“We would be the acolytes if an acolyte didn't show up or sing the solo if we needed a soloist that week. It really got us used to public speaking and not being afraid of being up in front of people. It definitely helped me a lot.” — Actress Sheila Carrasco, about growing up as the daughter of a United Methodist pastor.
NEWS AND FEATURES
‘Ghosts’ actress is a lifelong United Methodist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — One of the stars of the hit CBS sitcom “Ghosts” credits her upbringing in The United Methodist Church with helping her develop “an empathetic ear” that helps her succeed as an actress. Sheila Carrasco, daughter of retired pastor and superintendent the Rev. Oscar Carrasco, plays the ghost of a hippie named Flower on the show. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Iowa Conference
Church raises funds to support Ukrainian refugees
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — With support from the community, Hope United Methodist Church currently leads an ecumenical project for Ukrainian refugee resettlement. Since September, the project has welcomed three families, with two more expected by year’s end. Liz Winders reports.
Read story
North Texas Conference
Remembering a legend of Hispanic ministry
DALLAS — The Rev. Isabel “Chabelo” Gomez died on Nov. 10, after a long, fruitful career in Hispanic ministry that included mentoring fellow clergy and others. Gomez, who served in the Rio Grande and North Texas conferences, is the subject of a fond remembrance by the Rev. Owen Ross.
Read remembrance
Read earlier story about Gomez
Southern Annual Conference in Nigeria
Nigerian bishop’s widow dies
JALINGO, Nigeria — Kerike Christiana Dabale, the widow of late United Methodist Bishop Done Peter Dabala, was laid to rest on Nov. 12. She died Oct. 17 at the age of 70. Fellow United Methodists called her “Mama Christiana Dabale.” Her husband, who died in 2006, was the first United Methodist bishop in Nigeria. The two had 11 children and 14 grandchildren.
Watch video of funeral on Facebook
South Carolina Conference
After close call, conference poised to help Ian-battered
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many in South Carolina are counting themselves blessed after a near-miss with Hurricane Ian. The storm ripped through several homes and businesses on the South Carolina coast, but disaster response leaders are calling the damage “relatively minor” compared to previous hurricanes. Jessica Brodie reports on how United Methodists in South Carolina stepped up to help neighbors.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Supporting communications on Giving Tuesday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists can support the communication ministries of The United Methodist Church during Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29. Financial contributions help enhance ministry and reflect the church to the world.
Read press release
To donate
RESOURCES
Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
Slaughter, Willimon to speak on church’s future
DALLAS — An event titled “Space at the Table: Conversations of Hope for the UMC Future” is set for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 16 at Dallas' Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. The Rev. Mike Slaughter and retired Bishop Will Willimon are among the scheduled speakers. The event will be livestreamed on the registration page and recorded for later viewing on the church’s YouTube channel.
To register
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
3 bishops, multi-campus pastor focus on 'new beginning'
DENVER — The Rev. Matt Miofsky, lead pastor of The Gathering, a fast-growing multi-campus United Methodist church in St. Louis, will serve as a keynote speaker at the sixth annual Inclusiveness webinar, scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to noon U.S. Mountain time Nov. 19. People can begin checking in on Zoom at 8 a.m. Speakers also include Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton and Bishops Julius Trimble and Karen Oliveto. Their focus topic is “A New Beginning: An Inclusive United Methodism.”
Learn more
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Organ donation gives United Methodist a second chance at life
Wesley’s words inspire Congo missionary
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 28-Friday, Dec. 23
Online course: Prepare the Way for the Lord
Monday, Dec. 5-Friday, Dec. 16
Online course: Transforming Evangelism
NEWS AND FEATURES
‘Ghosts’ actress is a lifelong United Methodist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — One of the stars of the hit CBS sitcom “Ghosts” credits her upbringing in The United Methodist Church with helping her develop “an empathetic ear” that helps her succeed as an actress. Sheila Carrasco, daughter of retired pastor and superintendent the Rev. Oscar Carrasco, plays the ghost of a hippie named Flower on the show. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Iowa Conference
Church raises funds to support Ukrainian refugees
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — With support from the community, Hope United Methodist Church currently leads an ecumenical project for Ukrainian refugee resettlement. Since September, the project has welcomed three families, with two more expected by year’s end. Liz Winders reports.
Read story
North Texas Conference
Remembering a legend of Hispanic ministry
DALLAS — The Rev. Isabel “Chabelo” Gomez died on Nov. 10, after a long, fruitful career in Hispanic ministry that included mentoring fellow clergy and others. Gomez, who served in the Rio Grande and North Texas conferences, is the subject of a fond remembrance by the Rev. Owen Ross.
Read remembrance
Read earlier story about Gomez
Southern Annual Conference in Nigeria
Nigerian bishop’s widow dies
JALINGO, Nigeria — Kerike Christiana Dabale, the widow of late United Methodist Bishop Done Peter Dabala, was laid to rest on Nov. 12. She died Oct. 17 at the age of 70. Fellow United Methodists called her “Mama Christiana Dabale.” Her husband, who died in 2006, was the first United Methodist bishop in Nigeria. The two had 11 children and 14 grandchildren.
Watch video of funeral on Facebook
South Carolina Conference
After close call, conference poised to help Ian-battered
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many in South Carolina are counting themselves blessed after a near-miss with Hurricane Ian. The storm ripped through several homes and businesses on the South Carolina coast, but disaster response leaders are calling the damage “relatively minor” compared to previous hurricanes. Jessica Brodie reports on how United Methodists in South Carolina stepped up to help neighbors.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Communications
Supporting communications on Giving Tuesday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists can support the communication ministries of The United Methodist Church during Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29. Financial contributions help enhance ministry and reflect the church to the world.
Read press release
To donate
RESOURCES
Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
Slaughter, Willimon to speak on church’s future
DALLAS — An event titled “Space at the Table: Conversations of Hope for the UMC Future” is set for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 16 at Dallas' Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. The Rev. Mike Slaughter and retired Bishop Will Willimon are among the scheduled speakers. The event will be livestreamed on the registration page and recorded for later viewing on the church’s YouTube channel.
To register
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
3 bishops, multi-campus pastor focus on 'new beginning'
DENVER — The Rev. Matt Miofsky, lead pastor of The Gathering, a fast-growing multi-campus United Methodist church in St. Louis, will serve as a keynote speaker at the sixth annual Inclusiveness webinar, scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to noon U.S. Mountain time Nov. 19. People can begin checking in on Zoom at 8 a.m. Speakers also include Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton and Bishops Julius Trimble and Karen Oliveto. Their focus topic is “A New Beginning: An Inclusive United Methodism.”
Learn more
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Organ donation gives United Methodist a second chance at life
Wesley’s words inspire Congo missionary
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 28-Friday, Dec. 23
Online course: Prepare the Way for the Lord
Monday, Dec. 5-Friday, Dec. 16
Online course: Transforming Evangelism
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