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 30, 2018

'"It’s really about accountability and establishing a culture of no tolerance for it (sexual misconduct)." 
— Bishop Tracy Malone, about results of a 2017 survey by the Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

NEWS AND FEATURES

 

Church survey finds drop in sexual harassment 

CHICAGO (UMNS) — Incidents of sexual harassment within The United Methodist Church have decreased for clergy, laity and employees in recent years, but seminary students reported an increase. The survey by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women was concluded before allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein and others snowballed into the #MeToo movement. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story    
Bishops, agency respond to #MeToo movement 

Zambia church helps with cholera prevention

KANDUNDU, Zambia (UMNS) — A United Methodist church is providing clean water to help prevent cholera, even as the government eases some restrictions aimed at containing the outbreak that began in October 2017. John Chikuta reports. 
Read story    

Minneapolis Star Tribune 
Super Bowl event: Faith and football

MINNEAPOLIS — Nearly a thousand faithful celebrated at an official Super Bowl event that put the spotlight on one of Minnesota's less glitzy claims to fame — its national leadership in multifaith cooperation. Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and president of the National Council of Churches, was intrigued. “I haven’t heard of a Super Bowl Host Committee having an event like this before,” he said. Jean Hopfensperger reports. 
Read story    

Great Plains Conference
Strong talk for pastors about money

KEARNEY, Neb. — Great Plains Conference pastors got strong advice on fundraising from clergy consultants during a meeting here Jan. 17-19. “Preachers don’t like to talk about money,” said the Rev. Clif Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship. “It’s time that we change our way of thinking, and the way we do business.” Christopher challenged the idea that pastors shouldn’t know how much individual congregation members give. 
Read story 


 

PRESS RELEASES
 

Commission on a Way Forward
Moderators: Mission is key to Way Forward

WASHINGTON — At the conclusion of the recent Commission on a Way Forward meeting, members were asked to share three words that expressed their prayer for the church. “Mission” was the most frequently repeated word. 
Read press release 
Read UMNS story on recent meeting 

Boston University School of Theology
$1.5 million Lilly grant to United Methodist seminary

BOSTON — The Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded a $1.5 million grant to Boston University School of Theology. The five-year grant to the United Methodist seminary will be used to create an innovation hub to foster creative vocational reflection in congregations today. The hub will focus on mainline New England Protestant congregations.
Read press release 

 

RECENT HEADLINES

Denomination's membership tops 12.5 million

Bishop: Immigration plan needs care and prayers

 

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.

Thursday, Feb. 8
 

Webinar: Introduction to "Women Called to Ministry" in Korean

Wednesday, Feb. 14-Saturday, March 31


Online Lenten Study: 40 Days with Wesley

 

Share your story or tips with us at [email protected].

See 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 28, 2025

Joy of singing aids people with Parkinson’s; Asian American clergy affirm roles at gathering; Reflecting 5 years after George Floyd’s death

UM News Digest - May 23, 2025

Ohio leaders mark 140 years of Korean mission; Bishop, pastor deal with tornado’s wreckage; Explainer: Voting on constitutional amendments

UM News Digest - May 21, 2025

United Methodist ‘sisters’ blend Christian traditions; Church supports flood survivors in Burundi; Sharing the Gospel through creation care

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved