Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Daily Digest - January 3, 2017

“It’s an instrument of healing and peace, and I am so excited that we get to share this with the world.” — Nathan Frank, Johns Creek United Methodist Church, on the restoration of an organ damaged during 9/11.

2 bishops rule on ordination questions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Two bishops ruled on the role of conference boards of ordained ministry in determining whether clergy candidates meet the denominational standards related to marriage and homosexuality. Heather Hahn reports.

Read story

 

Free from Ground Zero dust, organ shines anew

ATLANTA — An organ from Trinity Church in New York, just three blocks from Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, has been refitted and restored for Johns Creek United Methodist Church. A community concert is planned Jan. 29. Frank Reddy reports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Read story

Read NPR story on organ’s dedication

 

Bishops invite church to 'pray our way forward'

GARNER, N.C. (UMNS) — United Methodist bishops launched a new phase of the “Praying Our Way Forward” initiative on Jan. 1. The effort began in the North Carolina Conference and will wrap up in the West Angola Episcopal Area in June 2018. "The aim of 'Praying Our Way Forward' is to ask and listen for God’s leadership at this critical time in the life of our church,” said retired Bishop Al Gwinn.

Read press release

 

Hurricane work blitz shows love in action

NICHOLS, S.C. (UMNS) — Thanks to the efforts of 236 United Methodist volunteers from across South Carolina, families devastated by Hurricane Matthew have new hope and a strong feeling of Christian love and support. Jessica Brodie reports on the South Carolina Conference’s work blitz.

Read story

 

Scholarships available for 2017 Wesley Pilgrimage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Registration is underway for the 2017 Wesley Pilgrimage to England for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders, and the deadline to apply for 25 available scholarships is Jan 15. During the 10-day journey, scheduled for July 10-20, pilgrims will learn, pray and explore places where John and Charles Wesley lived.

Read press release

Registration information

 

Global Ministries, WCC set Jan. 13 event

ATLANTA (UMNS) — A panel discussion on “mission from the margins,” sponsored by the World Council of Churches’ Commission on World Mission and Evangelism and United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, is planned from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 13 at Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta.

Read press release

 

 

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Webinar “Healthy Families Series: (Social Health) Tackling Challenges of Clergy Families"
2 p.m. CST. This webinar looks at the unique stresses for clergy families including sexism and racism and how the church can be supportive and demonstrate God’s love for families across many experiences. Details

 

More United Methodist events

 


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - May 7, 2025

Bishops work to put new vision into action; Church ‘gives sight’ to 250 in Guatemala; Helping Native American groups honor a hero

UM News Digest - May 5, 2025

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling; ‘World shifted’ with full inclusion; Banner gifted to Korean Methodists

UM News Digest - May 2, 2025

Conference moves toward fossil-fuel divestment; What’s new in the Discipline churchwide?; Oregon-Idaho’s first Tongan church chartered

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved