“The fact that people are criminalized if, after careful consideration and consultation, they grant church asylum to others in an extreme emergency situation must not go unchallenged.” — Bishop Harald Rückert, who leads The United Methodist Church in Germany.
NEWS AND FEATURES
German pastor sentenced for providing asylum
PEGNITZ, Germany (UM News) — In January, the Rev. Stefan Schörk granted asylum in his church to a young man from Iran. Now, the United Methodist pastor faces a penalty of 1,500 Euros (more than $1,700 U.S.) and two years of probation for “aiding and abetting unauthorized residence.” Klaus Ulrich Ruof reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Where and why to donate on Giving Tuesday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Giving Tuesday emerged in 2012 to encourage people all over the world to embrace generosity. As the movement has grown, an increasing number of nonprofits, including denominational agencies and local churches, have taken the occasion to promote special opportunities for giving. Ask The UMC has more on Giving Tuesday and suggestions for how United Methodists can make good decisions about entities they may want to support on Nov. 30.
Read story
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Church reaches community with soccer league
PACE, Fla. — The Way United Methodist Church converted an unused space into soccer fields and launched a recreational league. The Mauldins, a family of five that recently joined the church, can attest to how soccer bridges the gap between church and community. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Students raise awareness of missing girls
WASHINGTON — The Wesley Foundation at Howard University recently welcomed a group of students from Frostburg University in Maryland to hold an awareness campaign on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The trip included a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian. The idea for the trip was sparked by news reports about unmarked graves being discovered on the sites of former schools for Native children. Neal Christie reports.
Read story
CNN
Missionary flew 7,500 miles for her shot
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Congregations in the West Ohio Conference raised the money that allowed United Methodist missionary Lorraine Charinda to travel to the U.S. and receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Charinda is a missionary in Congo with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Christina Zdanowicz has the story.
Read story
Gwinnett Daily Post
Church offers ‘Wailing Wall’ for mourners
DULUTH, Ga. — Through Nov. 21, Sugarloaf United Methodist Church will have a “Wailing Wall” under the church’s portico entrance to provide people a site to place prayers and come to grips with their grief. “I’ve heard people say that if you name it, you have a better way of taming it,” the Rev. Heather Jallad said. Chris Starrs reports.
Read story
RESOURCES
World Council of Churches
Bishop preaches at ecumenical gathering
BOGIS-BOSSEY, Switzerland — “The proof of being a neighbor is in the doing,” preached United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck during the World Council of Churches executive committee meeting. Dyck is ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops.
Read sermon
RECENT HEADLINES
Pastor found 'treasures' in depression battle
Haitian migrants bring vitality to declining church
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 29-Friday, Dec. 24
Advent course: The ‘I Am’ Statements of Jesus
NEWS AND FEATURES
German pastor sentenced for providing asylum
PEGNITZ, Germany (UM News) — In January, the Rev. Stefan Schörk granted asylum in his church to a young man from Iran. Now, the United Methodist pastor faces a penalty of 1,500 Euros (more than $1,700 U.S.) and two years of probation for “aiding and abetting unauthorized residence.” Klaus Ulrich Ruof reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Where and why to donate on Giving Tuesday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Giving Tuesday emerged in 2012 to encourage people all over the world to embrace generosity. As the movement has grown, an increasing number of nonprofits, including denominational agencies and local churches, have taken the occasion to promote special opportunities for giving. Ask The UMC has more on Giving Tuesday and suggestions for how United Methodists can make good decisions about entities they may want to support on Nov. 30.
Read story
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Church reaches community with soccer league
PACE, Fla. — The Way United Methodist Church converted an unused space into soccer fields and launched a recreational league. The Mauldins, a family of five that recently joined the church, can attest to how soccer bridges the gap between church and community. Kara Witherow has the story.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Students raise awareness of missing girls
WASHINGTON — The Wesley Foundation at Howard University recently welcomed a group of students from Frostburg University in Maryland to hold an awareness campaign on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The trip included a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian. The idea for the trip was sparked by news reports about unmarked graves being discovered on the sites of former schools for Native children. Neal Christie reports.
Read story
CNN
Missionary flew 7,500 miles for her shot
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Congregations in the West Ohio Conference raised the money that allowed United Methodist missionary Lorraine Charinda to travel to the U.S. and receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Charinda is a missionary in Congo with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Christina Zdanowicz has the story.
Read story
Gwinnett Daily Post
Church offers ‘Wailing Wall’ for mourners
DULUTH, Ga. — Through Nov. 21, Sugarloaf United Methodist Church will have a “Wailing Wall” under the church’s portico entrance to provide people a site to place prayers and come to grips with their grief. “I’ve heard people say that if you name it, you have a better way of taming it,” the Rev. Heather Jallad said. Chris Starrs reports.
Read story
RESOURCES
World Council of Churches
Bishop preaches at ecumenical gathering
BOGIS-BOSSEY, Switzerland — “The proof of being a neighbor is in the doing,” preached United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck during the World Council of Churches executive committee meeting. Dyck is ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops.
Read sermon
RECENT HEADLINES
Pastor found 'treasures' in depression battle
Haitian migrants bring vitality to declining church
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 29-Friday, Dec. 24
Advent course: The ‘I Am’ Statements of Jesus
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