Friday Digest | Jan 05, 2024 |
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 | Thomas Webb preaching. Image from Internet Archive: "The Illustrated History of Methodism in Great Britain, America, and Australia" by W. H. Daniels. Edited from original.
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| United Methodist Communications
Unsung Heroes of Methodism: Thomas Webb | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Though Capt. Thomas Webb was one of the first Methodist preachers in America, he seemed to appear on the pages of Methodist history out of nowhere. His story is highlighted in the latest “Unsung Heroes of Methodism,” a series that tells the stories of lesser-known figures whose lives and witness still impact The United Methodist Church today. Philip J. Brooks has the story. | | | | |
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| Iowa Conference
Church holds prayer vigil after school shooting | | PERRY, Iowa — Dozens of people gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil Jan. 4 at Perry First United Methodist Church — just a few blocks from Perry High School, where a school shooting stunned the community earlier that day. A sixth-grade student was killed and five more people were injured. According to local law enforcement, the shooter, a 17-year-old student, died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound. Liz Winders and Courtney Levin report.
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| Western Pennsylvania Conference
'Radical change' transforms tiny church | | BLANDBURG, Pa. — A decade-long dream for an inclusive ministry that catered to people with special needs began in an unlikely place: a church that had dwindled down to seven members. As the ministry at Blandburg United Methodist continued to evolve, it became evident that the environment created for special-needs individuals was also welcoming to others who didn't fit into some church communities. Western Pennsylvania Conference staff report.
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| North Alabama Conference
Dentist leads a Christian mission with teeth | | JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Dr. Bruce E. Cunningham, a dentist and member of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, has trained about 20 Community Health Workers in Nigeria since 2015. He recently returned to Alabama from a trip to Nigeria, where he helped set up a dental clinic and reviewed the work of these health workers. The North Alabama Conference has the story of Cunningham’s passion for Christian mission.
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| New York Conference
Grant will enhance cooperative parish ministry
| | WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The United Methodist City Society has received a $1.25 million grant through the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The endowment will be used to enhance the organization’s partnership with the New York Conference and build upon the conference’s cooperative parish ministry model launched in 2021 as an innovative response to the issues of long-term demographic shifts, declining attendance and clergy shortages. | | | | |
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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 UM News staff. | Lewis Center for Church Leadership
7 trends affecting church leaders in 2024
| | WASHINGTON — Staff of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership identify seven trends church leaders should keep in mind in reaching new people in 2024. Many of these trends are daunting, reflecting the long-term decline in worship attendance. But the staff also see glimmers of hope. | | | | |
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| United Methodist Communications
Human Relations Day set for Jan. 14
| | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Resources are available for United Methodists to celebrate Human Relations Day, which is Jan. 14 this year. The special Sunday offering on this day benefits neighborhood ministries, community advocacy and work with at-risk teens. The goal of the giving is to help all God’s children reach their potential. | | | | |
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| | | | Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here. |
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Wednesday, Jan. 10-Friday, Jan. 12 | | |
| Monday, Jan. 8-Saturday, Jan. 27
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| NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In a world filled with uncertainty, United Methodists found creative ways to live out their faith and serve their communities in 2023. UM News photographers documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.
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United Methodists help cyclone survivors rebuild | BLANTYRE, Malawi (UM News) — With a $50,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, The United Methodist Church in Malawi is supporting communities affected by Cyclone Freddy. The March 2023 cyclone killed more than 1,000 people in the country and displaced more than 560,000. The church is providing agricultural training and equipment and helping reconstruct community infrastructure. Francis Nkhoma reports. | | |
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Ask The UMC
The path to greater regionalization | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference later this year would begin a process of greater adaptability of the Book of Discipline to fit the varying needs and opportunities of United Methodists worldwide. But even if all of the legislation brought to support this work is passed by the required margins, the effort is just the beginning, writes the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards. | | |
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United Methodist Communications, General Conference
Online orientation offered for GC2024 delegates | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In preparation for The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly this year, United Methodist Communications and the General Conference secretary will co-host a livestreamed orientation for delegates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 29 and March 1. Recordings will be available to watch after the event. General Conference is scheduled for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. | |
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