“The challenge is we’re living at a time when middle-class African Americans are leaving organized religion, or they’re going nondenominational. I think our church, it is Methodist but feels nondenominational.” — Jason E. Shelton, sociologist and member of The Village United Methodist Church near Dallas.
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| Members of The Village United Methodist Church in DeSoto, Texas, dance during a worship service in the parking lot of the church. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News. |
Young Black church thrives with ‘contemporary feel’
DESOTO, Texas (UM News) — When the Dallas Cowboys play a home game, worship at The Village United Methodist Church looks much like a tailgate party. An offshoot of the more traditional St. Luke Community United Methodist in Dallas, The Village is growing in an era when many churches are losing members. One Village congregant, who is a sociologist, thinks other churches could find success using the same methods. Jim Patterson reports.
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Research reveals new trends among Black Protestants
DESOTO, Texas (UM News) — Jason E. Shelton, a sociologist and United Methodist in Texas, writes in his latest book that Black churches need to keep abreast of current trends if they want to survive. In “The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion,” Shelton reveals what his research on the Black church has uncovered. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Michigan Conference
Conference remains committed to Haiti
LANSING, Mich. — United Methodists in Michigan are committed to continuing to help people in Haiti suffering from gang violence and the aftermath of natural disasters. The Michigan Conference Haiti Task Force plans to bring legislation to its 2025 annual conference that would create a conference-wide campaign to raise $215,000 to address the critical and urgent challenges the Haitian people face. The relationship between United Methodists in Michigan and Haiti stretches over 29 years. Kay DeMoss has the story.
Read story
The Star Democrat
8-year-old helps feed people
ROYAL OAK, Md. — Isla Henderson, 8, collected 6,074 items to stock the Royal Oak Community United Methodist Church’s food pantry, besting her effort the previous year. She did it as a 4-H project and enlisted community members and groups for contributions. Food donations came from as far as New Jersey and Florida. Konner Metz has the story.
Read story
Russ Richey dies Jan. 19
DURHAM, N.C. — The Rev. Russell E. Richey, a renowned leader in U.S. higher education and scholar of American Methodism, died Jan. 19. United Methodist News is working on a feature obituary on Richey.
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| UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. |
World news becomes family news
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — News from around the world carries personal significance for a retired United Methodist pastor, prompting concern about friends in different lands. For the Rev. Mel West, family includes people in places as diverse as Ukraine, Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia and the United States. “When we turn on the news and know that it is news of our family … [w]e have ‘seen the light,’” he writes.
Read commentary |
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North Georgia Conference
Conference receives nearly $1.2 million grant
ATLANTA — The North Georgia Conference has received a three-year grant of $1,167,200 from Lilly Endowment Inc. The conference will use the grant to fund the work of its office of connectional ministries to equip local church leaders for the health and vitality of their congregations.
Read press release |
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United Methodist Men
Patch marks Scout Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Men is offering a 2025 patch to mark Scout Sunday this year. The official day is Feb. 8, but churches are encouraged to do it on any Sunday in February that is convenient. The patch costs $3.75 and can be ordered on the UMM website. The website also offers free 2025 Scout Sunday liturgy resources.
Learn more
United Methodists for Kairos Response
Webinar examines religious nationalism
WARWICK, R.I. — United Methodists for Kairos Response and the Methodist Federation for Social Action will present a webinar addressing religious nationalism in the United States, Israel and India. Panelists include the Rev. Kendal L. McBroom, director of Civil and Human Rights at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. The webinar is scheduled for 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Jan. 30.
Learn more |
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| Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons. |
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High court hears case over church control of SMU
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Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News
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Patients line up for free church health clinic
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Thursdays, Jan. 23,
Jan. 30 and Feb. 6
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Tuesday, Feb. 4-
Friday, Feb. 7
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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