UMC Featured News & Stories

Southeastern United Methodists assign bishops
Bishop Paul Leeland, newly elected in the U.S. Southeast, will lead the church’s Alabama-West Florida Area for the next four years. Stanovsky elected a bishop of United Methodist Church
The Rev. Elaine J.W. Stanovsky of Seattle has been elected a bishop by the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church. Three South Central areas to welcome new bishops
Newly elected United Methodist bishops in the U.S. Southwest will lead the church’s Dallas, San Antonio and Fort Worth areas. Three Western U.S. bishops get new assignments
Two newly elected bishops are going to Denver and Seattle, while a third bishop is returning to his former home state of California. Bishop rules Cal-Nevada statement on same-sex unions ‘void’
Bishop Beverly Shamana says retired clergy in her area could face disciplinary charges if they perform gay marriages. Distance learning makes education more available
United Methodist partnerships are using innovation and technology to prepare a new generation of Christian leaders. Hagiya elected bishop of United Methodist Church
The Rev. Grant Hagiya of Redondo Beach, Calif., has been elected a bishop by the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church. John Michael Lowry elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church
The Rev. John Michael Lowry of San Antonio has been elected a bishop by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference. Julius C. Trimble elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Julius C. Trimble of Warrensville Hieghts, Ohio, has been elected a bishop by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference. Lease of property issue heads to United Methodist 'supreme court'
Question asks if Southern Methodist University can lease land to the Bush Foundation for less than fair market value. NEJ affirms Calif. clergy on same-gender marriages
In contrast to General Conference, Northeastern Jurisdiction supports clergy performing same-sex unions. New bishop brings language of the deaf to church
The Rev. Peggy Johnson has dedicated much of her nearly three decades in ministry to work with the deaf. Northeastern United Methodists assign bishops
The jurisdiction’s newest bishop has been assigned to the Philadelphia Area for the next four years. Delegates affirm leasing land for Bush center
Mission Council was authorized to permit Southern Methodist University to lease land. Paul Leeland elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Paul Leeland of the North Carolina Annual Conference has been elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church. Peggy Johnson elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church
The Rev. Peggy A. Johnson of the Baltimore Annual Conference has been elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church. W. Earl Bledsoe elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church
The Rev. W. Earl Bledsoe of College Station, Texas, has been elected a bishop by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference. Church creates housing for families in need
By making affordable homes available, a Tennessee congregation wants to help eliminate poverty. Magdalena House offers new start for abused women
A transitional home founded by a Texas pastor is giving battered women a chance to realize their dreams. Moore will set a first as seminary dean
Mary Elizabeth Moore will break now ground for deacons when she becomes dean of Boston University School of Theology next year. United Methodists to redraw some NEJ boundaries
Decision will pave way for more effective ministry in northeastern U.S. Churches in China Prepare To Welcome the World

Churches in China Prepare To Welcome the World.

Returning Home

Lured by the promise of job to support her family, Mariam found herself transported to another country, striped of her legal papers and trapped into prostitution.

Food shortages hurt church response to hunger
The magnitude of the crisis is shaping the response of religious denominations and church-related organizations. UMCOR trains farmers to expand food supply
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is addressing the food crisis by working directly with farmers in impacted areas. World food crisis especially impacts the poor
A "perfect storm" of rising oil prices, climate change and natural disasters is translating into extreme shortages of food. Annual conferences see youth, diversity as priorities
The need to reach out to a broader demographic is a central theme for the shrinking United Methodist Church in the United States. North Texas donates $500,000 to Africa University
The United Methodist conference gives $500,000 to build a new student health center at the Zimbabwe school. Iowa faith leaders speak out for immigrant workers
Bishop Gregory Palmer says the church must speak in ways that lessen fear and show God’s love for all. California-Nevada Annual Conference
The California-Nevada Annual Conference circumnavigated wildfires and a major interstate repair project to gather at the Sacramento Convention Center under the theme "Extending Christ’s Invitation for a Joyous Life." Faith leaders call for end to U.S. ‘poverty train’
Advocates for the poor say it's time for the United States to rescue 37 million citizens living below the poverty line. Sunday school hits links to build wells for Africa
Proceeds from a church golf tournament in Little Rock, Ark., will mean more clean water for a village in the Congo. United Methodists gear up for Missouri flood relief
UMCOR and the church's Missouri Annual Conference begin the long process of recovery in towns along the Mississippi River. Northeast United Methodists look at boundaries
United Methodists in the denomination’s U.S. Northeastern Jurisdiction prepare to vote on proposed boundary changes. Pa. treasurer to oversee United Methodist finances
The agency overseeing the finances and legal rights of The United Methodist Church has elected Moses Kumar as its new chief executive. West Ohio Annual Conference
The 39th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference, presided over by Bishop Bruce R. Ough, was an experience in living "the United Methodist Way." California United Methodists react to same-sex ruling
Two church conferences express support for same-gender couples entering into marriage covenants. Church offers worship for special-needs adults
A Tennessee church creates a place for developmentally challenged people to become “Rejoicing Spirits.” Rocky Mountain Annual Conference
"Church for the Rest of Us," was the theme of the Rocky Mountain Conference’s annual session. Preaching by Bishop John R. Schol, Washington Area, resident Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. and the Rev. Melanie Rosa, along with presentations by Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity for the Rest of Us, fleshed out the theme. Wisconsin Annual Conference
Bishop Linda Lee presided over the 39th session of the Wisconsin Annual Conference with the theme of "Love – God, Neighbor, Self." Church leaders call for fair treatment of relief workers
Three denominational leaders issue call for just treatment of flood relief workers. Eurasia Area of The United Methodist Church
"I believe we're on the right track," Bishop Hans Växby said in his address to the five annual conferences in Eurasia this year. He said Paul's words in Philippians 3:16 came to mind, especially as formulated in The Message by Eugene Peterson: "Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it." Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference
"We have to work hard and we have to work fast, and we have to make every minute count," said Bishop Jane Allen Middleton to 1,100 United Methodists at the beginning of the annual meeting of the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference at Messiah College. Flood buckets help towns soak up damage
People in the Midwest find UMCOR flood buckets a blessing, but more are urgently needed. Iowa Annual Conference
The Iowa Annual Conference gathered to celebrate "A Future with Hope." Mirroring the General Conference's understanding of God’s promise, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer presided over the 165th annual gathering, which was attended by some 1,600 laity and clergy. Kentucky Annual Conference
The theme of the Kentucky Annual Conference was “Let the Redeemed Say So.” United Methodist to do 'magic' for Disney
For Justin Muchoney, a smile and a handshake are ingredients for magic in his new role with Disney Parks. Church agencies voice dismay at ruling on gun control
Two agencies call church members to advocacy following Supreme Court ruling on handgun ownership. Pittsburgh church helps amputees in Sierra Leone
The congregation of Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church gives new life to people ravaged by violence in West Africa. United Methodists provide artificial limbs in Africa
A limb-fitting center in Sierra Leone provides artificial limbs for amputees left behind by the country's civil war.

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