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Faith Stories
The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young was a comprehensive contributor to church music for decades. He edited The Methodist Hymnal (1966) and The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), and earned distinction as a composer, arranger, conductor, teacher and scholar. Young died May 21 at age 97. 2020 photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young was a comprehensive contributor to church music for decades. He edited The Methodist Hymnal (1966) and The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), and earned distinction as a composer, arranger, conductor, teacher and scholar. Young died May 21 at age 97. 2020 photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Remembering United Methodism’s maestro
The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young edited The United Methodist Hymnal but also stood out as a composer, arranger, conductor and scholar. He died May 21 at age 97.

Editor's Picks

Mission and Ministry
Participants from Mongolia, South Korea and mainland America gathered May 10-13 in Honolulu to discuss the future and direction of the Mongolia Mission Initiative. The summit was held at Christ United Methodist Church, the first overseas church started by Korean immigrants and the birthplace of the Mongolia Mission of Korean Churches. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Korean churches hope to continue shared mission work in Mongolia
The United Methodist Mongolia Mission Initiative Summit gathered May 10-13 at Christ United Methodist Church in Honolulu with participants from Mongolia, South Korea and mainland America to discuss the ministry’s future and direction.
Social Concerns
Pamela Coleman, chair of the history committee at Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church, speaks to visitors from the Social Justice Pilgrimage about the joys and struggles of the historic church in west Baltimore. The once bustling “Mother Church of African American Methodism” now hosts about 20 worshippers on Sundays. Photo by Vernon Jordan, UM News.

A whirlwind pilgrimage through Methodist history
Race, social justice and the role of the church in politics all played a role in the first Social Justice Pilgrimage, a day of visiting and learning about United Methodist-associated locales in Baltimore and Washington.
General Church
Council of Bishops President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton addresses a joint meeting of the Connectional Table and the General Council of Finance and Administration board on May 18 in Nashville, Tenn. He said United Methodist bishops want to join in the conversation of how to reduce the number of U.S. bishops strategically without damaging the church’s mission. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

As church exits rise, proposed budget drops
In the wake of projected losses from church closures and disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s finance agency continues to shrink the proposed budget heading to General Conference.

Latest News

Immigration
St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City is seeing large crowds each Monday morning as it welcomes migrants bused into Manhattan. The church calls them Miracle Mondays, and with help from partner organizations a range of assistance is offered, including meals, hygiene products and legal counseling. Crowds have steadily grown. Photo courtesy of St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

Amid policy changes, church keeps faith with migrants
General Church
Cobb County Superior Court Judge J. Stephen Schuster, at the end of a daylong hearing, rules from the bench that more than 180 churches in the North Georgia Conference can proceed with The United Methodist Church’s disaffiliation process. The conference had paused disaffiliation votes in the wake of what it called defamatory misinformation. Screengrab courtesy of Cobb County Superior Court via YouTube by UM News.

Judge lifts North Georgia disaffiliation pause
Local Church
Nina Gorman (right) hugs the Rev. Murray Crookes in the kitchen at Every Nation United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska, where Crookes and his family host a weekly fellowship meal and Bible study. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Alaskan church reaches out to Native community
Faith Stories
Garden girl Julia Eskridge shows off some of her gourds. During the COVID pandemic, visits to church members and neighbors often took place outside the front door. Photos courtesy of Kay Eskridge.

‘Garden girl’ brings joy, veggies to homebound
Global Health
Dr. Marie Claire Manafundu, who coordinates the church’s Maternal and Child Health Program in eastern Congo, talks with children outside of United Methodist Irambo Health Center in Bukavu, Congo. The United Methodist Church in East Congo offers food support to families affected by HIV and AIDS. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Church gives hope to people living with HIV in Congo
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Peter Mageto, vice chancellor of United Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe, delivers the keynote address at Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s 56th General Meeting April 13 in Pittsburgh. He shared his vision for the university and called on BMCR to help identify new partners and joint research and study opportunities. Photo by Liz Lennox, Western Pennsylvania Conference.

Black caucus draws closer to African partners
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Local Church
Participants discuss the future of the Korean United Methodist Church during a webinar hosted by the Korean Ministry Plan. About 230 church leaders participated in the online meeting April 10. Photo by the Rev. Thomas Kim, UM News.

Korean leaders voice hope for church, despite exits
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Evangelism
Bishop Samuel J Quire Jr. of the Liberia Conference speaks about his hopes for agricultural projects that will aid in financial stability for his churches during a video interview with UM News communicator E Julu Swen. Screenshot by UM News.

Liberian bishop: ‘Agriculture and evangelism go hand in hand’
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Social Concerns
United Methodists in the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe are providing aid to Ukrainians fleeing war. Graphic by UM News.

United Methodists in Ukraine create refuge
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Mission and Ministry
Ashley Boggan, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, urged the Council of Bishops to do a new thing as John Wesley did. She said the resources of the past, such as Wesley's advice to Methodists, can be used to envision the future. Graphic courtesy of the General Commission on Archives and History.

Historian urges bishops: Reclaim ‘vile’ heritage
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General Church
Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton presides at the bishops’ spring 2023 meeting in Chicago. East Ohio Conference Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, at left, is the Council of Bishops president-designate. The bishops gathered April 29-May 5 for their first in-person meeting since 2019 and took on a variety of issues affecting the future of the denomination. Photo by the Rev. Todd Rossnagel, Louisiana Conference.

