“As I prepared to travel home to you, I kept asking myself: How would I return to you? How do you do that?” — Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, preaching at her “Welcome Home” service.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Grappling with aftermath of bishop’s trial
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UM News) — After being found not guilty of violating church law, United Methodist Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño has returned to her leadership role. But questions remain about what comes next and how to avoid church trials in the future. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read California-Nevada Conference story
Watch “Welcome Home” service
East Congo Episcopal Area
Second fire strikes displaced camp
MALICHA, Congo — A fire ravaged a camp for internally displaced people in South Kivu on Oct. 3. It is the second fire to strike the camp in less than two months. About 4,000 makeshift houses were destroyed. United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda expressed his anger at the injustice of the situation and denounced the violence and insecurity contributing to the crisis for internally displaced people in the region. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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Read previous UM News story
Florida Conference
Moving forward after season of disaffiliation
LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Conference officials estimate that about 175 churches there will disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church by the end of this year, with about 370 churches and missions remaining, along with many Fresh Expressions. The last of three special sessions to be held on disaffiliation this year is Dec. 2. The first Sunday in Advent follows the next day. “Advent is a season of hope and expectation of the new life God is bringing to our lives,” Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin said. Joe Henderson has the story.
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World Methodist Council
Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger
GENEVA — Christians from many denominations and traditions will engage in the Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger Oct. 14-16. The World Methodist Council — represented by retired United Methodist Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, who serves as Geneva secretary — has helped prepare worship material, including a liturgy, videos, prayers, examples of how faith communities engage in overcoming hunger and more. The resources are available in several languages. On Oct. 16, World Food Day, there will be an online prayer call to unite in reflection and worship to end global hunger and improve nutrition.
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Download resources
Register for prayer call
New 2023 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the East Congo, Kenya-Ethiopia and Mountain Sky conferences.
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PRESS RELEASES
Church and Society
A call to pursue peace in the Middle East
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society joins other faith communities calling for a ceasefire, de-escalation and restraint amid the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Citing the denomination’s stance that war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ, the board asks United Methodists to contact their representatives and urge the U.S. government to pursue peace in the Middle East.
Read statement
RESOURCES
Finance and Administration
Agency hosts webinar on church management
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kellie Schmeal, relationship director for the General Council on Finance and Administration, will host a webinar at 11:30 a.m. U.S. Central time Oct. 18 on the agency’s resources for church management. The webinar will deal with navigating legal compliance, optimizing human resources and maximizing discounts.
Learn more and register
EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 23-Friday, Nov. 3
Online course: Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Monday, Oct. 30-Wednesday, Nov. 1
Online course: Women's Ministries 3-Day Sampler
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Pastor shared stage with E. Stanley Jones
ADA, Okla. (UM News) — The Rev. Roberto Escamilla was the Spanish-language interpreter for famed Methodist missionary evangelist E. Stanley Jones and made a big mark with his own ministry. At 92, Escamilla is still active, serving as minister of evangelism at First United Methodist Church of Ada. Sam Hodges reports.
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Watch video
Holy Land travelers safe, concerned for war victims
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Holy Land pilgrims from the U.S. are safe after war broke out just before they reached Israel. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, a prominent United Methodist pastor from Kansas, reworked his lessons for cruise ship passengers and said he was proud of the 480 tourists because they were more concerned for the victims of the fighting than their own compromised trip. Jim Patterson reports.
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Read Council of Bishops press release
Women lead way in expanding church scholarship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Through its groundbreaking Women of Color Scholars program, the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is transforming theological education around the world. So far, the program has 55 graduates who are helping current and future pastors serve increasingly diverse communities. Heather Hahn reports.
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Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
United Methodists still at work for Ukraine
ZURICH — United Methodists in various European countries continue to minister to Ukrainian refugees as the war in Ukraine goes on. Bishop Christian Alsted notes that United Methodists within Ukraine are doing “amazing” work on behalf of internally displaced persons. Urs Schweizer reports.
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