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Bishops
United Methodist Bishop Warner Brown (to the left of sign, middle row) poses with staff of the Albert Academy boys’ high school in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during a familiarization tour of United Methodist institutions in the country. Brown was appointed as interim bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area following the death of Bishop John K. Yambasu in 2020. Photo by Phileas Jusu, UM News.
United Methodist Bishop Warner Brown (to the left of sign, middle row) poses with staff of the Albert Academy boys’ high school in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during a familiarization tour of United Methodist institutions in the country. Brown was appointed as interim bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area following the death of Bishop John K. Yambasu in 2020. Photo by Phileas Jusu, UM News.

Leading Sierra Leone after tragedy
Interim Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. reflects on the past year leading the Sierra Leone Conference and shares his hopes for the future.

Editor's Picks

Theology and Education
Imam Ossama Bahloul of the Islamic Center of Nashville expresses appreciation to Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville for hosting his congregation during Friday prayers in the month of Ramadan while their mosque was being renovated. At left is Kamel Daouk, board chairman of the Islamic center. At right is the Rev. Paul Purdue, senior pastor at Belmont. As the U.S. marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, one expert in Islamic-Christian relations said perceptions of Islam by Americans have improved over the past two decades. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church work continues in Afghanistan
The chaotic scene as people fled Afghanistan while the Taliban took over doesn’t mean that United Methodists are through trying to help there.
Local Church
The North Georgia Conference is suing Mt. Bethel Church after attempts at mediation failed. The suit is seeking that the court require the transfer of all assets to the conference. Photo by Wendy Parker, East Cobb News.

Conference sues for control of megachurch
After a failed attempt at mediation, the North Georgia Conference trustees have sued Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church seeking the transfer of assets.
Annual Conferences
United Methodist News posts reports from annual conferences around the connection. World graphic by Josy Dom Alexis; image for Annual Conference Reports, United Methodist News, 2021.

2021 United Methodist annual conference reports
UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.

Latest

Evangelism
World Methodist Evangelism, which celebrates 50 years of ministry this year, is finding new ways to do its work in the realities of a global pandemic. One such initiative is a prayer and fasting program that connects about 1,500 Methodists from around the world via Facebook. Photo by Viktor Forgacs, courtesy of Unsplash.com.

Supporting Wesleyan evangelism amid pandemic
Church History
Standing in front of the pulpit of John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol, England, the Rev. Jonathan Pye leads a Sept. 12 service celebrating the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic to America. Pye is the chair of the Bristol District of the Methodist Church in Britain and deputy chair of the trustees of John Wesley’s New Room. Attendance for the service was limited to allow for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Tim Tanton, UM News.

Celebrating Asbury’s impact on 2 shores
General Conference
Ruben T. Reyes, who was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and a longtime member of the United Methodist Judicial Council, died Sept. 13 at age 82. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Reyes, jurist for nation and church, dies

Faith Stories
Frank Luchsinger laughs at an exchange between Janet Gray and Dave Allen during a visit at Gray’s home in Franklin, Tenn. The two men, both of whom outlived their wives, spend their Tuesdays together, visiting church members on the prayer list at Brentwood (Tenn.) United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Leveraging faith to walk through grief
Disaster Relief
The Tribute in Light is an art installation created in remembrance of those who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. It consists of 88 vertical searchlights arranged in two columns to represent the twin towers that came down in the attack. On clear nights, the lights can be seen over 60 miles away. Photo courtesy of the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Finding light in the darkness of 9/11
Human Rights
We Are One Family: Personal Encournters with Racism is a series of commentaries of personal experience with racism and the intersection of faith and justice. Hands image by truthseeker08 courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

We Are God's Family: Personal Encounters with Racism
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Multimedia

From top left: Storm clouds swirl behind Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Bastian, Va.; Hillary Cooper, 11, gives the sermon at Tubman Memorial United Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia; Andy, a recovering addict, gets a smooch from guard dog at Brookside Farm rehabilitation program in Aurora, W.Va.; the Rev. Armando Rodriguez Jr. (left) prays with Dr. Dimas Hidalgo (center) and Nelcilone Broga onboard the John Wesley medical boat while docked in Murutinga, Brazil. All photos by Mike DuBose, UM News.
From top left: Storm clouds swirl behind Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Bastian, Va.; Hillary Cooper, 11, gives the sermon at Tubman Memorial United Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia; Andy, a recovering addict, gets a smooch from guard dog at Brookside Farm rehabilitation program in Aurora, W.Va.; the Rev. Armando Rodriguez Jr. (left) prays with Dr. Dimas Hidalgo (center) and Nelcilone Broga onboard the John Wesley medical boat while docked in Murutinga, Brazil. All photos by Mike DuBose, UM News.

