"Camp is like living out your faith in a unique lab where you can be you without any pressures." — Jessica Gamaché, director of the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Association.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Keeping heart of camping alive during COVID-19
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Because of COVID-19, many United Methodist camps have had to cancel this year. That breaks the hearts of camp leaders who know how important the experience of camp is to faith development. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Kenyan women shift sewing ministry during pandemic
GILGIL, Kenya (UM News) — United Methodist women from Trinity United Methodist Church have taken a break from making uniforms, dresses and bags to sew face masks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Other church members are providing food to local communities struggling during the pandemic and from a locust invasion that destroyed crops. Faith Wanjiru has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Having a lot on your plate
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — The COVID-19 health crisis hit this community hard. As unemployment and illness continue to take a toll, the United Methodist Church of Spring Valley is cooking meals and serving community members who are Spanish-speaking, Haitian, African, Jamaican and Jewish, just to name a few parts of a diverse population. Several congregations in this corner of the Greater New Jersey Conference are making a difference during the pandemic. Heather Mistretta reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
BMCR
African American caucus issues call to action on racism
ATLANTA — The board of directors of Black Methodists for Church Renewal calls on church leaders to "hold clergy and laity to a gospel that centers the voices of people of color and all those who are truly at risk for simply being present in this world." They have also asked the Council of Bishops and General Conference Commission to determine whether it will still be safe to hold General Conference in Minneapolis in 2021.
Read statement
United Methodist Men
Church men plan day of prayer June 13
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Men and the Northeastern Jurisdiction invite church members to join in a national day of prayer 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern time June 13.
Learn more or join
Gammon Theological Seminary
Gammon names interim president-dean
ATLANTA — United Methodist Gammon Theological Seminary has named the Rev. Joseph Crawford of the North Georgia Conference as interim president-dean, beginning July 1. Crawford will succeed the Rev. Ken Walden.
Read press release
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.
Police reform must involve reconciliation
ST. PAUL, Minn. (UM News) — Police reform must be coupled with reconciliation, writes an African American clergyman who is also a former police officer. The Rev. Shawn R. Moore reflects on the current protests since the death of George Floyd and the questions he gets as a former police officer.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Global Ministries
Grants offered as conferences address injustice
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is offering grants to annual conferences to stand in solidarity with those who are voicing their opposition to racial injustice, as well as helping communities that have been adversely affected by the demonstrations.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
African churches begin to reopen
Delay in elections upends bishops' plans
EVENTS
Thursday, June 11
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