“Welcome to uncertainty with a capital U.” — Cynthia A. Bond Hopson at worship during the General Council on Finance and Administration board meeting.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Amid church exits, work starts on record-low budget
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The board of the denomination’s finance agency is moving forward with developing The United Methodist Church’s lowest budget in decades. Leaders agree that big changes are coming as the denomination grapples with rising church disaffiliations. But disagreements remain on how best to balance financial uncertainty with missional commitments. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read General Council on Finance and Administration press release
Three church disaffiliations blocked
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (UM News) — A special session of the Arkansas Conference took the apparently unprecedented action of blocking the disaffiliation of three churches, while approving 35 others for departure from The United Methodist Church. Sam Hodges reports.
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Read Arkansas Conference press release
Mountain Sky Conference
Bishop Oliveto offers message after shooting
CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Bishop Karen Oliveto reacted to a mass shooting at a gay bar in Colorado Springs on Nov. 19 that left five dead and at least 25 wounded. She also acknowledged the weekend’s disaffiliation votes by churches that wish to leave The United Methodist Church over disagreement about the full acceptance of gay people: “I mourn with my LGBTQ+ siblings as we continue to be under attack in church and society.” She thanked pastors and laity of Colorado Springs churches for providing pastoral support and a healing presence for those impacted by the shooting.
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Ask The UMC
Helping students through special offering
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Student Day is a denominational Special Sunday with offering observed the last Sunday of November (Nov. 27 this year). Learn more about how your generous giving to this special offering supports United Methodist undergraduate and graduate students worldwide.
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East Ohio Conference
Youths package thousands of meals
WADSWORTH, Ohio — Nearly 200 youth and their adult leaders worked together on Nov. 13 to pack thousands of meals at Wadsworth Middle School. This marked the first Project Feed event, a partnership between the East Ohio Conference Young People’s Ministries and the Rise Against Hunger organization, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Brett Hetherington reports.
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Central and Southern Europe Conference
Delegates approve report calling for unity
BASEL, Switzerland — Delegates to the Nov. 16-20 Central and Southern Europe Central Conference approved by a 53-11 majority a report titled "Called to Unity." Developed by a roundtable made up of members from eight countries, the report contains proposals on how United Methodists in the conference can move forward together despite differences of opinion on human sexuality. Christine Schneider and Sigmar Friedrich report.
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UM News: Stefan Zürcher elected bishop
PRESS RELEASES
Baylor University
Baylor appoints Vickers to William J. Abraham Chair
WACO, Texas — The Rev. Jason Vickers has been named professor of Christian theology and the inaugural holder of The William J. Abraham Chair of Wesleyan Studies at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, part of Baylor University. Vickers holds a doctorate from Southern Methodist University, where he studied under Abraham, and has taught most recently at Asbury Theological Seminary.
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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 UM News staff.
Book offers clarity on United Methodist doctrine
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — “Faith Working Through Love,” produced by the Committee on Faith and Order, sets the record straight about United Methodist beliefs and how those beliefs shape lives. The book, which began taking shape in 2014, was not written to address disaffiliation debates, but does offer clarity about United Methodist doctrine, writes David N. Field, who helped edit the book.
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RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Downloadable resource for Native American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON — To honor Native American Heritage Month in November, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering a downloadable graphic of “11 Facts about Native People in Society and the Church.” Prepared by newly elected Bishop David Wilson, the denomination’s first Native American bishop, the fact sheet debunks erroneous beliefs about Indigenous persons and chronicles their long-standing role in The United Methodist Church.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 28-Friday, Dec. 23
Online course: Biblical Women, Advent Waiting and 21st Century Lives
Saturday, Dec. 3
Deaconess and Home Missioner Virtual Discernment Event