has released a series of four videos and other resources featuring United Methodist medical professionals discussing the COVID-19 vaccines.
See COVID-19 vaccine toolkit
Higher Education and Ministry
Book giveaway planned at webinar on travel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Travel author and public television host Rick Steves plans to give away five autographed copies of his book “For the Love of Europe” during his online discussion on “Travel as a Spiritual Act.” The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry event is scheduled for 8 p.m. U.S. Central time March 23.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Delegates say bishops' plan oversteps bounds
Clergy care a priority in pandemic year
EVENTS
Thursday, March 25
Week of Prayer webinar: Migrants and Refugees in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.