NEWS AND FEATURES
Delegates discuss mapping new church vision
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In a tumultuous time for The United Methodist Church, a group of General Conference delegates sees an opportunity to map a new denominational vision. The group, called "Out of Chaos … Creation," held its second set of webinars to share some of the international feedback on what that vision might look like. Heather Hahn reports.
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Appalachian Trail chaplain shares devotional book
ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (UM News) — "Chappy Jack" Layfield served as the 2019 Appalachian Trail chaplain, a ministry of the Holston Conference. He has written a book of daily devotionals that chronicles his experiences on "the AT" and his spiritual growth as a result of the 2,200-mile hike. Video report by Joey Butler with photos by Mike DuBose.
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Chaplain nears end of '2,200 miles of ministry'
New progressive Methodist denomination starts
NEW MILFORD, Conn. (UM News) — A group of progressive United Methodists and other Christians launched a new denomination named the Liberation Methodist Connexion, or LMX. The new church aims to center the voices of people of color and queer and transgender people. Heather Hahn reports.
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Norway, Germany move to more inclusivity
FRANKFURT, Germany (UM News) — A top committee of The United Methodist Church in Germany agreed to be more open on human sexuality matters, while the Norway Conference plans to issue a public apology to LGBTQ people. Karl Anders Ellingsen and Klaus Ulrich Ruof report from Norway and Germany.
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Salvaging Christmas amid coronavirus concerns
DALLAS (UM News) — Pastors already dealing with a stressful 2020 now must lead United Methodists through the Advent and Christmas seasons while the coronavirus pandemic is reaching new heights. They're using creativity and flexibility to get it done. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Judicial Council
Top court extends deadline for briefs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has extended the deadline for the submission of all briefs related to docket items 0420-15, 16, 17 and 18, which were added recently to the pending April 2020 docket. The new deadline is Jan. 5. Because of the pandemic, the denomination's top court was unable to hold its April meeting as scheduled. Its members have started deliberating by Zoom.
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Protocol legislation tops agenda of top court
Shining a light on servanthood during pandemic
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Taurai Mhishi has been in a wheelchair for the past 34 years, but that hasn't stopped him from serving his church. With money tight due to the country's economic turmoil and COVID-19, servant leaders such as Mhishi are making a difference by lending their time and talents to the church. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
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Arkansas Conference
Small church helps its town stay afloat
ENGLAND, Ark. — England First United Methodist Church, led by the Rev. Diane Hughes, has made a point to be seen in its rural community southeast of Little Rock. Its newest ministry, a drive-thru market, is helping local businesses stay afloat. In this time of pandemic, the church is also growing. Caleb Hennington has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
Historic church grows amid pandemic
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Asbury United Methodist Church has learned a lot this year. While 2020 has had its challenges, the downtown congregation has grown and developed during this unprecedented time. The church also celebrated its 151st anniversary. Kara Witherow has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
New staff will bolster children's and youth ministry
TOPEKA, Kan. — Especially during a pandemic, those who work with children and youth may feel like they're alone in their mission. To alleviate some of that isolation, the Great Plains Conference will add five regional coordinators to help plan training events and also work on resourcing and equipping staff members. David Burke reports.
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Holston Conference
Donations help save Virginia church
BISHOP, Va. — A year ago, the Rev. Daniel Bradley went to his district superintendent with only $56 in his tiny church's bank account, afraid the church would be closed. Today, Alexander Memorial United Methodist is leading a vital meal ministry that has received $40,000 in cash donations from people in several states. Annette Spence reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Black, white congregations work to unify community
ABBEVILLE, S.C. — A Black nondenominational church and a white United Methodist church have partnered, with the goal of unifying their community and stopping division and an undercurrent of hate. The two pastors also happen to be friends. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
New Jersey church undaunted by pandemic
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. — First United Methodist Church in Williamstown was growing before the pandemic and has held together well throughout it, including keeping mission work going. Thanks to a United Methodist Communications grant for help with marketing, the rural church is poised for more growth.
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New 2020 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2020 annual conference reports. New this week are the Dakotas, Central Texas, Greater New Jersey, Missouri and North Katanga.
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Rethink Church
Video addresses 'What is God?'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Stephen Handy, lead pastor of McKendree United Methodist Church, discusses the nature of God in a new video. It is the first of a four-part series.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
Online worship permissions extended to July 31
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House is extending full permission to all churches for use of its copyrighted worship materials through July 2021. Due to the extraordinary challenges that churches face, the publisher is assuring easy access to essential worship aids.
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Perkins School of Theology
Perkins honors Underwood, Hall
DALLAS — Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University has named co-recipients for its 2020 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The Revs. Don Underwood and Sid Hall are both longtime United Methodist pastors in Texas.
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Arkansas Conference
$15 million gift for Hendrix
CONWAY, Ark. — Hendrix College has received a $15 million gift from the Windgate Foundation. It's the largest "outright" gift in the United Methodist school's history, officials said.
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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.
New England Conference
Bishop Devadhar: 'Only God knows such things'
METHUEN, Mass. — Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, New England Conference Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has been asked if he thinks "we are in the end times." People have been asking this question for centuries, he points out. It is a fear that he first heard voiced as an elementary school student in India.
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North Texas Conference
Small church is big on giving blood
MESQUITE, Texas — A 150-person congregation has become a big donor of blood for the American Red Cross. In the past eight months, St. Stephen United Methodist Church has hosted 16 blood drives, yielding 461 units of blood. The Rev. Geoffrey Moore, senior pastor, writes about how the church came to have this ministry focus.
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Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How a small church can have a big impact
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Every church, large and small, has a God-given potential to make a God-size impact. But congregations of different sizes have different challenges. The Rev. Blake Bradford, a district superintendent in the Arkansas Conference, offers ideas for how smaller churches can use their unique gifts.
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