UMC Featured News & Stories

Church leaders visit Capitol Hill over Cuba travel
Christian churches and ecumenical groups lobby to ease U.S. government restrictions on religious travel to Cuba. New Africa University program yields first graduates
Twenty-five public servants graduate with new training aimed at improving government systems and accountability in Africa. Olson nominated to lead church's Women’s Division
Publishing House executive Harriett Jane Olson is nominated to head the administrative arm for United Methodist Women. UMCOR, Muslim Aid to sign partnership agreement
A groundbreaking partnership will expand the reach of the United Methodist Committee on Relief to benefit more people around the world. Grants awarded to ministries for older adults
Twenty-six grants will assist United Methodist older adult ministries ranging from mentoring programs to transporting homebound persons. Eleven women receive seminary scholarships
Students will travel abroad to learn about the leadership styles of women to help develop leaders for global justice. Forum helps students connect, hear calling
Participating in Student Forum allowed Khou Lee an opportunity to see the world. Students celebrate year of jubilee at annual event
More than 400 students celebrated a year of jubilee during the national Student Forum. Churches share stories of Filipino martyrs
Having been on a fact-finding mission to the Philippines, members of the California-Nevada conference tell others of alleged brutality. Czech Republic/Slovak Republic Annual Conference
During the annual conference meeting of The United Methodist Church in the Czech and the Slovak Republic, Bishop Patrick Streiff ordained three new elders and, for the first time, one new deacon in full connection. Kansas East Annual Conference
The Kansas East Annual Conference met at United Methodist-related Baker University in Baldwin City under the leadership of Bishop Scott J. Jones. The theme was "Equipping the Body of Christ." Texas man mentors boys through Big Brothers
Dale Long believes a boy needs a father figure while he's growing up. That's why he's been a "big brother" to six boys over three decades. Churches challenged to look beyond 'yellow ribbon'
A United Methodist task force has compiled resources to help local congregations reach out to service members and their families. Liturgies provide comfort, support to service members
A United Methodist chaplain has written two liturgies for congregations to use in services to bless deploying and returning soldiers. Commentary: Are you ready for the revolution?
Having developed the denomination’s new Web site at UMC.org, Matt Carlisle urges pastors to get their churches plugged in and online. Hungary Annual Conference
The theme of the 75th session of the annual conference in Hungary was "Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City," which is this year's watchword of The United Methodist Church in Hungary. Indiana conferences vote to unite into one conference
After a decade of discussion, United Methodists in Indiana have voted to combine their two annual regional conferences. Pastor recalls historic Uniting Conference of 1968
The 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth takes place 30 miles from where The United Methodist Church was born 40 years earlier. United Methodists join interfaith dialogue in Fiji
Individuals such as self-help guru Tony Robbins are organizing interfaith dialogues outside the mainstream ecumenical movement. Operation Vote to launch Igniting Youth at Youth ‘07
United Methodist teens will use an old board game to try to set a new world record—and also launch a welcoming ministry for youth. XOC makes disciples among ex-offenders
Jesus said, ‘I was in prison and you visited me.’ But what happens when a prisoner is released back into the community? Health, community projects aid rural Afghanistan
A United Methodist executive, just back from the Middle East, says stability in Afghanistan requires attention to its rural population. Twenty-dollar gift grows to $500,000 for Nets
In a modern-day 'loaves and fishes' story, a $20 gift multiplied into more than a half million dollars from the Texas Annual Conference. West Michigan Annual Conference
"If you want to see a miracle, be a miracle!" said Bishop Sally Dyck to Minnesota United Methodists during their annual conference session. Consultation explores global nature of the church
Amid an increasingly global environment, United Methodists are exploring how to shape its organizational structure accordingly. Minnesota Annual Conference
"If you want to see a miracle, be a miracle!" said Bishop Sally Dyck to Minnesota United Methodists during their annual conference session. North Alabama Annual Conference
The North Alabama Annual Conference gathered for its business sessions at ClearBranch United Methodist Church on June 1-2. Pastor brings Katrina aid to Hispanic community
The Rev. Sally Bevill is making a difference in the lives of Hispanics in Biloxi, Miss., in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Commentary: Undocumented immigrants being dehumanized
The Rev. Humberto Casanova says hateful propaganda blinds Americans from seeing God's image in undocumented immigrants. Henderson to lead church’s Global Health Initiative
The Rev. Gary R. Henderson will head the denomination's efforts to address global health beginning July 1. United Methodist couple struggles as undocumented workers
Except for living in constant fear, Darwin and Perla Alvarez are a typical hard-working couple struggling to achieve the American dream. Commentary: It's well past time to end hunger
With Hunger Awareness Day on June 5, a hunger-relief advocate decries hunger in the midst of plenty. East Africa Annual Conference
The 2007 annual session of The United Methodist Church in the East Africa Annual Conference was opened by Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who was elected and consecrated in 2006 after the death of Bishop John Ndoricimpa. Delegates came from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Sudan. The conference theme was “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation…” General Conference host issues call to prayer
United Methodists are asked to pray for God's guidance in the time leading up to and during the church’s 2008 legislative assembly. North Indiana Annual Conference
Under the theme "Imagine Indiana: Let the Church Rise," North Indiana Annual Conference met at Purdue University as its 1,082 registered members discussed a 12-page report. U.S. Senate tackles immigration reform compromise
The church's social action agency urges United Methodists to support three amendments being debated this week. State of the Church report encourages dialogue
Approximately 3,000 United Methodists were surveyed for a first-ever, comprehensive overview of the life of the church. Commentary: Flag display affirms God’s blessings
Commentary: Should U.S. flags fly in sanctuaries?
A United Methodist pastor explores the tradition and practice of displaying the national flag in many U.S. churches. Kansas West Conference
The Kansas West Annual Conference, under the leadership of Bishop Scott J. Jones, met around the theme "Serving All Leading Together," or SALT. Retired Bishop David Lawson dead at 77
Serving 12 years as bishop in Wisconsin and Illinois, the United Methodist leader is lauded for his support of Africa University. Christians continue work in Pakistan, despite hostility
In a majority Muslim country, Christians live in an environment of increasing uncertainty and tension. New process yields $642 million spending proposal
The budget, focused around four new mission initiatives, will go to the 2008 General Conference for action. Weatherhead book recognized for sales achievement
More than 60 years after being published by Abingdon Press, The Will of God continues to touch readers. Unprecedented unity builds for mission initiatives
A movement is under way to bring United Methodists together around the same four areas of emphasis. Bush nominates United Methodist as surgeon general
Dr. James W. Holsinger, a physician from Kentucky, also serves on the Judicial Council and World Methodist Council. Commentary: Peace remains elusive in Middle East
Church agency executive Linda Bales finds heartbreak during a two-week visit to the troubled region. NCC delegation meets refugees in Middle East
A group of 16 U.S. church women learns of the hardships faced by Iraqi and Palestinian refugee women. Pastor speaks of transgender experience
The Rev. Drew Phoenix — formerly the Rev. Ann Gordon — speaks to his peers in Baltimore-Washington about his journey. Agency awards three communication scholarships
United Methodist Communications chooses three young scholars answering a call to be religion journalists.

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