Church History

Art from the book “By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, The Father of Gospel Music,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Bryan Collier. The story page includes the text, “I still heard spirituals of long ago, Remembered how they moved me so. Hardships woven into hymns I wrote — Every lyric, every note.” Image courtesy of Simon & Shuster.

Spotlighting black heroes in children’s books

A new children’s book tells the story of Methodist minister Charles A. Tindley, who worked his way up from childhood poverty to become a respected clergyman and hymn songwriter.

Mission and Ministry

L. Dale Patterson, archivist-records administrator at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, examines film, one of thousands of carefully filed items at the agency housed on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. A 2013 file photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Taking church archives from hi-fi to Wi-Fi

Dale Patterson looks backward and forward as he contemplates retirement from the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Theology and Education

Green is the color for the Season after Epiphany. Readings during this season offer two distinct paths to follow. Photo by Susanne Nilsson, Flickr, Creative Commons.

Ask The UMC: What is the purpose of the Season after Epiphany?

The purpose of the Season after Epiphany is to help the congregation prepare for its work during Lent — to walk with candidates preparing for baptism.

Church History

Stained glass window featuring Charles Wesley from Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta, part of the United Methodist Church Global Mission Center. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Did Charles Wesley write Christmas hymns?

Wesley, a prolific hymn writer, wrote several hymns for Advent and Christmas, including a yuletide favorite.

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