Nashville: The United Methodist Church has continued to carry out its mission despite the unique challenges and uncertainties of 2020. That’s according to the new 2020 State of the Church Report produced by the Connectional Table and United Methodist Communications, themed “Blessed is the Church.”
Grants go to fight COVID-19 in India
The United Methodist Committee on Relief will assist two partners in India to provide ventilators, hospital beds, money and more to help combat the dire COVID-19 crisis there.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the capacities of national and global health systems, as it has for more than a year… Read More
CONAM spotlights Missing, Murdered Women and Girls at powwow
The Eastern PA Conference Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) attended the 7th annual Pottstown Powwow, May 1-2, and hosted a display that featured the growing tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Their colorful, much-visited display included posters, buttons, t-shirts and post cards for sale, and symbolic red dresses hanging from trees.
Bishops: No episcopal elections until 2022
The Council of Bishops held fast to its plans to delay electing any new leaders until after the postponed General Conference, despite some delegates’ calls for elections this year. Read More
WCA plans new denomination
The Wesleyan Covenant Association met in person and online April 30-May 1, continuing to plan for a new, traditionalist Methodist denomination and passing a resolution criticizing three United Methodist bishops for recent appointment-making decisions. Read More
Seeking gun violence remedies, policing reforms
For the Rev. Myra Maxwell, a pastor in Philadelphia, the city’s escalation in shootings and murders hits hard and close to home. She has lost a family member and friends to violence.
The City of Brotherly Love recorded 499 homicides last year, a 40 percent increase from 2019 and the second most since 1960…
May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls
*Even with so much attention focused on Indian Country’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget that May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls (MMIWG). Social distancing and “shelter-in-place” guidelines may prevent in-person MMIWG …
Bishops, delegates called to mission focus
Faced with a potential denominational split put on hold by pandemic, many United Methodists feel stuck.
That has not stopped heated disputes over church life among United Methodists, especially on social media channels.
Virtual Urban Summit: Part 2 to happen in 2 parts Saturday
The Rev. Rudy Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John’s Downtown UMC in Houston, Texas, and the Rev. Rashawn Clark, pastor of New Spirit UMC in Atlanta, Ga., kicked off the Eastern PA Conference’s multi-session Virtual Urban Summit on Saturday morning, April 24. In Part 1, the two visionary, impactful pastors shared their experiences and insights in “Engaging Communities in Change” and “Doing Spiritually-Focused Urban Evangelism.”
News of UMC schism reactions may be growing
UM News has published at least five news stories in the past two weeks and a few commentaries that report on decisions, plans and appeals being made, as the UMC slowly lurches toward the separation and disaffiliation of churches and members that may all occur at its delayed 2022 General Conference.