“Giving is an act of gratitude and of worship. It is truly what we do to respond to God, for all that God has done for us.” — The Rev. Reginald Clemons during a panel on giving.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Faithful giving in a time of change
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A roundtable discussion of connectional giving in The United Methodist Church seeks to explain the role of giving in the church. The panelists, who work with giving and budgets at all levels of the denomination, also discuss what has happened with giving in the denomination since the special General Conference.
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Bishops seek court’s guidance on Traditional Plan
EVANSTON, Ill. (UM News) — The United Methodist Council of Bishops explained at an oral hearing the need for assistance from the Judicial Council in implementing several provisions of the plan adopted by the 2019 General Conference. Linda Bloom reports.
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Top court raises questions at lively oral hearing
Training center transforms lives in Sierra Leone
BO, Sierra Leone (UM News) — The first graduates of the new Bo Women’s Training Center are putting their skills to work and providing for their families. Three of the women who are now working as tailors talked with UM News about how the program has changed their lives. Phileas Jusu has the story.
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Oklahoma Conference
Church goes big with Christmas bike giveaway
BLACKWELL, Okla. — A shipping error left the Rev. Cap McIlnay with two kids’ bikes to give away at Christmas in 2017. And that led him and his church, First United Methodist of Blackwell, to commit to providing bikes to needy kids. With support from local businesses, they gave away more than 70 last Christmas, and they’re shooting for 100 this time.
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South Carolina Conference
After charges dropped, pastor seeks reinstatement
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A United Methodist pastor has seen state charges dismissed and his record expunged after spending the last four years fighting to clear his name. The Rev. Walter C. Ballenger III had faced four counts of criminal sexual misconduct with a child, and the South Carolina Conference placed him in involuntary retirement. Jessica Brodie reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
UM News to host Pre-General Conference Briefing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications and the UM News team will host the Pre-General Conference Briefing Jan. 23-24 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville in preparation for the 2020 General Conference. The briefing aims to help delegates, communicators, agency and annual conference staff and other interested parties prepare for the denomination's legislative body when it meets in Minneapolis May 5-15.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Top court raises questions at lively hearing
Women fight hunger with agriculture in Congo
EVENTS
Friday, Nov. 1
All Saints Day
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