NEWS AND FEATURES
A new Friday Digest
In order to streamline our news delivery and enhance our service to you, United Methodist News is merging the Friday Daily Digest and the Weekly Digest. Beginning on April 23, the single Friday Digest will combine the best of the Daily and Weekly digests, providing new stories, press releases and commentaries, as well as the top stories from the past week. If you already are subscribed to the Daily or Weekly emails, you will automatically receive the new Friday Digest. If at any point you would like to opt out, you can use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. We hope you enjoy the new Friday edition.
Racial diversity linked to church growth
WACO, Texas (UM News) — A new Baylor University-led study of more than 20,000 United Methodist churches in the U.S. found that multiracial churches had higher worship attendance over time. Churches such as Garfield Memorial in Ohio and CityWell in North Carolina show those findings in action. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
Clergyman takes on QAnon through podcast
UNIONTOWN, Ohio (UM News) — The Rev. Derek Kubilus says QAnon and other conspiracy theories amount to a "mind virus" affecting individuals, families and congregations. Kubilus, pastor of Uniontown United Methodist Church, launched his own podcast to address QAnon. That led to an appearance on "60 Minutes." Sam Hodges reports.
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Virginia church contemplates racism in the ranks
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (UM News) — Anonymous letters criticizing the appearance of an African associate pastor have led to self-reflection for a Virginia congregation and a "Do Not Harm" campaign seeking changes in The United Methodist Church. The hairstyle, clothing and accessories of the Rev. Chenda Innis Lee became an issue at Fairlington United Methodist Church. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: Renewed vigor in the fight against racism
Western North Carolina Conference
Church brings Easter joy to motel
ELLENSBORO, N.C. — This winter, Oak Grove United Methodist Church started a feeding ministry at a local motel after learning it was home to several families struggling to make ends meet. For the Easter season, the church decided to bring some extra joy — an Easter basket for each of the 40 children residing at the motel. Aimee Yeager has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
Bringing books to jails, prisons
HAYS, Kan. — Sarah Broman Miller, who teaches at Fort Hays State University, is on a quest to bring more books to jails, prisons and addiction recovery centers across Kansas. She's had book donations from Hays First United Methodist Church, and she's tapping other United Methodist churches, too. David Burke reports.
Read story
Restructuring legislation gets a hearing
MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Nearly 300 Filipino United Methodists joined a virtual conversation to talk about the Christmas Covenant and other plans for the future of The United Methodist Church. The drafters of the legislation are leading the webinars in the Philippines, Africa and Europe about their proposal for changing the denomination's global structure. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read story
Collierville United Methodist Church
Remembering the Rev. David Atkinson
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. David Atkinson "loved the church, loved God and wanted to be the best pastor to any church he served," said his longtime friend, the Rev. Sky McCracken. Collierville United Methodist Church has a remembrance of its senior pastor and veteran General Conference marshal, who died April 7 due to complications from COVID-19.
Read remembrance
United Methodist Men
Gil Hanke plans to retire before year's end
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gil Hanke, top executive of United Methodist Men since 2010, announced that he plans to retire before the end of 2021. Before leading the agency, Hanke was president of the Texas Conference United Methodist Men. Rich Peck has written a profile of Hanke's ministry.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
Easter lilies bring hope to homebound
ROCK HILL, S.C. — People unable to leave their homes because of illness or other issues got some springtime cheer courtesy of an Easter lily delivery project led by the South Carolina Conference's Rock Hill District. "People are hungry for ministry opportunities in the church right now that are safe, and this is just that," said the district's lay leader. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Following God's direction
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When faced with resistance, we sometimes back down, even when we believe we are doing what God has created us to do. In the latest episode of the "Get Your Spirit in Shape" podcast, the Rev. Donna Fowler-Marchant introduces some of the amazing women of the early Methodist movement who chose to follow God, even when the tradition of the day — and many of the men — said what they were doing was wrong.
Listen to podcast
Florida United Methodist Foundation
Clergy offered financial counseling
LAKELAND, Fla. — Clergy in debt can get help through the Fresh Start pilot program, which offers low-interest loans, financial counseling and education. The Rev. Candace Lewis says she used credit cards to the point she couldn't pay the bills completely each month. Now, the president and dean at Gammon Theological Seminary is reducing her debt so she can save for her retirement. Connor Murphy reports.
Read story
South Carolina Conference
Church registering people for vaccines
ROCK HILL, S.C. — For people without computer access, making an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine has been a challenge. St. John's United Methodist Church has stepped up to help seniors and others get registered for their shots. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Michigan Conference
Group plans new center to serve kids, seniors
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A $1 million grant from the state of Michigan will help United Methodist Community House build a new facility to serve children and seniors. Plans for the 80,000-square-foot early childhood education and senior activity center include a cafe, pool, activity spaces and a chapel. Glenn W. Wagner reports.
Read story
Central Texas Conference
Pennsylvania church aids Texans after winter storm
FORT WORTH, Texas — Members of a church in York, Pennsylvania, donated $1,310 to assist survivors of record cold temperatures in Texas. Dan and Patti Hinkle of Fairmount United Methodist Church personally delivered the check, which went to help a widow who didn't have running water after 10 pipes burst in her home. The conference has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council, Southern Methodist University
Museum's entire collection heads to SMU
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The World Methodist Council announced that the entire contents of its museum will go to Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. Plans call for the collection to be transferred by May 15. The ecumenical council is also in negotiations to close its property at Lake Junaluska, its home for 65 years.
Read museum's announcement
Read Perkins School of Theology press release
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.
When one's enemy becomes one's neighbor
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — A traumatic childhood memory, repressed for 40 years, came back to force United Methodist deacon Constance Hastings to confront racism in her upbringing.
Read commentary
Read more Personal Encounters with Racism
UM & Global
Potential hollowing out of the denomination
ATLANTA — David W. Scott, mission theologian, paints a dire picture of what would happen if the coming General Conference were unable to pass major legislation such as the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation and the Christmas Covenant.
Read commentary
Michigan Conference
Reflections on a career as an ordained elder
LANSING, Mich. — After nearly half a century as an ordained elder, the Rev. John Harnish considers the changes in the role of elders over the years and how appointments are decided.
Read commentary
Hacking Christianity
Are two-tier churches on the horizon?
SEATTLE — As vaccinations against COVID-19 increase, many congregations that have been worshipping exclusively online for more than a year are making plans to return to in-person and indoor worship. While strongly supporting vaccinations, the Rev. Jeremy Smith also warns against letting those shots lead to tiered access to worship.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Native American Ministries Sunday approaches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Resources are available to help churches celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday on April 18. This Special Sunday offering helps support Native American ministries in conferences and across the denomination, including funding seminary scholarships for Native American United Methodists.
Download resources
Council of Bishops
Scholarships available for interfaith gathering
WASHINGTON — The Parliament of the World's Religions has announced that its eighth global gathering is planned for Oct. 17-18 online. The United Methodist Council of Bishops will offer scholarships to cover the cost of registration for 15 United Methodists. Scholarship applications are due May 1.
Learn more about event
Scholarship application form (PDF)
Global Ministries
Help to celebrate Earth Day
ATLANTA — Churches looking to plan a service around Earth Day, which is April 22, can download free resources from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Many churches pick a Sunday in April to mark the occasion and create awareness around environmental sustainability. The resources include an Earth Day sermon, litany and Scripture reading via video or text.
Download Earth Day materials
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