NEWS AND FEATURES
For this pastor, storytelling became a ministry
NEW YORK (UM News) — The late Rev. Frances Helen Foley Guest spent three and a half years with her Methodist missionary parents in a Japanese prison camp. Guest, the denomination's first Crusade Scholar in 1945, made that experience the foundation of her lifelong ministry. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story
Conference acts on protocol, Christmas Covenant
TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines (UM News) — The Philippines Conference Cavite has endorsed and sent to the 2020 General Conference legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation and for the Christmas Covenant. Both proposals foresee major change for The United Methodist Church. Gladys P. Mangiduyos and Sam Hodges report.
Read story
Conference urged to reopen misconduct caseWORTHINGTON, Ohio (UM News) — United Methodist clergywomen and interfaith leaders have circulated letters urging the West Ohio Conference to reopen the complaint against the Rev. Donald "Bud" Heckman, who was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse. More than 800 people have signed. Heather Hahn reports.
Read storyClergyman accused of sexual misconduct, abuse
UMW project helps rural girls stay in schoolCAMPHOR MISSION, Liberia (UM News) — United Methodist women in Liberia are aiming to keep rural girls in school during their menstrual cycle with the launch of a new program to make reusable sanitary pads locally. E Julu Swen has the story.Read story
Church helps train marginalized women, youthFIZI, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in East Congo has collaborated with the Congolese government to open a vocational training center for women and youth. Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda said he sought out the partnership to help the faithful in his episcopal area — many of whom are women who cannot read or write or are victims of sexual violence — provide a better life for themselves. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story.Read story
Kenyan church fights female genital mutilation
GILGIL, Kenya (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Kenya is offering camps and counseling for girls in an effort to fight against female genital mutilation. Trinity United Methodist Church has created a way for girls to move ceremoniously from childhood to adulthood without undergoing the cut. Faith Wanjiru has the story.
Read story
Oklahoma Conference
Offering yields $4,300 for school lunchesCOLLINSVILLE, Okla. — Meadowcreek United Methodist Church recently donated more than $4,300 to the Collinsville Public School's Angel Fund, which pays for hot lunches for students who could not otherwise afford them. The Rev. Mark Whitley, Meadowcreek's pastor, hopes one day to create a designated fund to ensure there is enough money for all students to have a hot meal every day.
Read story
Memphis Conference
Layman offers Plain Grace PlanMEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Conference layman Frank Holbrook has submitted to the 2020 General Conference his own Plain Grace Plan for the future of The United Methodist Church. He says it "focuses on the means of multiplying witness and not the underlying disputes" about doctrine or social issues. Lane Gardner Camp reports on the effort by Holbrook, a retired lawyer and certified mediator.
Read story
Florida Conference
A different kind of Valentine's DayTAMPA, Fla. — What if Valentine's Day included a tradition of forgiveness, service and random acts of kindness? Joey Johnston talked to Florida pastors about how to express love as Jesus would.
Read story
Dakotas Conference
Dakotas church successfully diversifyingSIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Since Sunnycrest United Methodist Church launched a Hispanic worshipping community in 2019, diverse services have multiplied. There are now five worship services at Sunnycrest: two Hispanic, two contemporary and one traditional. A sixth is planned for this fall. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
Response Magazine
Providing sanctuary in Northern IrelandBELFAST, Northern Ireland — The East Belfast Mission of the Methodist Church in Ireland has been working to facilitate reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants and support marginalized neighbors. Kim Cooper, the community chaplain, works to bridge the gap between community and church. Her salary is supported by United Methodist Women’s mission giving. Niles Sprague has the story.Read story
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mission agency settles employment complaintATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries will pay $50,000 to settle a retaliation discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of a former employee. "The agreement reached reflects a compromise so that we could avoid the continuing costs of litigation, and does not reflect any admission or finding of wrongdoing," the mission agency said in a statement.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Ham radio boosts disaster preparednessDUMAGUETE, Philippines — Ham radio is a hobby around the world. United Methodists have found amateur radio also can be a lifesaving tool in the Philippines, a country beset by typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Watch video
Minnesota Public Radio
3 congregations, 3 languages, 1 serviceST. PAUL, Minn. — Three congregations — members of the English-speaking St. Paul's Mounds Park United Methodist Church, a Karen-speaking Baptist congregation and a Spanish-speaking Seventh-day Adventist congregation — share a building and an occasional multilingual worship service. Emily Bright reports.
