“The way everyone was communicating with us showed we are recognized as equal human beings. The church made us feel remembered and loved. We never expected such big gifts.” — Tawanda Musana, who has albinism, on receiving support from The United Methodist Church.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Zimbabweans with albinism ‘feel remembered, loved’
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Through a partnership between The United Methodist Church’s Harare East District and the Western Pennsylvania Conference, 73 Zimbabweans living with albinism recently received sunscreen, hats and food baskets. Some of the recipients shared the challenges they face, including discrimination. Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai Chingwe have the story.
Read story
Greater New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania conferences
Bishop Schol testifies in BSA bankruptcy hearing
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Bishop John Schol testified March 18 in the Boy Scouts of America’s sex abuse-related bankruptcy proceeding. Schol has helped lead The United Methodist Church, the largest chartering or sponsoring organization of Scouting troops, to commit to contributing $30 million to an abuse survivors’ compensation fund. Meg Sizemore reports.
Read story
West Ohio Conference
First-time author writes to cope through pandemic
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Like many others during 2020, the Rev. Carol Stengel felt myriad emotions around the COVID-19 pandemic. To cope, the retired clergywoman decided to write “whatever words came to mind.” While writing, she also took pictures of God’s creation. The result is “Musing ... A Period of Reflection on a Year of Pandemic,” with all proceeds being donated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read story
KATV-ABC
Funeral set for US journalist killed in Ukraine
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The funeral for Brent Renaud, an award-winning filmmaker and journalist killed in Ukraine, is set for 1 p.m. U.S. Central time March 26 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. The service will be livestreamed. Renaud also was a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Upon learning of the journalist’s death while covering Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his heartfelt condolences to Renaud’s family. Jack A. Webb reports.
Read story
Read obituary
NewsCenter Maine, New England Conference
Ukraine T-shirt proceeds go to UMCOR
NORWAY, Maine — Watching the war in Ukraine unfold on TV, Barbara Lane, who owns a screen-printing business, wanted to do something to help. She designed T-shirts expressing solidarity with Ukraine, and on the advice of her pastor, will donate the proceeds to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Chloe Teboe reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Interest grows in visiting United Methodist churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new survey reveals that 51% of “spiritual seekers” would be willing to visit a United Methodist church online, and 44% would be willing to visit in person. In addition, the overall willingness to visit a United Methodist church increased from 42% in 2019 to 47% in 2021.
Read press release
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.
Should Bibles be banned?
DALLAS (UM News) — The rationale that some school boards are using for banning books could apply to the Bible also, writes Dr. Kendra Weddle, scholar-in-residence at Northaven Church in Dallas. However, stories in the Bible that contain violent or "adult" content are worth reading and offer valuable insights, she said.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Kenyan churches help with COVID-19 vaccinations
United Methodists continue recovery efforts in Louisiana
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 5
“To Stay Or Not to Stay” webinar
NEWS AND FEATURES
Zimbabweans with albinism ‘feel remembered, loved’
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Through a partnership between The United Methodist Church’s Harare East District and the Western Pennsylvania Conference, 73 Zimbabweans living with albinism recently received sunscreen, hats and food baskets. Some of the recipients shared the challenges they face, including discrimination. Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai Chingwe have the story.
Read story
Greater New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania conferences
Bishop Schol testifies in BSA bankruptcy hearing
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Bishop John Schol testified March 18 in the Boy Scouts of America’s sex abuse-related bankruptcy proceeding. Schol has helped lead The United Methodist Church, the largest chartering or sponsoring organization of Scouting troops, to commit to contributing $30 million to an abuse survivors’ compensation fund. Meg Sizemore reports.
Read story
West Ohio Conference
First-time author writes to cope through pandemic
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Like many others during 2020, the Rev. Carol Stengel felt myriad emotions around the COVID-19 pandemic. To cope, the retired clergywoman decided to write “whatever words came to mind.” While writing, she also took pictures of God’s creation. The result is “Musing ... A Period of Reflection on a Year of Pandemic,” with all proceeds being donated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read story
KATV-ABC
Funeral set for US journalist killed in Ukraine
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The funeral for Brent Renaud, an award-winning filmmaker and journalist killed in Ukraine, is set for 1 p.m. U.S. Central time March 26 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. The service will be livestreamed. Renaud also was a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Upon learning of the journalist’s death while covering Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his heartfelt condolences to Renaud’s family. Jack A. Webb reports.
Read story
Read obituary
NewsCenter Maine, New England Conference
Ukraine T-shirt proceeds go to UMCOR
NORWAY, Maine — Watching the war in Ukraine unfold on TV, Barbara Lane, who owns a screen-printing business, wanted to do something to help. She designed T-shirts expressing solidarity with Ukraine, and on the advice of her pastor, will donate the proceeds to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Chloe Teboe reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Interest grows in visiting United Methodist churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new survey reveals that 51% of “spiritual seekers” would be willing to visit a United Methodist church online, and 44% would be willing to visit in person. In addition, the overall willingness to visit a United Methodist church increased from 42% in 2019 to 47% in 2021.
Read press release
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.
Should Bibles be banned?
DALLAS (UM News) — The rationale that some school boards are using for banning books could apply to the Bible also, writes Dr. Kendra Weddle, scholar-in-residence at Northaven Church in Dallas. However, stories in the Bible that contain violent or "adult" content are worth reading and offer valuable insights, she said.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Kenyan churches help with COVID-19 vaccinations
United Methodists continue recovery efforts in Louisiana
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 5
“To Stay Or Not to Stay” webinar
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