Ask The UMC
More disaffiliation questions answered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 8 of its “Is The United Methodist Church Really…?” series, the team tackles more inquiries related to Paragraph 2553, including what happens when the paragraph expires at the end of the year.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Michigan Conference
Forgotten journal leads to unforgettable trip
LANSING, Mich. — The discovery of a 19th-century abolitionist’s journal at United Methodist-affiliated Adrian College led to an unforgettable trip for the Rev. Chris Momany, chaplain and faculty member. Momany and a team of scholars journeyed to West Africa to trace the ancestors of freed slaves mentioned in the journal. Jack Harnish has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Five churches unite to demonstrate God's love
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Festival of Nations, hosted by Hillcrest United Methodist Church, brought together five diverse congregations from Africa, Asia and North and South America. Many said the experience felt like a true glimpse of the Kingdom of God, which knows no barriers or boundaries.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Prescribing remedies to clergy stress, burnout
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — A joint cabinet of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences recently sent a letter to all clergy and chairs of local church Staff-Parish Relations Committees, calling on church leaders and congregations to seek together ways to “reduce stress and burnout with God’s help” and make it a priority. John W. Coleman reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Asian American ministries
Caucus, ministry plan call for action on gun violence
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — Following recent mass shootings across the U.S., the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists and Asian American Language Ministry are calling for action on gun violence. The groups also see Tyre Nichols’ death at the hands of police as part of an epidemic of violence. “We raise our voices in prayer for increasingly vulnerable members of our communities who are immigrants and people of color,” the groups’ statement says.
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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.
SBC21
The Black church matters in beloved community
HOUSTON — The Black church has been the epicenter for healing, help and hope for the least, last and lost, writes the Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. As Black History Month begins, he sees an opportunity to explore how local Black churches can help Christians make the beloved community a reality.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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