“It’s not rosy. It’s not, ‘Everything is great.’ But we’re kind of holding our own.” — The Rev. Nate Berneking on how conferences are managing in the pandemic.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Conferences persevere under financial strain
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — More than seven months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, U.S. conferences — like the congregations they serve — are feeling the financial strain. But they are also finding ways to offer churches relief and strengthen ministry in these lean times. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Hurricane recovery 'back to square one'
BATON ROUGE, La. — Two hurricanes, Laura and Delta, have battered Louisiana within a span of six weeks, leaving residents there with the frustration that their recovery efforts are “back to square one.” The Rev. Todd Rossnagel, communications director for the Louisiana Conference, spoke with two area pastors about what they’re seeing and how they are ministering to their communities.
Watch video
Give to Louisiana disaster relief
Global Ministries
Reconciliation milestones for church in Burundi
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Church in Burundi has reached several milestones in its journey toward full reconciliation, says the Rev. Jean Ntahoturi, legal representative. In February 2018, two United Methodist groups held a special annual conference to formalize the details of the church’s reunification after 12 years of separation. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
Millions spend almost every moment seeking water
Coming Tuesday, Oct. 13: In the village of Mzira, Malawi, a group of women meet before dawn to begin the first of several trips every day to gather water from an open well over a mile away. Their story is chronicled in “Water is Life,” a photo essay by staff photographer Mike DuBose, with reporting by Kathy L. Gilbert, on the scarcity of clean water access in rural Africa.
PRESS RELEASES
Greater New Jersey Conference
Making amends with Native Americans
NEPTUNE, N.J. — The Greater New Jersey Conference has agreed to allocate $1 million to preserve a Native American church and burial ground. The conference also will return land to a Native American tribe when congregations close in two New Jersey counties.
Read press release
Read about conference anti-racism plan
Asian American Language Ministry Plan
Series explores Asian American view on racism
ATLANTA — A series of six webinars, “Raise up Your Voice Against Racism,” will explore racism through an Asian American lens and encourage more involvement in anti-racism work. The first webinar will be Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. The series is sponsored by the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries; United Methodist Board of Church and Society and the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists.
For more information and to register
Perkins Perspective Online
Preaching excellence program gets $250,000
DALLAS — The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology has received a $250,000 donation. The gift comes from the Robert H. and Beverly U. Fowler Foundation of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Perkins is a United Methodist seminary.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Church leader finds vocational certainty amid COVID-19
Helping children during the COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 19
Online class: Generous Church Leadership
NEWS AND FEATURES
Conferences persevere under financial strain
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — More than seven months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, U.S. conferences — like the congregations they serve — are feeling the financial strain. But they are also finding ways to offer churches relief and strengthen ministry in these lean times. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
Hurricane recovery 'back to square one'
BATON ROUGE, La. — Two hurricanes, Laura and Delta, have battered Louisiana within a span of six weeks, leaving residents there with the frustration that their recovery efforts are “back to square one.” The Rev. Todd Rossnagel, communications director for the Louisiana Conference, spoke with two area pastors about what they’re seeing and how they are ministering to their communities.
Watch video
Give to Louisiana disaster relief
Global Ministries
Reconciliation milestones for church in Burundi
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Church in Burundi has reached several milestones in its journey toward full reconciliation, says the Rev. Jean Ntahoturi, legal representative. In February 2018, two United Methodist groups held a special annual conference to formalize the details of the church’s reunification after 12 years of separation. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
Millions spend almost every moment seeking water
Coming Tuesday, Oct. 13: In the village of Mzira, Malawi, a group of women meet before dawn to begin the first of several trips every day to gather water from an open well over a mile away. Their story is chronicled in “Water is Life,” a photo essay by staff photographer Mike DuBose, with reporting by Kathy L. Gilbert, on the scarcity of clean water access in rural Africa.
PRESS RELEASES
Greater New Jersey Conference
Making amends with Native Americans
NEPTUNE, N.J. — The Greater New Jersey Conference has agreed to allocate $1 million to preserve a Native American church and burial ground. The conference also will return land to a Native American tribe when congregations close in two New Jersey counties.
Read press release
Read about conference anti-racism plan
Asian American Language Ministry Plan
Series explores Asian American view on racism
ATLANTA — A series of six webinars, “Raise up Your Voice Against Racism,” will explore racism through an Asian American lens and encourage more involvement in anti-racism work. The first webinar will be Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. The series is sponsored by the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries; United Methodist Board of Church and Society and the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists.
For more information and to register
Perkins Perspective Online
Preaching excellence program gets $250,000
DALLAS — The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology has received a $250,000 donation. The gift comes from the Robert H. and Beverly U. Fowler Foundation of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Perkins is a United Methodist seminary.
Read story
RECENT HEADLINES
Church leader finds vocational certainty amid COVID-19
Helping children during the COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 19
Online class: Generous Church Leadership
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