Providing news and information from around the church.
Oct 16, 2024
“I had my chainsaw in the back and put chaps over my pajamas and just started cutting trees, clearing the road. Somebody recognized me and said, ‘Oh, good, the United Methodists are here.” — The Rev. Tim McHugh, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Claremore, Oklahoma.
The Rev. James Kjorlaug, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Rogers, Ark., holds a church sign that came dislodged during storms that struck the town May 26. Photo courtesy of the Rev. James Kjorlaug.
United Methodists offer help after deadly storms DALLAS (UM News) — United Methodists are already at work in communities hard hit by deadly storms that swept across multiple states ahead of Memorial Day. Local church volunteers are clearing debris and handing out donated goods. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is processing solidarity grants to annual conferences that will be doing long-term disaster relief. Sam Hodges reports. Read story Donate to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response
NEWS AND FEATURES
Côte d’Ivoire votes to leave denomination ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) — Members of the Côte d’Ivoire Conference, meeting in special session on May 28, voted to leave The United Methodist Church. The decision comes after the denomination’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, where delegates voted on several changes, including the wording of the church’s definition of marriage and the removal of restrictive language regarding LGBTQ people, as well as approved a regional structure that now will go to the annual conferences for a vote. The Côte d’Ivoire Conference was provisionally received into the denomination at the 2004 General Conference and fully received in 2008. It automatically became one of the denomination’s largest conferences and last reported more than 1 million professing members.
Redlands Community News Nancy Grissom Self led way for women clergy REDLANDS, Calif. — The Rev. Nancy “Nan” Grissom Self, who led the formation of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, died at her home on April 13. She was 94. A celebration of her life is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific time June 19 at First United Methodist Church of Redlands. The Redlands Community News has her obituary. Read obituary
Global Ministries A friendly farewell for Eurasia ATLANTA — The pending spilt of the Eurasia Episcopal Area and United Methodism is being done “in an amicable way with a sense of mutual respect,” said Bishop Harald Rückert of Germany. General Conference approved the departure of the four annual conferences of Eurasia in April, but it won’t be final until the Eurasian Central Conference meets in April 2025 and a final vote for autonomy is ratified. Christie R. House reports. Read story UM News: Eurasian conferences get go-ahead to form own church
Minnesota Conference Haircuts make for good ministry KABETOGAMA, Minn. — Haircutting has proved to be a popular new ministry at Kabetogama United Methodist Church, a small congregation in a remote community. When the hair stylist used by some churchgoers lost her lease, a Kabetogama member asked if she could do haircuts at the church. It turns out that several other church members used the hair stylist. Now the third Wednesday and Thursday of every month the Hair and Prayer ministry brings in as many as 20 people to the church for haircuts and fellowship. Christa Meland has the story. Read story
Susquehanna Conference Church embraces history of resilience WELLSBORO, Pa. — Nestled on a corner in one of the most picturesque towns in Pennsylvania, The United Methodist Church of Wellsboro stands not just as a place of worship, but also as a hub of community activity. This congregation is deeply proud of its history, while exemplifying what it means to be United Methodist in its commitment to community outreach. Liz Lennox has the story. Read story
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Digest 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.
Baltimore-Washington Conference The BLESS model for evangelism FULTON, Md. — Evangelism is a word that often elicits mixed emotions. The Rev. Bill Brown suggests that one way to overcome the reluctance to evangelize is by reclaiming the term and reframing its meaning within the United Methodist context. He recommends using the BLESS model: Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat together, Serve in love and Share your story. Read commentary
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with thissubmission form.
