We need to navigate this season with love and care for one another and not heap more harm on one another and The United Methodist Church.” — Council of Bishops President Cynthia Fierro Harvey.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Debate about church future heats up
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists are gearing up to go in different directions. At the same time, disputes over church rules and the status of LGBTQ people continue to flare. Heather Hahn has an overview of some recent developments.
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Ask The UMC
What is Ordinary Time?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Christian year includes two central cycles focused on major events in the life of Christ: the Christmas cycle and Easter cycle. Ordinary Time follows each cycle. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on these in-between times, when Christians see, speak about and join God’s ongoing work in the world.
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Greater Northwest Area
Oregon church plans to provide housing, hope
BEND, Ore. — In a new year amid an unending pandemic, Bend First United Methodist Church is feeling hopeful about the prospects of helping more houseless individuals. The city of Bend has tentatively approved two prospective lots where Central Oregon Villages — a nonprofit established by congregation members — can begin putting together two communities of small structures that will help to get houseless people off the streets. Kristen Caldwell has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Agency seeks ethnic panel volunteers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is seeking people in leadership roles within local United Methodist churches to participate in upcoming ethnic leader panel discussions. Panelists will be invited to take part in online surveys and focus groups throughout the year. People may volunteer for the agency’s Latino leader and/or Black leader panels. Additional panels will be introduced soon.
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Black Leader Panel volunteer interest
Latino Leader Panel volunteer interest
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.
Clergy morale in today's climate
GARLAND, Texas (UM News) — Reports indicate that clergy burnout is at an all-time high. Potential causes include ongoing isolation due to COVID-19, division within the church and the nation, and serious decline in church attendance. Showing clergy appreciation would go a long way, writes the Rev. Dr. René Lawson.
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Global Ministries
Agency is helping fight the coronavirus
ATLANTA — “Since the early months of 2020, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have followed a broad, proactive course in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” writes Roland Fernandes, top executive. Through the “Sheltering in Love” campaign, about $4.5 million has been distributed to more than 300 partners in 57 countries. Global Ministries also participates in the interfaith “Love Beyond Borders” effort to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines worldwide, he said.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Bishop Unda picked to lead ecumenical group
Filipino churches step up after super typhoon
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, Feb. 21-Friday, March 4
Online course: Becoming Accountable Disciples