NEWS AND FEATURES
A virtual General Conference faces hurdles
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Organizers face daunting challenges in trying to hold an in-person General Conference this year, but taking the global meeting online brings its own complications. The chair of the General Conference commission recently outlined the issues facing organizers of the United Methodist legislative assembly. Heather Hahn reports.
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General agencies cutting back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Faced with an ongoing pandemic and denominational uncertainty, United Methodist general agencies are reducing staff while trying to stay true to their missions. Kathy L. Gilbert and Jim Patterson report in a two-part series.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2: Commissions, UMW adapt to new budget realities
Ask The UMC
Black women who led the way in US Methodism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In celebration of Black History and Women's History months, Ask The UMC remembers four of the pioneering Black women in U.S. Methodist history in a two-part series. Part 1 celebrates Ida Bell Wells-Barnett and Mary McLeod Bethune, while Part 2 features the Rev. Sallie A. Crenshaw and Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read more Ask The UMC
The Tennessean, WhiteHouse.gov
Meharry president named to White House task force
WASHINGTON — Dr. James Hildreth, president and chief executive officer of United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College, has been named to the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The 12-member team will provide recommendations for addressing health inequities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and for preventing such inequities in the future. Brett Kelman has the story.
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Read press release
Read Hildreth's statement
Greater New Jersey Conference
Homeless Jesus sculpture finds new home
WILDWOOD, N.J. — Visitors to the boardwalk this summer will be greeted by a 7-foot bronze sculpture depicting a homeless man sleeping on a park bench. North Wildwood United Methodist Church commissioned Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz to create a replica of his sculpture named "Homeless Jesus." The sculpture is now located in about 100 places throughout the world, including in the Vatican. Heather Mistretta reports.
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Great Plains Conference
Kansas City, Tampa rivalry helps hungry
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Buccaneers may have beaten the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, but Kansas City came out on top in another friendly competition. In honor of the championship game, United Methodist churches in Kansas City and Tampa faced off to collect the most food for the hungry. The final score: 275,269 pounds to 83,944 pounds. David Burke has the story.
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Michigan Conference
Albanian couple still takes sanctuary in church
DETROIT — When Ded Rranxburgaj and his wife, Flora, went through the doors into Central United Methodist Church in January 2018, little did they know they would still live there three years later. But even with a new presidential administration, the Albanian immigrants have reasons to remain in sanctuary. John E. Harnish has the story.
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Upper New York Conference
Church focuses on health equity
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo is one of the most racially segregated cities in the nation, with the city's east side being almost completely African American. One of the biggest problems plaguing the east side is health inequity. Knowing this, the Rev. George Nicholas, pastor at Lincoln United Methodist Church, helped create the Buffalo Center for Health Equity in 2015. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit East Buffalo hard, Nicholas sprang into action to help the community. Shannon Hodson reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Marking Ash Wednesday in a pandemic
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Medical professionals are urging that the safest way to hold an Ash Wednesday service this year is through a virtual or private household service. Philip J. Brooks reports how United Methodists have stepped up with creative ways to observe the Lenten season.
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10 ideas for a more meaningful Ash Wednesday
West Virginia Conference
Bishop presents award to Girl Scout troop
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Some of the girls made blessing boxes, little free libraries and collection bins for retired American flags. All found ways to serve their community. For that reason, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball recognized the Girl Scouts of Troop 37400, sponsored by Emmanuel United Methodist Church, with the Bishop's Award for Scouting. Audrey Stanton-Smith has the story.
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National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus
Service to mark internment of US Japanese
LOS ANGELES — A virtual service to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the executive order that led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II is set for Feb. 19. The worship at 7 p.m. U.S. Pacific time will involve clergy and laity from historically Japanese American United Methodist congregations. It is sponsored by the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus.
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World Council of Churches
Bloom reflects on news, ecumenism
NEW YORK — Linda Bloom, who recently retired after more than 30 years with United Methodist News, talked to the World Council of Churches about her journalism career. In the interview, she also reflected on memorable experiences with the ecumenical organization.
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Galveston County Daily News
Buffalo Soldier helped found congregation
DICKINSON, Texas — Faith United Methodist Church in this Texas Gulf Coast town traces its roots back to Civil War veteran and Buffalo Soldier Alex Winfield. For Black History Month, Matt deGrood reports on Winfield's contributions to what is now Galveston County.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Dialogue with Catholics leads to 2 publications
WASHINGTON — Representatives of The United Methodist Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the release of the results of their latest round of dialogue. They reported in the form of two publications about shared prayers, beliefs and recognition of each tradition's baptism.
Read press release
Download publications
Southern Methodist University
Grants help Native Americans, others
DALLAS — Efforts by United Methodist conferences to respond to the pandemic are being bolstered by more than $100,000 in grants from the Henry Luce Foundation distributed by Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is using its grant for food distribution, school aid and supplies for low-income and homeless Native Americans.
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Project Transformation
Finding a vocation in the midst of suffering
DALLAS — Project Transformation, a United Methodist-supported organization that gives young people a chance to do service and explore a call to ministry, is having a virtual event on Feb. 25. The topic: vocational discernment in the midst of suffering. The speaker is author and practical theologian Patrick Reyes.
Read more and register
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.
Good News
Primary reasons for separation
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht makes a traditionalist case for why a breakup of The United Methodist Church is needed. Lambrecht is a United Methodist clergyman and vice president of Good News, a traditionalist advocacy group within the denomination.
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AdamHamilton.com
A United Methodist centrist responds
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, argues that centrists and progressives have been mischaracterized in a column that the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht wrote recently for Good News magazine.
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The Dallas Morning News
Pregnancy as an act of hope
DALLAS — The Rev. Blair Thompson-White is expecting, and she writes that pregnancy in a troubled time like this amounts to "defiant hope." Thompson-White is director of leadership ministry for the Texas Methodist Foundation.
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United Methodist Communications
What is Christian nationalism?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christian nationalism has a long history in the United States. The Rev. Ryan Dunn talks to scholars and writes about the dangers he sees in conflating Christian and American identity. "Christian nationalism makes an idol of the nation," Dunn writes.
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Lewis Center for Church Leadership
A different approach to Black History Month
WASHINGTON — Black History Month is an opportunity to engage African American history in a way that encourages parishioners to think more deeply about their faith and race relations, writes the Rev. Doug Powe of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. He offers four ideas to help congregations approach the month differently.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
Scholarships available for United Methodist students
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The March 1 deadline is fast approaching for students to submit applications for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Applicants must be members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school full time for the 2021-22 school year.
Read press release
To apply
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Webinar series set on transgender life stories
DENVER — The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy, an advocacy group for inclusiveness in the denomination, will host a webinar series titled "Courageous Connections: Transgender Life Stories." Savannah S. Sanburg will lead the webinars from 6:30 to 8 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Feb. 25 and March 11. To register, email Sanburg at saviejoekane19@gmail.com.
See details (PDF)
To see more about UMARC
Wisconsin Conference
Reflecting on racial injustice for Lent
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — A study course to help dismantle racism is offered by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Conference. "Together in Christ: A Lenten Study on Beloved Community" includes eight sessions of prayers, lessons and discussion questions.
Read curriculum (PDF)
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