“We are no longer able to put food on the table … for our families. I am no longer able to buy clothes to look presentable, even shoes to wear, as I go for visitations.” — The Rev. Douglas Maundukuse, on the challenges United Methodist pastors are facing in Zimbabwe.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Laity giving pastors a boost during pandemic
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Due to COVID-19 and the country’s economic challenges, the church in Zimbabwe is struggling to provide adequate salaries to pastors. To help, the lay leadership of the Zimbabwe East Conference is appealing to every church member to contribute $1 each month toward pastors’ allowances. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Service sustains clergy couple
HOUSTON — Being a pastor can be hard work, but it’s a labor of love for the Revs. Brandi and David Horton, pastors at two Houston-area United Methodist churches. The Hortons believe that their shared sense of purpose and common goals benefit their marriage. Lindsay Peyton has their story.
Read story
Greater Northwest Area
Ash-sifting kits assembled for wildfire survivors
DES MOINES, Wash. — While helping with the recovery effort from the 2018 Woolsey Fire outside Los Angeles, Pacific Northwest Conference disaster response coordinator Kathy Bryson learned about ash sifters — wooden boxes with a wire screen designed to help recover lost items that may have survived the flames. When wildfires spread into Oregon and Washington in September, Bryson recruited churches to create and distribute ash sifters to affected areas. Patrick Scriven reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race
Oct. 7 racism discussion to focus on voting issues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In preparation for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, this month's panel discussion for The United Methodist Church's Dismantling Racism series examines voter suppression. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, a United Methodist pastor and congressman, and Erin M. Hawkins, California-Pacific Conference executive director of connectional ministries, will discuss voting issues at noon U.S. Central time on Oct. 7.
To watch
World Student Christian Federation
Oct. 4 virtual event includes civil rights leader
NEW YORK — How can Christian students help build a new world together centered on the biblical values of justice, equity and love? That is the topic of a virtual conversation series sponsored by the World Student Christian Federation in collaboration with campus ministers, chaplains and students from across the U.S. Part One of the conversation, at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Oct. 4, will focus on faith and racial justice. Panelists include the Rev. James Lawson, a United Methodist minister and civil rights leader.
For more information and to register
Church and Community Development for All People
Conference looks at improving health for all
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Community Development for All People, the faith-based nonprofit run by the United Methodist Church for All People, will hold its annual All People Conference Oct. 24-26. The theme of this year’s conference is Abundant Health, and it is designed to help churches build relationships with their community across race and class and improve the social determinants of health for all. Registration is now open, and participants can choose to attend in person or online.
For more information
To register
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.
Ministry Matters
Being the church in divisive times
TIPP City, Ohio — Christians should not idolize worldly leaders but instead honor the social holiness demands of the Bible, says the Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastor emeritus of Ginghamsburg (United Methodist) Church. “Kingdom justice is not up for partisan political debate,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Building relationships with virtual visitors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many churches are reporting much higher online worship attendance than they typically see in person. Eric Seiberling offers tips for how email can help sustain these new connections in a time of social distancing.
Read tips
RECENT HEADLINES
Want to have your say? Churches urge voting
Preaching creation care in the land of fracking
EVENTS
Sunday, Oct. 4
Seeing Through Another’s Eyes: A Prayer Walk and Worship Service for Healing
NEWS AND FEATURES
Laity giving pastors a boost during pandemic
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Due to COVID-19 and the country’s economic challenges, the church in Zimbabwe is struggling to provide adequate salaries to pastors. To help, the lay leadership of the Zimbabwe East Conference is appealing to every church member to contribute $1 each month toward pastors’ allowances. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Service sustains clergy couple
HOUSTON — Being a pastor can be hard work, but it’s a labor of love for the Revs. Brandi and David Horton, pastors at two Houston-area United Methodist churches. The Hortons believe that their shared sense of purpose and common goals benefit their marriage. Lindsay Peyton has their story.
Read story
Greater Northwest Area
Ash-sifting kits assembled for wildfire survivors
DES MOINES, Wash. — While helping with the recovery effort from the 2018 Woolsey Fire outside Los Angeles, Pacific Northwest Conference disaster response coordinator Kathy Bryson learned about ash sifters — wooden boxes with a wire screen designed to help recover lost items that may have survived the flames. When wildfires spread into Oregon and Washington in September, Bryson recruited churches to create and distribute ash sifters to affected areas. Patrick Scriven reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race
Oct. 7 racism discussion to focus on voting issues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In preparation for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, this month's panel discussion for The United Methodist Church's Dismantling Racism series examines voter suppression. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, a United Methodist pastor and congressman, and Erin M. Hawkins, California-Pacific Conference executive director of connectional ministries, will discuss voting issues at noon U.S. Central time on Oct. 7.
To watch
World Student Christian Federation
Oct. 4 virtual event includes civil rights leader
NEW YORK — How can Christian students help build a new world together centered on the biblical values of justice, equity and love? That is the topic of a virtual conversation series sponsored by the World Student Christian Federation in collaboration with campus ministers, chaplains and students from across the U.S. Part One of the conversation, at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Oct. 4, will focus on faith and racial justice. Panelists include the Rev. James Lawson, a United Methodist minister and civil rights leader.
For more information and to register
Church and Community Development for All People
Conference looks at improving health for all
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Community Development for All People, the faith-based nonprofit run by the United Methodist Church for All People, will hold its annual All People Conference Oct. 24-26. The theme of this year’s conference is Abundant Health, and it is designed to help churches build relationships with their community across race and class and improve the social determinants of health for all. Registration is now open, and participants can choose to attend in person or online.
For more information
To register
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.
Ministry Matters
Being the church in divisive times
TIPP City, Ohio — Christians should not idolize worldly leaders but instead honor the social holiness demands of the Bible, says the Rev. Mike Slaughter, pastor emeritus of Ginghamsburg (United Methodist) Church. “Kingdom justice is not up for partisan political debate,” he writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Building relationships with virtual visitors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many churches are reporting much higher online worship attendance than they typically see in person. Eric Seiberling offers tips for how email can help sustain these new connections in a time of social distancing.
Read tips
RECENT HEADLINES
Want to have your say? Churches urge voting
Preaching creation care in the land of fracking
EVENTS
Sunday, Oct. 4
Seeing Through Another’s Eyes: A Prayer Walk and Worship Service for Healing
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