"We want good men that will stand against this construct that it's acceptable in some way (to belittle or physically strike women). It's just wrong. It's not what our faith teaches." — Gilbert Hanke, outgoing top executive of United Methodist Men.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Program preaches that real men respect women
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — An eight-week course offered to United Methodist men contradicts the sexist notions that can lead to violence and harmful attitudes about women. Domestic violence in the U.S. went up 8.1% after lockdowns were ordered during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
New outreach features faith journeys
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Two new outreach ministries at Wesley United Methodist Church are using contemporary music, a casual atmosphere and festive activities after worship to draw the curious. The Journey kicked off Sept. 12 with Sioux Falls Mayor John TenHaken telling the story of his faith journey. The concept was expanded into The Embrace Network, which connects 12 churches in Minnesota and South Dakota with assistance getting technology such as screens, projectors and sound installed so they can experience The Journey events. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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South Georgia Conference
Bishop's book shares humor, inspiration
MACON, Ga. — Retired Bishop Richard Looney, who served the South Georgia Conference from 1998 until his retirement in 2000, has written a book of "holy hilarity" and inspirational stories. All proceeds from "The Fun of Being Looney" will benefit the Foundation for Evangelism, whose mission is to promote, encourage and provide resources for Wesleyan evangelism. Kara Witherow has the story.
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To order book
United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina
Once-struggling camp sees bright future
ASHEBORO, N.C. — Financial struggles left Mount Shepherd, a United Methodist summer camp, on the brink of closing. But with God's grace, committed leadership and a timely land conservation pact, a turnaround has occurred for the camp where countless young people have explored their Christian faith. The United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina has the story.
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NewsChannel 5 Nashville
After tornado, historic church must rebuild
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For 115 years, the East End United Methodist Church building has been host to thousands of Sunday services, baptisms and weddings. But after last year's tornado damage, the congregation has concluded the building cannot be salvaged. The church now plans to demolish and rebuild a new church home. Chris Davis reports.
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UM News: Tennessee tornadoes take lives, damage churches
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
Leading amid mask and vaccine controversy
WASHINGTON — Navigating the complicated and divisive issues of vaccines and mask-wearing has made ministry during the pandemic even more fraught for many pastors and congregations. The Revs. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center say the key question is how we can be God's ambassadors in the midst of this tension. They outline four strategies to reframe the debate.
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RESOURCES
UMC LEAD
Registration open for LEAD 2022
SAN DIEGO — Registration for LEAD 2022, which will be held Jan. 23-26 in San Diego, is now open. Founded in the Desert Southwest Conference in 2011, LEAD creates space for Christian leaders to be vulnerable and courageous, connects them around their hopes for the future, and equips them to bring those hopes into reality. For the first time, LEAD is offering a Young Adult Cohort for up to 12 young adults ages 21-30 and two to three mentors.
Learn more and register
Apply to Young Adult Cohort
RECENT HEADLINES
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