Read and listen to story
United Methodist Communications
Renewing marriage vows for Valentine's DayCOLUMBUS, Ind. — Celebrating Valentine's Day with a service to renew marriage vows is becoming an annual tradition at First United Methodist Church. The service is free and open to all couples whether they are members of the church or not, said the Rev. Howard Boles. Philip J. Brooks has the story.
Read story
Cleveland.com
Church honors chaplains killed in WWIIMEDINA, Ohio — The Rev. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister from Vermont, was among four military chaplains honored during a Feb. 5 service at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for their sacrifice during a tragic World War II naval attack. When a German submarine torpedoed the USAT Dorchester and it began to sink, the chaplains tried to calm the men and organize the evacuation. When supplies of life jackets ran out, the men gave their jackets to others and went down with the ship. Mary Jane Brewer reports.
Read story
WISH-TV
'Losing our children, and for what?' INDIANAPOLIS — Faith leaders across the city came together on Feb. 9 to bring one question to their congregations: How are we going to address the violence plaguing Indianapolis? The discussion, at churches such as Barnes United Methodist, followed a Feb. 5 shooting that killed four people on the city's northeast side. Sierra Hignite reports.
Read story and watch video
Kentucky Conference
WCA holds informational meetingsLEXINGTON, Ky. — About 400 people attended Feb. 6 meetings of the Wesleyan Covenant Association to hear about the traditionalist organization and also details about a recently announced proposed plan of separation. Cathy Bruce and Alan Wild have the story.
Read story
Virginia Conference
Conference health care: Lifesaving benefitGLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Rev. Doug Gestwick, a pastor diagnosed with three unrelated stage IV cancers, talks about the difference the Virginia Conference’s health benefits staff has made for him and his family. "I'm alive today because of the plans they've put together," he said. Nick Ruxton produced this video.Watch video
PRESS RELEASES
General Council on Finance and Administration
Agency offers more data on denomination financesNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration is providing information about the financial realities of the general church to help with ongoing conversations within the denomination. The agency's board plans to review feedback when it meets in-person in March.
Read press releaseFinancial narrative: The possible impact of proposed legislation
Higher Education and Ministry
Agency offers to administer conference loans, scholarshipsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Annual conferences can now farm out administration of student loans and scholarships to the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The North Carolina Conference was one of the first to utilize the service.
Read press release
Higher Education Foundation
Application deadline is March 1 for scholarshipsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist students attending colleges and universities affiliated with the denomination are eligible for up to $4,000 in scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. The deadline to apply is March 1.
Read press release
World Council of Churches
Prayer, music submissions sought for assemblyGENEVA — The World Council of Churches invites prayer and music submissions for its 11th Assembly, scheduled for 2021 in Karlsruhe, Germany. The theme of the assembly, the highest legislative body of the council, is "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity."
Read press release
Download submission guidelines
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
29 ways to participate in Black History MonthWASHINGTON — No matter a person’s heritage, culture or racial background, black history is everyone's story. For the 29 days of February 2020, the Commission on Religion and Race has put together 29 ways United Methodists can celebrate and participate in Black History Month.
Read list
Connectional Table
Webinar to detail US regional conference planCHICAGO — A live webinar, "Five Things to Know About United States Regional Conference," is planned for Feb. 20. It will address questions and concerns about legislation that the Connectional Table submitted to General Conference 2020 for consideration.Read news release
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment