“We must work together to be kind to one another, hold one another in love and go forward as best as we can.” — Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., on leading the Sierra Leone Conference during a period of transition and challenges.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop cares for Sierra Leone after tragedy
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — After the death of Sierra Leone Conference Bishop John K. Yambasu in August 2020, retired Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. was named as interim episcopal leader. The bishop said he sees his role as a caregiver. He talks about the challenges and highlights of the past year and his hopes for the future. Phileas Jusu has the story.
Read Q&A
Louisiana Conference
Showing up for storm-battered Louisiana
DESTREHAN, La. — The Rev. Pattye Dial Hewitt has been among many United Methodists joining in relief efforts in southeast Louisiana after Hurricane Ida, which was followed by Tropical Storm Nicholas. Hewitt, pastor of Blackwater United Methodist Church in Central, Louisiana, shared in a brief Facebook video her reasons for wanting to help storm victims. It’s part of the conference’s Stories of Hope series.
Watch video
News 12 The Bronx
Church gets state landmark status
NORTHPORT, N.Y. — Parishioners at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church are celebrating the church’s recognition as a New York historic landmark. The church, whose building is now 175 years old, once hosted famed educator and reformer Booker T. Washington. News staff have the story.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Claremont School of Theology
Horswill-Johnston to become seminary vice president
CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston has been named vice president for communications and advancement at Claremont School of Theology, his alma mater and one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries. He starts Nov. 1. Horswill-Johnston has in recent years been chief communications officer for Discipleship Ministries. He produced the popular “Chuck Knows Church” video series and had a key role in The United Methodist Church’s “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors” campaign.
Read press release
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 the UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
5 lessons for congregations in a virtual age
WASHINGTON — Turning toward a hybrid future, churches have focused much attention on digital worship. John Wimberly says it’s just as important to consider how to work with staff and volunteers. He names five lessons for churches in this era of working from home.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Western North Carolina Conference
Hinton Rural Life celebrates 60th anniversary
HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The United Methodist Church’s Hinton Rural Life Center will celebrate 60 years of ministry from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 25 at Hayesville First United Methodist Church. Masks will be required. Bishop Ken Carter, who leads both the Florida and Western North Carolina conferences, will be the guest preacher. The ministry nurtures small and rural congregations across the United States.
Learn more
UM News: Ministry boosts small-church vitality
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Webinar looks at baseball, racism and faith
DENVER — With the World Series on the horizon, the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends and Park Hill United Methodist Church have planned a webinar, “Baseball, Racism and Religion,” for 6:30 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Sept. 30. Speakers include Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Carlotta Walls LaNier, a United Methodist who was part of the Little Rock Nine; Christopher Evans, Boston University School of Theology professor; and the Rev. Nathan Adams of Park Hill.
Register
RECENT HEADLINES
Supporting Wesleyan evangelism amid pandemic
Commentary: A call to examine United Methodist real estate
EVENTS
Friday, Oct. 8-Saturday, Oct. 9
Oklahoma Annual Conference
Monday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 23
Online Lay Servant Ministries course: Come to the Table
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop cares for Sierra Leone after tragedy
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — After the death of Sierra Leone Conference Bishop John K. Yambasu in August 2020, retired Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. was named as interim episcopal leader. The bishop said he sees his role as a caregiver. He talks about the challenges and highlights of the past year and his hopes for the future. Phileas Jusu has the story.
Read Q&A
Louisiana Conference
Showing up for storm-battered Louisiana
DESTREHAN, La. — The Rev. Pattye Dial Hewitt has been among many United Methodists joining in relief efforts in southeast Louisiana after Hurricane Ida, which was followed by Tropical Storm Nicholas. Hewitt, pastor of Blackwater United Methodist Church in Central, Louisiana, shared in a brief Facebook video her reasons for wanting to help storm victims. It’s part of the conference’s Stories of Hope series.
Watch video
News 12 The Bronx
Church gets state landmark status
NORTHPORT, N.Y. — Parishioners at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church are celebrating the church’s recognition as a New York historic landmark. The church, whose building is now 175 years old, once hosted famed educator and reformer Booker T. Washington. News staff have the story.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Claremont School of Theology
Horswill-Johnston to become seminary vice president
CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston has been named vice president for communications and advancement at Claremont School of Theology, his alma mater and one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries. He starts Nov. 1. Horswill-Johnston has in recent years been chief communications officer for Discipleship Ministries. He produced the popular “Chuck Knows Church” video series and had a key role in The United Methodist Church’s “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors” campaign.
Read press release
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 the UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
5 lessons for congregations in a virtual age
WASHINGTON — Turning toward a hybrid future, churches have focused much attention on digital worship. John Wimberly says it’s just as important to consider how to work with staff and volunteers. He names five lessons for churches in this era of working from home.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Western North Carolina Conference
Hinton Rural Life celebrates 60th anniversary
HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The United Methodist Church’s Hinton Rural Life Center will celebrate 60 years of ministry from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 25 at Hayesville First United Methodist Church. Masks will be required. Bishop Ken Carter, who leads both the Florida and Western North Carolina conferences, will be the guest preacher. The ministry nurtures small and rural congregations across the United States.
Learn more
UM News: Ministry boosts small-church vitality
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Webinar looks at baseball, racism and faith
DENVER — With the World Series on the horizon, the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends and Park Hill United Methodist Church have planned a webinar, “Baseball, Racism and Religion,” for 6:30 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Sept. 30. Speakers include Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Carlotta Walls LaNier, a United Methodist who was part of the Little Rock Nine; Christopher Evans, Boston University School of Theology professor; and the Rev. Nathan Adams of Park Hill.
Register
RECENT HEADLINES
Supporting Wesleyan evangelism amid pandemic
Commentary: A call to examine United Methodist real estate
EVENTS
Friday, Oct. 8-Saturday, Oct. 9
Oklahoma Annual Conference
Monday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 23
Online Lay Servant Ministries course: Come to the Table
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