“Thinking about mission and ministry while trying to ensure stewardship for years to come is a delicate balance.” — The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
NEWS AND FEATURES
As church exits rise, proposed budget drops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In the wake of projected losses from church closures and disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s finance agency continues to shrink the proposed budget heading to General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read Connectional Table and GCFA press release
Rio Texas Conference
Update on Rio Texas litigation
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Several Rio Texas Conferences churches that had indicated they would try to disaffiliate without going through the established process have reconsidered and will now be following that process, said Kevin Reed, chair of the conference board of trustees. The conference last week announced it has, as a last resort, filed suit to prevent 40 churches from leaving without meeting disaffiliation requirements. Those that have reconsidered will be dropped from the lawsuit, Reed said.
Read conference press release
Read UM News story about lawsuit
United Women in Faith
Self-reliance stressed at Liberia training
NEW YORK — Self-sufficiency was the goal for a training session in Liberia sponsored by United Women in Faith. Workshop leaders Victor Massaquoi and Keziah Kargbo of the Sierra Leone Conference stressed that they want to produce local leaders who can engage within their various communities. In turn, local leaders empower each other to take ownership and control of their developmental programs in a sustainable way. Vivian Cooke reports.
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Minnesota Conference
Grants help pastors thrive
MINNEAPOLIS — A Lilly Foundation grant is giving pastors the chance to unwind doing activities that they love. So far this year, 83 “clergy well-being” grants of up to $1,000 have been awarded to pastors to help them pursue hobbies such as horse riding, bicycling, hiking and dance. Christa Meland reports.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Church awarded as community’s beacon of ‘Hope’
BRIDGETON, N.J. — There is no loud applause or ripple of congratulations heard on quiet mornings when faithful volunteers show up early at St. John United Methodist Church to unload pallets and crates of donated food from a truck and spread them out on tables alongside donated clothes. However, the church is getting well-deserved recognition as the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s Hope Award winner. Krista B. Jeffries reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Discipleship Ministries
Prayer partner program starts in fall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pilot Prayer Partner Project, which will launch in September, will offer resources twice a week to help you and a partner pray effectively. Participants will partner with a friend, co-worker or anyone else who agrees, and make a commitment to pray for each other. Individuals, churches or church groups are encouraged to participate.
Read press release
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RESOURCES
South Carolina Conference
United Methodist authors release books
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Advocate Press has released two new books. The Rev. Arthur Holt is the author of “People of My Journey,” a book of personal reflections. Stephon C. Void, a certified United Methodist lay servant, is the author of “A Healing Journey: Poems of Faith, Healing, Recovery, and Coping With Grief.”
Learn more
To order
RECENT HEADLINES
Amid policy changes, church keeps faith with migrants
Church gives hope to people living with HIV in Congo
EVENTS
Monday, June 5-Friday, June 16
Online course: Awe and Wonder — The Arts in Worship
Wednesday, June 7-Tuesday, June 13
Online course: Congregational Leadership — UM History and Doctrine
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