“When we ground ourselves in hope, when we allow hope and not anxiety to direct our sight, then we notice that there are signs of hope around us, too.” — Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry. |
| Bishop David Wilson, president of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, leads opening worship during the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry’s joint organizational meeting on Oct. 14 at the Denman Building in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Adam Bowers, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. |
Global Ministries, Higher Ed focus on hope amid change NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Despite leaner budgets and more cuts likely, employees at two key United Methodist agencies need to forge on with hope rather than anxiety, said Roland Fernandes, the leader of both. During the Oct. 14-17 joint board meeting of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries, budgets were approved, a $17 million fundraising campaign was announced and Fernandes emphasized that both boards need to prioritize helping the church, not protecting turf. Jim Patterson reports. |
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United Methodists killed in Congo shipwreck
MINOVA, Congo (UM News) — A mother of eight and active United Methodist was among the 34 victims of a shipwreck in the eastern part of Congo. Her 9-month-old baby also died. The United Methodist Church in Goma mourned Pascaline Mulindwa’s death, praising her commitment and faith, while Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda called for prayer and support for the bereaved families. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Help kids explore the mystery of communion
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Children who attend worship services regularly are likely to see or participate in communion often, but explaining what it’s about to them can be challenging. Describing it as the body and blood of Christ might even be scary for some children. Laura Buchanan speaks with United Methodist children’s book author Glenys Nellist, who has two new books to help parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers and others explain the sacraments and their importance.
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North Georgia Conference
North Georgia clergy celebrate baby boom
ATLANTA — More than 10 North Georgia United Methodist clergy families (and counting) have welcomed babies in recent months. “Preacher’s kids,” or PKs as churchgoers lovingly call them, hold a special place in the heart of the church and United Methodist connection at every age. Sybil Davidson reports on the new bundles of joy and shares five ideas for what to expect when your pastor is expecting.
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Upper New York Conference
Church aids hundreds of immigrants
CLAY, N.Y. — More than 700 Guatemalan immigrants were welcomed through the doors of Faith Journey United Methodist Church this past summer. The church served as a consulate for the New York State Immigration Coalition. The two-day event allowed some Guatemalan immigrants to begin the process of becoming legal U.S. citizens. Beth Jordan has the story.
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California-Pacific Conference
Remembering Hispanic ministry leader
SANTA PAULA, Calif. — Albino Rivera Pineda, who led Hispanic ministries for the California-Pacific Conference for eight years and served on the board of United Methodist Global Ministries, died last month at age 100. Pineda was an active member of El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church, serving in various lay roles including Sunday school teacher, chair of the official board and church historian.
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Read conference statement
World Council of Churches
Celebrating the life of liberation theology founder
GENEVA — Peruvian theologian the Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, the father of the social justice-centered liberation theology, died Oct. 22 at age 96. The World Council of Churches offered a remembrance, giving thanks for his life and work. The Rev. Jerry Pillay, the council’s top executive, described Gutiérrez as “an outstanding theologian and pastor in the Latin American context whose contributions have impacted many parts and people in the world.”
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Digest change next week
There will no Digest on Monday, Oct. 28, so the UM News team can attend a staff retreat. Due to the change, we will produce a special edition Tuesday Digest next week in addition to our regular Wednesday and Friday Digests. |
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| UM News includes in the 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. |
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| | Discipleship Ministries
Insights for churches regarding property insurance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Insurance for church property is becoming costlier, says Ken Sloane, director of stewardship and generosity for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. Reasons include climate change, insurance companies that are skittish about providing coverage and the deferring of maintenance by churches because of money issues.
Read commentary |
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| Duke Clergy & Religion Research Collaborative
Love thy neighbor with loving kindness
DURHAM, N.C. — In the midst of this polarizing time, the Duke Clergy & Religion Research Collaborative is rolling out a series of stories about how clergy are building compassion and reducing stress through Loving Kindness Meditation. The resource also offers brief scripts that can be used in prayer, worship, community gatherings or wherever an added dose of mercy is needed.
View resource |
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| | Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News |
Korean United Methodists support missionaries
LOS ANGELES (UM News) — The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries signed a mission covenant that reaffirms Korean United Methodists’ commitment to supporting 140 global missionaries financially for at least the next three years. That represents a financial gift totaling more than $500,000. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports. |
| | Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News |
Summit spotlights mass incarceration, redemption
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (UM News) — Story after story of the heartaches caused by mass incarceration in the United States were leavened by tales of redemption — former inmates now thriving in the outside world — during the National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice. Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century organized the biennial event. Jim Patterson has the story. |
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Photo by Klaus Ulrich Ruof
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Observing Reformation Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Reformation Sunday appears on the United Methodist Program Calendar on the last Sunday of October. The day is an observance of the anniversary of Martin Luther’s purported posting of 95 theses for debate on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. The Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards of Ask The UMC offers some history on Reformation Day and how United Methodists can observe the day based on their own heritage. |
| | Screenshot courtesy United Methodist Communications |
Congregation shows love to neighbors in need
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many church buildings sit empty six days a week. City Road Chapel United Methodist in Madison is not one of them. This congregation of mostly retirees has opened its hearts and church campus to provide hot meals, housing and hygiene ministries. Longtime church member Faye Brown says, “When people come here, they are loved and welcomed.” United Methodist Communications produced a video highlighting the church’s many ministries. |
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