“This is not just my battle; this is the entire church’s fight — the very church which nurtured me to do this prophetic ministry.” — The Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a United Methodist pastor facing charges in the Philippines.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church says clergywoman faces trumped-up charges
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Church groups are rallying together in support of the Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a pastor known for her social justice work. The former United Methodist district superintendent and longtime deaconess has been charged with attempted murder, but she and her supporters say she is innocent and the charge is meant to silence her advocacy for indigenous people. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read story
Florida Conference
Conference still helping as Hurricane Ian looms
LAKELAND, Fla. — Trish Warren, the Florida Conference’s disaster response coordinator, is working to help prepare United Methodists for Hurricane Ian. At the same time, the conference is also assisting with recovery after deadly floods in eastern Kentucky and offering support to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico. Joe Henderson has the story.
Read story
Florida Conference seeks cleaning kits
Alabama-West Florida Conference collects kits
Donate to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response
East Ohio Conference
Ukrainian refugees find help in Ohio
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Some refugees from the war in Ukraine are finding a new home in Ohio, courtesy of United Methodists in the region. Among those helping are the ownership, staff and residents of Wesleyan Senior Living and LaPorte and Avon United Methodist churches. Work permits, food stamps and other assistance are being arranged. Rick Wolcott reports.
Read story
UM News: United Methodist ministry with Ukraine
Holston Conference
New members encourage churches in tense times
ALCOA, Tenn. — After two years of distanced worship brought on by the pandemic — complicated by tension and division in the denomination — some Virginia and Tennessee clergy report new church members eager to be part of the in-person church community. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops seek donations for Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON — Even as United Methodists prepare to respond to Hurricane Ian, the Council of Bishops urges churchgoers not to forget the needs in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona’s devastation. The Council of Bishops is appealing for donations for Puerto Rico after receiving a letter from the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico. Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged all Methodists to support the recovery efforts, which are being done in conjunction with the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read press release
Read letter to see how to donate
RESOURCES
Native American International Caucus, United Women in Faith
Justice, healing for Native children
NEW YORK — From Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, United Methodists are invited to observe a special time of prayer and action in remembrance of the atrocities against Native American children in boarding schools. “Justice for Our Children: Healing for Our Communities” is the theme of this year’s observance. United Women in Faith is offering a two-hour virtual event on Oct. 6 that will include prayer, an educational program and reflection in small groups about the abuses suffered by Native American children in the schools.
Register for event
See resources
Society of St. Andrew
Advent devotions available for order
BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a feeding ministry and United Methodist partner, is offering free devotionals for the season of Advent. This year’s theme is “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” The deadline to order print materials is Nov. 1. The daily devotions start Nov. 27 and run through Dec. 24.
To learn more and order
RECENT HEADLINES
Ask The UMC: What does the church say about climate change?
Churches discern whether to stay or go
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Justice Talks: The Rise of Christian Nationalism
Sunday, Oct. 2
World Communion Sunday
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church says clergywoman faces trumped-up charges
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Church groups are rallying together in support of the Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a pastor known for her social justice work. The former United Methodist district superintendent and longtime deaconess has been charged with attempted murder, but she and her supporters say she is innocent and the charge is meant to silence her advocacy for indigenous people. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read story
Florida Conference
Conference still helping as Hurricane Ian looms
LAKELAND, Fla. — Trish Warren, the Florida Conference’s disaster response coordinator, is working to help prepare United Methodists for Hurricane Ian. At the same time, the conference is also assisting with recovery after deadly floods in eastern Kentucky and offering support to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico. Joe Henderson has the story.
Read story
Florida Conference seeks cleaning kits
Alabama-West Florida Conference collects kits
Donate to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response
East Ohio Conference
Ukrainian refugees find help in Ohio
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Some refugees from the war in Ukraine are finding a new home in Ohio, courtesy of United Methodists in the region. Among those helping are the ownership, staff and residents of Wesleyan Senior Living and LaPorte and Avon United Methodist churches. Work permits, food stamps and other assistance are being arranged. Rick Wolcott reports.
Read story
UM News: United Methodist ministry with Ukraine
Holston Conference
New members encourage churches in tense times
ALCOA, Tenn. — After two years of distanced worship brought on by the pandemic — complicated by tension and division in the denomination — some Virginia and Tennessee clergy report new church members eager to be part of the in-person church community. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops seek donations for Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON — Even as United Methodists prepare to respond to Hurricane Ian, the Council of Bishops urges churchgoers not to forget the needs in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona’s devastation. The Council of Bishops is appealing for donations for Puerto Rico after receiving a letter from the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico. Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged all Methodists to support the recovery efforts, which are being done in conjunction with the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read press release
Read letter to see how to donate
RESOURCES
Native American International Caucus, United Women in Faith
Justice, healing for Native children
NEW YORK — From Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, United Methodists are invited to observe a special time of prayer and action in remembrance of the atrocities against Native American children in boarding schools. “Justice for Our Children: Healing for Our Communities” is the theme of this year’s observance. United Women in Faith is offering a two-hour virtual event on Oct. 6 that will include prayer, an educational program and reflection in small groups about the abuses suffered by Native American children in the schools.
Register for event
See resources
Society of St. Andrew
Advent devotions available for order
BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a feeding ministry and United Methodist partner, is offering free devotionals for the season of Advent. This year’s theme is “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” The deadline to order print materials is Nov. 1. The daily devotions start Nov. 27 and run through Dec. 24.
To learn more and order
RECENT HEADLINES
Ask The UMC: What does the church say about climate change?
Churches discern whether to stay or go
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Justice Talks: The Rise of Christian Nationalism
Sunday, Oct. 2
World Communion Sunday
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