NEWS AND FEATURES
Retired pastor's home lost to tornado
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Jackie Wheeler, a 74-year-old retired United Methodist elder still serving a rural church, lost his home in a March 3 tornado. Cookeville and surrounding Putnam County suffered 18 fatalities in the storms that also swept through Nashville. Sam Hodges reports.
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Tennessee tornadoes damage churches
Read Bishop McAlilly's statement
Local church options under separation plans
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — Depending on the outcome of the 2020 General Conference, local churches could have painful decisions to make. Delegates will look at several proposals that split the church along traditional, progressive and centrist lines. Under any of those plans, local churches would only need to vote if they disagree with the alignment chosen by their annual conference. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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LGBTQ advocates see hope for church futureNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists at the Reconciling Ministries Network convocation expect a proposed denominational separation will reduce harm to LGBTQ church members and their allies. They also expressed a desire to remain in the denomination for the long haul. Heather Hahn reports.Read story
The difficult process of church restartsWINTER PARK, Fla. (UM News) — A church that is fast losing attendance has two choices, according to a church restart expert. It can become a "hospice church" until there are no members left, or take dramatic steps to recruit new, younger members. Aloma United Methodist Church is taking the latter approach. Jim Patterson has the story.Read story
Church responds to Zimbabwe hunger crisisHARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Zimbabwe is facing acute food shortages caused by persistent droughts and economic turmoil. The United Nations' World Food Program estimates that half the population is facing food insecurity. The church is responding to help affected United Methodists in rural and urban communities. Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai Chingwe report.Read story
Michigan Conference
Watch special session on protocol petition
ALBION, Mich. — The Michigan Conference plans to vote March 7 on whether to forward to the 2020 General Conference legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, a proposal for separating The United Methodist Church. The session will be livestreamed on the conference's Facebook page.
Learn more
Watch livestream
United Methodist caregivers reflect on EbolaBUKAVU, Congo (UM News) — Doctors and nurses at United Methodist hospitals gathered to reflect on the Ebola epidemic and look for ways to make prevention efforts more effective. The meeting came as the 18-month outbreak showed signs of slowing and fears about coronavirus mounted. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports.
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Sierra Leone prison ministry advocates for inmatesFREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — Mariatu Kogbaka was prepared to die in prison for her crime. Then the Sierra Leone Conference's prison ministry showed up and encouraged her and other inmates to hope for freedom. Kogbaka was pardoned last year partly thanks to the lobbying, advocacy and collaboration of the church group. Phileas Jusu reports.
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North Texas Conference
Finding common ground with refugee kidsDALLAS — Each year, Lori Cousino has her fourth-grade class at Wesley Prep do a "common ground experiment," where they get to know people outside their community. This year, the students befriended refugee children and collaborated on making an inspirational book. And the Wesley students, whose school is part of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, wrote the Texas governor, protesting his decision to keep the state out of the refugee resettlement program.
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Arkansas Conference
Church to host garden for veteransNORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, Amboy United Methodist Church will be home to a new community garden specifically developed for the betterment of veterans who live in the area. "Because this project involved both food and veterans, I jumped on it," said the Rev. Candace Barron, pastor at Amboy and an Army veteran. Caleb Hennington has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
Churches reach out with financial literacy classesPOOLER, Ga. — Nick Fletcher, a father of two with one on the way, wants more financial stability. He is among hundreds of participants who gather each week at a handful of South Georgia United Methodist churches that offer curriculum to teach financial well-being. Kara Witherow has the story.Read story
Michigan Conference
New covenant for Michigan and LiberiaLANSING, Mich. — A covenant between the Michigan Conference and Liberian United Methodists affirms years of partnerships and pledges more of the same. Half the state — the former Detroit Conference — has been engaged in such a partnership with Liberia. The new agreement, authorized by the first session of the new conference last June, will involve United Methodists around the entire state. Kay DeMoss reports.
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Missouri Conference
Program for single mothers expandsCOLUMBIA, Mo. — A ministry to help single mothers has expanded from one to four churches since being founded in 2006 at Buckner United Methodist Church. The Baby Grace program gives away supplies such as diapers and clothing, and also develops supportive relationships with clients.
