Holy Week Pastoral Letter: In a pastoral letter for Holy Week, the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops notes, “The conclusion of Lent historically led to readiness for baptism (or new life) and confession of our sin. As United Methodists, we would benefit from a greater capacity to forgive one another, and to ask for this same forgiveness in return. Jesus models this for us, from the cross (Luke 23). Read Bishop Kenneth Carter’s letter
Nurture Relationships After Easter: Often, churches use all their energy on the "big bang" of the Easter service, but it’s important to follow-up with visitors so the days beyond might be the beginning of a life-giving relationship with our risen Lord. Get some tips on how
Caring for Pastors: These are stressful times for United Methodist churches, perhaps especially for pastors. As they care for congregations, consider ways to offer support.
Have We Got a Deal for You! If you want learn how to Change the World at United Methodist Advocacy’s Faith and Politics conference on Saturday, May 18, we’ve got great news! The $30 registration fee has been waived! Those who have already registered will have the fee refunded. For details about the Conference in Harrisburg and optional activities the following two days, or to register, visit susumc.org/change-the-world/.
Registration’s Open! Links to the registration form, the form for requesting space in the display room, the pre-Conference Journal and other relevant material are all available at.wpaumc.org/ac
Author to Speak at AC: The Rev. Olu Brown, one of the speakers for WPAUMC’s pre-Annual Conference Leadership Day for laity and clergy takes a critical and inspirational look at four aspects of 21st-century ministry and church vitality in his new book 4D Impact: Smash Barriers Like a Smart Church. His congregation is one of the fastest growing UM congregations in the U.S. Read press release
Leadership Event: Kay Kotan, an author and coach currently serving as director of Equipping Vital Congregations for the Susquehanna Conference, is also a keynote speaker for the the other leader for the pre-AC2019 training on Wednesday afternoon, June 5. Both she and Olu Brown will speak during 1:30-5 p.m. session for laity and clergy. An additional evening session for clergy will offer a choice of a workshop with Brown or Kotan. The registration form is within the main AC registration.
Memorial Service: Each year during the Memorial Service at Annual Conference, we seek to honor the pastors and their spouses who have died in the past year, as well as the dedicated laity who have served the Conference in some official capacity. If you know of a layperson who died in the past year and should be honored, contact the Conference Memoirs Coordinator, Dale Reese at onyxdale88@yahoo.com.
New Global Ministries Website: Launched in the past week, work continues on improving the user experience for the new Global Ministries website. Specialized resources for leaders will be added in the coming weeks, including curriculum from the Center of Mission Innovation. See the new site at www.umcmission.org
200 Years of Mission: Through a website, video, conference and other activities, the UMC Board of Global Ministries is marking 200 years of mission this year. The recent bicentennial conference, writes Christie House, “embodied the heart of the Methodist mission movement, evident in Wesley’s concern for social and personal holiness and a deeply rooted desire that everyone have an opportunity to experience the healing love of Christ.” Watch and share the bicentennial video
Hope Amidst Rural Poverty: WPA Mission Ambassadors Lynn Sibley and Saundra McKee recently traveled to Henderson Settlement, near Red Bird Mission, in Kentucky to learn about ministry and mission opportunities there. They suggest it as a great place for local church or UMW mission teams to go. Here's a report of their experiences.
Early Response Recertification: A four-hour recertification training for ERTs will be offered on Saturday, May 18 at Heritage UMC in Ligonier. It’s required for anyone who received their UMCOR ERT badge more than three years ago. Get details and register.
UMCOR Approves Major Recovery Grants: Major funding for long-term hurricane recovery in Alabama-West Florida and North Carolina were among $27.6 million in funds authorized by UMCOR’s board of directors for U.S. and international disaster response, sustainable development and global migration projects, and support for denominational hospitals and health boards through the Global Health unit. Learn more.
Judicial Council: Next week the UMC Judicial Council meets to review the "constitutionality, meaning, application or effect" of two pieces of legislation adopted by the General Conference during the 2019 Special Session. Watch and learn as members of the Judicial Council share information about what they do in this video.
What Should Become of UMC? Unhappy with the results of General Conference 2019, about 600 centrist and progressive United Methodists from across the United States will meet May 20-22 at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection to explore that question. Read story
Ebony Bishops Address GC2019: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and other African American bishops addressed the aftermath of General Conference 2019 at the recent gathering of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, an official caucus of the church. Read story
Reset for the Future: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi’s rousing message is featured in a UM News Service story about the recent gathering of Black Methodists for Church Renewal. Read story
Security for Houses of Worship: A recent conference at California U of PA on homeland and international security focused on security at houses of worship. Speakers were retired Police Chief Gregory Mullen, who was chief in Charleston SC during the shootings at Mother Emmanuel AME Church, and Michael Hummel, a former military policeman who current serves as an officer in two towns near CalU. Learn more.
Post-Gazette Wins Pulitzer Prize: Because the Pittsburgh paper was honored for its coverage of the mass shootings at Tree of Life Synagogue, David Shribman, the editor at the time said, there was no rejoicing in the announcement of the top journalism prize for breaking news reporting. Read more