NEWS AND FEATURES
Virtual worship is here for good
EL PASO, Texas (UM News) — If there's a positive side to the coronavirus for churches, it's that many of them have dramatically upped their game online. Internet responsibilities have increased the workload of pastors, who will get even busier as churches return to normal after the pandemic eases. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Wheelchairs provide freedom for 50 Liberians
KAKATA, Liberia (UM News) — Alice M. Nyankolor said her new wheelchair is a blessing that offers her a sense of independence. She is among 50 recipients of new wheelchairs shipped by Asbury United Methodist Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, through its Barrels of Love ministry and United Methodist partnerships. E Julu Swen has the story.
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Missouri Conference
Pastoring while COVID-19 positive
COLUMBIA, Mo. — More than a dozen Missouri Conference clergy serving local churches have contracted COVID-19. A few of those shared their experiences with Fred Koenig, conference publications editor.
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United Methodist Communications
Disasters bring people together
ATLANTA — Disaster victims and relief workers showed resilience in 2020 as church buildings and members were knocked around by wildfires, derechos, hurricanes and tornadoes. Roland Fernandes, top executive of United Methodist Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, said the struggles helped bring people together. Jim Patterson reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Church builds house for formerly incarcerated
SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. — One church is donating more than $230,000 to build a fully furnished house where people released from prison can live while they get their lives back on track. Advent United Methodist Church raised the funds through its 2020 Love Your Neighbor As Yourself Challenge, which encouraged people to cut their Christmas spending in half and give the other half to a Christmas Eve offering. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Africa University, Discipleship Ministries
Africa University choir founder dies at 83
MUTARE, Zimbabwe — Patrick Matsikenyiri, song leader, hymn writer and world-renowned teacher of African music, died suddenly Jan. 15 of complications related to COVID-19. He was 83. Among other contributions, Matsikenyiri established Africa University's music education program and choir. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has a remembrance.
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Read Discipleship Ministries tribute
Holston Conference
Young man crosses racial, linguistic divides
SWEETWATER, Tenn. — Cam Belk has an African American mother and a white father. The United Methodist works in a Mexican restaurant where he speaks Spanish most of the day, and he has dreams of using his language skills as a missionary. Annette Spence profiles a college student who is trying to expand his world and that of others.
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South Carolina Conference
Take-out ministry connects seniors
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. — Wesley United Methodist Church's Temple Take-Out Ministry, established in 2016, is keeping seniors 65 and older both fed and connected in this time of pandemic. The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
United Methodists turn container into clinic
HAZLEHURST, Ga. — Working with the Rev. Bobby Gale of Unto the Least of His ministry, Hazlehurst First United Methodist Church's youth group has built an obstetrics and gynecology clinic out of a shipping container. The clinic is bound for Ghana. Kara Witherow has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Holistic health around the world
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the first "Get Your Spirit in Shape" episode of 2021, Kathleen Griffith of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries reminds people to care for their whole selves — mind, body and spirit. Griffith also shares how the agency's Abundant Health Initiative met its ambitious goal of reaching 1 million children with lifesaving intervention.
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Minnesota Conference
Youth group combats racism
BURBANK, Calif. — Members of the youth group at Magnolia Park United Methodist Church shared their experiences with racism and raised money for anti-racism efforts through the Minnesota Conference's "Just Love" campaign as a way of processing their feelings after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Christa Meland has the story.
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United Methodist Women
With grant, Sierra Leone pigpen expands
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — One of four recent projects to receive an economic development grant from United Methodist Women, a piggery in Sierra Leone's Kono District is expanding. Keziah Kargbo has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Creating change when stuck in sameness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest episode of the "Compass Podcast," Tony Caldwell, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, discusses resilience and how to identify ways we can move forward in hope when so many of our circumstances feel stuck in sameness.
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CNN
Pastor's move highlights challenges moms face
SEATTLE — The Rev. Meredith Dodd, an elder in the Pacific Northwest Conference, was interviewed for a segment that aired on CNN considering the strain the pandemic places upon parents and the uneven impact on mothers. Dodd shares her personal decision to set aside her local church appointment to care for her children. Bianna Golodryga and Meridith Edwards report.
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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 is Florida.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Publishing House
More job cuts at Publishing House
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House continues to see sharply reducing sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting another 32 layoffs. After the current reduction, the agency will have 161 staff, down from about 300 at the beginning of 2020. The self-supporting agency has taken other cost-cutting measures while also responding to churches' online curriculum needs, including offering new Lenten and vacation Bible school products. The Publishing House's Nashville, Tennessee, headquarters remains up for sale.
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Publishing House among pandemic victims
Duke Divinity School
Duke adds hybrid M.Div. program
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke Divinity School has announced a new hybrid program that will let students earn a Master of Divinity degree without relocating to the Durham campus. Duke Divinity, a United Methodist seminary, also has added 12 scholarships — covering up to 100% of tuition — for students committed to ministry.
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RESOURCES
Candler School of Theology
Marking Ash Wednesday safely
ATLANTA — With COVID-19 still a threat, worship leaders are urging increased caution in observing Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17. An ecumenical team convened by three United Methodists, two of them from Candler School of Theology, produced a six-page guide to reduce health risks as Christians mark the start of Lent. The guide draws on a range of experts, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
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United Methodist Communications
New Bible studies for new year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The beginning of a new year is a popular time to dive into a new Bible study, as is Lent, which is coming up Feb. 17. Crystal Caviness offers an overview of 10 new Bible studies from the United Methodist Publishing House that are useful for small groups or individual study.
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Wespath, Publishing House
Saving Grace offers guide on personal finances
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath Benefits and Investments and the United Methodist Publishing House have released "Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being," a new personal money-management curriculum guided by Wesleyan values that seeks to promote financial wellness with clergy and laity. Resources are available through the Publishing House's online platform, AmplifyMedia.com. They also can be purchased on Cokesbury.com and Amazon.com.
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To see videos
To order Saving Grace curriculum
United Methodist Communications
Using hashtags effectively for engagement
LOS ALTOS, Calif. — Hashtags, those words or phrases with a tic-tac-toe symbol at the front, are where social engagement happens. The goal is to capture the theme or idea behind an event or topic in one or two words. The Rev. Jeremy Steele, associate pastor at Los Altos United Methodist Church, offers some best practices.
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