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Bishops
Access to COVID-19 vaccines continues to be a global challenge. The Wesleyan Covenant Association is raising funds to help General Conference delegates in Africa, Eurasia and the Philippines to get the shots. But United Methodist bishops and other church leaders say the plan appears to serve an agenda and not the community as a whole. Coronavirus image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; syringe image by Arek Socha, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
Access to COVID-19 vaccines continues to be a global challenge. The Wesleyan Covenant Association is raising funds to help General Conference delegates in Africa, Eurasia and the Philippines to get the shots. But United Methodist bishops and other church leaders say the plan appears to serve an agenda and not the community as a whole. Coronavirus image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; syringe image by Arek Socha, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Bishops, others denounce WCA’s vaccine plan
Multiple United Methodist leaders, including some bishops, are raising ethical concerns about the Wesleyan Covenant Association’s plan to help General Conference delegates in Africa, Europe and the Philippines receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Latest News

Disaster Relief
Typhoon Odette caused massive damage to Surigao City in the northern part of Mindanao in the Philippines in December 2021. With many homes destroyed, people continue sheltering in local churches, day care centers, municipal buildings, schools and sports facilities. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard via Wikipedia.

Filipino churches step up after super typhoon
Church leaders and groups are reaching out to survivors after a deadly December storm killed more than 400, destroyed homes and damaged crops in the Philippines.
Faith Stories
Jay Weaver, a founding member of popular Christian band Big Daddy Weave and a lifelong United Methodist, passed away from complications of COVID-19 on Jan 2. Photo courtesy of St. Paul United Methodist Church via Facebook.

Remembering Jay Weaver of Big Daddy Weave
The lifelong United Methodist was a founding member of the popular Christian music group. He passed away due to complications from COVID-19.
Theology and Education
A 2022 edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible updates language, grammar and punctuation aimed at increasing the Bible's accuracy. Image by Canva.

Update aims to make Bible translation more accurate
A 2022 edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible updates language, grammar and punctuation aimed at increasing the Bible's accuracy.

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Multicultural Ministry
The three churches sharing Immanuel United Methodist Church’s facilities are represented in different languages on the sign in front of the church in Kenosha, Wis. The collaboration is reflected scripturally in the passage from Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Photo by the Rev. Peter Daekyu Lee.

Bilingual appointments give new life to declining Korean churches
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. César Lodiha Akoka visits with one of the widows he is assisting through his Volunteers in Mission club started at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Chenayi Kumuterera, UM News.

Pastor passes along blessings to orphans, widows
Bishops
Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Trailblazing Bishop Wilbur Choy dies at 103
Local Church
The God’s Flock children’s choir from Belmont United Methodist Church sings “Away in a Manger” during an outdoor service in 2021 at Rose Park in Nashville, Tenn. In this second Advent season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church held two Christmas Eve services, one of them outdoors. United Methodist congregations are making adjustments to keep parishioners safe as the omicron variant surges. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Churches face another test with omicron
Church History
Students work in the chemistry laboratory at Wiley College, in Marshall, Texas, one of the 11 historically Black colleges and universities related to The United Methodist Church. The African American Methodist Heritage Center, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021, preserves the history of Black Methodists. Photo © United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Preserving Black church history
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Multimedia

Mission and Ministry
Baldwin Israel Avendaño, pastor of Calexico (Calif.) United Methodist Church, describes the two possible routes for buses carrying recently released immigration detainees in Calexico. A right turn onto Paulin Avenue means the migrants will be released into the U.S. while they wait for an immigration hearing. A left turn means they will be deported. Avendaño regularly meets the buses coming from the nearby Imperial Regional Detention Facility to offer help contacting friends and family and to provide travel kits containing food, clothing and snacks for the migrants’ journeys. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Baldwin Israel Avendaño, pastor of Calexico (Calif.) United Methodist Church, describes the two possible routes for buses carrying recently released immigration detainees in Calexico. A right turn onto Paulin Avenue means the migrants will be released into the U.S. while they wait for an immigration hearing. A left turn means they will be deported. Avendaño regularly meets the buses coming from the nearby Imperial Regional Detention Facility to offer help contacting friends and family and to provide travel kits containing food, clothing and snacks for the migrants’ journeys. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

2021: The year in photos
Amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties about the future of the denomination, United Methodists continued to live out their faith and serve their communities in 2021. Photographers from UM News documented a year in the life of the church worldwide.

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Social Concerns
The Rev. Joel Hortiales (left) prays with Carlos Ivan Baran Hidalgo; his wife, Danelly Mazariegos Morales; and their 3-year-old daughter, Scarlett Juliette, at the Camino de Salvación shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. The family fled violence in Guatemala and is hoping to pursue a claim for asylum in the U.S. Hortiales is a United Methodist missionary and serves as director of Hispanic/Latino ministries and border concerns for the California-Pacific Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Photo essay: ‘I was a stranger…’
General Church
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, speaks about the pandemic and the proposed denominational split during an interview at United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn. The church will host 2021 Leadership Institute on Sept. 29-Oct. 1 with a focus on helping pastors and laity address divisions in their communities. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Adam Hamilton: Leading in polarized times
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Wayne Dickert guides a raft down the Nantahala River near Bryson City, N.C. A 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and pastor of Bryson City United Methodist Church, Dickert has conducted riverside services beside the Nantahala for the past 15 years. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years
Mission and Ministry
The Old Rectory in Epworth, England was built in 1709 following the "Great Fire" and was the home of John and Charles Wesley along with their parents and siblings. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask the UMC: Where is John Wesley's birthplace?
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Commentaries

The Rev. Mel West. Photo courtesy of the author.

Trees symbolize a reformed denomination
Pastor Stephen Mannion. Photo courtesy of the author.

5 theses for The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Margret Powell. Photo courtesy of the author

Encountering racism but extending love
Dave Zellner. Photo courtesy of Wespath.

Why does Wespath care about sustainable investing?
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. Photo courtesy of Wesley Theological Seminary.

Young elder numbers hit record low
The Rev. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo. Photo by Mutsa Roy Maforo.

Virtual church is the new ministry paradigm
Lynn Parsons. Photo courtesy of the author.

Abortion law should prompt action, not just outrage
The Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth. Photo by Krystal Baker.

Texas abortion law will save lives
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Ask The UMC

Faith Sharing
Bishop Swenson introduces leaders of other denominations present for the 2016 General Conference during the Ecumenical Day service. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.
Bishop Swenson introduces leaders of other denominations present for the 2016 General Conference during the Ecumenical Day service. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: What is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity?
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual observance held January 18-25 in which all Christians everywhere are encouraged to pray for unity in love and mission.

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Theology and Education
United Methodists may celebrate January 1 as Watch Night, New Year, or The Holy Name of Jesus. Photo by Pexels, courtesy of Pixabay.

Ask the UMC: How may United Methodists observe Jan 1?
Theology and Education
Glendale United Methodist Church in Nashville is decorated for the Advent/Christmas season. Photo by Steven Kyle Adair

Ask The UMC: How long is the Christmas season?
Theology and Education
A wreath with three lit candles marks the third week of Advent. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: What do the candles in our Advent wreath mean?
Mission and Ministry
Unlike Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which are focused on purchasing for oneself, Giving Tuesday emerged as a way to encourage generosity to benefit the lives of others. Photo illustration by Mike DuBose, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Where and why should I donate on Giving Tuesday?
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Categories

