“The most important lesson we can learn is to be clear about what is truly confidential and what are things we just prefer not to tell people. Even if the news is not great, if it is not confidential, it ought to be shared.” — The Rev. Andy Call, chair of the General Conference commission. |
| Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News |
General Conference leaders start afreshCHARLOTTE, N.C. — The General Conference commission, with new leaders and largely new membership, began its work preparing The United Methodist Church’s next legislative assembly in 2028 with promises of more transparency. The group also heard an update on the ratification process for regionalization and other amendments to the denomination’s constitution. Heather Hahn reports. |
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Holston Conference
Lake Junaluska hosts emergency workers
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Seven weeks after Hurricane Helene threatened the future of Lake Junaluska, the grounds and facilities not only escaped catastrophe but claimed an epic new chapter in its 111-year-old story. The United Methodist conference center provided accommodations for 400 emergency workers. Annette Spence reports.
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Zimbabwean gets posthumous honorary ordination
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Rev. Norest Munetsi Nyakudanga is being remembered as a lay preacher of The United Methodist Church who worked tirelessly to spread the good news across the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area and beyond its borders in mission areas for over four decades. He became the first United Methodist lay member in the country to be honored with a posthumous ordination. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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Texas Conference
Church Thanksgiving Feast feeds hundreds
SPRING, Texas — For over a decade, Klein United Methodist Church has turned Thanksgiving into a celebration of generosity, community and connection. This year, the congregation expected to serve more than 1,000 people at its annual Thanksgiving Feast, an event that has grown from modest beginnings into a cherished tradition supported by church members and the broader community. Brant Mills has the story.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Sponsor an underwear drive for the unhoused
NORRISTOWN, Pa. — The Center-Philadelphia at Arch Street United Methodist Church, one of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Wholeness Centers, has been operating as a haven of grace for the unhoused in Philadelphia for more than 15 years. Since the most requested item by visitors to the shelter is clean underwear, the center is calling for churches to sponsor an underwear drive this Christmas and help unhoused neighbors stay healthy and warm. Eastern Pennsylvania Conference staff have the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Conference votes to close Embrace Church
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Dakotas Annual Conference on Nov. 23 voted to close Embrace Church as a United Methodist congregation. The conference had already made plans for the vote before the Judicial Council released its ruling that church closures are not to be used as a disaffiliation pathway. The congregation, which has not had a practice of receiving new members in more than a decade, will pay the conference $1.25 million as part of a settlement reached through mediation. Rebecca G. Trefz has the story.
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UM News: Court says season of church exits is over
Faith and Leadership
Feeding ministry keeps church united
FAIRMONT, N.C. — A food ministry in a tiny, rural town has helped Bethesda United Methodist Church stay together amid denominational divides. “There was a mission that kept us focused on something outside of the church and not inside the church,” the Rev. Ken Griswold said. Yonat Shimron has the story.
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| Claremont School of Theology
Seminary finalizes sale of campus
LOS ANGELES — The Claremont School of Theology has officially finalized the sale of its historic 16.4-acre campus in Claremont, California, marking a pivotal moment in its 138-year history. The sale, which provides $7.7 million in funds, has been used to significantly reduce the school’s debt. The United Methodist seminary is now at Westwood United Methodist Church. The sale follows a protracted legal battle stemming from a restrictive 1957 property agreement with the Claremont Colleges.
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UM News: Claremont ordered to sell campus |
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| United Methodist Communications
Daily Advent devotions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new series of devotions by the Rev. Tiffany McDonald offers inspiration and insights each day of the Advent season through Scripture, poetry, music, reflection and prayer. Take time to center yourself and prepare for the birth of Christ. You also can download and share the above Advent graphic on social media. It’s available in four languages.
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Download graphic
Join Advent Photo-a-Day Challenge |
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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. |
Deaconesses are still here — let’s invest in them, too
COLUMBUS, Ohio (UM News) — Deaconesses and home missioners are theologically and vocationally trained laypeople who commit their lives to full-time lay ministry as part of The United Methodist Church. A distinctly separate order from deacons, deaconesses and home missioners serve in a wide variety of ministries. Deaconess Dr. Katelin Hansen urges the church to celebrate all orders of church service.
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| | Photo courtesy of Dignity Memorial / Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors |
Bishop Warner remembered for humility in exile
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — After a military coup forced him out of his native Liberia, United Methodist Bishop Bennie Warner began ministry anew in the United States. He died at age 89 after serving churches in Oklahoma, New York and Arkansas. His resilience and faithfulness inspired a documentary. Heather Hahn reports. |
| Photo by the Rev. Donald E. Messer, UM News
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World AIDS Day call: ‘Put people first’
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (UM News) — At two global AIDS conferences, speakers emphasized that faith communities can play a vital role in combating the stigma attached to the disease. As churches observe World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, they can take inspiration from the theme of the gatherings to “Put People First.” The Rev. Donald E. Messer reports. |
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