“We want to model what inclusivity looks like. Every person is created in the image of God, which includes women.” — Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Women's commission at 50, still a long way to go
CHICAGO (UM News) — Women in The United Methodist Church have come a long way, but more progress is needed, said Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women. The commission is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, with women pastors still underpaid and resisted by some congregations who don’t want a female leader. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Church expands by welcoming all
WOONSOCKET, S.D. — In a time of declining membership, the Spirit of Faith church is steadily growing. Pastor John Anderson said the ecumenical Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and United Methodist congregation focuses on a mantra of “all are welcome.” Since 2020, they have added 115 new members. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Greater Northwest Area
Bishop Rapanut ready to be an authentic leader
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — As The United Methodist Church’s first Filipino American episcopal leader, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut says he prays the denomination “will give me the space to lead from my authentic self.” He also credits the Alaska Conference with helping him become the leader he is today. Rapanut is set to lead the Desert Southwest Conference, starting Jan. 1. Kristen Caldwell has a profile of the new bishop.
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UM News: Western Jurisdiction elects Rapanut in historic vote
Chattanooga Times Free Press
United Methodist pastor takes on polarization
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Polarization in the U.S. has shaken schools, families and churches. The Rev. Nathan Malone, senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, organizes structured conversations on controversial subjects and he hopes to bring his approach to the community at large. Andrew Schwartz reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Western North Carolina Conference
Bishop responds to lawsuit by 38 churches
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr. has released a public letter after 38 churches filed a lawsuit against the Western North Carolina Conference seeking immediate disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. “The Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is committed to providing a ‘gracious exit’ for those churches that wish to depart, pursuant to the process adopted at the 2019 General Conference,” Carter wrote. He added that since 2019, 41 churches have used that process to withdraw.
Read Bishop Carter's letter
Read the legal complaint
Center for Health and Hope
Observing World AIDS Day
DENVER — A candlelight walk is planned for the evening of Dec. 1 to observe World AIDS Day. The 6 p.m. walk will be followed by a worship service featuring keynote speaker the Rev. Benjamin Reynolds, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Chicago. The Service of Healing and Hope will be livestreamed at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Mountain time.
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Watch event
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
United Methodist Communications
Reclaim the mission of the church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With all of the uncertainty and division in The United Methodist Church and around the globe, there’s a danger of losing the purpose and mission of the church, or sweeping it aside in the desire to keep everyone together and safe. When we remember “who we are and whose we are,” writes Anne Bosarge, director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources in the South Georgia Conference, “we are rediscovering what we are called to do.”
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