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 - November 18, 2020


"Above all I write to advocate and open a way toward a new imagination for the public role of these significant places." — The Rev. Thomas Frank in his book "Historic Houses of Worship in Peril."

NEWS AND FEATURES

A manifesto for saving historic church buildings
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Thomas Frank is a longtime United Methodist elder and professor, and author of a standard text on church polity. He's also a historic preservationist. His latest book is a self-described manifesto titled "Historic Houses of Worship in Peril." Sam Hodges reports.
Read story

South Georgia Advocate, United Methodist Communications
Hunters help feed hungry

VIENNA, Ga. — The food ministry at Vienna United Methodist Church has freezers full of venison, courtesy of deer hunters. Hunters in Georgia and around the country work with organizations like Hunters for the Hungry to help with food ministries. Kara Witherow reports on the Georgia ministry and United Methodist Communications has a video about hunters in North Carolina who provide meat to nonprofits.
Read story
Watch video

Texas Conference
Churches keep faith with Thanksgiving tradition

KATY, Texas — Three Texas Conference churches are part of the Katy Thanksgiving Feast, an ecumenical effort that since 2003 has provided Thanksgiving meals to needy families. COVID-19 has forced changes, but the feast will go on. Katy First United Methodist Church has assembled 1,000 cans of cranberry sauce and 500 jars of turkey gravy. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story

United Methodist Communications
Worshipping over a meal

GRAFTON, Mass. — Sitting around a table instead of facing forward in rows of pews makes for a different kind of worship experience, known as table ministry. At Simple Church, anyone can reserve a place setting and join in a meal, short sermon and group conversation. Crystal Caviness reports.
Read story

The Tennessean
Meharry president submits resume to Biden team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dr. James Hildreth, president of Meharry Medical College, was asked to submit his resume to President-elect Joe Biden's transition team for consideration as part of the incoming administration's coronavirus response. Meharry is the only historically Black medical school related to The United Methodist Church. Brett Kelman has the story.
Read story

RESOURCES

Virginia Conference
Event looks at Gospel in post-Christian times

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Virginia Conference's Bishop Sharma D. Lewis will join in "Being Formed by the Gospel in a Post-Christian Age," a Dec. 4-5 online event organized by the ecumenical LARCUM Covenant in Virginia. LARCUM stands for Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist. The scholar Phillip Cary will be the presenter. Registration is $25.
Read schedule
To register

RECENT HEADLINES

Planning for a more inclusive church

Liberian pastors preach about drug abuse

EVENTS

Tuesday, Dec. 1

World AIDS Day


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