Join Chris Kindle on the GAP Trail! Meet Chris and other supporters of our Camping and Retreat Ministries at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 24 to walk, run or ride all or part of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail between Rockwood and Confluence. It's the first of five Saturday outings that make up the 2021 version of the event formerly known as the Campership Bike-A-Thon. Get details and register.
Leadership Development Series: Dawn Wiggins Hare, the chief executive of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, will facilitate the first in a series of Conference-sponsored online Leadership Development Workshops for clergy and laity. It’s scheduled for August 7, 2021. Learn more
Get details and register for August 7 /workshop
Gender Equity in the News: The World Association for Christian Communication, a partner of United Methodist Women and the Board of Global Ministries, sponsors a worldwide monitoring of how women and girls are represented in news media. The latest report, which includes data from 116 countries, found that 25% of news subjects and sources are women and girls. This marks the first increase since 2010 and is most visible in broadcast news media. The UMW’s Faith Talks webinar at 2 p.m. July 15 will discuss the results. Read full report
Register for UMW webinar
Orientation to Ministry: It’s not too late to register for the August 3 orientation session to learn more about the various types of set-apart ministry in the United Methodist Church. The orientation is a requirement for anyone pursuing licensed or ordained ministry. Learn more.
Safe Sanctuaries: The Quadrennial Training required for clergy in 2021 is on Safe Sanctuaries and Mandated Reporting. It's offered online through Safe Gatherings. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi emailed all clergy on July 6 and provided instructions and the link to register within 90 days. Details are also available on at wpaumc.org/safesanctuaries
Does Your Church Have a Safe Sanctuaries Policy? If not, there is a sample template you can use to develop one on the WPAUMC Safe Sanctuaries page. Download it.
Discipleship and Anti-Racism: Realize the connection and learn how to have courageous conversations on a difficult topic through a new online course from Discipleship Ministries. There’s no cost. See video and learn more
UMC Dismantling Campaign Hits One-Year Mark: The anti-racism work of the UMC is just getting started after one year of a Dismantling Racism campaign, say bishops and others. Upcoming initiatives include an anti-racism social justice agenda, more educational materials and an Advent devotional series. Read story
Read Racism must go, but how to get there?
2021 Native Immersion Experience: Registration is now open for The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) Immersion, scheduled for October 24-28, 2021 in Oklahoma City. The immersion experience provides history, context, and unique perspectives on Native peoples in the OIMC and their involvement with The United Methodist Church. In addition, their Native communities will proudly share their traditions and culture throughout the event. Learn more
Tips for Re-Entering the Mission Field: United Methodist Volunteers in Mission has developed an instructional video for churches and mission teams that are preparing to re-enter the mission field beyond their local communities. Due to varying COVID-19 protocols in different countries, domestic missions are recommended, but opportunities for international trips are available. Watch video
Looking Back to Move Forward: For congregations with deep roots in their communities, history can be either a great teacher or a severe burden. Four churches across the U.S. share the ways their histories are informing their ministries today and their plans for the future. Read stories
United Methodist Heading into Space with Bezos: Wally Funk, 82, who was part of the "Mercury 13" group of women trained by NASA as astronauts and later was the first female National Transportation Safety Board air safety inspector, will join Jeff Bezos aboard Blue Origin's first crewed spaceflight on July 20. She's a member of Fellowship United Methodist Church in Trophy Club, Texas, and also attends nearby White's Chapel United Methodist Church. Read story
Read and listen to NPR report on Funk
UM News Daily Digest Features WPAUMC Ministry: The video story on At the Lake Ministries that was part of Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi’s State of the Conference address this year, was featured in the United Methodist News Service Daily Digest on Tuesday. Watch video