UM News World Photography Day
Take a trip around the world and around the connection through the eyes of long-time United Methodist photographer Mike DuBose. World Photography Day, Aug. 19, honors the importance of cameras and photography in documenting memorable events.

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Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Wayne Dickert guides a raft down the Nantahala River near Bryson City, N.C. A 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and pastor of Bryson City United Methodist Church, Dickert has conducted riverside services beside the Nantahala for the past 15 years. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years
Mission and Ministry
The Old Rectory in Epworth, England was built in 1709 following the "Great Fire" and was the home of John and Charles Wesley along with their parents and siblings. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Ask the UMC: Where is John Wesley's birthplace?
Mission and Ministry
(Clockwise, from top left) Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Rev. Stephen Handy leads a prayer vigil in Nashville, Tenn., for those lost to acts of racism; Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church in San Juan, Texas; volunteers from the United Methodist Committee on Relief distribute food to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, Philippines. Photos by Mike DuBose, UM News.

United Methodist photos
Human Sexuality
Ms. Penny Cost is the drag persona of Isaac Simmons, the first openly queer man to be certified as a candidate for ordination within the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church. Simmons serves as project and remote learning coordinator for Hope United Methodist Church in Bloomington, Ill. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ministry candidate preaches in drag to ‘speak in a new way’
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Commentaries

Rick Reinhard. Photo by Valerie Smallwood.

A call to examine United Methodist real estate
The Rev. Dr. William B. Lawrence. Photo by Todd W. Lawrence.

Texas abortion law threatens ministry
The Rev. Thomas Kim. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News

A lamentation with hope for Afghanistan
The Rev. Janet L. Wolf. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Remembering a civil rights giant
Sally Curtis AsKew. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

In defense of rural churches
Larry R. Hygh Jr., Ed.D. Photo by K. Neubauer.

Leadership lessons from Bishop Beverly J. Shamana
Rich Peck. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Simone Biles and St. Paul: Expectations vs. outcomes
The Rev. Olu Brown. Photo courtesy of the author.

Embrace your ‘next’ as part of God’s plan
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Ask The UMC

Theology and Education
An artist's rendering of Newbury Seminary in Newbury, Vermont, in 1839. The seminary would evolve into Boston University School of Theology. Betsey Dow Twombly became a teacher and head of "women's work" at the school in 1837 at the age of 19. Original image courtesy of Boston University School of Theology; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.
An artist's rendering of Newbury Seminary in Newbury, Vermont, in 1839. The seminary would evolve into Boston University School of Theology. Betsey Dow Twombly became a teacher and head of "women's work" at the school in 1837 at the age of 19. Original image courtesy of Boston University School of Theology; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Pioneer in Methodism, Betsey Down Twombly
Betsey Dow Twombly was a pioneer in education for women and men and a leader in supporting women in mission.

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Mission and Ministry
Connectional giving of The United Methodist Church funds ministries of the global denomination like disaster relief and education. Illustration by Mike DuBose, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Does The UMC fund...?
Theology and Education
In times of illness, death and grief, pastors offer the hope and peace found in Jesus Christ. Image by truthseeker08, courtesy of Pixabay.

Ask The UMC: Do United Methodists offer last rites?
Theology and Education
The crocus is viewed by some as a symbol of hope and new life after winter. Image courtesy of Pixabay.

