NEWS AND FEATURES
Liberians want changes in separation plan
GANTA, Liberia (UM News) — Liberian United Methodists approved a resolution saying they won't support a separation plan for The United Methodist Church without major amendments. They also expressed unhappiness at not having had input into the plan, known as the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation. E Julu Swen and Sam Hodges report.Read story
Think tank to look at GC2020 possibilities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — General Conference organizers have established a think tank to explore different ways for processing legislation at this year's gathering of The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking body. Heather Hahn reports.Read storyAfrica University founding father dies at 87HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa, a founding father and first vice chancellor of Africa University, is being remembered as "a prophet of extraordinary gentleness" who followed the direction of the Holy Spirit in every decision and move he made. Kurewa died Feb. 15 at age 87. Eveline Chikwanah and Kathy L. Gilbert have the obituary.Read obituary
Ask The UMC
What is Lent and why does it last 40 days?NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26 this year) and ends on Holy Saturday (April 11). The 40 days represent the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry. United Methodist Communications' Ask The UMC has more on the Lenten season.
Read storyRead more Ask The UMC
Church giving overcomes worst fearsNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The aftermath of the contentious special General Conference saw a plunge in giving to denomination-wide ministries. By the end of 2019, apportionment collection rates had exceeded the most dire projections. Heather Hahn reports.
Read storyRead General Council on Finance and Administration press release
University offers path to success
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — United Methodist University has established a preparatory program to address the massive failures of students taking the high school exit exams. Over 95% of students who took the 2019 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations failed to score high enough to meet university requirements. Phileas Jusu reports.
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Zimbabwe area plants church for prisoners, officersHARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has planted a church near Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison to evangelize to inmates, officers and their families. Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa has appointed a pastor in charge to strengthen outreach at the prison. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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Michigan Conference
Tough conversations help church grow in faithMANCHESTER, Mich. — The pastor of Manchester First United Methodist Church got his congregation talking about tough choices facing the denomination. The Rev. Dillon Burns used resources provided by the conference and "Courageous Conversations" from Discipleship Ministries to foster the conversations. Kay DeMoss has the story.
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KHOU-TV
Church celebrates life of civil rights iconHOUSTON — As a college student, the Rev. Earl Allen joined in the first lunch counter desegregation action in Houston. He would become a local civil rights icon. Allen died recently at age 86. Windsor Village United Methodist Church, where he attended in later years, celebrated his life on Feb. 17. KHOU-TV reports.Read story and watch video
WilliamsonHomePage.com
Using faith to tackle racismBRENTWOOD, Tenn. — More than 200 people gathered at Brentwood United Methodist Church for conversations on the role of faith in tackling racism in Middle Tennessee and the country as a whole. Matt Masters has the story.
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Florida Conference
'The best-kept secret in the church'CASSELBERRY, Fla. — A little-known but fascinating corner of United Methodist mission work consists of a small corps of retirees scattered throughout the country. They call themselves Nomads. The name fits because they spend their lives roaming the country in RVs. When they converge, good things happen. William March has the story.Read story
Higher Education and Ministry
Scott-Joiner rememberedNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Lisa M. Scott-Joiner has died in St. Louis at 57. The board member of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry will be missed and leaves behind "a deep legacy of service to the church," said Bishop William McAlilly, board president and leader of the Nashville Episcopal Area.Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Western Jurisdiction
Delegates name GC2020 legislative goalsSEWARD, Alaska — The 16 first-elected delegates of the Western Jurisdiction announced that they see the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation as "a promising option." They see the 2020 General Conference legislation as working in tandem with the proposed Christmas Covenant.
Read statementPhilippines conference acts on protocol, Christmas covenant
United Methodist Men
Addressing Boy Scouts' bankruptcy filingNASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Men announced continued support for Boy Scouts of America amid its bankruptcy filing to address hundreds of lawsuits related to abuse accusations. The bankruptcy will not affect local Scout meetings or programs for youth. United Methodist Men also stressed that children's safety is paramount.
Read press release
NBC: Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy
Higher Education and Ministry
College credit now available for Course of StudyNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Women who are licensed local pastors in The United Methodist Church can now use their Course of Study classes toward an online degree with Wesleyan College, a church-related women’s college in Macon, Georgia. United Methodist-related Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, is planning a similar program that is coeducational.Read press release
The Upper Room
Bilingual spiritual-formation academy slatedSAN ANTONIO — The Academy for Spiritual Formation announced it will offer matching grant funds up to $5,000 to United Methodist conferences to help individuals participate in the next bilingual two-year academy, which begins Aug. 10. The academy is for both Spanish and English speakers. Bilingual skills are not required for participation.
Read press release
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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.
Arkansas Conference
Bishop offers new plan for unityLITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Bishop Gary E. Mueller, who leads the Arkansas Conference, is offering a plan to create two geographically overlapping regional conferences that are theologically defined. He writes that the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation doesn’t answer the concerns of U.S. traditionalists who wish to remain United Methodist.Read commentary
Loss always comes with separation, divorceCANDLER, N.C. (UM News) — Any separation or divorce brings loss, writes a North Carolina pastor. But the Rev. Michael Kurtz also prays that separating parties in The United Methodist Church can find renewal and peace in division.
Read commentary
Seeking future liberation from past oppressionBOSTON (UM News) — Conflict in The United Methodist Church is about so much more than homosexuality, writes a gay African American pastor. To the Rev. Jay Williams, the conflict is about the denomination's history of oppression.
Read commentary
Pastor reflects on why he's not leavingARAB, Ala. (UM News) — The Rev. Steve West, pastor of Arab First United Methodist Church, has responded to a recent meeting of traditionalist United Methodists considering leaving the denomination. West shares eight reasons why he plans to stay.
Read commentary
South Georgia Conference
Reflecting on John Wesley's time in GeorgiaFORT PULASKI, Ga. — On Feb. 6, 1736, after sailing four months to get from England to America, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Gen. James Oglethorpe and others landed on Cockspur Island off the coast of Savannah in what is now Georgia. A monument marks the location. Bishop Lawson Bryan reflects on Wesley’s ministry in Georgia and back in England.
Read reflectionWatch video
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