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Holston Flood Relief: Where is the Money Going?
Generous donors have made possible repairs and rebuilding from flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. Read more
Dec 11, 2024
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Craig Hudson Sipa USA via AP
Church and Society Year-end Results and Impact: Advocacy Stories and Wins in the 118th Congress
Staff of the General Board of Church and Society report on their activities during the previous 12 months. Read more
Dec 11, 2024
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West Africa Elects Ande Ikimun Emmanuel as Bishop
Bishop Emmanuel, a longtime leader in the Southern Nigeria Conference, was the first bishop elected at the West Africa Central Conference. He will serve the Nigeria Episcopal Area, following the resignation of John Wesley Yohanna in July. Read more
Dec 10, 2024
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Boye-Caulker Elected as Sierra Leone Bishop
Bishop James Boye-Caulker, a longtime district superintendent, was the second bishop elected at the West Africa Central Conference. He will serve the Sierra Leone Area. Read more
Dec 10, 2024
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Storm Destroys United Methodist School in Burundi
Founded in 2022, the church school is the only secondary school in the Rubirizi region, home to around 21,000 people. The technical school, named in memory of Bishop J. Alfred Ndoricimpa, suffered extensive damage due to strong winds and rain. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
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COB Names Design Team for 2026 Leadership Gathering
Bishop Ruben Saenz, president-designate of the Council of Bishops, will be co-convenor of the design team for the bishops' proposed leadership gathering slated for April or May 2026. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
Advent 2024
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stevanovicigor Getty Images/iStockphoto
Waiting in the Dark
This Advent season finds many of us tired, and fearful of the future. For those of us who care about our immigrant friends, it is heartbreaking to hear of their fear of being detained and deported, of families breaking apart, of jobs lost. Read more
Dec 11, 2024
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Advent Devotional Lesson 3
Elizabeth's joyful response to the arrival of her kinswoman Mary, pregnant with Jesus, reminds us that we have a duty to help others on their faith journey. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
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If it Wasn't for the Night
If you look at the holiday festivity and think to yourself, “Is everyone happy and cheery except me?” it’s okay. The story of Christmas is for you, too. If you read closely, much of the Christmas story happens in the shadows. Read more
Dec 5, 2024
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Shutterstock
Merry Christmas?
How should we greet one another in December? Perhaps the greeting doesn't matter as much as do the actions of Christmas – feeding, clothing, sheltering and caring for the most vulnerable. Then any holiday greeting can be appropriate. Read more
Dec 5, 2024
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In the Rubble
If Baby Jesus came today, he'd be born amid the rubble in Gaza caused by Israel's disproportionate response to Hamas attacks in October 2023. Carol Ekdahl-Garwood says Christians should be witnessed loudly to the harm to Palestinian children. Read more
Dec 2, 2024
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The Wisdom of the Magi
The famous “three” were attuned to nature and saw in a star-studded sky the one that would guide them to travel—most likely bringing with them support folks, family, and friends—to One who was worthy of their efforts. Read more
Dec 2, 2024
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Advent Devotional Lesson 2
The Lewis Center's second Advent devotional focuses on Mary, who followed God's call and stepped into an unknown future. Read more
Dec 2, 2024
Latest News & Views
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Urs Flueeler AP
AI Jesus Can't Replace Flesh-and-Blood Faith Communities
AI Jesus represents the first step in the potential perils of artificial intelligence. Delegating our spiritual health to machines means we've taken a deadly detour on the road to God. Read more
Dec 10, 2024
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How Should We Respond to the Tragic Death of Brian Thompson?
A story in the Book of Judges reminds us societal chaos ensues when there is no shared moral compass. In modern America, we see parallels. Trust in institutions — government, corporations and even the church — has eroded. touch wi Read more
Dec 9, 2024
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Marian Abernathy for RNS
Congregations, Agencies Race to Resettle Refugees Ahead of Trump Inauguration
Congregations are ramping up efforts to assist as many refugees with resettlement as possible before Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, when Donald Trump returns to the White House and ends or severely reduces U.S. refugee resettlement policy, as promised. Read more
Dec 5, 2024
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Migrant Protection Amid Policy Uncertainties
United Methodist Global Ministries executive Roland Fernandes affirms that the UMC will continue to aid migrants in keeping with Christ's instruction to welcome and shelter strangers. Read more
Dec 4, 2024
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2024 United Nations Development Programme photo
Advocating for Climate Justice Concerns at COP 29
United Methodist representatives stand in solidarity with the environmental justice concerns climate-vulnerable developing nations voiced at the November international climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Changes are needed. Read more
Dec 4, 2024
Featured Articles
Photo: Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa/WCC
Theological Seminar Calls for Decolonizing the Bible
The World Council of Churches and the University of the Western Cape gathered scholars, faith leaders and activists to explore the misuse of the Bible to promote oppression and colonialization but also its inherent value to liberation movements. Read more
Dec 2, 2024
World Renowned Rust College A'Cappella Choir at the United Methodist Building
UMC-related Rust College, one of the denomination's historically Black colleges, led the Grand Finale service of the 100th anniversary of the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. Read more
Dec 6, 2024
World Methodist Council leader Frances M. Alguire Dies at 97
Dr. Frances M. Alguire served as President/Chairperson of World Methodist Council (1996-2001), becoming the first woman and the first lay person to ever lead the 70-million-plus worldwide Methodists. Read more
Dec 6, 2024
Dr. Carolyn Johnson Left a Lasting Impact for Churchwomen
A woman of deep faith and unwavering conviction, Dr. Johnson’s leadership was driven by a profound commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of others. She worked passionately for systemic change. Read more
Dec 6, 2024
