UMC Featured News & Stories

World has means to end hunger, experts say
Finding the will is harder task Africa University researchers address health issues
Recommend actions for clean water, gender equality. Arkansas Annual Conference
The 32 proposed amendments from last year’s General Conference were major topics of discussion during the Arkansas Annual Conference. The theme of this year’s conference was “Transforming the World.” Greater New Jersey Annual Conference
Sparked by the celebrations and challenges lifted up by presiding Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference – more than 1,200 strong -- met for the 10th time at the Valley Forge Convention Center. Holston Annual Conference
The Holston Annual Conference made tough decisions by passing the long-debated “direct invoicing” action and considering three finance-related resolutions. Kansas West Annual Conference
Kansas West Annual Conference met under the leadership of Bishop Scott J. Jones. The theme was “At Your Service” and focused on radical hospitality. Rio Grande Annual Conference
Now in its 156th year of ministry, the Rio Grande Annual Conference met at University United Methodist Church – San Antonio. South Germany Annual Conference
The 7th South German annual conference came together with Bishop Rosemarie Wenner presiding. The conference theme was “Give us courage!” West Virginia Annual Conference
The West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church met at West Virginia Wesleyan College and this year’s theme was “I will be your witness,” with an emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit to make the conference a witness for Christ. Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton challenged the 1,800 members of the Western Pennsylvania. Annual Conference to “take the church out on the open road, give it the gas and see what the old baby can do.” Pastor hits pavement, cleans toilets, to share faith
Reactions range from astonishment to deep gratitude that leads to varied opportunities to minister outside the four walls of the church. Accepting grace is dad’s final lesson
Son learns to see face of Christ in response to suffering. Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference
“Galilee is where the people of The United Methodist Church will be, and Jesus is there ahead of us,” said Bishop Jane Allen Middleton in her keynote address to approximately 1,200 United Methodists gathered in a legislative session at Messiah College, June 4. Dakotas Annual Conference
While main topics of the 2009 Dakotas Annual Conference were the 32 proposed amendments to the constitution, the disaster recovery efforts after last winter/springs blizzards and floods were never far from attendees’ minds. Florida Annual Conference
The environment was a focus of discussion during the 2009 Florida Annual Conference. More than 1,700 members gathered at Bethune-Cookman University under the theme “Transforming the World by Cherishing the Creation” to consider the Christian response to the issues. Iowa Annual Conference
Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble presided at his first session of the Iowa Annual Conference, declaring, in his sermon for the opening worship service, that everyone is “No Longer A Stranger.” Iraqi family reunited at Denver church
Christian community offers loving home. Nebraska Annual Conference
With pointed and memorable stories, Missouri Bishop and keynote speaker Robert Schnase quipped: “Even if it worked in the 1950s, a passive recruitment strategy is most likely not going to work in 2009 and beyond.” Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference
Bishop Johnson said that John Wesley had it right with his three simple rules – Do no harm, Do good, and Walk humbly with God. Tennessee Annual Conference
The theme for the 2009 session of the Tennessee Annual Conference was “Passionate Worship.” Western North Carolina Annual Conference
Delegates to the 2009 Conference welcomed a new bishop and spent more time in worship and less time dealing with business. Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
The theme of the 41st session of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference was “Transforming the World;” continuing a series of themes based on the conference mission and vision statement of “Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Vitalizing the Church – Transforming the world.” Troy Annual Conference
Members gathered at the Saratoga Springs City Center in New York for the 177th session of Troy Annual Conference. With a theme of “God is Still Creating,” and surrounded by images of acorns, seedlings, trees and seed pods, members both grieved and celebrated the transformation that they will undergo in the next year. UMCOR supports the displaced in Myanmar
Rice, salt provide nutrition to camp residents Virginia Annual Conference
The Virginia Annual Conference celebrated current and future diversity when it gathered for its 227th session at the Scope arena in Norfolk. Youth help lead the way in Nothing But Nets campaign
Teens find creative ways to raise funds. In Washington rally, youth are held up as key to success. Church welcomes free health clinic
Multitudes flock to Los Angeles church’s free health clinic seeking healing. Commentary: All Americans need health safety net
All Americans need health safety net. Commentary: Family doctors vital to health reform
Doctor says irrational love affair with technology plagues healthcare. Commentary: Pray, work for universal health care
Poor, uninsured suffer as debate continues. Commentary: Time is now for health care reform
Christians must reach out to poor, disenfranchised. Commentary: U.S. needs health care vs. sick care
Elders says U.S. needs to overhaul system. Taking chance of a lifetime for universal health care
Religious voices lift up common good. Africa University grads determined to succeed
Prayer, hard work rewarded. Austria Provisional Annual Conference
Various lectures and workshops focused on the theme “Encouragement to Mission,” which of course had an obvious relationship with the date of the conference (i.e. the weekend of Pentecost). Bulgaria Provisional Annual Conference
To host the annual conference was an opportunity to share their joy with the brothers and sisters from the other churches in Bulgaria as well as with a delegation from the Athens-Elberton District of the North Georgia Annual Conference. Czech and Slovak Republics Annual Conference
Various lectures and workshops focused on the theme “Encouragement to Mission,” which of course had an obvious relationship with the date of the conference (i.e. the weekend of Pentecost). DC launches Nets campaign, honors youth
Event celebrates network partnerships. Hungary Provisional Annual Conference
Bible studies, worship services and reports referred to Romans 5:5 – the 2009 watchword for the United Methodist Church in Hungary. Kansas East Annual Conference
The Kansas East Annual Conference met at United Methodist related Baker University and under the leadership of Bishop Scott J. Jones. North Carolina Annual Conference
Using the quadrennial theme of “A Future with Hope” and this year’s emphasis on Learning for this gathering, the North Carolina Conference met in the Greenville Convention Center. Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference
Bishop Paul L. Leeland, presiding over his first annual conference session since becoming the resident bishop, set the tone for the conference during the opening worship service on June 7. Central Texas Annual Conference
As new Episcopal leader, Bishop Michael Lowry led his first annual conference at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Southlake. This was the first time in over 40 years for the conference to convene in a church setting. Colleges strengthen church ties
Schools cultivate two-way partnership. Louisiana Annual Conference
More than 1,200 United Methodists focused on “Creating New Places for New People” as they gathered at the Pontchartrain Center for the 2009 Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. North Texas Annual Conference
The North Texas Annual Conference met with business sessions at Plano Centre, opening worship at First United Methodist Church, Richardson, and the service of ordination and commissioning at Custer Road United Methodist Church, Plano. Northern Illinois Annual Conference
United Methodists of the Northern Illinois Conference took bold action to grow the church by approving the launch of more than 20 new faith communities at its 2009 Annual Conference. South Georgia Annual Conference
Bishop James R. King, Jr., presiding over his first annual conference session since becoming the resident bishop of the South Georgia Area, set the tone for the conference during the opening worship service on June 8. In keeping with the theme, King challenged South Georgia United Methodist to seek God first and claim the slogan: “Growing a Christlike world.” Yellowstone Annual Conference
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky presided over the 41st Session of the Yellowstone Annual Conference, her first experience in that role since election to the episcopacy. Layoffs, salary freezes part of new economy in church
Mission programs last to face cuts.

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