United Methodist News Service – Recent Articles

• Be brave enough to let the light find you
  A United Methodist lay member shares how a former pastor’s honesty about depression allowed her to realize she didn’t have to be healed to find a home at church.
• United Methodists lose homes in Congo fire
  In a region already hit by insecurity and an Ebola outbreak, The United Methodist Church is scrambling to shelter those left homeless and assessing other needs.
• Atlanta: Connection across difference
  The UM News podcast “Signs of Life” returns with the story of two congregations in Atlanta that embarked on a study of a Howard Thurman book. One congregation predominately black and the other white, participants explore together a story of new understanding and relationship.
• UM News Podcast Season One
  This Fall on season one of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. 
• Walking the journey of calling
  The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s EXPLORATION offers young people space for discernment and holy wonder.
• Louisiana Conference invests $15M in churches
  As part of its new Jubilee Initiative, the Louisiana Conference is helping local churches to pay off debt, fund ministries, expand staffing and more.
• Court cases test United Methodist governance
  The Baltimore-Washington Conference filed a federal lawsuit against a church to defend The United Methodist Church’s trust clause. Meanwhile, developments continue in the Texas lawsuit involving Highland Park United Methodist.
• Church builds on Ebola response in Congo
  The United Methodist Church’s health coordination team is constructing a 50-bed treatment center and reaching thousands through a large-scale community response.
• Suicide is a public health crisis. How can faith communities respond?
  Faith leaders need help in recognizing the signs that a parishioner may be contemplating suicide. To help address this need, the E. Stanley Jones Foundation and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have developed a free online training course for clergy and lay leaders.
• How small congregations can flourish
  Small churches are an asset for The United Methodist Church, argues a new report from Wesleyan Impact Partners. The report profiles nine U.S. congregations that are outsized in their community impact.