Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Daily Digest - January 16, 2020

“Now is a wonderful time for United Methodist Christians to unite in prayer for fresh expressions of unusual kindness.”Bishop B. Michael Watson, ecumenical officer for the United Methodist Council of Bishops.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Christians should practice ‘unusual kindness’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25 this year, challenges Christians worldwide to offer kindness and hospitality to others. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story 

Religion News Service
Federal ruling blocks anti-refugee order

BALTIMORE — A ruling by a federal judge in Maryland is blocking an executive order by President Trump allowing state and local officials to refuse refugee resettlements. The Rev. John L. McCullough, a United Methodist and president and CEO of Church World Service, hailed the ruling because it allows Christians to continue to live out their calling to welcome the stranger. Emily McFarlan Miller reports.
Read story

South Carolina, Northern Illinois conferences
United Methodists honor MLK through service

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Conference is sponsoring a Jan. 18-20 MLK Weekend Disaster Recovery effort, with volunteers set to do repairs for homeowners bouncing back from Hurricane Florence. Northbrook United Methodist in Northbrook, Illinois, is an example of a church doing community service projects to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
Read about conference
Read about church

Oklahoma Conference
Church goes extra mile for couple after fire

WILBURTON, Okla. — After a fire destroyed their home on Saturday, Billy and Lisa Sparks went to their church on Sunday, unsure of their next steps. Wilburton United Methodist Church that day voted to let the couple, and their dog, live in the parsonage until their home was restored. 
Read story


COMMENTARIES
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 the UM News staff.

United Methodist Communications
Human Relations Day helps man’s recovery

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Lost, imprisoned and unsure what to do next, Demetrius Kelly entered a rehabilitation program supported in part by The United Methodist Church’s Human Relations Day special offering. Kelly writes about his experience with the United Methodist Hoover Treatment Center.
Read commentary


RECENT HEADLINES

Traditional Ivorian dish cooking up profits for women


Panel offers peek behind scenes of separation plan


EVENTS

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Explore Calling webinar: A Guide to Helping Others Answer the Call

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - May 7, 2025

Bishops work to put new vision into action; Church ‘gives sight’ to 250 in Guatemala; Helping Native American groups honor a hero

UM News Digest - May 5, 2025

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling; ‘World shifted’ with full inclusion; Banner gifted to Korean Methodists

UM News Digest - May 2, 2025

Conference moves toward fossil-fuel divestment; What’s new in the Discipline churchwide?; Oregon-Idaho’s first Tongan church chartered

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved