NEWS AND FEATURES
Dakotas Conference feels pain of COVID-19
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (UM News) — Clergy of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church are expert witnesses to just how much illness and death COVID-19 has brought to their states — and to how congregations have stepped up their ministry in response. Sam Hodges reports.
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Group pursues liberation within denomination
BOSTON (UM News) — As one progressive group is starting a new denomination, another new group is planning to work for justice while also staying United Methodist. Heather Hahn reports on the Liberation Project.
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Ask The UMC
Does Christmas have roots in pagan beliefs?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The assertion that Christmas is merely a "Christianized" pagan holiday simply isn't true, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications. In his book "The Origins of the Liturgical Year," Thomas Talley shows that Dec. 25 was celebrated in the early church by the third century and suggests a North African rather than Roman origin for the feast and its dating.
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Filipinos debate, approve extension of bishops' terms
MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — After heated debate, the Philippines Central Conference's coordinating council voted to extend the episcopal leadership of the country's three incumbent bishops through the end of 2021. Extending the bishops' terms sparked controversy over the authority of the Philippines Central Conference as an independent body and on whether the action violates church law. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
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Feeding people is complicated, joyful
INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. (UM News) — The journey of donated potatoes from the farm of former NFL player Jason Brown to the potato soup that ended up on Lindsey Whitley's dinner table required the cooperation of an oceanographer, United Methodist churches and volunteers, with the Society of St. Andrew coordinating. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Read more UM News: Food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic
Cooped up by pandemic, entrepreneurs turn to chickens
MASVINGO, Zimbabwe (UM News) — In a year dominated by COVID-19, food insecurity and other crises, some United Methodists are celebrating booming business ventures and new career opportunities for women. Kudzai Chingwe and Chenayi Kumuterera have the story.
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Don't be a phishing victim
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Scam artists are targeting United Methodists with emails that try to extract personal information or infect computers and networks with viruses. One email making the rounds is a classic pyramid scheme, asking for a contribution and promising that much more money will be returned to them. Jim Patterson reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Answering the call to feed others
HOUSTON — Bridging for Tomorrow, which originated as an outreach ministry at Faithbridge United Methodist Church, never intended to be a mega food bank. But with help from United Methodist volunteers, the nonprofit is serving the increased needs for food in its community. Crystal Caviness has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Addressing special needs during a pandemic
MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Through a food ministry partnership, members of First United Methodist Church discovered that homeless and disabled families were living in terrible conditions at a local hotel and took action. Several New Jersey congregations have expanded their outreach as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Heather Mistretta reports.
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Star Tribune
Churches launch 10-year 'truth and reparation' plan
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Council of Churches has launched a statewide "truth and reparation" initiative. The council's 25 member denominations, including The United Methodist Church, want to educate Minnesotans about the state's — and the churches' — difficult histories with African Americans and Native Americans. They hope to heal the deep, lingering wounds and develop forms of reparation. Jean Hopfensperger reports.
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Holston Conference
Hiwassee campus sold to Bruderhof
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. — Bruderhof, an international Christian communal organization, purchased the Hiwassee College campus for an undisclosed sum. The United Methodist-related college closed in May 2019 for financial reasons. Annette Spence has the story.
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Missouri Conference
Country church goes big with Christmas lights
JASPER, Mo. — Peter Frost began doing his Christmas lights extravaganza at small, rural Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church a decade ago. He has expanded over the years from 5,000 to 250,000 lights. Last year the display drew 4,000 visitors, and big, drive-thru crowds are expected again.
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Duke Today
Shining light on sermon archive
DURHAM, N.C. — Faculty at Duke Divinity School contributed to the recently launched Living Tradition webpages, which serve as an introduction to the Duke Chapel Recordings digital archive. The archive contains more than 3,000 videos, audio recordings and manuscripts of sermons given at Duke Chapel.
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Explore Living Tradition
Missouri Conference
Churches helping single mothers
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A ministry called The Caring People, which brings together single mothers for support, is working in nine Missouri United Methodist churches. Programs are under development at five more churches. The Caring People tries to let single moms know they are not alone and helps them nurture friendships, organizers said.
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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 Alabama-West Florida, California-Pacific, New England, Northern Illinois, Oregon-Idaho, Rio Texas and Wisconsin.
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PRESS RELEASES
The Upper Room
New nonprofit takes on retreats for middle schoolers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Upper Room has granted ownership of its Discovery Weekend program to N2Discovery Inc., a new nonprofit ministry with a mission of growing young disciples. Discovery Weekend is a spiritual formation retreat program designed for middle school students. The Rev. Michael Ratliff, former executive at Discipleship Ministries, is N2Discovery president.
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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.
Florida Conference
Laity are needed in this strange Advent season
ORLANDO, Fla. — With clergy facing the challenge of being pastors in a pandemic, Alice Williams says laity's work matters more than ever. The lay leader of the Florida Conference writes about how laypeople can lead in this Advent season and the challenging days ahead.
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RESOURCES
Methodist Church in Britain
Evangelism in a digital world
LONDON — The Methodist Church in Britain has developed downloadable guides and other resources to help churches use the internet and social media as digital tools for evangelism.
See resources
Lake Junaluska, Florida Conference
Retreat center performances go online
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — With the pandemic keeping folks at home, the Lake Junaluska Singers are putting their Christmas and other seasonal music online. The Florida Conference has compiled links to the Lake Junaluska Singers 2020 performances at the United Methodist retreat center.
Where to watch
United Methodist Insurance Program
Agency provides insurance-buying guide
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Insurance Program has put together a buying guide to help congregations choose adequate insurance coverage for the risks they face. The program is part of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination's finance agency.
To download Insurance Buying Guide
PDF of Insurance Buying Guide
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