NEWS AND FEATURES
In ministry with migrants
TAPACHULA, Mexico (UM News) — As record numbers of migrants continue to cross Mexico’s southern border, the Methodist Church of Mexico is seeking new ways to be in ministry with immigrant families on the move. A UM News team accompanied Mexican church leaders and longtime partners from The United Methodist Church in April on visits with migrants, other faith communities and charitable and civic leaders in southern Mexico as they sought ways to help. Mike DuBose shares a photo essay.
See photos
UM News immigration photo essay: ‘I Was a Stranger …’
Pastor played saxophone from the pulpit
NEW YORK — The Rev. Nathaniel Dixon Jr. toured with big-name jazz groups and taught music before finding his way into ministry, leading St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in the Bronx from 2005 to 2017. He often played his saxophone from the pulpit, and he continued to make jazz and sacred jazz recordings while also founding a music academy for youth. Dixon died May 5 at age 72.
Read obituary and funeral info (PDF)
Read UM News feature on Dixon
Read The New York Times story
Great Plains Conference
Conference finds a home in former factory
TOPEKA, Kan. — A downtown Topeka building constructed in the 1940s as a factory for making powdered eggs will become the new home office of the Great Plains Conference. The conference has agreed to a $2.6 million purchase contract for the structure, which is nearly 30,000 square feet and was renovated in recent years. The sale is expected to close in July, with the conference using reserve funds. David Burke reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
United Methodist stars in film on resurrection
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody United Methodist Church member Tom Bever is an attorney, but he stepped into a new role recently on screen. He stars in the 30-minute film “To a Moral Certainty,” on Christ’s resurrection. In the film, Bever plays a lawyer who presents the case for the resurrection. The film is scheduled to be available on Amazon Prime on Aug. 1. Sybil Davidson has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Deadline for landmark status expanded
MADISON, N.J. — The deadline to apply for United Methodist Heritage Landmark status has been pushed back to July 1, 2022, because of the delayed General Conference. Heritage landmarks in the church are buildings or locations related to significant history of The United Methodist Church or its antecedents. COVID-19 and related travel restrictions have led to business of the 2020 General Conference being delayed until 2024.
Read press release
For guidelines and to apply
North Texas Conference
Conference clergy condemn hate crimes
PLANO, Texas — The clergy of the North Texas Conference had a scheduled meeting May 16 and used the occasion to pass a resolution condemning hate crimes and calling on local churches to study and discuss responses to such crimes. The unanimously approved resolution references specific incidents, including the May 14 racist massacre at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store that left 10 people dead.
Read resolution
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Resources for responding to racism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As people in the U.S. struggle to understand deadly shootings at a New York grocery store and a California church, United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is suggesting resources to help leaders undo the work of racism. Among the recommendations are videos on decolonizing the church, a book edited by prominent United Methodist pastor the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and an online anti-racism course from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
Read press release
UM News: Churches condemn hate, urge action after shootings
RECENT HEADLINES
More church support for African agriculture
Association of Korean Churches discerns its future
EVENTS
Sunday, May 22
Heritage Sunday
In ministry with migrants
TAPACHULA, Mexico (UM News) — As record numbers of migrants continue to cross Mexico’s southern border, the Methodist Church of Mexico is seeking new ways to be in ministry with immigrant families on the move. A UM News team accompanied Mexican church leaders and longtime partners from The United Methodist Church in April on visits with migrants, other faith communities and charitable and civic leaders in southern Mexico as they sought ways to help. Mike DuBose shares a photo essay.
See photos
UM News immigration photo essay: ‘I Was a Stranger …’
Pastor played saxophone from the pulpit
NEW YORK — The Rev. Nathaniel Dixon Jr. toured with big-name jazz groups and taught music before finding his way into ministry, leading St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in the Bronx from 2005 to 2017. He often played his saxophone from the pulpit, and he continued to make jazz and sacred jazz recordings while also founding a music academy for youth. Dixon died May 5 at age 72.
Read obituary and funeral info (PDF)
Read UM News feature on Dixon
Read The New York Times story
Great Plains Conference
Conference finds a home in former factory
TOPEKA, Kan. — A downtown Topeka building constructed in the 1940s as a factory for making powdered eggs will become the new home office of the Great Plains Conference. The conference has agreed to a $2.6 million purchase contract for the structure, which is nearly 30,000 square feet and was renovated in recent years. The sale is expected to close in July, with the conference using reserve funds. David Burke reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
United Methodist stars in film on resurrection
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody United Methodist Church member Tom Bever is an attorney, but he stepped into a new role recently on screen. He stars in the 30-minute film “To a Moral Certainty,” on Christ’s resurrection. In the film, Bever plays a lawyer who presents the case for the resurrection. The film is scheduled to be available on Amazon Prime on Aug. 1. Sybil Davidson has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Deadline for landmark status expanded
MADISON, N.J. — The deadline to apply for United Methodist Heritage Landmark status has been pushed back to July 1, 2022, because of the delayed General Conference. Heritage landmarks in the church are buildings or locations related to significant history of The United Methodist Church or its antecedents. COVID-19 and related travel restrictions have led to business of the 2020 General Conference being delayed until 2024.
Read press release
For guidelines and to apply
North Texas Conference
Conference clergy condemn hate crimes
PLANO, Texas — The clergy of the North Texas Conference had a scheduled meeting May 16 and used the occasion to pass a resolution condemning hate crimes and calling on local churches to study and discuss responses to such crimes. The unanimously approved resolution references specific incidents, including the May 14 racist massacre at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store that left 10 people dead.
Read resolution
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Resources for responding to racism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As people in the U.S. struggle to understand deadly shootings at a New York grocery store and a California church, United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is suggesting resources to help leaders undo the work of racism. Among the recommendations are videos on decolonizing the church, a book edited by prominent United Methodist pastor the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and an online anti-racism course from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
Read press release
UM News: Churches condemn hate, urge action after shootings
RECENT HEADLINES
More church support for African agriculture
Association of Korean Churches discerns its future
EVENTS
Sunday, May 22
Heritage Sunday
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