"The leadership that an organization attracts reflects something of the vitality of its life, and when it’s not attracting a steady stream of younger people, committing themselves to the mission of the church, that’s a concern." — The Rev. Lovett Weems Jr. on the 2017 clergy-age study.
Graying of clergy corps continues
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — After hitting a low point in 1985, the number of United Methodist elders under age 35 had been slowly growing in the U.S. in recent years. But the numbers dropped in 2017, according to a new Lewis Center for Church Leadership study. Sam Hodges has the story.
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Quick disaster response to partners in need
OSLO, Norway (UMNS) — When disaster struck Sierra Leone this summer, their partners in The United Methodist Church in Norway took swift action, raising $39,000 for church relief efforts there. Karl Anders Ellingsen has the story.
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North Texas announces just resolutions
PLANO, Texas (UMNS) — The North Texas Conference has announced just resolutions in complaints filed against a retired pastor who officiated at a same-gender wedding and the pastor of the church that hosted the wedding. Heather Hahn reports.
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New forum offers space for understanding
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) —“Many Voices, One Faith” is a new feature that brings together perspectives on topics and issues related to what it means to be United Methodist. Seven people address the inaugural topic, “Why I am United Methodist, and what we can all celebrate about the church today.” The feature, provided by United Methodist News Service, is designed to increase understanding of diverse perspectives in the church and spark dialogue.
Read the commentaries
Texas Conference needs volunteers
HOUSTON — While Irma survivors are still in recovery mode and Maria survivors are still assessing the damage, the Texas Conference is pleading for volunteers to come help with the response to Harvey’s record-breaking floods. “We need help immediately,” said Scott Moore, the conference’s disaster response coordinator.
To help
Aid for young people's work on racial justice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Applications are now available for grants to help United Methodist young people with a passion for racial justice to initiate projects that can influence their church, community and world. In collaboration, three agencies and the Connectional Table are providing up to $2,500 per project. The application deadline is Oct. 15.
Read Discipleship Ministries press release
To apply
WCC calls for action on Cremisan Valley
GENEVA (WCC) — The World Council of Churches’ Commission of the Churches on International Affairs delivered a statement Sept. 25 to the U.N. Human Rights Council, calling for urgent action to support Palestinian rights in the Cremisan Valley, part of the occupied territories between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Read WCC story
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, Oct. 2
Early bird deadline for 2018 New Room Conference — The ecumenical conference, which seeks to promote Christian revival in the Wesleyan tradition, is scheduled Sept. 19-21, 2018 at Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, Tennessee. Seedbed, the publishing arm of Asbury Theological Seminary, is the sponsor. If registered by the end of Oct. 2, the cost is $99. After that, the rates increase. Details
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