Congo Aid
Two displaced Central African women receive an envelope containing money to buy food. The United Methodist Committee on Relief provided $50,000 to assist nearly 1,000 displaced families from the Central African Republic living in a refugee camp in Limasa, Congo. (Photo courtesy of the Eastern Congo disaster management office.)
Church helps displaced Central Africans
YAKOMA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church helped nearly 1,000 families from the Central African Republic living in a refugee camp in Limasa. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Global Migration program, the church in East Congo helped disburse $50,000 to purchase food for people displaced by insecurity in the region. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. Read story
Small-group studies available for anti-racism podcast
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has released small-group study guides for each episode in the first season of “Expanding the Table,” the agency’s award-winning podcast on practicing anti-racism. Additionally, the agency has added full transcripts for each episode to aid in accessibility. View resource
New Global Mission class forming
ATLANTA — Applications will be accepted until Dec. 1 for the Global Mission Fellows program, US-2 track, which puts 20- to 30-year-olds to work in social justice ministries in the United States. Those selected for the next Global Mission Fellow cohort will begin service in August 2023. Read press release. Apply
Celebrating 50 years of advocacy for women
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women will mark its 50th anniversary on Sept. 15, celebrating a half century of advocating for the full inclusion of women in church life as well as helping to promote sexual ethics. The agency is offering five ways to join in the festivities including encouraging its annual conference counterparts to plant a tree. See five ways to celebrate. Watch video on agency's work
Helping churches bridge technology gap
LAKELAND, Fla. — The pandemic forced many congregations to invest in technology to stream live services. The problem was that many small rural churches didn't have the finances to buy the necessary equipment. The Florida Conference has been working to alleviate the financial burden. Joe Henderson reports. Read story
Hillary and Chelsea Clinton talk faith in series
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In the new AppleTV+ series "Gutsy," Hillary Clinton and daughter Chelsea take time to talk about their United Methodist faith, including their formative experience at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. The two also highlight the faith of the women they feature in the series based on their bestseller, "The Book of Gutsy Women." Adelle M. Banks reports. Read story
Tips for securing media coverage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every week, United Methodist churches share good news and engage in serving their local communities. Effectively communicating with the local news media is one of the best ways to get a church's story in front of the public. Aaron Crisler interviewed religion reporters about their tips for securing coverage. Read story
Church court releases fall docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a 24-item docket for its fall session. Because of the pandemic, the Judicial Council has been meeting online and deliberations are not yet scheduled. Briefs are due Oct. 12 and reply briefs are due Oct. 22. See docket
Bishop elected to ecumenical group's top committee
KARLSRUHE, Germany — United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer of the Council of Bishops and interim bishop of the California-Nevada Conference, has been elected to the executive committee of the World Council of Churches. The central committee elects 20 of its members to serve as the WCC executive committee. Read press release
Small-group studies available for anti-racism podcast
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has released small-group study guides for each episode in the first season of “Expanding the Table,” the agency’s award-winning podcast on practicing anti-racism. Additionally, the agency has added full transcripts for each episode to aid in accessibility. View resource
Learn about work of women's organization
NEW YORK — Three members of United Women in Faith who are closely involved with the group's National Mission Institutions will discuss their work and the impact it has during a free Zoom forum. The women will talk about their callings to serve organizations that are transforming lives and communities. The virtual conversation will take place at 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 27. Read press release. Register
2 United Methodists elected to central committee
KARLSRUHE, Germany — The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly elected two United Methodists as members of the ecumenical organization’s central committee. Bishop Sally Dyck, the Council of Bishops ecumenical officer, and the Rev. Ann Jacob, a pastor in Edmonds, Washington, will serve on the 150-member committee that acts as the main decision-making body for the World Council of Churches between assemblies. UM News has more coverage planned of the assembly, including photos from UM News’ Mike DuBose. See list of members (PDF). See photos from the WCC Assembly