Missional People of God

 
 
 
UM News Digest
Fair. Faithful. Trusted.
 
 
 
Providing news and information from around the church.
 
 
Sep 07, 2024
 
 

Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications

 
 

Ask The UMC
Reinstating some clergy after General Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 General Conference took action to begin to offer a means of redress for those whose clergy careers in The United Methodist Church were ended because of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or for presiding at a same-sex union or marriage ceremony. During the course of this year’s annual conference season in the United States, at least three clergy have been reinstated as elders in full connection. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards reports in Part 3 of Ask The UMC’s “The UMC Really Is…” series. 
Read story
Read series

 
 
 

NEWS AND FEATURES


Global Ministries
Churches step up to help migrants
ATLANTA — United Methodist churches throughout the U.S. are in ministry with migrants struggling to make a new life in America. In Norristown, Pennsylvania, Haws Avenue United Methodist Church used a $2,000 Mustard Seed Migration Grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to set up Comunidad de Paz Haws, its ministry to the Hispanic-Latino population. Christie R. House reports on several such programs.
Read story

Council of Bishops
Bishops condemn political violence

WASHINGTON — After the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, the United Methodist Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning political violence and calling for United Methodists to work toward reconciliation. “May God grant us grace to be God’s agents as healers, peacemakers, and bridge builders in a troubled and hurting world,” wrote Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone. 
Read statement
UM News: Peacemaking urged after assassination attempt

Great Plains Conference
New bishop has Kansas ties

TOPEKA, Kan. — Bishop Kristin Stoneking, elected by the Western Jurisdiction on July 12, is the daughter of the late Rev. John Stoneking, who was pastor of United Methodist churches and a district superintendent in Kansas. David Burke interviewed Stoneking, the denomination’s third openly gay bishop, who will begin leading the Mountain Sky Conference on Sept. 1.
Read story
UM News: Jurisdiction elects Kristin Stoneking as bishop

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Doing 'small things with great love'

PHILADELPHIA — In a beleaguered Philadelphia neighborhood where rampant drug trafficking, violence and despair have long reigned, a ministry supported by Lighthouse Fellowship United Methodist Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania, has been offering hope. A small team of street ministry servants from Shores of Grace Philly shows up every other Sunday afternoon outside Hope Park, giving out food and other items and connecting with a community in need. John W. Coleman reports.
Read story


Episcopal News Service
Dialogue continues work toward full communion

NEW YORK — The Episcopal Church is beginning work on the necessary next steps in advance of 2027, when the 82nd General Convention can vote on full communion with The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist-Episcopal Dialogue will meet this fall to begin the discussion needed to implement full communion. The United Methodist Church’s General Conference approved full communion on April 30. Melodie Woerman reports.
Read story
UM News: Full communion with Episcopalians gets closer
 
ConneXion: Campus and Community United for Transformation
 
 

PRESS RELEASES


Church and Society
Grace Over Greed effort returns

WASHINGTON — Spurred by budget decisions coming from Congress, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society is reviving its Grace Over Greed campaign to highlight budget issues and help United Methodists understand, advocate and act on U.S. budget policies in ways that are consistent with the United Methodist faith and Social Principles.
Read press release

 
SCD2024: Reignite Your Leadership Journey!
https://umcmission.org/global-health-2/?utm_source=daily%20digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=advance&utm_content=global%20health07/15/2024paid200x200bottom
belong: Discover a Deeper Connection to Your Faith!
 
 
 
 
 
EVENTS
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 this submission form.
 

Monday, Aug. 12-Friday, Aug. 16
Online course: How to Develop an Effective Green Team

Monday, Aug. 19-Saturday, Aug. 24
Online course: Focusing on the Last Supper

 
 
 
 
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