“Rev. Z. Hirota, an old member of the mission, went forth to the Sandwich Islands as an evangelist. He has been very successful. Scores have been converted and baptized.” — Excerpt from the 1891 Annual Report of the Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society.
Ask The UMC
Celebrating Rev. Zenro Hirota's life and legacy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Zenro Hirota was a pioneer among Japanese American Methodists, serving for 45 years in the California Conference in a variety of settings. He persevered in spreading the Gospel despite many obstacles, including the destruction of his church, discrimination and spending several years in a detention camp during World War II.
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Read about other Pioneers in Methodism
UMC.org
Meharry's story starts with a promise fulfilled
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Countless underserved people have received health care for nearly a century and a half from graduates of Meharry Medical College, the largest private, historically Black academic health sciences center in the U.S. Tom Gillem reports on the origins of the United Methodist-related medical school.
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Learn about the United Methodist Black College Fund
Minnesota Conference
700 pillows to go to homeless
MINNEAPOLIS — A fort made up of 700 pillows got people reconnected at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church and gave some homeless people a soft place to lay their heads at night. The effort ended with three Federal Express trucks full of pillows headed to homeless ministries. Christa Meland has the story.
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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.
Rethink Church
Was Jesus the first influencer?
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — From a business standpoint, Jesus was pretty good at marketing himself in his day. “His marketing methods were so good that not only did he heavily influence his community, but also a third of the world today,” writes Madison Myers. She looks at three of Jesus’ teachings that have influenced the world as we know it.
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Asian American Language Ministry
Webinar examines migration and racism
ATLANTA — United Methodists will discuss the topics of migration, immigration and racism as part of the “Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism” webinar at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time May 24. The webinar is part of a series that seeks to dispel the notion that racism just affects Black people. Organizers include the Asian American Language Ministry, the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists and the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
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To register
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Sharing the church's work in Ukraine
WASHINGTON — The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought first-hand accounts of the impact of the war and ways United Methodists respond to the trauma of people in harm’s way. The Eurasia Committee of the Baltimore-Washington Conference is hosting a webinar featuring clergy from the Ukraine Conference and a missionary in Norway to give updates on the church’s work there. "A Faithful Response to the War in Ukraine: Its Impact and What Makes What Peace?" will be held at noon U.S. Eastern Time May 27.
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Lewis Center for Church Leadership
How's your online ministry doing?
WASHINGTON — For most leaders, online church is something they’re still getting used to, trying to figure out and attempting to master with staffing, strategy and energy. Successful online ministry requires a new mindset and different metrics. Carey Nieuwhof outlines five signs that your online ministry is connecting with people and helping them grow in faith, rather than just advertising what happens in your building.
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