UMC Featured News & Stories

Church congregations to observe Jubilee Sunday
United Methodist congregations will be among those praying for international debt relief as part of an observance of Jubilee Sunday on Jan. 21. Convocation for pastors focuses on healthy connections
African-American pastors must let the Holy Spirit breathe on their lives, ministries and communities, says the Rev. Safiyah Fosua. Legislation reflects range of young people’s concerns
Young people from around the world address social issues and other concerns in legislation for General Conference. Young people celebrate global connection, hear challenges
More than 250 United Methodist youth and young adults from around the world gather in South Africa for a first ever global event. Church offers financial counseling for families
“We have a lot of people that have high salaries, but they spend more each year than what they make,” says the Rev. Rick Enns. Woman gives hugs, support for Alzheimer’s caregivers
“The touch is important,“ says Frances Cooper, whose husband died after a four-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. 'I have never typed my name,' says communications trainee
Rev. Margaret Mukundu sat down at a computer on opening day of a communications training exercise and typed her name for the first time. United Methodists to join observance of Christian Unity week
United Methodists will join those of other faiths to mark the Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Communications commission meets in Zimbabwe
Twenty-nine members of the Commission on Communications are meeting in Africa Jan. 4-11, the first ever meeting outside the United States. Crisis leads Sri Lankan Methodists to shun Christmas celebrations
Almost all the churches in Batticaloa in eastern Sri Lanka shunned Christmas celebrations due to a refugee crisis in their war-stricken region. Bishop’s letter to Rev. King finds U.S. at ‘curious juncture’ on race
Each year, United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White writes a "birthday" letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about the progress of racial equality in the United States. Raising money for a cause: Nothing But Nets
At the age of 5, Katherine Commale learned how to inspire people and raise money for a good cause. 'Buzzkill' T-shirts promote anti-malaria campaign
"Malaria kills. Send a net. Save a life." That's the message on the back of a new T-shirt for the Nothing But Nets campaign, an effort aimed at preventing malaria-related deaths in Africa. Church encourages members to work up a sweat
Encouraged by a pastor who faced a health crisis, members of Anderson United Methodist Church are sweating their way to fitness. Nothing But Nets campaign gets $3 million challenge grant
The grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will help the campaign buy and distribute bed nets to prevent malaria in Africa. Outreach ministry provides wheels for children, homeless
Retiring to Florida after Army careers, Paul and Linda Lawrence were looking for a place to "fit in" at their church. Anti-malaria campaign will launch Jan. 4 at NBA store
Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly (pictured) and NBA legend Sam Perkins will help launch Nothing But Nets in New York City. Over long career, United Methodist remains U.N. booster
Mia Adjali reflects on more than four decades of working as a link between the Christian community and the United Nations. 'Last Minute Toy Store' blesses families
Sandra Schmitt waited for hours at Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church to be first in line for its annual “Last Minute Toy Store.” United Methodists lead dialogue at global health summit
United Methodist leaders demonstrated their support for a global health initiative by spontaneously donating $868. Former hostage visits Upper Room
"While I was kidnapped, you were in captivity here praying for me until my release. Because of your tears and prayers, the Lord has brought me back," the Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim told worshippers in the Upper Room Chapel on Dec. 13. Movie spotlights church's role in saga of homeless man
The Rev. Cecil Williams has met many homeless who have come through his church. But he won't forget Chris Gardner. New UMC.org will offer more services, create communities
United Methodist Communications will relaunch the denomination's Web site to become the "front door" to the online faith community in early January. Nothing But Nets campaign gets Advance designation
The United Methodist Church's commitment to eradicating malaria was recognized at a Dec. 14 forum. Pastor's Nativity sets reflect universality of Christmas story
The traditional Nativity set usually has a straw-filled manger in a facsimile of a stable, surrounded by a Mary, Joseph, three kings, a couple of shepherds and a hovering angel -- often with European features -- and an assortment of animals. Summit recognizes United Methodist anti-malaria work
The United Methodist Church's commitment to eradicating malaria was recognized at a Dec. 14 forum hosted by President and Mrs. George W. Bush. Gold Rush town hosts Las Posadas for Christmas
It's 2 in the afternoon, and Faye Fyock, her short dark hair catching a gust of early December wind, clicks off the items still to be completed before the evening's festivities. Hunters provide venison to hungry in Tennessee
When Larry Ross spots a deer on his property, he can tell immediately how many meals it will provide for a hungry family. Senator gives little hope to interfaith coalition on Darfur
U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar gave little hope to an interfaith coalition of Hoosier religious and community leaders including native Darfurians who asked him to step up his efforts to end ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. United Methodist is top justice in the Philippines
The new chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is a United Methodist lay preacher. 'Dream Dairy' provides hope to Africa University community
One year ago, Alyssa Chrisos was sitting quietly beside her mother at Pisgah United Methodist Church listening to Marsha Dorgan talk about the "Dream Dairy" at Africa University. 'Fearfully and Wonderfully Made': excerpts
Here are some excerpts from "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Policy on Human Biotechnologies," adopted by the National Council of Churches at its 2006 General Assembly Copy of 'Dream Dairy' provides hope to Africa University community
One year ago, Alyssa Chrisos was sitting quietly beside her mother at Pisgah United Methodist Church listening to Marsha Dorgan talk about the "Dream Dairy" at Africa University. Korean congregation serves Hispanic/Latino 'street angels'
Members of Korean Community Church have a connection with the day laborers in their community. NCC policy helps member churches join biotechnology debates
Should people of faith join the debate on stem cell research, speak out about questionable methods of human "enhancement" and push for adequate regulation of the biotechnology industry? Church program helps ex-convicts turn lives around
On a fall Saturday, six ex-convicts are in an industrial warehouse learning how to operate a forklift. The training could be the ticket to a job. Red Bird Mission experiencing financial shortfall
A significant decline in contributions has created a crisis that may result in the closing of the school at Red Bird Mission, according to the mission's executive director. United Methodist Communications' leader testifies before FCC
At a Dec. 11 public hearing regarding the Federal Communication Commission's media ownership rules, the head of The United Methodist Church's communications agency told FCC commissioners that relaxing the rules on ownership of media has resulted in a form of censorship. United Methodists fill 61 seats in new Congress

The number of United Methodists in Congress will be the same as in the 108th session and one less than in the 109th session.

United Methodists fill 62 seats in new Congress
Sixty-two United Methodists will serve in the 110th Congress -- the same number as in the 109th Congress--and the denomination remains in third place among all religious groups. Church helps, comforts, kids in poor Berlin neighborhood
On a playground in Berlin, about 20 children jump rope and take turns on the swings. The youngsters of varying ages are a noticeably close-knit group, and volunteers explain that the kids spend more time with one another than with their own families at home. Claremont seminary loses, regains, accreditation
A United Methodist theological school that lost and regained its accreditation this year has until February 2008 to show that it can operate within its budget and a new business plan. Commentary: Finding the Holy Grail at the communion table
We have seen headlines about how some have used the Eucharist to promote their own political and social agendas, by denying access if you believed this way or that way. UMCOR marks 10 years of work in Azerbaijan
During the past decade, thousands of citizens and refugees in Azerbaijan have received health care through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Agency executive challenges council to work for change
Saying God is "doing a new thing" in the United Methodist Church, the top staff executive of the denomination's finance and administration agency challenged board members to be catalysts for change. Bishop Bolleter will take post with World Methodist Council
A United Methodist bishop who has provided leadership to church members in countries spanning from Algeria to Albania is the new Geneva secretary for the World Methodist Council. Churches offer ways to keep ‘holy’ in holidays
Here they come again, the traditions of the late-year holidays — sumptuous party food, families reuniting, brightly wrapped gifts, soaring carols — and head-pounding stress, frayed nerves and overheated spending. Music directors seek gifted United Methodists for '08 assembly
Local church choirs, ensembles and bands, instrumentalists, singers, dancers and dance groups, as well as visual, video, textile and performing artists from around the world, are invited to send audition tapes for a chance to perform at worship services at the 2008 General Conference. College fellowship leads to devotional cookbook
Graduating seniors involved in the fellowship program at a United Methodist-related college wanted to leave a legacy, so they turned the recipes for the meals they shared into a cookbook. Copy of Ordained ministry division names 10 scholarship recipients
Six men and two women preparing to further their theological studies have been selected as the 2007-08 Dempster Scholars by the United Methodist Church.

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