“I had to learn how to work smarter when it came to visiting people … so I wasn’t running all over the place.” — Pastor Jon Fox of Sistersville First United Methodist Church and Friendly United Methodist Church in West Virginia.
Inflation, gas prices complicate ministries
SISTERSVILLE, W.Va. (UM News) — High gas prices and inflation are giving rural pastors more challenges in the wake of COVID-19. Donations are down and their paychecks don’t stretch as far as they used to. Jim Patterson reports.
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Florida Conference
At church, paper doves send message of hope
ORLANDO, Fla. — When the Rev. Vance Rains suggested suspending origami doves from First United Methodist Church’s sanctuary ceiling, he wasn’t sure what to expect. The congregation embraced the idea. Joe Henderson has the story of how a thousand paper doves are bringing comfort to the grieving and keeping the spirit of Pentecost going through the summer months.
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Greater Northwest Area
Church camp marks 100 years of ministry
SISTERS, Ore. — This year marks a century since outdoor ministry began at Suttle Lake Camp. A Labor Day weekend event will celebrate the generations of youth and leaders that have passed through the camp in the Deschutes National Forest. Greg Nelson has the story of the camp that began as a Methodist church’s outdoor adventure.
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California-Nevada Conference
Through circuit, 6 churches cross ethnic lines
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Living Waters Circuit consists of six United Methodist churches of varying sizes and racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The Rev. Carieta Cain-Grizzell, pastor at Fair Oaks United Methodist Church, serves as circuit leader. “… [W]e learn from each other, respecting different experiences, languages and personalities with understanding and joy,” the pastor explains. JB Brayfindley reports.
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World Council of Churches
Ecumenical delegation visits Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine — As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues for a sixth month, a World Council of Churches delegation visited Ukraine to listen to the representatives of local churches as well as state institutions working on religious issues. The delegation also wanted to ensure the participation of Ukraine’s churches at the upcoming WCC assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.
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The Inter-Mountain
Pastor named Bible dies at 85
SENECA ROCKS, W.Va. — The Rev. Earl Bible, one of the longest-serving licensed local pastors in The United Methodist Church, died Aug. 4 at age 85. He led the Allegheny Charge of the West Virginia Conference for more than 40 years and was featured in a United Methodist News series about licensed local pastors.
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Read 2015 UM News story on Bible
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 UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
One invitation away from returning
WASHINGTON — Are there folks in your church who got out of the habit of attending during the pandemic and haven’t returned yet? The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter writes that one sincere, guilt-free invitation might be all that is needed to get them back.
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