Starting Sept 1, United Methodist bishops across the United States will take on additional work as some of their colleagues retire. With the second pandemic-caused delay of General Conference, the Council of Bishops also has postponed the jurisdictional conferences that elect …
Churches respond to gun violence crisis via public witness
According to the Philadelphia gun violence and prevention report, there were at least 896 nonfatal and 247 fatal shootings this year as of July 7, including 224 people shot just last month. That is an increase of more than 34% …
Bishop Yeakel, caring leader, dies at 93
United Methodists remember Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel as a wise, caring leader who did not seek his own glory but instead sought to include others in glorifying God. He also was not afraid of change.
Arroyo to head UMC’s Religion and Race agency
The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, Team Leader for Program Ministries at the UMC’s General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) will become its next General Secretary August 31. With his election, Dr. Arroyo, born in Puerto Rico and raised in New …
UM Men’s plans virtual national gathering for Aug. 28
The General Commission on United Methodist Men announces its 2021 Virtual National Men’s Gathering. The gathering will be held online August 28, from 11 AM to 5 PM. Keynote speakers will be the Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, pastor of Camphor …
Churches urged to relaunch, not just reopen
Worshipping in person is happening again at First United Methodist Church in Denton, after a 400-day pause because of COVID-19. The Rev. Don Lee seemed about to levitate as he greeted a long line of the faithful after the June …
Embrace your ‘next’ as part of God’s plan
On Sunday, May 16, I stood on the stage at Impact United Methodist Church and shared with the world that I was retiring from pastoring in the local church. This was a big announcement. Immediately afterward, I was flooded with …
United Methodist health partnership offers hope
In partnership with the Mozambique Ministry of Health, United Methodists are using mobile clinic brigades to serve isolated communities. Focusing on pregnant women and children up to 5 years old and offering consultation to adults, the mobile clinics serve the …
Juneteenth and July 4th: A tale of two Independence Days
At a time when America’s freedom is endangered by efforts to restrict or even thwart voting rights for all, it may be timely for us to have two holidays to celebrate our nation’s freedom and independence—both actual and aspirational. July …
New Economic Justice Council to improve racial equity
The Eastern PA Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CORR) has formed an Economic Justice Council with clergy and lay members from across the Conference who reflect racial-ethnic and gender diversity. “CORR recognizes that our continuing commitment to greater racial justice …