“Our mission is to love God and love our neighbor. This is allowing us to meet and be in ministry with folks who we normally would not be.” — The Rev. Paul Christy, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Hickory, North Carolina.
United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina
Church connects with students, seniors
HICKORY, N.C. — The people of First United Methodist Church in Hickory have found a way to respond to two of their community’s most pressing needs. The church is using technology and its space to offer students after-school tutoring and to help homebound seniors feel connected. The United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina has the story.
Read story
NEWS AND FEATURES
Holston Conference
Survey uncovers tips for blessing boxes
ALCOA, Tenn. — Does your church have a blessing box? A Holston Conference survey found out some quick tips and the most popular items in the miniature 24-hour food pantries. Annette Spence has stories on the survey and on Riley Shover, whose Girl Scout project was a blessing box.
Read story
Holston Conference: Girl Scout project leads to box of blessings
Global Ministries
UMCOR worked across the globe in 2021
ATLANTA — Emergencies in the U.S., Haiti, Afghanistan and other parts of the world kept the United Methodist Committee on Relief busy in 2021. UMCOR also awarded more than 30 U.S. churches with Mustard Seed Migration Grants for one-time, community-based service projects. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
Religion News Service
Churches turn to social outreach amid pandemic
HARTFORD, Conn. — More than half of Christian congregations say they have started a new ministry or expanded an existing one during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey. The second report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research is part of a five-year project called “Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations.” United Methodist Communications is assisting the ongoing research. Adelle M. Banks has the story.
Read story
Read report (PDF)
Columbia Daily Tribune
Bishop pays tribute to first responder
COLUMBIA, Mo. — United Methodist Bishop Bob Farr paid tribute to a teacher and assistant fire chief who died in the line of duty. Bryant Gladney died while responding to an automobile crash. Farr spent time with Gladney's family to learn about his life in preparation for sharing their memories of him during the service. Charles Dunlap has the story.
Read story
Bham Now
Church bell tower turns 100
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Highlands United Methodist Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of its bell tower with a Christmas Eve concert. The church’s Spanish Renaissance Revival sanctuary was finished in 1909, but the congregation needed until 1921 to raise the money to finish the bell tower. An anonymous gift that year provided the 13 bells that are still in use. Nathan Watson reports.
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.
Creating a Culture of Renewal
Weakened democracy leads to weakened churches
CASPER, Wyo. — One year out from the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building, the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter reflects on how political polarization and threats to democracy have damaged churches. “When Jesus is equated with political identities, the church suffers because the followers of Jesus are now asked to serve a lesser power,” she writes.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Human Relations Day coming Jan. 16
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Jan. 16, United Methodists around the globe will join in celebrating Human Relations Day, a special offering that supports ministries that bridge the gap between the church and community. Some 57% of Human Relations Day gifts help support the Community Developers program, which is dedicated to building and strengthening racial ethnic minority United Methodist congregations.
To download resources
Video: Human Relations Day
RECENT HEADLINES
Preserving Black church history
Filipino leaders push to elect new bishops
RECENT HEADLINES
Monday, Jan. 17-Friday, Feb. 25
Online course: Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry