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General Church
Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. addresses the Liberia Annual Conference meeting in Gbarnga, Liberia, in March. Quire is among African bishops in The United Methodist Church who have been discussing a denominational split and what that might mean for them and their conferences. Photo by E Julu Swen, UM News.
Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. addresses the Liberia Annual Conference meeting in Gbarnga, Liberia, in March. Quire is among African bishops in The United Methodist Church who have been discussing a denominational split and what that might mean for them and their conferences. Photo by E Julu Swen, UM News.

African bishops not united on church future
Three episcopal leaders from Africa signal they would go with a new traditionalist denomination if The United Methodist Church splits, but others aren’t joining in such statements.

Editor's Picks

Human Rights
We Are One Family: Personal Encournters with Racism is a series of commentaries of personal experience with racism and the intersection of faith and justice. Hands image by truthseeker08 courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

We Are God's Family: Personal Encounters with Racism
Racism underlies many significant issues, such as hunger, discrimination and disparities in education and income. As people around the world struggle with racism, personal stories are helping change hearts and minds.
Local Church
The Rev. Derek Kubilus serves as pastor of Uniontown United Methodist Church in Uniontown, Ohio, though “vicar” is his preferred title. Earlier this year, he debuted “Cross Over Q,” a podcast offering a Christian response to the QAnon conspiracy movement. Photo by Brian Koch.

Clergyman takes on QAnon through podcast
The Rev. Derek Kubilus lands on ‘60 Minutes’ after launching his own podcast about conspiracy theories.
Local Church
Omoyi Wandjaka teaches United Methodist women in Kivu, Congo, how to make bread to generate income for their families. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Celebrating and empowering women in Congo
United Methodist leaders roll out microcredit opportunities and training to help women and girls persevere during COVID-19 and conflict in the region.

Latest

Local Church
Gordon Yu (left) and Julian Kim record a scene for the film “Happy Cleaners,” which examines the lives of working-class Korean Americans. Photo by Janice Chung.

Film puts Korean Americans center stage
Violence
A student was killed on school property yesterday after a shootout that wounded a police officer in east Knoxville, TN. United Methodists are trying to find ways to help a school that was already reeling from shooting deaths of four students since January. Photo courtesy of the Holston Conference.

After school shooting, United Methodists grasp for answers
Local Church
Members of the worship team at CityWell United Methodist Church in Durham, N.C., prepare to record an online worship service in 2020. A new study of United Methodist churches finds racially diverse congregations are more likely to grow over time. File photo courtesy of CityWell United Methodist Church.

Racial diversity linked to church growth
Racism
The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee discusses anonymous letters criticizing her appearance that she received from among the congregation at Fairlington United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Va., where she serves as associate pastor.

Virginia church contemplates racism in the ranks
General Church
Delegates from the Philippines and Southeast Asia sing during the 2019 United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis. Nearly 300 Filipino United Methodists joined a virtual conversation March 16 to talk about the Christmas Covenant and other plans for the future of The United Methodist Church. More webinars are planned for church members in Africa and Europe. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Restructuring legislation gets a hearing
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Multimedia

Human Rights
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño shares personal reflections on strong women in the Bible and her life during a video message for Women’s History Month. Screengrab courtesy of the California-Nevada Conference by UM News.
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño shares personal reflections on strong women in the Bible and her life during a video message for Women’s History Month. Screengrab courtesy of the California-Nevada Conference by UM News.

‘Girls, Jesus is calling YOU!’
In a video message for Women’s History Month, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño affirms the right of everyone to use the gifts God gives us for the betterment of the world.

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Local Church
The Rev. Juhee Lee, Kate Kim and Christine Song on violin, Cheongmoo Kang on bass clarinet, Beverly Rathbun on organ and Da Eun Ryu on piano record free hymns and special music for the Lenten season. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Yohan Go.

Clergy record free music videos for Lenten season
Global Health
Women carry water as the sun rises at Njenjete village near Madisi, Malawi. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

‘Water is Life’ chronicles global struggle for clean water
Faith Sharing
Appalachian Trail chaplain “Chappy Jack” Layfield on the Appalachian Trail in Roan Mountain, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Appalachian Trail chaplain shares faith journey in devotional book
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young is, at 94, still composing and arranging music. Editor of The Methodist Hymnal (1966) and The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), he’s out with a new collection of sheet music called “Today I Live: Hymns and Songs of Remembrance and Hope.” Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

At 94, he’s ‘Mr. Music of United Methodism’
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Commentaries

Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Photo by Tessa Tillett for the Indiana Conference.

'I believe in the resurrection and reparations'
Richard F. Hicks. Photo courtesy of the author.

Caught in a twilight zone of change
The Rev. Constance Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Constance Hastings.

When one's enemy becomes one's neighbor
Barbara Talley. Photo courtesy of Hope United Methodist Church.

‘You’ll ruin the neighborhood’
The Rev. Carolyn L. R. Bittner. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Carolyn L.R. Bittner.

‘That's just the way it is.’
The Rev. Stanley R. Copeland. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Stanley R. Copeland

Mission and leadership in the new United Methodism
The Rev. Josephine Whitely-Fields. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Josephine Whitely-Fields

Black clergywomen’s stories offer insights into racism
Jessica Vittorio. Photo courtesy of Jessica Vittorio

Closed-door meetings breed mistrust
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Ask The UMC

Mission and Ministry
Metaphors for resurrection are often found in nature. Image by zhugher, courtesy of Pixabay.
Metaphors for resurrection are often found in nature. Image by zhugher, courtesy of Pixabay.

Ask The UMC: What do we mean by resurrection?
United Methodists affirm the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead. Resurrection is a form of new creation, not merely a resuscitation.

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Theology and Education
An abstract metal crucifix hangs on the wall outside the chapel at Sarum College in Salisbury, England. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Where did Good Friday get its name?
Church History
United Methodist Bishop Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly. Sepia photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Who are Black women pioneers in US Methodism? (Part 2)
A portrait of Ida B. Wells-Barnett circa 1893. Photo by Sallie Garrity, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Who are Black women pioneers in US Methodism? (Part 1)
Church History
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Although Ash Wednesday has ancient roots, it does not appear in the rituals of The United Methodist Church or our predecessor denominations until the 20th century. Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: When did Ash Wednesday begin and why do we celebrate it?
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Categories

Local Church
Concord United Methodist Church in Lewisville, N.C., is presenting an outdoor Stations of the Cross this year for people at the church and the community to walk through different reminders of Christ’s passion. In this second year of the pandemic, churches continue to be creative while safely observing this holy season in the Christian calendar. Photos by Teresa Reece, Concord United Methodist Church.

Lingering pandemic enlivens Easter creativity
The Rev. Chad Parmalee has found knitting, especially making items for others, a way to relax amid the stresses of pandemic ministry. Parmalee leads Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Mich. Photo by Roschenne Parmalee.

Clergy care a priority in pandemic year
United Methodists and guests celebrate the life of the Rev. Junius B. Dotson during a March 6 service at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston. Dotson, the top executive of Discipleship Ministries, died Feb. 25 at age 55. Photo courtesy of Discipleship Ministries.

Dotson remembered for seeing all the people
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Evangelism
Joyce D. Sohl is laywoman-in-residence at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose UM News.

Celebrating a trailblazer for women’s ministries
The Rev. DooSoo Lee, an elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church, serves soldiers at the U.S Army’s Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, where he is currently deployed. Photo courtesy of the Rev. DooSoo Lee, U.S. Army.

Army chaplain returns to his native South Korea to serve
The Rev. Tom Berlin (left) presents a copy of his book, “Courage,” to Massachusetts National Guard Chaplain Chad McCabe in the chapel at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington. McCabe, whose unit was assigned to help provide security at the U.S. Capitol after the January riot, contacted Wesley Seminary asking for Bibles, novels and board games for troops stationed there. Photo by Lisa Helfert for Wesley Theological Seminary. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Church responds to chaplain's call to help soldiers
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Social Concerns
Peter Gomah checks on seedlings in the oil palm nursery at the United Methodist Ganta Mission Station in Ganta, Liberia, in 2017. The denomination’s Board of Global Ministries during its March board meeting approved $2 million for self-sustaining food production in Africa in honor of the late Bishop John K. Yambasu. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Mission agency funds agriculture, refugee programs
Co-authors of the book “I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist” join in a panel discussion during an online meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal. Clockwise from upper left are: the Revs. Rudy Rasmus, Tori Butler and Erin Beasley. Screenshot via Zoom.

Black caucus: Racism still challenges church
Bennett M. Judkins. Photo courtesy of Bennett M. Judkins.

Confronting racism as a lifelong journey
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Mission and Ministry
Tia Moore, a nurse practitioner, prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn.

Meharry provides vaccines and peace of mind
Gospel musicians record a song for an online worship service at Chisipiti United Methodist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe. United Methodists across the country are using music to provide strength and comfort during the pandemic. Seated, from left, are: Patricia Mapani, Christine Anesu Hove and Ricky Mapani. At rear is Ali White. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Gospel music sparks hope amid COVID-19
Schoolchildren drink from a borehole at Kalumba Primary School in Mangochi, Malawi, in September 2020. The borehole was drilled by the Malawi government. In response to water scarcity in this east African country, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., has helped fund the drilling of more than 80 boreholes since September. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Church helps drill more than 80 boreholes in Malawi
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General Church
Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala proclaims the word at the 2019 Mozambique South Annual Conference in Matola, Mozambique. File photo by João Filimone Sambo, UM News.

Bishop Nhanala manages multiple crises
Bishop Sally Dyck presides over a discussion of the church budget during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. After the 2020 General Conference was delayed, the board of the denomination’s finance agency asked the United Methodist Judicial Council for a declaratory decision on how to calculate the ongoing denominational budget and apportionment formula. File photo by Maile Bradfield, UM News.

New budget must wait for General Conference
Southern Methodist University’s Dallas Hall was its first building and remains a campus centerpiece. A judge recently ruled for SMU and against the South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church in a lawsuit over whether ultimate control of the Dallas school belongs to its board of trustees or the conference. The conference has filed an appeal. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Judge rules for SMU over jurisdiction
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