“When you invest in and really value the Black church, you are literally dismantling racism.” — The Rev. Michael L. Bowie, national executive director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Inspiration, expertise for Black churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century will offer tips on innovative ministries and better use of technology at its Dec. 1-2 national conference in Houston. The hybrid online and in-person event will include field trips to learn about some of the creative ways Houston-area churches are serving their communities. Jim Patterson has the story.
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UM News: Fundraising, church assessments on tap for SBC21
Storms damage church schools, missions
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Heavy rains and strong winds left a trail of destruction of property worth thousands of dollars at two United Methodist missions, which are home to several schools. Kudzai Chingwe reports on the damage and its impact on students and teachers.
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Holston Conference
Once 'unfit,' church celebrates revival
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Nine months after city officials closed Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church and declared it “unfit for human habitation,” 84 people gathered for a worship service celebrating a revitalization effort. Annette Spence has the story of the church, which hosts a free medical clinic.
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Arkansas Conference
Native American heritage embraced by Arkansans
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Conference includes pastors and laity who have researched and embraced their Native American ancestry. Such a group from the conference recently joined in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference’s annual immersion experience in Native American life and visited the new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Amy Ezell reports.
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UM News: Group gets immersion in Native history, concerns
UM News: Programs support, develop Native American youth
Mississippi Conference
UMCOR, conference work on recovery
JACKSON, Miss. — Two years ago, the Mississippi Conference received a two-year, $3 million grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to help with recovery from hurricanes and floods. Matthew Johnson reports how the conference has used the grant, including repairing or replacing 300 homes.
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Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Noted teacher of evangelism dies
CANTON, Ga. — Throughout his ministry, the Rev. George E. Morris sought to share the Gospel in word, deed and sign, and he taught fellow United Methodists to do the same. He was the founding director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute, a cooperative ministry of the World Methodist Council and United Methodist-related Emory University. He died Nov. 21 at age 86.
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RESOURCES
The Connectional Table
Talking baptism at 'Tuesdays at the Table'
CHICAGO — The Rev. Jay Williams leads the next “Tuesdays at the Table” online conversation, tackling the question, “Can my baptism be invalidated by my sexuality or anything else?” Williams, pastor of Union Church in Boston, will discuss what United Methodist tradition teaches about what it means to be a baptized Christian. The discussion will premiere at 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 30 on Facebook.
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EVENTS
Thursday, Dec. 16
Webinar: Engaging the Community for Social Transformation