“My father, Ron Wilmot, was extremely proud to be a partner of the countless people who built your school. For he would be the first to agree with Mother Teresa: ‘Together we can do great things.’” — Jennifer Bond, speaking to the first graduating class of the Ron Wilmot Comprehensive Seminary Secondary School in Nigeria.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Big day for United Methodist school, guesthouse
PERO SHONGE LGA, Nigeria (UM News) — A single day saw the celebration of two major accomplishments in the Northern Nigeria Conference. The Ron Wilmot Comprehensive Seminary Secondary School — named after a late United Methodist missionary — graduated its first senior class. The conference also dedicated its first guesthouse. Kathryn Witte and Daniel Garba have the story.
Read story
North Central Jurisdiction, Minnesota Conference
Jurisdiction commits to anti-racism, inclusion
LANSING, Mich. — At a virtual North Central Jurisdictional Conference on Nov. 10-11, delegates created and overwhelmingly approved a covenant naming their commitment to anti-racism work and LGBTQ inclusion. They also voted to reduce the jurisdiction’s number of bishops from nine to eight. Christa Meland of the Minnesota Conference reports.
Read two stories
Henry Funeral Home, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Former US Sen. Max Cleland remembered
LITHONIA, Ga. — Joseph Maxwell “Max” Cleland is being remembered for a lifetime of public service and by United Methodists as a fellow church member. He lost his right arm and two legs in 1968 in Vietnam when he picked up a grenade dropped by a fellow soldier. Using a wheelchair for the rest of his life, the Democrat went on to serve as top administrator in the U.S. Veterans Administration, Georgia Secretary of State, a U.S. senator and an appointee in other federal agencies. Cleland, a member of First United Methodist Church in Lithonia, died of heart failure on Nov. 9 at age 79.
Read Henry Funeral Home obituary
Read Atlanta Journal-Constitution tribute
Project Transformation
Project Transformation to add Arkansas chapter
DALLAS — Project Transformation will launch an Arkansas chapter in summer 2022. Sixteen young adults will explore ministry by providing educational enrichment to 100 children at two host churches in Pine Bluff, Arkansas,said Eric Lindh, CEO of Project Transformation National. With the expansion into Arkansas, Project Transformation will operate in 11 United Methodist annual conferences.
Read announcement
Religion News Service
Large majority of churches offering hybrid worship
HARTFORD, Conn. — A new study exploring the pandemic’s effects on U.S. churches has found that eight in 10 of them now offer hybrid worship services, meaning in-person and online. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research study is part of a broader, five-year research project done with Faith Communities Today. United Methodist Communications is a member of Faith Communities Today and is working with United Methodist leaders and members to assist the ongoing research. Adelle M. Banks reports for Religion News Service.
Read RNS story
Read study
Read about research project
EVENTS
Tuesday, Nov. 23
Tuesdays at the Table: After I'm saved, what's next?
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Haitian migrants bring vitality to declining church
SAN DIEGO (UM News) — Christ United Methodist Church found that the harder it worked to grow, the smaller it became, so it switched to being a ministry center. Haitians, fleeing disasters and violence in their own country, found shelter at the center and ended up making it their spiritual home. The Rev. Bill Jenkins estimates that the congregation has helped 10,000 migrants in the past 20 years. Gustavo Vasquez reports.
Read story
Haitians risk lives to migrate
Jenkins on adopting his Haitian son
Bishops offer framework for inclusive church
WASHINGTON (UM News) — As the denomination edges toward some form of separation, bishops offer a narrative to describe their hopes for the continuing United Methodist Church. The bishops’ narrative aims to paint a picture of a church where all have a home. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
UM News: Bishops take on climate, finances, vaccines
UMC.org
'Ever Faithful' veteran pens Army hymn
ROUND ROCK, Texas — "Ever Faithful to the Call" is a bid by a United Methodist songwriter to give the Army its own hymn, which the Navy and Air Force already have. When Tom Lough debuted it for a church group around the anniversary of Sept. 11 this year, veterans who attended were in tears. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Who may hold office in a local church?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Does one have to be a member of the church to hold an office? It depends on the office, writes Ask The UMC. Where professing membership is required, it is because the duties of the office or committee require the commitment to the local church that professing membership involves.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
New 2021 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Oklahoma, Poland and Serbia-North Macedonia-Albania conferences.
Read reports
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.