NEWS AND FEATURES
Key African group supports protocol plan
JOHANNESBURG (UM News) — The Africa Initiative, a United Methodist advocacy group, has given a qualified endorsement to the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation — potentially easing its way for passage at General Conference. The group also is urging some amendments to the proposal. Heather Hahn reports.
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South Central bishops urge protocol support
Florida delegation supports protocol
Clergywomen in US, Africa forge bonds
CINCINNATI (UM News) — The longtime visions of two United Methodist clergywomen — the Rev. J. Kabamba Kiboko and retired Bishop Linda Lee — have helped African clergywomen and black clergywomen in the U.S. build relationships and issue a joint proclamation of sisterhood. A gathering is planned at Africa University in 2022. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Churches call for peace on the Korean PeninsulaNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The United and Korean Methodist churches will join Christians throughout the world to take action for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula by holding various programs and events. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.Read story
Looking at financial impact of GC2020 plansNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — No matter what happens at General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders expect changes in funding. The finance agency board met to discuss some of the possibilities. Heather Hahn reports.Read story
Alaska Conference
Alaska to ask GC2020 to be mission districtANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Conference has voted to petition General Conference 2020 to discontinue its missionary conference status and make it a missionary district conference within the Pacific Northwest Conference. The move also requires the Western Jurisdiction's approval. The Rev. Jim Doepken reports.Read storyAlaska moves to become mission district
Cabinet members filed papers for new church group
LAKELAND, Fla. (UM News) — Three Florida Conference cabinet members recently filed articles of incorporation for an organization to be called The Florida Methodist Church. Two of those filing have since decided not to help start the group and will remain in the cabinet, Bishop Kenneth Carter said in a letter to conference clergy and lay leaders. The third said on Facebook that he felt called to start a "traditionalist expression of Methodism in Florida." Sam Hodges reports.
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Prague pastor goes 'where God sends me'PRAGUE, Czech Republic (UM News) — As leader of the only Russian-speaking United Methodist congregation in the Czech Republic, Pastor Lev Shults knows about the need for reconciled cooperation across the borders of cultures and nations. That is why he calls it a blessing that in his church, Russians and Ukrainians — despite the antagonism between their countries of origin — share a common journey. Urs Schweizer reports.
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Church school offers hope in Kenyan slumsNAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Huruma United Methodist Church’s primary school is providing new hope and opportunities for vulnerable children living in the Mathare Valley slums, where more than half a million households reside in an area that is roughly half a square mile. Gad Maiga reports.
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Michigan Conference
Bishop urges calm, preparation for coronavirusLANSING, Mich. — Bishop David Bard has asked United Methodist churches in Michigan to begin preparing for a possible widespread outbreak of the coronavirus disease. The respiratory disease has spread to 37 countries, including the U.S. The conference's disaster response coordinators and others will explore how congregations can best prepare, but Bard has urged church members to stay calm.
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Wespath statement on coronavirus and stock market
Church evangelizes across Congo RiverKINSHASA, Congo (UM News) — Central Congo Bishop Daniel Lunge is extending his evangelism efforts across the Congo River to help establish the first United Methodist Church presence in the Republic of Congo. Pierre Omadjela has the story.
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Florida Conference
A trip back in time to tackle racismHAMPTON, Va. — A diverse group of 14 representatives from the Florida Conference traveled to Virginia to observe history that was haunting, disturbing and sobering. Ultimately, they hope the experience will be liberating. Joey Johnston writes about their experience for Black History Month.Read story
Indiana Conference
Church pays off $5.9 million in medical debtsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — People in five Indiana counties will receive letters that their medical debts have been paid off. St. Andrew United Methodist Church worked with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to help 4,220 people in Carroll, Clinton, Montgomery, White and Tippecanoe counties. Leintz Belony has the story.
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The New York Times
Pioneering mathematician dead at 101NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician who broke barriers at NASA and its predecessor, is dead at 101. The death of Johnson, who was raised Methodist, was announced by NASA on Feb. 24. She was one of a group of black women mathematicians celebrated in the 2016 movie "Hidden Figures." Margalit Fox reports.
Read story'Hidden Figures' mathematician raised Methodist
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Northeastern bishops issue Lenten letterFULTON, Md. (UM News) — In a Lenten letter, the bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction invite readers to a deep assessment of and prayer-filled reflection on faithfulness and fruitfulness. "As we begin this Lenten journey, we are reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith," the bishops wrote.
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East Ohio Conference
Police and firefighters offered lunches by churchMANSFIELD, Ohio — As part of their plan to serve first responders in their city, members of Main Street United Methodist Church are hosting quarterly luncheons for police officers, paramedics and firefighters. The events have led to the church pastor, the Rev. Jenny Whitmore, becoming a chaplain for the police department. Brett Hetherington reports.
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Alabama-West Florida Conference
Program helping teenagers discern God's callMONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama-West Florida Conference has launched a new partnership with Huntingdon College to nurture high school students who are discerning a call to ministry. Ministry as Calling, or MAC Track, is an effort to establish a stronger culture of call across districts and at local churches. Kari Barlow has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
General Conference
Preview of proposed global Discipline onlineATLANTA — For eight years, United Methodist leaders have been trying to decide what in the denomination's Book of Discipline applies around the globe and what can be adapted by region. United Methodists can see a draft of the work with tracked changes from the current Discipline. Leaders plan to ask for feedback in 2020 before submitting their work for a vote at the 2024 General Conference.
Read press release
See draftFeedback sought on global Discipline effort
RESOURCES
Abingdon Press
Bishop's book chronicles journey to NepalNASHVILLE, Tenn. — "Wandering Into Grace," a new book by Iowa Conference Bishop Laurie Haller, looks at "wandering" as a way of life. She details how a 2018 hiking trip in Nepal gave her lessons for navigating difficult issues with grace, learning to adapt in a changing world, leading calmly and serving others with love. She encourages readers to look to God as the creator, sustainer and original wanderer.
Read press release
Mountain Sky Conference
Conference offers Daily Digital DevotionGREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — The Mountain Sky Conference is offering a Daily Digital Devotion that will continue through Pentecost. The 20-minute, early-morning program is offered via Zoom conference call and features Scripture reading, sharing and prayer.Read press release
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