“Let us work hard each day to have hearts, minds and spirits that extend the love of God even when we disagree.” — Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Recent rulings shape annual conference season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As U.S. annual conference season gets underway, the church regional bodies are dealing with recent decisions by The United Methodist Church’s top court about disaffiliations. The Judicial Council has ruled that under current church law, individual churches can leave but whole conferences cannot. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
UMC.org
Pastor shares mental health struggles
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For more than 38 years, the Rev. Vance Lowe was a successful United Methodist minister, with churches growing and thriving under his leadership. What his congregations and those closest to him did not know is that Lowe struggled with mental illness, which led to addiction and eventual hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. He shares his story in the latest “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, offering hope and suggesting ways United Methodists can combat stigma and offer help.
Listen to podcast
WTVD-TV
Church packages meals for people in need
RALEIGH, N.C. — On a mission to fight hunger, volunteers with Asbury United Methodist Church packaged more than 50,000 meals for people affected by food insecurity around the world. The church worked with United Methodist partner Rise Against Hunger to get the job done in just four hours. Raleigh’s ABC station has the story.
Watch video and read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Ad campaign combats summer slump
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Summer may be vacation time, but the upcoming United Methodist advertising campaign from United Methodist Communications reminds people that churches don’t take a break from ministering in their communities. The ads, which will run through June 19, encourage people to join The United Methodist Church in engaging in a season of togetherness.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
Church fund furthers clergy training in Congo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church’s Central Conference Theological Education Fund continues to support training for United Methodist pastors in Congo, including at the Methodist University of Kamina. The fund’s grants to that school have helped cover tuition and health care fees for many students while also making possible the purchase of computers, printers and books.
Read press release
New York Conference
Affordable senior housing opens its doors
NEW YORK — The Trinity-Rev. William M. James Senior Housing Complex has now opened in the Bronx. The affordable housing complex is a joint project of the United Methodist City Society and Bronx property developers. Already, 57 formerly homeless seniors and 86 senior couples have moved in.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Practical steps to engage the community
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Congregations can learn how to join the Good Neighbor Experiment with resources available through United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. The movement, which began in Kansas, led to the training program that teaches the steps to learn about neighbors and build relationships.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Grieving, praying after attack on school
Photo essay: Strangers and sojourners
EVENTS
Friday, June 3-Sunday, June 5
Iowa Annual Conference
Sunday, June 5-Tuesday, June 7
North Texas Annual Conference
NEWS AND FEATURES
Recent rulings shape annual conference season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As U.S. annual conference season gets underway, the church regional bodies are dealing with recent decisions by The United Methodist Church’s top court about disaffiliations. The Judicial Council has ruled that under current church law, individual churches can leave but whole conferences cannot. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
UMC.org
Pastor shares mental health struggles
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For more than 38 years, the Rev. Vance Lowe was a successful United Methodist minister, with churches growing and thriving under his leadership. What his congregations and those closest to him did not know is that Lowe struggled with mental illness, which led to addiction and eventual hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. He shares his story in the latest “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, offering hope and suggesting ways United Methodists can combat stigma and offer help.
Listen to podcast
WTVD-TV
Church packages meals for people in need
RALEIGH, N.C. — On a mission to fight hunger, volunteers with Asbury United Methodist Church packaged more than 50,000 meals for people affected by food insecurity around the world. The church worked with United Methodist partner Rise Against Hunger to get the job done in just four hours. Raleigh’s ABC station has the story.
Watch video and read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Ad campaign combats summer slump
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Summer may be vacation time, but the upcoming United Methodist advertising campaign from United Methodist Communications reminds people that churches don’t take a break from ministering in their communities. The ads, which will run through June 19, encourage people to join The United Methodist Church in engaging in a season of togetherness.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
Church fund furthers clergy training in Congo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church’s Central Conference Theological Education Fund continues to support training for United Methodist pastors in Congo, including at the Methodist University of Kamina. The fund’s grants to that school have helped cover tuition and health care fees for many students while also making possible the purchase of computers, printers and books.
Read press release
New York Conference
Affordable senior housing opens its doors
NEW YORK — The Trinity-Rev. William M. James Senior Housing Complex has now opened in the Bronx. The affordable housing complex is a joint project of the United Methodist City Society and Bronx property developers. Already, 57 formerly homeless seniors and 86 senior couples have moved in.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Practical steps to engage the community
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Congregations can learn how to join the Good Neighbor Experiment with resources available through United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. The movement, which began in Kansas, led to the training program that teaches the steps to learn about neighbors and build relationships.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Grieving, praying after attack on school
Photo essay: Strangers and sojourners
EVENTS
Friday, June 3-Sunday, June 5
Iowa Annual Conference
Sunday, June 5-Tuesday, June 7
North Texas Annual Conference
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