NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches inject energy into vaccine access
VINCENNES, Ind. (UM News) — While supplies are still limited, United Methodist congregations are doing what they can to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccines, especially among underserved communities. That includes serving as distribution sites. Heather Hahn reports, and Mike DuBose has photos.
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Blind man's memoir sparks Advent sermons
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — The Rev. Bob Long found material for an entire Advent sermon series in "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend," the memoir of Sanford Greenberg. Long, pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, and Greenberg, a blind Jewish philanthropist and college roommate of Art Garfunkel, have since become friends. Sam Hodges reports.
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Church sees surge in giving at year's end
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Giving to denomination-wide ministries was better than the worst of the pandemic's projections, according to preliminary figures from the General Council on Finance and Administration. However, The United Methodist Church still faces financial strains. Heather Hahn reports.
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Discipleship's top executive battles cancer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Junius B. Dotson, the top executive of Discipleship Ministries, told his staff and board on Jan. 28 that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He also said he would continue to work as he fights the disease. Heather Hahn reports.
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Ask The UMC
When did the church start celebrating Ash Wednesday?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17 this year) begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Although Ash Wednesday has ancient roots, it does not appear in the rituals of The United Methodist Church or its predecessor denominations until the 20th century. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on Ash Wednesday.
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Texas Conference
Pastor's pastime is roller derby
SILSBEE, Texas — The Rev. Sadie Brink, pastor of First United Methodist Church, found a new set of friends and opportunities for evangelism by joining a roller derby team. Though currently sidelined by the pandemic, she’s had parishioners come and cheer her on. Lindsay Peyton reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
New Lenten study offers hope
FULTON, Md. — "Reclaiming and Living Covenant," a new adult Lenten study published by the Baltimore-Washington Conference, is a deep dive into biblical covenant and hope that can lead to reconnecting relationships. That's according to its two authors, who say the study is designed to help people on their spiritual journey toward Easter. Erik Alsgaard has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Busy Sundays for licensed local pastor
CANDO, N.D. — Pastor Rick Craig rises at 5 a.m. to travel 80 miles each Sunday to lead worship services in three churches in North Dakota. The licensed local pastor also posts a sermon online each week for those who can't make it to services. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Iowa Conference
Brad Kiesey, bishop's husband, dies
IOWA CITY, Iowa — D. Bradley Kiesey, husband of retired Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey, died Jan. 27 after an eight-month battle with cancer. The bishop led both the Dakotas Conference and what is now the Michigan Conference. Her husband was a lawyer. Iowa Area Bishop Laurie Haller shares a remembrance.
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Read obituary
COVID-19 deaths complicate pastors' calling
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — With COVID-19 deaths on the rise in Zimbabwe, pastors are trying to balance conducting funerals with the ever-present danger of contracting the virus. "This new wave of the pandemic has brought fear and discomfort to the life and ministry of pastors," said the Rev. Oscar Mukahanana, Harare East District superintendent. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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Western North Carolina Conference
Hen ministry helps fight poverty
PINEY CREEK, N.C. — Piney Creek United Methodist Church heads up Hens from Heaven, which aims to help people fly the coop of systemic poverty. Not only does the ministry use its eggs to feed hungry people, but it also aims to help people in the community start henhouses of their own. The Rev. David Serven has the story.
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West Ohio Conference
Retirement leads clergy spouse to ministry
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — After her pastor husband retired, Kathy Moore became a certified lay minister and now leads workshops and serves as liturgist at least once a month at local churches. She believes God set aside this season of her life for service.
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The Baltimore Sun
Cleaning up African American graves
DEALE, Md. — Elinor Thompson has started cleaning a cemetery and marking possible unmarked graves along the way. The African American cemetery is owned by Franklin United Methodist Church, and tombstones have dates ranging from 1842 to 1982. Donovan Conaway reports on efforts to salvage the cemetery and preserve a bit of U.S. and Methodist history.
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Southern Living
Ministry feeds thousands each week
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — A volunteer operation that feeds 20,000 individuals each week started out with a chance encounter at a grocery store. For four years, Collierville United Methodist Church's "Gleaning Ministry" has been redistributing fruits, vegetables and other perishable foods donated by area grocers to food-challenged populations. Meghan Overdeep has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops plan to meet Feb. 18
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Council of Bishops plans to have a one-day virtual meeting of the more than 150 active and retired bishops at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 18. The bishops will discuss the global denomination's current situation and reflect on the mission and ministry of the church amid the pandemic.
Read press release
Duke Today
Leadership change at Duke Divinity
DURHAM, N.C. — The Rev. L. Gregory Jones will step down as dean of United Methodist Duke Divinity School at the end of the academic year. Jones has been named president of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rev. Edgardo Colón-Emeric will begin a two-year term as Duke Divinity dean on July 1.
Read Duke press release
Read Belmont press release
Commission on the Status and Role of Women
COSROW moves into shared space with conference
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women has moved into shared office space with the Northern Illinois Conference in an effort to be good stewards amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The relocation to a smaller space within the Chicago Temple allows the agency to share the cost of equipment and services. "We are working to be a 'nimble' agency, with the bonus of getting to share space with colleagues in ministry," said Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive.
Read press release
Global Ministries
Call for solidarity with Mozambique
ATLANTA — Cyclones, flooding and civil unrest are destabilizing the African nation of Mozambique, and the top executive of United Methodist Global Ministries is calling for prayers and other signs of solidarity. Thousands of citizens have been displaced, said Roland Fernandes, who also heads the United Methodist Committee on Relief, in a statement.
Read statement
Donate to UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery
World Council of Churches
Denouncing the military coup in Myanmar
GENEVA — In a pastoral letter to the churches and people of Myanmar, the World Council of Churches and Christian Conference of Asia expressed alarm and great sadness after the country's military seized power in a coup. "We urge a swift and peaceful return to the path of democracy, and appeal for the human rights and freedoms," the letter says.
Read letter (PDF)
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.
UM & Global
Vaccines won't save General Conference
ATLANTA — The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines is not enough to save an in-person General Conference this year, writes David W. Scott, director of mission theology for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. With the vaccines' slow rollout, especially in Africa, and the emergence of new variants to the virus, he urges the church to look at alternatives.
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Reaping a whirlwind: We ignore truth at our peril
DOWAGIAC, Mich. (UM News) — In light of the U.S. Capitol insurrection and growing divisions within the country, the Rev. Christopher P. Momany writes that as the church, "we should all commit to confessing ways we have allowed our preconceived notions to cloud our reception of God’s truth."
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RESOURCES
Council of Bishops, US Jurisdictions
Webinar planned for delegates
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops and jurisdictional leaders plan to hold a webinar for U.S. General Conference and jurisdictional delegates at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 13. The event will include presentations on the Episcopal Fund, the Jurisdictional Study Committee report and General Conference options. The webinar can be viewed on ResourceUMC.org.
To watch webinar
UM News: What goes into funding bishops?
Finance and Administration, Wespath
New Paycheck Protection Program resources
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With a fresh round of U.S. Paycheck Protection Program loans available, United Methodist financial leaders have updated information for ministries considering applying. The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination's finance agency, and Wespath Benefits & Investments, the denomination's pension agency, answer frequently asked questions.
Read FAQ
Read guidance for loan-forgiveness applications
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