UM News Digest - Jan. 6, 2025

Reflecting on 2024: The year in photos
Bishop remembered for ministry, music
Coming out with the new Book of Discipline

On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Reflecting on 2024: The year in photos

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — 2024 was a year of great change for The United Methodist Church, headlined by a history-making General Conference. Globally, wars and extreme weather left millions of people displaced. The contentious U.S. presidential election fueled concerns over immigration and other issues. But in a world filled with uncertainty, United Methodists continued to live out their faith and serve their communities. UM News documents a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.

See photo presentation

Methodist Church of Mexico Bishop Agustín Altamirano Ramos helps deliver emergency supplies to Acapulco, Mexico, where Hurricane Otis struck in late 2023. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of Greater New Jersey embrace after General Conference delegates eliminated the denomination’s Social Principles passage stating that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Bishop remembered for ministry and music

PITTSBURGH (UM News) — United Methodist Bishop George Bashore is being remembered as a supporter of young clergy and a master vocalist who weaved music into almost everything he did. He died on Dec. 13 at age 90. Jim Patterson has the story.

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Upper New York Conference
Ministry brings hope and warmth
PINE CITY, N.Y. — Fresh Start at Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church is dedicated to uplifting the homeless and poor in its community, especially during the coldest months of the year. Through the annual Keeping the Community Warm initiative, church members extend warmth, compassion and hope, ensuring that those facing hardships feel seen, valued and cared for. The Upper New York Conference produced a video profiling the ministry.
Watch video

South Carolina Conference
2 couples step up to bring relief after hurricane
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ben Willis, a member of Fair Lawn United Methodist Church, was sitting in his recliner watching news coverage of the devastation Hurricane Helene brought, and his heart tugged at scenes from Western North Carolina. Thus began the commitment by Willis, his wife, Annette, and friends Al and Barbi Wactor to deliver supplies and feed volunteers in the hard-hit region. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Florida Conference
Professor has big impact on conference
LAKELAND, Fla. — For 47 years at United Methodist-related Florida Southern College before his retirement in 2024, the Rev. Waite Willis opened doors and helped young minds discover what was already inside them. He likely has trained more full-time clergy than anyone in the Florida Conference’s history. Joe Henderson has the story.
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Religion News Service
Richard Hays, influential scholar, dies at 76
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Richard Hays, a renowned New Testament scholar, United Methodist elder and former dean of United Methodist-related Duke Divinity School known for his influential books on Christian ethics and his change of mind about same-sex marriage, died Jan. 3 from pancreatic cancer. Hays was 76. Bob Smietana has an obituary.
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RNS: Hays had rare combination of confidence, contrition

UM News includes in the 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.

Coming out with the new Book of Discipline
DALLAS (UM News) — The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles, a veteran General Conference delegate, joins with many United Methodists in celebrating the removal of the denomination’s 52-year-old stance against same-sex relationships. With her children’s encouragement, Miles also is using the occasion of the new Book of Discipline to discuss her own journey of self-discovery.
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Council of Bishops
Bishops celebrate Moravian sites’ recognition
PARIS — The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recognized four Moravian Church settlements around the globe as “of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.” The United Methodist Church has a full-communion relationship with Moravians. During the 18th century, Moravians influenced Methodism founder John Wesley.
Read press release
UM News: A little-known big influence on John Wesley

Union Commonwealth University
New president announced for Union
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — DJ Washington, who has served as interim president of Union Commonwealth University since June 1, has been appointed as the institution’s 20th president. Washington is a 2003 alumnus of the United Methodist-affiliated school.
Read press release

Higher Education and Ministry
Agency opens scholarship applications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has opened its scholarship application portal for United Methodist students seeking scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at colleges, universities and seminaries in the United States. Potential scholarships awarded range from $500 to $1,200, on average. This is a separate scholarship program than that offered by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation.
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