Local Church
Members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Tenn., enact the Nativity in 2020. The church plans to hold its Christmas Eve service outside in front of the stable and manger this year. Churches continue to be creative in finding ways to celebrate Christ’s birth and keep people safe during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Reviving Christmas cheer in dark times
The Rev. Ruth Marsh (right) comforts Angi Rogers, a guest in the day shelter at Trinity United Methodist Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Rogers had not been feeling well and Marsh settled her in a Sunday school classroom to get some rest. “Everybody here takes care of me and each other,” Rogers said. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Churches see lots of need this Advent
United Methodist women celebrate after receiving food parcels at Bwanya United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. The early Christmas celebration was hosted by the Mukandi family, who provided lunch and gifts for 250 members from six local churches near Mutoko. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Family throws surprise Christmas party for 250 women
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Evangelism
United Methodist clergy conduct a graveside funeral service for Frederick Harris at Hills of Calvary Memorial Park in Nashville, Tenn., as part of the Call the Name program. The volunteer program, started by the Rev. Jay Voorhees (left), provides clergy to acknowledge deceased people who haven’t been claimed by anyone, making sure that their name is said aloud one last time and offering a short ritual of committal in their honor. Voorhees is joined by the Revs. Luke Lea (center) and James Cole (right). Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Making sure all are mourned
Keith Wilson leads the Anointed Voices choir at Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta where Black Methodists for Church Renewal held a worship service during their meeting in 2019. BMCR is among partners in the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century conference to be held Dec. 1-2 in Houston. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Inspiration, expertise for Black churches
Nic Hamilton, a Cheyenne and Arapaho, performs an original song during a presentation for a group of United Methodist visitors at Sovereign Community School in Oklahoma City. The group of about 40 people were participating in an immersion into Native American culture and ministries sponsored by The United Methodist Church’s Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. Photo by Tim Tanton, UM News.

Programs support, develop Native American youth
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Social Concerns
Negotiators for The United Methodist Church have reached a settlement in the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy reorganization plan. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

$30 million from United Methodists in BSA bankruptcy
United Kingdom Mission Area Ambassador Jabulani Gumbodete visits with orphans at Home of Hope at Nyadire Mission. The UK Mission Area donated nearly $18,000 to help care for orphans in Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of Enock Temba.

Church orphanages receive ‘gifts of love’
The Rev. Paul Matheri (right), program director for Inua Partners in Hope and district superintendent in Naivasha, Kenya, issues a laptop to a graduate during a graduation ceremony in September. The vocational program provides orphans and vulnerable young people with hands-on job skills and startup kits or capital in their fields of specialty. Photo by Gad Maiga, UM News.

Kenyan orphans find hope in vocational education
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Mission and Ministry
The sanctuary of Dresden First United Methodist Church in Dresden, Tenn., lies in rubble except for the organ pipes and a cross and several exterior walls. Church member Jarrett Snider went to the church after a massive storm system swept through the area on Dec. 10-11 and documented the damage to the building and grounds. Photo by Jarrett Snider via Facebook.

United Methodists respond after devastating twisters
Leaders from Seke South United Methodist Church near Harare, Zimbabwe, display their COVID-19 vaccination cards. The United Methodist Church is partnering with governments to promote vaccinations. In Zimbabwe, three United Methodist hospitals and 12 clinics are vaccination sites. From left are: Pastor Lameck Makuza, the Rev. Juliet Thondhlana and lay leader Michael Dengwani. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Church promotes COVID-19 vaccines in Africa
Amber Payne reads a story to children at Dodson Chapel Childcare at Hermitage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church. Hermitage United Methodist Church provided a facility at their satellite campus after a tornado destroyed the nearby Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church in March 2020. The new center opened Sept. 13. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Tornado destroys church, but not its ministry
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General Church
UM News honors notable United Methodists who died in 2021. Photo by S. Hermann & F. Richter, courtesy of Pixabay.

2021: Notable church members remembered
Filipino Bishops Rodolfo A. Juan, Ciriaco Q. Francisco and Pedro M. Torio Jr. lead prayer during the 2019 Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis on Feb. 23. A year after extending its bishops’ terms, the Philippines Central Conference Coordinating Council is pushing for a special session to elect new bishops — with or without the General Conference in 2022. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Filipino leaders push to elect new bishops
At its 2021 fall meeting, the General Council on Finance and Administration board made further cuts to the proposed denominational budget heading to the coming General Conference. Faced with the pandemic and expected denominational split, the board proposes cutting the budget by about a third starting in 2023. Photo by Mikern, courtesy of Pixabay.

Church exits, COVID lead to steep budget cuts
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