“This is a moment for us to get a new wind and a new sense of purpose.” — Council of Bishops President Thomas Bickerton, addressing an online General Conference orientation.
NEWS AND FEATURES
What to know about General Conference proposals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Legislation coming before The United Methodist Church’s top policymaking body deals with matters as varied as the denomination’s international structure, social teachings, ecumenical relations and budget. An online orientation gave a preview of some of the major proposals coming before General Conference delegates. Heather Hahn reports.
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Watch orientation
UM News: What to know about General Conference plans
Greater New Jersey Conference
New sanctuary to rise in Tanzania
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Leaders of The United Methodist Church in Tanzania gathered in January outside Dar es Salaam, the capital city, on a parcel of land earmarked for the new home of Bamia United Methodist Church. Only one of the seven congregations in Tanzania has a physical building. In a gesture transcending cultural and religious boundaries, the plot where the new sanctuary will be located was sold to The United Methodist Church by a Muslim landowner and his family. James Lee reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Lent, fasting and spiritual nourishment
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christine Valters Paintner, founder of the Online Abbey of the Arts, is featured on the “Compass" podcast talking about the spiritual significance of fasting and Lent. She shares her insights on how fasting can go beyond traditional ideas of abstaining from food.
Listen to podcast
Wisconsin Conference
Church goes 93% solar
STOUGHTON, Wis. — Six solar panels installed at Stoughton United Methodist Church will power an estimated 93% of its electricity use going forward. “We as a church have worked hard to look at how we are actively caring for the planet,” said Kellen Roggenbuck, church pastor. “Our congregants take it seriously. While it was a large project to raise money for, we believe it to be a worthwhile project." Conference staff have the story.
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The Christian Century
The deeply Methodist Hillary Clinton
CHICAGO — “Do All the Good You Can: How Faith Shaped Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Politics” is a new book by Gary Scott Smith. “Methodism, Smith argues, lies at the very core of Clinton’s identity,” writes the Rev. Randall Balmer in a favorable review.
Read The Christian Century review
Read Publishers Weekly review
PRESS RELEASES
United Theological Seminary
Doctor of theology program set to begin
DAYTON, Ohio — A doctor of theology program designed to equip church leaders for careers in theological education will begin this summer at United Theological Seminary. The program will be conducted primarily via distance learning, with a total of four weeks of attendance on campus. “Our Doctor of Theology program is designed to shape thinkers who will bring their advanced theological skills to respond to the needs of the future church,” said the Rev. Kent Millard, president of the United Methodist seminary.
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EVENTS
Sunday, March 10
UMCOR Sunday
Tuesday, March 19
Crafting Sacred Moments: Planning Worship
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