New Facebook page highlights ecumenical work

The ecumenical staff of the Council of Bishops has created the United Methodist Ecumenical and Interfaith Training Facebook group. The group includes a network of United Methodists and ecumenical friends who care about and want to participate in the movement toward visible Christian unity. People interested in joining can visit the Facebook page and request to be part of the group.

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Visit UMEIT Facebook group

Bishop Bickerton offers Advent message

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, who is president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, has prepared a video message in advance of Advent. In his message, Bickerton speaks about the promise of Christ and the power of hope, joy and love while emphasizing the importance of seeking a seemingly difficult-to-find peace.

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Conference responds to Tennessee tornadoes

Tennessee’s Dec. 9 tornadoes killed at least six people and caused significant damage, including to Fellowship United Methodist Church in Clarksville and Bellshire United Methodist Church in northern Nashville. The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Disaster Response Team is beginning to assess community needs. United Methodists are asked not to self-deploy. Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Tennessee-Western Kentucky’s response are welcome. 



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Donate to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response

Donate to Tennessee-Western Kentucky Disaster Response

Agency releases report on bishop's trial

The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, which has responsibility for monitoring church gatherings, has released its report on the church trial of California-Nevada Conference Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. After she underwent an 18-month paid suspension from ministry, a church trial found her not guilty of all charges. The agency’s report includes its recommendations related to the suspension, trial and just-resolution process.

Read the report (PDF)

Celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Mexico

The Nov. 30-Dec. 3 anniversary conference offered a time for reflection and looking ahead at ways to navigate the challenges facing Methodists. United Methodist Bishops Sally Dyck and Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez attended the event.

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Bishop and church respond to Las Vegas shooting

Desert Southwest Conference Bishop Carlo Rapanut shared prayers and resources for putting faith into action following the Dec. 6 shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, that killed three faculty members and injured a fourth. He also reported that University United Methodist Church near the campus continues to provide comfort and care to those who need it. Many students sheltered in place at the church. United Methodists in Las Vegas were also part of the initial response to the mass shooting in October 2017 when a gunman killed 60 people and injured more than 400. 

Read his statement

AP: Police say gunman had list of targets

Conference offers update on church closure

The Oregon-Idaho Conference leaders have released more details behind the decision to close Trinity United Methodist Church in Eugene under “exigent” circumstances. The conference statement offers a timeline of developments leading to the decision and seeks to refute harmful rumors.

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Clergy of color 'have to keep on pushing'

Hard discussions about bias and race took place at the Facing the Future conference, held Nov. 14-16. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race organized the meeting of about 300 pastors engaged in cross-cultural ministries. Hope and hurt comingled at the event as attendees compared notes on how they were accepted and sometimes made to feel unwelcome.

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Reimagining missions work

Nearly 250 United Methodist mission leaders from 53 U.S. annual conferences gathered to discern ways to reimagine, reinvent and reignite mission work in the U.S. “The church is being led to a new focus on mission and meaning, and it is rewarding and exciting to join in God’s mission as the Holy Spirit sweeps us into a new mission age,” said Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, during the U.S. Mission Partners Consultation Nov. 28-29.

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UM News: Joint Mission Consultation welcomes regionalization

Help support community developers on Human Relations Day Sunday

Community developers are recruited locally and serve on the staffs of traditionally Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American congregations. This program is dedicated to building, maintaining, promoting and strengthening United Methodist Church congregations of racial and/or ethnic minorities and advancing the church's capacity to be in mission through local congregations.

Learn more and give

Bishop Toquero remembered as 'champion of the poor'

Friends and colleagues of Bishop Solito K. Toquero say he was a father figure and tireless advocate for the marginalized and disadvantaged members of society. Toquero, who served the Manila Area from 2001 to 2008, died Dec. 1 at age 81.

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Leaders reconnect, reflect on Hispanic/Latino ministry

Meeting for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic-Latino leaders gathered to discuss ministry and offer ways to pivot in this moment in the life of The United Methodist Church. The event — “Entre Nos” (“Among Us”) — was hosted by the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry and brought together more than 130 participants from different parts of the country. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez reports.

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Wesley Christmas tree ornaments available

How about a shout out to John Wesley on your Christmas tree this year? The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History is offering ornaments of Wesley for $20. The ornaments are made by a Christian charity in Thailand and India that employs women who are skilled at hand sewing, giving them an opportunity to work within their rural communities rather than having to move away to larger cities. The proceeds go to Archives and History for its work promoting and preserving the history of The United Methodist Church.

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Church begins In Loving Remembrance initiative

Christ Church United Methodist is spreading its love to women and families who have dealt with the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant death. One in four mothers experiences this loss. The outreach mission, called the In Loving Remembrance Initiative, creates awareness and gives encouragement to women and families during this difficult time.

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JUST Like Me Intersectionality Vacation Bible School Curriculum

Reconciling Ministries Network unveils "JUST Like Me," a versatile Vacation Bible School curriculum focusing on inclusive theologies and active faith development for all ages, featuring original music, games, and activities. Developed collaboratively by experts across the U.S., the curriculum emphasizes children's identities as beloved creations of God, exploring concepts of community, inclusion, and justice. Available at justlikemevbs.org, the package includes adaptable resources for youth and adults, suitable for various church programs and events.

Learn more here

Early Bird registration for Exploration ends soon

Early bird registration for Exploration 2024 ends December 15, 2023. They are currently offering scholarships to offset the cost of attendance in the amount of $300 for 100 young adults. 

During the weekend of February 16-18, 2024, you will gather at the DoubleTree Hilton in Orlando, FL. for a three day weekend full of meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection, and practical workshops. 

Young adults ages 18-26 who have a sense God might be calling them into ministerial leadership, wonder what ministry in the United Methodist Church is all about, or need support discerning their next faithful step in the journey of discernment.

Click HERE for registration, schedule, and workshop information. For more information about Exploration 2024 email Amie Stewart, Director of Conference Relations.