"We gathered here because the decision that happened at the special General Conference is not acceptable. We came here to discern a better way forward for The United Methodist Church." — Karen G. Prudente, a member of the convening team for UMCNext.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Planning new directions for the church
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UM News) — More than 600 United Methodists from across the U.S. spent three days grappling with possible options for forging what they hope will be a more inclusive future in Methodism. What united the UMCNext group, which met behind closed doors, was a rejection of the Traditional Plan adopted by the special General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
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United Methodists offer lifeline to reservation
PINE RIDGE, S.D. (UM News) — After devastating winter storms, many of the 30,000 people living within the Oglala Sioux Tribal boundaries on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation are struggling to get by. Churches in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have stepped in to help. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Scholarship honors the Oughs
MITCHELL, Okla. — A scholarship to Dakota Wesleyan University will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student who discerns a call to ministry through the new Bishop Bruce R. and Char Ough Scholarship fund. Ough is the resident bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Minnesota Conference
United Methodists help fund Sierra Leone school
MINNEAPOLIS — Support from more than 50 United Methodist churches in Minnesota is providing funding for the new The Rev. Richard Ormsby Secondary School in Baiwalla, Sierra Leone. The school is set to open in September in a remote area where few children have had the opportunity to obtain a high school education. Ann Carlson has the story.
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Read UM News story on United Methodism in Baiwalla
Church World Service
Prayer vigil set for child migrant deaths
WASHINGTON — Faith groups, including Church World Service and Bread for the World, will hold a prayer vigil May 23 for the five children from Central America who have died recently after coming to the U.S. border. The 9 a.m. vigil at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill will be livestreamed on Facebook.
Watch vigil
PRESS RELEASES
Methodist Theological School
Former VP to speak at 'On Food and Faith'
DELAWARE, Ohio — Former Vice President Al Gore will be among participants at the "On Food and Faith: Ministry in the Time of Climate Change" event at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Gore will deliver a climate and agriculture presentation during the May 30-June 1 conference.
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University of Mount Union
Ohio university to disassociate from church
ALLIANCE, Ohio — The University of Mount Union will disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church because of its positions on homosexuality, the board of trustees announced. Mount Union officials said the university will continue to emphasize its United Methodist and Wesleyan heritage and commitments.
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UM News: Ohio college severs formal ties with denomination
Discipleship Ministries
Volunteers sought for YOUTH 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Volunteers are needed to help create an atmosphere of hospitality when 2,500 youth and their leaders descend on the Kansas City Convention Center in July for YOUTH 2019. Youth from over 250 churches will attend the July 10-14 national gathering for United Methodist youth, which features four days of discipleship, worship, Bible study, service opportunities and fun.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Summit plans inclusive Methodist movement
Church continues grappling with GC2019 vote
EVENTS
Sunday, June 16-Saturday, June 22
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