“I saw such a need for churches to respond to the epidemic. In every town, we’ve got at least one church filled with good people who just need a little bit of education and a shove out the front door.” — The Rev. Barry Steiner Ball, West Virginia Conference, on the opioid epidemic.
NEWS AND FEATURES
'What If' the church confronted opioids?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (UMNS) — Constant media coverage of the national opioid epidemic makes it seem like a losing battle, but churches in West Virginia are offering hope. This is the first in an ongoing series about the response to the opioid crisis in that state. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Appeals court backs tax-free housing allowances
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist clergy welcomed an appellate court ruling that allows clergy to keep getting tax-free housing allowances. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit reverses a 2017 federal court ruling that the tax exemption amounted to an unconstitutional establishment of religion. Kathy L. Gilbert and Heather Hahn report.
Read story
Future uncertain for Liberians living in US
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — While some Liberians living in the U.S. fear deportation when their temporary protection status expires at the end of this month, The United Methodist Church in Liberia is preparing to welcome its brothers and sisters back home. E Julu Swen reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Kansas town evacuated as river rises
ELWOOD, Kan. — United Methodist disaster response teams continue their work helping people dealing with floods in Nebraska. Meanwhile, the flow of the Missouri River is now prompting some evacuations in northeast Kansas. Todd Seifert reports.
Read story
Mlive.com
United Methodists aid water distribution
FLINT, Mich. — Asbury United Methodist Church was one of the five distribution points for 12 truckloads of donated bottled water on March 22, World Water Day. Volunteers loaded the water into the vehicles of residents, who lined up for blocks. Jake May reports.
Read story
WSET-TV
Pastor still hospitalized after shooting
DURHAM, N.C. — A United Methodist pastor shot March 9 in the parking lot of a shopping center still has life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. Police believe the Rev. Ryan Ware may have been the victim of an attempted robbery. Elizabeth Tyree reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Facebook Live Cyclone Idai update
ATLANTA — Thomas Kemper, top executive of the Board of Global Ministries, will share an update from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 26 on the response to Cyclone Idai by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The update will be live via the relief agency’s Facebook page.
Visit UMCOR Facebook page
RECENT HEADLINES
Flood victims savor ‘God moments’
Photo essay: ‘John Wesley’ sails the Amazon
EVENTS
Saturday, March 30
Discipleship: Get in the Game
NEWS AND FEATURES
'What If' the church confronted opioids?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (UMNS) — Constant media coverage of the national opioid epidemic makes it seem like a losing battle, but churches in West Virginia are offering hope. This is the first in an ongoing series about the response to the opioid crisis in that state. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Appeals court backs tax-free housing allowances
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist clergy welcomed an appellate court ruling that allows clergy to keep getting tax-free housing allowances. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit reverses a 2017 federal court ruling that the tax exemption amounted to an unconstitutional establishment of religion. Kathy L. Gilbert and Heather Hahn report.
Read story
Future uncertain for Liberians living in US
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — While some Liberians living in the U.S. fear deportation when their temporary protection status expires at the end of this month, The United Methodist Church in Liberia is preparing to welcome its brothers and sisters back home. E Julu Swen reports.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Kansas town evacuated as river rises
ELWOOD, Kan. — United Methodist disaster response teams continue their work helping people dealing with floods in Nebraska. Meanwhile, the flow of the Missouri River is now prompting some evacuations in northeast Kansas. Todd Seifert reports.
Read story
Mlive.com
United Methodists aid water distribution
FLINT, Mich. — Asbury United Methodist Church was one of the five distribution points for 12 truckloads of donated bottled water on March 22, World Water Day. Volunteers loaded the water into the vehicles of residents, who lined up for blocks. Jake May reports.
Read story
WSET-TV
Pastor still hospitalized after shooting
DURHAM, N.C. — A United Methodist pastor shot March 9 in the parking lot of a shopping center still has life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. Police believe the Rev. Ryan Ware may have been the victim of an attempted robbery. Elizabeth Tyree reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Facebook Live Cyclone Idai update
ATLANTA — Thomas Kemper, top executive of the Board of Global Ministries, will share an update from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 26 on the response to Cyclone Idai by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The update will be live via the relief agency’s Facebook page.
Visit UMCOR Facebook page
RECENT HEADLINES
Flood victims savor ‘God moments’
Photo essay: ‘John Wesley’ sails the Amazon
EVENTS
Saturday, March 30
Discipleship: Get in the Game
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