“We're just reclaiming our roots. It's part of our history that we had abandoned through wanting to be this upper-middle-class church, when God has called us to be examples of Jesus to connect with the marginalized.” — The Rev. Stephen Handy, pastor of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Making the best use of church space
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Aging congregations and expensive buildings are challenging many churches, but there is an upside. Church leaders are starting to get innovative about how their real estate is used, and that could be the road to a sustainable future. Jim Patterson has the story.
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United Methodist hospital in Nigeria expands
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Nigeria recently added an emergency ward to enhance services at Jalingo United Methodist Hospital. Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna led a commissioning service for the new addition and asked God to use the hospital to treat patients and transform lives. Ezekiel Ibrahim reports.
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New England Conference
United Methodists, Baptists form 'beloved community'
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — First United Methodist Church of Brattleboro and First Baptist Church of Brattleboro have shared space for several years. In mid-November, they announced that while they plan to retain their denominational individualities, they are joining hands to share the love they experience together with others, offering combined worship, programs in spirituality, and work for local justice and compassionate service to the broader community. The Rev. Ralph Howe has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Two United Methodists release new books
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two new titles from the Advocate Press are available for purchase just in time for Christmas: “The Sacred Year: A Contemplative Journey through the Liturgical Year,” by the Rev. Lyn Pace, and “Prayer Changes Us,” by the Rev. Ted Goshorn. The Advocate Press is the publishing arm of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate newspaper.
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Odessa American
Loving the life of an interim pastor
ODESSA, Texas — The Rev. Darrell Coats is by choice a career interim pastor, currently serving First United Methodist Church of Odessa. It’s his 15th interim pastor assignment. “Most had challenges and I love being able to go in and by the time I leave make sure the church is in a better place,” he said. Bob Campbell reports.
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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 UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Ideas for when Christmas falls on a Sunday
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Why worship on Christmas Day? The Revs. Jessica Anschutz and Doug Powe share important reasons for worshipping on Christmas Day and offer ideas for innovative, hybrid or virtual worship to celebrate the Savior’s birth.
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RESOURCES
Upper New York Conference
Explore spiritual practices through prayer walk
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, the Upper New York Conference’s associate director of Spiritual Life for Vital Congregations, has offered opportunities to engage in spiritual practices each month with video discussion and instruction. This month, Dibelius revisits the spiritual practices of Stations of the Cross and Pilgrimage, providing suggestions and a script for a prayer walk.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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Lack of birth certificate challenges children in rural areas
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Online course: Opening Ourselves to Grace — Basic Christian Practices
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Feb. 3
Online course: Your Ministry of Planning and Leading Worship
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