Ask The UMC: Death and Resurrection Series
Church History
Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church has been called one of the sites all United Methodists should see because it has been a Methodist house of worship continually since 1769. Video image by Jess Warnock, courtesy of United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Where was the first Methodist annual conference in America?
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Categories

Local Church
The Rev. Paula Smith (second from left) steadies a cart while volunteers Tim Morgan (in green T-shirt) and Richard Wilson load box lunches for distribution at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. A new study by Gammon Theological Seminary explores the pandemic’s impact on Black United Methodist churches and leaders. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Research shows Black churches’ resilience
The Rev. Godknows Risinamhodzi, Chitungwiza Marondera District superintendent, unlocks a new vehicle that will be given to Learnmore Rungwandi, pastor in charge of the Hwedza United Methodist Circuit near Wedza, Zimbabwe. Rungwandi had been walking long distances to minister to her four local churches spread over a 37-mile radius. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Circuit-to-circuit partnership enhances mobility for pastor
Boy Scouts parade in front of Leipsic (Ohio) United Methodist Church during the town's Fall Festival in 2010. As the Boy Scouts of America’s sex abuse-triggered bankruptcy proceeds, United Methodist congregations are hearing from denomination leaders to hold off on renewing chartering relationships with Boy Scout troops. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

BSA bankruptcy concerns church leaders
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Evangelism
Churches may have shuttered their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, but disciple-making kept going through digital ministries. In observance of Social Media Day, UM News explores how churches are reaching new people through social media and online offerings. Globe by OpenClipart-Vectors, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media takes disciple-making global
Tim Tanton, United Methodist Communications. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Social media enables community around news
The Rev. David Petty, shown in the inset image at lower right, plays the Mass Effect video game online. Petty, senior pastor at St Paul’s United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., has been in ministry with the gaming community since 2017. UM News screenshot from YouTube.

Online gamer ministry offers unique outreach
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Social Concerns
A U.S. airman with the Joint Task Force-Crisis Response embraces a mother after helping reunite her family at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. United Methodist churches, conferences, agencies and partner nonprofits are working to help arriving refugees make a good start in the U.S. Photo by Cpl. Davis Harris, U.S. Marine Corps.

United Methodists pitch in with Afghan resettlement
Community leaders in Karim Lamido, Nigeria, gather to discuss peace and reconciliation efforts following episodes of violence in the area. United Methodist Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who organized the meeting, called on those attending to pray for peace. Photo by Ramson Danjuma, UM News.

Nigeria bishop convenes meeting to address violence
This portrait from 1887 shows people from the Chiricahua band of Apache Native Americans about four months after their arrival at the United States Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pa. Native Americans were taken from their homes and enrolled in boarding schools for many years, separating students from both their families and their culture. Image courtesy of the Richard Henry Pratt Papers, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University via Wikimedia Commons.

Pastor reflects on abuses at Indian boarding schools
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Mission and Ministry
United Methodist Church of Bound Brook, in Bound Brook, N.J., is dealing with Hurricane Ida flood damage, including to its thrift shop. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Chuck Coblentz.

United Methodist connection kicks in after Ida
Mellan Nyagato (left) poses with her siblings in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Africa University junior is coping with her father’s death from COVID-19 while studying online with her sisters. Photo courtesy of Mellan Nyagato.

AU student copes with father’s death from COVID-19
The Connectional Table, a United Methodist leadership body, identifies COVID-19 vaccine distribution as a missional priority for the denomination. The move aims to strengthen ongoing efforts to get shots in arms. Photo by Arek Socha, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

COVID-19 vaccination named missional priority
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General Church
Northwest Texas Conference voters pray for the conference’s 14-member transition team appointed by Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe to educate voters about their options under a proposed plan of denominational separation heading to the coming General Conference. During the Aug. 13-14 Northwest Texas Annual Conference meeting in Lubbock, Texas, voters signaled their hope for the conference to move to a new denomination under the plan. Photo courtesy of the Northwest Texas Conference.

Conference signals its plans post-separation
As organizers of the United Methodist General Conference look to the possibility of an in-person session in 2022, the new strain presents new challenges. Coronavirus image courtesy of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Virus bedevils General Conference planning
With increased giving and reduced expenses, the Episcopal Fund that supports bishops’ work is in better shape. The General Council on Finance and Administration board voted to give bishops their first raise in three years, but the board still sees challenges ahead for the fund. General Council on Finance and Administration episcopal services department graphic, courtesy of GCFA.

Funding for bishops improves but still shaky
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