Read storyRead about Baby Grace Camp
South Georgia Conference
With father's help, pastor walks where Jesus didWARWICK, Ga. — As the Rev. Jonathan Fuller followed Jesus' footsteps during a recent Holy Land pilgrimage, one person was always a step behind: his father, Robert Fuller. The pastor, who has a degenerative disease, said his father's love made the pilgrimage possible. Kara Witherow has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
What to do about the coronavirusNASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists concerned about the coronavirus can take some precautions during church gatherings and mission work. Frequent hand-washing, keeping distance from people who are sneezing or coughing and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth are some of the suggestions.
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Florida Conference
Pastor-lawyer helps immigrantsMIAMI — The Rev. Janet Horman is a pastor and an immigration lawyer. For now she's concentrating on her legal career as the director of Florida Justice For Our Neighbors. The United Methodist immigration ministry provides free or low-cost legal service to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Ed Scott has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
UMW legislative day tackles variety of issuesCOLUMBIA, S.C. — Attendees at the South Carolina United Methodist Women's annual Legislative Advocacy Day heard about a number of issues, including education reform, voter rights and the economics of poverty, but one of the most compelling may have been a talk on mass incarceration. Jessica Brodie reports.
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Africa University
AU priorities include international student recruitmentMUTARE, Zimbabwe — Africa University's emphasis on female leadership and diversity is a catalyst of peace and development for Africa, North Katanga Area Bishop Mande Muyombo said in a statement issued by the university’s board of directors after its February meeting.
Read statement
Chicago Sun-Times
Pastor turned prominent religion reporter has diedNAPERVILLE, Ill. — Roy Larson, 90, a former United Methodist pastor turned prominent religion reporter, died Feb. 25 at a senior community. The former Chicago Sun-Times religion editor famously investigated then-Cardinal John Cody in the 1980s for corruption. Maureen O'Donnell has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
SBC21 names new national directorNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Michael L. Bowie Jr., who currently serves in the North Texas Conference as senior pastor of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, has been named the new national executive director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. Bowie will succeed the Rev. Fred Allen, who retired in December.
Read press release
General Council on Finance and Administration
Funds for General Conference, Episcopal FundNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The finance agency board voted to recommend to General Conference that part of the Permanent Fund could be used to provide funding for General Conference-related expenses and any emergency needs of the Episcopal Fund. The General Council on Finance and Administration board took the action during a meeting by conference call on Feb. 28.
Read press release
Church and Society
Using relationships to address povertyORLANDO, Fla. — The root causes of poverty were addressed during Rooted in Relationship, a three-day gathering hosted by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Experts in relationship-based justice ministries connected to share resources and what they learned.Read press release
Commission on General Conference
Public health awareness at GC2020MINNEAPOLIS — The Commission on the General Conference's executive committee is monitoring developments in the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and will collaborate with public health authorities regarding any recommended safety precautions to reduce exposure to or transmission of the virus when the 2020 General Conference meets May 5-15.
Read press release
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.
Greater Northwest Area
Keep communities healthy during LentDES MOINES, Wash. — The news of the spread of the coronavirus is occurring as the Lenten season begins, meaning people will gather in churches, sit close, join hands in prayer and give hugs. In her "Bishop's Blog," Greater Northwest Area Bishop Elaine Stanovsky encourages everyone to observe advice on how to prevent the spread of the virus.
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UM & Global
Departing annual conference, remaining local churchesATLANTA — Annual conferences have important roles to play in managing the assets held by local churches — about 90% of all United Methodist assets, writes David W. Scott. In the latest of his series on United Methodist assets, Scott addresses the complexity of the relationship between annual conferences and local churches concerning property.
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Annual conferences and jurisdictions
Local church assets
United Theological Seminary
Millard: 'Trust God no matter what'DAYTON, Ohio — For seminary students, learning how to submit to God's call and wisdom for their lives is a pivotal part of their educational experience. Those anxious over the future of The United Methodist Church might want to do the same, writes the Rev. Kent Millard, United Theological Seminary president.
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Florida Conference
Cuba sister church affiliations recommendedLAKELAND, Fla. — Joining forces with a Cuban Methodist church can revitalize an American church and ignite its members' energy and passion, says freelance writer Colleen Hart.
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RESOURCES
Ask The UMC
Comparing plans headed to GC2020NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has updated its chart outlining denomination restructuring plans to be considered at the 2020 General Conference. The update includes additional details from the legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.View chart
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