|
UM News Digest - Mar. 3, 2025
|
“I want to thank you for your ministry, and the books that you send all over the country. When you hear your name called during mail call, it is a moment of joy that is very hard to put to words.” — Shannon Wadlington, reading a letter from an inmate served by Books to Prisons.
|
|
Books requested by an inmate have been carefully packaged for shipping by Books to Prisons volunteers in Birmingham, Ala. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.
|
Ministry sends Books to Prisons
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UM News) — The little library at Canterbury United Methodist Church is busy throughout the week with volunteers reading letters as part of its Books to Prisons ministry. Each note from an inmate includes a book request. Volunteers fulfill orders and share a personal note, shipping 800 books a month. It is an opportunity to show the love of Christ to those who often feel forgotten. Lilla Marigza has the story. |
|
|
|
Religion and Race
Celebrating female central conference bishops
WASHINGTON — In honor of Women’s History Month, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is shining a spotlight on the work of three female central conference bishops — each of whom is helping to build a globally interconnected Beloved Community. Bishops Joaquina F. Nhanala, Ruby-Nell M. Estrella and Rosemarie Wenner remain faithful to their calling while dismantling stereotypes and empowering more women to seek leadership roles.
Pew Center, Greater Northwest Area
Survey: 3% of US adults are United Methodist
DES MOINES, Wash. — The latest Religious Landscape Study from the Pew Research Center came out in late February. Among the survey’s findings is that slightly fewer than 3% of U.S. adults identify as members of The United Methodist Church, down from 5% in 2007. Both the Southern Baptist Convention and The United Methodist Church remain the largest Protestant denominations in the U.S. Patrick Scriven of the Greater Northwest Area reflects on the survey’s findings.
|
United Methodist Communications
Why does Lent begin with ashes?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a time for reflecting on our humanity, sins and mortality. Discover the history and traditions of Ash Wednesday, as well as how you can participate in this holy day of repentance on March 5.
Friday Digest access
Due to a server issue, the links and images in Friday’s Digest were temporarily unavailable over the weekend. If you were unable to access the links, you can read the Feb. 28 Digest online at UMNews.org.
|
|
|
| UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. |
Faith and Leadership
God meets us in the dust
DURHAM, N.C. — The first months of 2025 already have held tragedy for many. The Rev. Khristi Lauren Adams writes for Duke Divinity School’s Faith and Leadership about what Ash Wednesday means in this time of wildfires, airplane crashes and massive job losses. “Perhaps Ash Wednesday is meant to bring not despair but encouragement,” she writes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Status and Role of Women
Agency names new communications director
CHICAGO — Longtime United Methodist Communications staff member Royya James has been named director of communications for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women as part of her portfolio of agency collaboration work. The move is the latest example of UMCom’s initiative to foster agency partnerships to create a stronger voice for the church while also efficiently stewarding resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WesleyMen
Men’s group provides Lenten devotions
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — WesleyMen, the men’s organization of the ecumenical World Methodist Council, is offering weekly Lenten and Easter devotions starting on March 5, Ash Wednesday. Inspired by the theme of “On the Move” at the 2024 World Methodist Conference held last year, the weekly online devotionals are written by leaders of WesleyMen and the ecumenical group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News
|
|
United Methodists stay connected amid Congo conflict
|
|
|
Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News
|
|
Churches multiply peace initiatives in eastern Congo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
810 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203-4704
Email: newsdesk@umcom.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
