UMC World News

A compilation of faith stories beyond Hebron UMC

United Methodist Women call for “dismantling racist systems” (July 21, 2020)

The board of directors for United Methodist Women has affirmed a statement calling for the dismantling of racist systems “in our communities, agencies, workplaces, governments and churches.”  Read the statement here.

Northern Illinois Conference Bishop shares personal story about white privilege (July 15, 2020)

Growing up in a financially challenged household, Bishop Sally Dyck didn’t consider herself privileged. The bishop of the Chicago Episcopal Area recounts the advantages she now knows she had because of her white skin.  See her video story and read the text here.

General Conference delayed till 2021 (June 29, 2020)

What are the implication’s of the delay of General Conference from 2020 to 2021 due to the outbreak of COVID-19?  Read the story here.

Bishops pledge more effective anti-racism campaign (June 19, 2020)

George Floyd’s death has thrust racism to the forefront of national debate.  The United Methodist Council of Bishops have instituted a new campaign — Dismantling Racism, Pressing on to Freedom — to bring action to calls for justice.  Read more about the plan here.  Meanwhile the Northern Illinois Annual Conference Cabinet have added their voices to the discussion with a statement of strategic goals to resist racism.

Northern Illinois Conference Plan for Reopening UMC Churches (June 15, 2020)

The NIC has issued a best practices plan for local churches to follow to minimize the impact of COVID-19.  In developing the plan the NIC Health team took to heart Wesley’s doctrine of “Do No Harm.” Get yourself in the loop here.

A Deep Dive on Open Hearts.  Open Minds. Open Doors

Read how local United Methodist Churches are applying the denomination’s brand promise.

Communion Quiz

How much do you know about Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church?  Take the quiz.

Social Principles

United Methodists are being asked to weigh in on a draft revision of the denomination’s Social Principles, released April 12 after years of listening and writing sessions. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.   Read draft and comment.

Uniting Conference sermon still talked about

Fifty years ago on April 23rd The United Methodist Church was officially formed with the unification of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, along with the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction, a segregated group of African American congregations.   For the key sermon of the 1968 conference, organizers turned to “Mr. Methodist,” the Rev. Albert C. Outler. The famed Wesley scholar, also a top-tier preacher, delivered an address that’s still talked about today.  Sam Hodges reportsRead the sermon.

 This Week’s Quiz:  Methodism By the Numbers

How many United Methodist churches are there? How many hospitals are affiliated with the church? Check your knowledge of this and other numbers about the denomination with the United Methodist Numbers Quiz. Take the quiz here.

This Week’s Quiz:  What do palm branches symbolize?

Did you know that Palm branches symbolized victory in the Roman Empire? Test your knowledge of Holy Week with a 10-question quiz.

This Week’s UMC Question:  When did the church first ordain women?

Women served as preachers from the beginnings of the Methodist movement, and they were ordained as ministers as early as the late 19th century. The latest installment of Ask the UMC takes a look back at the first women granted full clergy rights.

Justifying grace:  A Wesleyan tenet

The founder of Methodism taught that a person’s entire spiritual life is an act of God’s grace.  Here is John Wesley’s understanding of Justifying Grace.