Bishops call for General Conference in 2026
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Commentaries

M. Garlinda Burton. Photo courtesy of M. Garlinda Burton.

Collier had impact at denominational, personal levels
The Rev. Mel West. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Mel West.

Parish nurses can play a role in health care deserts
Tim Tanton, United Methodist Communications. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Why church should care about press freedom
Dr. David W. Scott. Photo © Hector Amador.

Differing trajectories of separation
Heather Thomas. Photo courtesy of the author.

United Methodist mother of trans child shares story
Urs Schweizer. Photo courtesy of author.

When the poor share what they have
Dr. David W. Scott. Photo © Hector Amador.

The many meanings of connectionalism
The Rev. Mel West. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Mel West.

Youth group outreach changed Mr. X’s views of church
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News From UMC Partners

Human Rights
The Itchy Dog Singers opened a peaceful rally with a drum circle at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on May 1. Members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania gathered to remind legislators that it is time to give them legal status as a recognized tribe. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
The Itchy Dog Singers opened a peaceful rally with a drum circle at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on May 1. Members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania gathered to remind legislators that it is time to give them legal status as a recognized tribe. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

United Methodists join rally to recognize indigenous tribe
On May 1, members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania gathered for a peaceful rally on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg. They were there to ask legislators to give them legal status as a recognized tribe.

Additional Headlines

Violence
Members of United Church of Two Harbors assemble Ray of Life solar units for the people of Ukraine. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference.

Bringing light to Ukraine
Faith Stories
Bishop Robert Schnase stands in front of a colorful quilt of birds made by his wife, Esther Schnase. Video image courtesy of the Rio Texas and New Mexico Conferences via Vimeo by UM News.

Bishop finds birding a metaphor for the spiritual life
Faith Stories
The Rev. John Kronz (right), who pastors St. John’s and Lebanon United Methodist churches in Norway, became part of a kidney donor "chain" to aid one of his church members, Bonnie Fanning. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Advocate.

Pastor, parishioner part of kidney donor chain
Social Concerns
The Green Church movement was begun at Suncook United Methodist Church in New Hampshire to encourage congregations to address climate change. Logo courtesy of the New England Conference.

Congregations invited to join Green Church movement
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Multimedia

Local Church
“Brother Jean” Aime Ratovohery, founding leader of the congregation, participates in a congregational conference to officially organize the first United Methodist church in Madagascar. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.
“Brother Jean” Aime Ratovohery, founding leader of the congregation, participates in a congregational conference to officially organize the first United Methodist church in Madagascar. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

A snapshot of United Methodism in Madagascar
A delegation led by Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala made a historic visit to Madagascar Feb. 21-28 to formalize the opening of The United Methodist Church in that country. During the service, the bishop confirmed new members, baptized 91 people and administered Holy Communion.

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Theology and Education
The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler (right) speaks with the Rev. Candace Lewis, president-dean of Gammon Theological Seminary — the first woman to hold that position — in the latest installment of the “Hollering for Change” series. Zoom video image courtesy of the Rev. Butler, via YouTube.

Hollering for Change: Conversation with the Rev. Candace Lewis
Mission and Ministry
United Methodist Bishop Eduard Khegay walks amid swirling snow at the Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Khegay leads the denomination’s Eurasia Area, which spans 11 time zones. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Photo essay: Doing ministry in Kyrgyzstan
Congregations
The Rev. Nellya Shakirova (wearing green shirt) hosts a multinational fellowship meal in the sanctuary at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Students find home, unity at Bishkek church
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler (right) speaks with the Rev. Angela Redman, the first African American woman appointed as CEO/executive director of the United Methodist City Society, in the latest installment of the “Hollering for Change” series. Zoom video image courtesy of the Rev. Butler, via YouTube.

Hollering for Change: Conversation with the Rev. Angela Redman
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World Press Freedom Day - Learn More
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Ask The UMC

General Church
United Methodists encourage and invite worshipers to use the full range of imagery for God present in Scripture and Christian tradition. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.
United Methodists encourage and invite worshipers to use the full range of imagery for God present in Scripture and Christian tradition. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: How do United Methodists use pronouns and names for God and for people?
United Methodists invite worshipers to use the full range of imagery for God found in Scripture and across the whole of the Christian tradition, and to avoid language for people that seems to imply males are the norm.

Additional Headlines

General Church
With some congregations considering leaving The United Methodist Church or just wondering about its future, Ask The UMC offers a series of questions and answers to help clear up some common misperceptions or misinformation around disaffiliation. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church really... ? (Part 11)
General Church
With some congregations considering leaving The United Methodist Church or just wondering about its future, Ask The UMC offers a series of questions and answers to help clear up some common misperceptions or misinformation around disaffiliation. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church really... ? Part 10
Church History
Sarah Mallet was one of the few women authorized by John Wesley as a preacher in early English Methodism. She and Wesley regularly corresponded by letter. Wesley referred to her as "My dear Sally." Quill courtesy of OpenClipart/Pixabay; letter excerpt courtesy of Emory University Libraries; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Pioneers in Methodism — Sarah Mallet
Church History
Bishop Woodie W. White, the first executive secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race and the first Black person to head a United Methodist general agency, was tasked with the oversight of the merger of the Central Jurisdiction annual conferences and the geographical annual conferences. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Ask The UMC: Pioneers in Methodism — Bishop Woodie W. White
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