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UM News Digest - May 14, 2025
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“It builds you up. Being able to care for the women that we serve, to hear their stories, to share my story, to connect, it fills me up so that I can do the other work that isn’t as fulfilling like the paperwork.” — The Rev. Cathy Stone, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas.
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Sherri, known for her flamboyant fashion style, poses at First United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, while enjoying the church’s weekly spa day event. The ministry provides unhoused women with food, showers and free clothing. Photo by Andrea Turner, UM News.
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Church provides pampering for unhoused women
AUSTIN, Texas (UM News) — Before the sun comes up on Friday mornings, homeless women begin congregating in front of First United Methodist Church of Austin. That’s the day of the week set aside for women to get a shower, do laundry, get a good meal, pick out something from the clothes closet and even enjoy the services of a hair stylist once a month. They call the program At the Well. Jim Patterson reports. |
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United Methodist Communications
Hawaii United Methodists preserve local traditions
WAHIAWA, Hawaii — Over generations, Hawaiian language and traditions were nearly extinguished by efforts to force Native peoples to assimilate following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. Since the 1970s, there has been a movement, including in United Methodist churches, to bring back lost traditions. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, Lilla Marigza talks with pastors and music directors about embracing Hawaiian traditions in worship.
Watch video
Nebraska News Service
LGBTQ-welcoming church faces bomb threats
OMAHA, Neb. — Urban Abbey is a bookstore, coffee shop and United Methodist church located in Nebraska’s largest city. The church has experienced bomb threats, protests outside the building, verbal harassment during store hours and online hate for having an LGBTQ-inclusive space. In this profile, the Rev. Debrah McKnight and church members reflect on their continuing commitment to be welcoming. Laura Behn has the story.
Watch video |
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Higher Education and Ministry
Fernandes receives honorary degree
EVANSTON, Ill. — Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during a visit to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Fernandes spoke May 9 during the seminary’s commencement ceremony. “We honor him for his wise and bold stewardship of our key institutions, for his partnership in amplifying the church’s voice, role and purpose in the most vulnerable communities around the world and for the witness of his life lived in total service to God and to neighbor,” said the Rev. Javier A. Viera, president of Garrett.
Read press release
Church World Service
Refugee agency responds to Afrikaners’ arrival
WASHINGTON — As white Afrikaners arrive in the U.S., Church World Service is urging the Trump administration to comply with court orders to resettle all eligible refugees. The ecumenical nonprofit is The United Methodist Church’s partner in refugee resettlement. The nonprofit remains committed to serving all eligible refugees, including Afrikaners, said Rick Santos, the nonprofit’s top executive. The nonprofit released its statement before the announcement that Episcopal Migration Ministries, as part of its commitment to racial justice, would not work with the fast-tracked Afrikaners coming to the U.S. and would end its refugee resettlement work with the U.S. federal government.
Read CWS press release
Read Episcopal Bishop Sean Rowe’s letter |
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United Methodist Communications
An annual conference primer for new delegates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What are your responsibilities as a delegate to annual conference? What should you read and study to prepare? Is there a mobile app or other technology you should know about? Philip J. Brooks with ResourceUMC offers information and tips for first-time lay delegates.
Read story
Amplify Media
Lovett Weems to host webinar for leaders
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr., longtime director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and prolific United Methodist author, is scheduled to lead an online workshop, titled “The Right Stuff,” for church leaders at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time May 21. He will discuss how to ask the right questions about pain points and explore actionable responses. Amplify Media, a ministry of the United Methodist Publishing House, offers the webinar.
Learn more and register
Finance and Administration
Immigration guidance for employers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As immigration policies shift across the U.S., the General Council on Finance and Administration is providing resources to churches and ministries to stay informed about their responsibilities and rights as employers.
Download resources |
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Photo by Dan Anderson, Meet Minneapolis
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Minneapolis chosen for 2028 General Conference
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Photo by Rick Wolcott, Council of Bishops
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Bishops work to put new vision into action
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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