UMC Featured News & Stories

Clergywoman solicits help in breast cancer fight
The Rev. Sheron C. Patterson is using her battle with the disease to increase awareness of breast cancer. Gulfside on ‘deliberate’ track to recovery
Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss., needs volunteer help and other support as it rebuilds following Hurricane Katrina. Bed Start ministry helps kids get much-needed sleep
A Plano, Texas, church is giving new and gently used beds to families of children in the local Head Start program. Detroit Annual Conference
The Detroit Annual Conference met at United Methodist-related Adrian College, and the stewardship-based theme was “Abundance Given to Give.” Dillard University seeks reconstruction assistance
The United Methodist-related school in New Orleans is calling for help as it continues its post-Katrina recovery. NCC’s Bob Edgar to lead Common Cause
The pastor and CEO of the National Council of Churches since 2000 is taking over the national advocacy group. Volunteers in mission provide medical help in Panama
A team from Illinois is providing the only medical care that many people in the Chiriqui area will receive this year. Encounter fund focuses on Latin America, Caribbean
The United Methodist fund is supporting a wide variety of ministries, including resources for youth and health care training. Lina McCord interns will promote black colleges
Twenty-five students and recent graduates will travel to 32 annual conference sessions this spring and summer. Little Rock Nine member helps launch book
Carlotta Walls LaNier, part of a group that integrated all-white Central High, recalls the “days that marked me for life.” Church provides 'lids for kids' to cancer ward
“This is faith in action," says the Rev. Allen Weller, of a ministry providing hats to cancer patients at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Commentary: A vision for an inclusive church
Bishop Linda Lee encourages United Methodists to vote for diversity when choosing delegates to General Conference. Methodist social action tied to 20th century history
The Methodist Federation for Social Action has influenced policy on major issues throughout the past 100 years. Commission wants further study of church’s ministry
The group will ask General Conference for four more years to review the United Methodist system of ordination. Native American team provides disaster response
"Every tribe has its own culture and ways of dealing with grief," says a pastor organizing disaster response to Native communities. Resources explore United Methodist-Episcopal ties
The two denominations have released new resources to promote study of an interim agreement of shared eucharist. Bishops focus on poverty in Africa and its causes
African and U.S. church leaders explore the roots of poverty and how The United Methodist Church should respond. Leadership group fostering churchwide 'culture of call'
Significantly fewer young people are seeking to become United Methodist clergy, and a new advisory team is working to change that. Red Bird Missionary Conference
Under the theme "Tell THE Story," conference members heard the stories of mission that are being written through the ministries of the churches, outreach centers and mission institutions. United Methodist bishop named to truth commission
Bishop Arthur Kulah is part of a nine-member commission seeking to uncover the truth about human rights abuses in Liberia. Mission volunteer numbers show ‘incredible’ growth
The number of participants in United Methodist Volunteers in Mission climbed from about 20,000 in 1992 to almost 111,000 in 2006. United Methodist pastor running the race at age 90
The Rev. Champion Goldy is a man in a hurry, especially when competing in 100- and 200-meter races. Africa University copes with Zimbabwe’s economy
The United Methodist-related school survives creatively amid a national inflation rate of nearly 2,000 percent and chronic food shortages. Shungu, first indigenous bishop in Congo, is dead
Retired former Bishop John Wesley Shungu, the church's first indigenous episcopal leader in what is now the Congo, has died. Bishops examine roles, appointments process
Bishops say retooling the church's leadership processes, including 'guaranteed appointments' for clergy, is essential to the church's vitality. Children share time, conversation with 'grandpals'
Sunday school kids and elderly residents in Osceola, Neb., are blessed by their bi-monthly visits as part of a 5-year-old church ministry. Plan would pave way for U.S. regional conference
A task force examining the global nature of The United Methodist Church proposes four changes to the denomination's constitution. United Methodists offer prayers, assistance in Kansas
The church responds to the deadly weekend tornadoes and floods with prayers and humanitarian aid. Defining the United Methodist diaconate
United Methodist diaconate celebrated, challenged
A diaconal convocation marks the 10th anniversary of the Order of Deacon and 30 years of United Methodist diaconal ministry. Bishop urges leadership on homosexuality issue
Bishop Jack Tuell asks the Council of Bishops to address questions about homosexuality instead of giving 'prudent silence.' Pension board writes IRS on pastor's tax protest
The church's pension agency offers its own protest over the IRS' garnishment of a retired United Methodist clergyman's pension. United Methodists begin Kansas tornado response
"It is just painful," says the Rev. Gene McIntosh, surveying the damage at Greensburg United Methodist Church. Commentary: Massacre site offers historical truth
The 1864 massacre of 200 Native Americans in Colorado is remembered at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. Proposal for Latvia, Lithuania conference advances
A new United Methodist conference for Latvia and Lithuania is expected to be considered by the General Conference in 2008. Troy Annual Conference
Clergy and lay members of Troy Annual Conference met under the theme "Our Journey Continues," a development on the 2006 Annual Conference Session, 'Take Nothing for the Journey." Bishop brings 'freedom' to death row inmate
Bishop Beverly J. Shamana shares her 'powerful experience' of visiting a death row inmate at San Quentin. United Methodist agency recognizes historic research
Research on the history of American Methodism is recognized by the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. United Methodist journalists receive ACP honors
Writers, editors, photographers and publications tied to The United Methodist Church get 13 awards from the Associated Church Press. Agency awards $55,500 in Peace with Justice grants
The church's social action agency approves 16 grants for peace and justice ministries across the globe. Germans agree on mutual recognition of baptism
The United Methodist Church is one of 11 denominations in Germany signing an ecumenical agreement on the sacrament. Grants to aid ethnic minority ministries
Minority college students will intern in areas of mercy and justice with funding from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. United Methodist communicators get RCC honors
Four people from United Methodist Communications and one conference communicator are recognized for work of excellence in 2006. Agency plans more advocacy against racism
The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race sets goals for the church's white majority. Bishops' president calls for new church movement
'Move on out, church. Get going!' says the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. Religious voice needed for workers’ rights
The church's social action agency hears a call for greater religious involvement in behalf of U.S. hourly workers and other laborers. Board focuses on U.S., global justice issues
The United Methodist social action agency wants fairness in prison sentencing and an end to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Former Methodist chapel becomes mosque
British Methodists are standing alongside their Muslim neighbors in supporting plans for the mosque. Judicial Council hears about violence in Philippines
“We are becoming a world more prone to violence,” says Reynato S. Puno, chief justice of the Philippines Supreme Court. Commission proposes changes in General Conference
New petitions call for streamlining the assembly's size and petitions process.

Create a printer-friendly page Email this item to a friend