“People are beginning to return to worship, and I think Easter is a real opportunity.” — The Rev. Tom Berlin of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches gear up for Easter revival
HERNDON, Va. (UM News) — Congregations are preparing to celebrate Christ’s resurrection this year as COVID-19 cases are at a low ebb and new Barna research shows people’s increased interest in visiting a United Methodist church. Churches expect to reunite with longtime members and welcome new people. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Central and Southern Europe Central Conference
Trauma evident in Ukrainian refugees
ZURICH — United Methodists in countries bordering Ukraine continue to do relief work with Ukrainian refugees, providing food, shelter and language classes. The trauma many refugees have experienced is evident. Urs Schweizer reports.
Read story (PDF)
United Methodist Communications
Jesus' path from pain to triumph
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a special Good Friday edition of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Rev. Cindy Serio leads a guided meditation contemplating the sacred events unfolding around Jesus before his death.
Listen to podcast
Central and Southern Europe Central Conference
Bishop Streiff discusses Bulgaria-Romania move
ZURICH — The Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference recently voted to leave The United Methodist Church for the Global Methodist Church. Bishop Patrick Streiff, of the United Methodist Central and Southern Europe Central Conference, has done a Q&A with Sigmar Friedrich about the implications of Bulgaria-Romania’s disaffiliation move.
Read interview (PDF)
UM News: Bulgaria-Romania United Methodists vote to leave
22News, New England Conference
Church uses art to stand against gun violence
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Trinity United Methodist Church hosted local artists and musicians April 9 for an evening of artistic expression to stand against gun violence, promote peace and commemorate those who have lost their lives to gun violence in the city of Springfield. Donations and proceeds from a silent auction will go to organizations working to end gun violence. Melissa Torres reports.
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No Digest on Good Friday
There will be no Friday Digest on April 15 in observance of Good Friday. The UM News staff wishes everyone a holy and blessed Easter. Feel free to download and share the Easter meme below on Facebook or other social media.
Download meme
PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
Easter prayer for Korean peninsula
GENEVA — The National Council of Churches in Korea has published a “2022 Easter Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula” with a message of reconciliation and unity. “Lead us on paths of justice and peace,” says the prayer. “Help us to realize peace all over this world through peace on the Korean peninsula.”
Read prayer in English
Wespath
More flexibility coming for retirees
GLENVIEW, Ill. — New options are coming for United Methodist retirees through the LifeStage Retirement Income program announced by Wespath Benefits and Investments. New possibilities include an annuity contract that guarantees an annual income from age 80 until death and a plan to increase Wespath retirement payments until participants earn their maximum Social Security benefits at 70.
Read press release
SBC21
Parker exits SBC21; replacement sought
HOUSTON — The founding coordinator of the young adults’ ministry of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century has resigned, and the search is underway for a replacement. Nathalie Nelson Parker begins work as a recruiter at Gammon Theological Seminary on July 1. SBC21 is looking for an innovative, creative and energetic leader for the positon.
Read press release
Read job listing
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Resurrection is a call to action
WASHINGTON — Many congregations that haven’t celebrated Easter in person since 2019 are relishing the joy of returning to the comforts of pre-pandemic church life. However, Ann A. Michel of the Lewis Center says church leaders can’t allow Easter celebrations to divert attention from the challenge of renewing the church.
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