Churches sue BWC over disaffiliation
Dear Clergy and Laity of the Baltimore-Washington Conference:
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. It is with sadness that The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church informs you that the Conference has been sued by 38 churches demanding immediate separation from The United Methodist Church. We are deeply grieved by this as we seek to be a church united in love and in mission. Pursuant to our protocol, we do not comment on ongoing litigation. However, the issues raised are not novel. Here are some broad, important thoughts to keep in mind:
article from UM News Daily Digest for March 13th, 2023
Get ready to spend some time … read James Lawson’s account: “We started the public desegregation of the nation, and we did it without hating anybody..”
Dan Gleckler
No Small Endeavor
Rev. Lawson talks about America’s past, present
LOS ANGELES — The Rev. James Lawson recalls how the civil rights movement was shaped by principles of nonviolence, and in the latest episode of “No Small Endeavor,” he discusses his lifelong commitment to peace as well as his close friendship with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “We started the public desegregation of the nation, and we did it without hating anybody,” Lawson says. Lee Camp conducts the interview.
articles from UM News Daily Digest for March 9th, 2023
Please read and pray over the articles on the Tulsa church that welcomes young people, and the Plano,Texas church that supports a young women’s hostel in Africa.
It is time we reach out more to young people!
Blessings,
Dan Gleckler
Oklahoma Conference
Young people respond to church’s welcome
TULSA, Okla. — St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has a sign that flashes messages such as “All Are Welcome.” While this attracted some young people to services, it was after church members attended Pride Parade in 2021 that an influx of 20-somethings started appearing in worship. The Rev. Emily Robnett reports.
North Texas Conference
Women’s group backs Kenyan rescue center
PLANO, Texas — United Women in Faith of the North Texas Conference has become a key partner for the Jerri Savuto Rescue Center in Kenya. The center, which is nearing completion, will be a safe haven for girls fleeing forced marriage and genital mutilation. Named for a longtime United Methodist Board of Global Ministries missionary, the center has so far received more than $50,000 from individuals and churches across North Texas.
articles from UM News Daily Digest for March 8th, 2023
See the New Orleans-style service for the new bishop there…
Dan Gleckler
Louisiana Conference
Installation features New Orleans-style parade
NEW ORLEANS — The installation service for Louisiana Conference Bishop Delores J. Williamston occurred March 4 at Dillard University. That was the first time such an event had been held at the historically Black United Methodist-related school. The service had some unusual touches, including a New Orleans-style “second line” parade featuring the Pinstripe Brass Band and Zulu Tramps. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel reports.
articles from UM News Daily Digest for March 7th, 2023
Lots of worthwhile articles here [from UM News Daily Digest]: Church audit; future hope for Church, by Bp. Will Willimon; Africa mission with youth; and prison ministries.
Please read and pray about these.
Blessings,
Dan Gleckler
Tuesday, March 14
Webinar: The Church Audit — It’s Easier Than You Think
North Carolina Conference
Webinar highlights church’s hope for future
GARNER, N.C. — The North Carolina Conference’s Center for Leadership Excellence will host a webinar on utilizing The United Methodist Church’s challenges as a catalyst for joining Christ in mission. Retired Bishop Will Willimon will lead “Don’t Look Back: United Methodist Hope for the Future,” a webinar aimed at laity, from 7 to 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time March 9.
Church radio drums up support for orphans
KINSHASA, Congo (UM News) — Lokole Methodist Radio dedicates 30 minutes on air every Saturday morning to lifting up the cause of vulnerable children. The program, “30 Minutes With the Orphans,” is an initiative of Innocent Afful, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, who serves as the coordinator for orphans and vulnerable children for the Churches of Christ in Congo. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
Recent Headlines
Welcoming those from disaffiliating churches. Electricity service in Sierra Leone.
Please read and seriously consider how we might welcome folks who want to stay in United Methodism, whose churches are disafilliating; and also the article on support of electric service in Africa.
Blessings,
Dan Gleckler
Solar electricity enhances growth at church academy
TAIAMA, Sierra Leone (UM News) — Solar electricity at the Sierra Leone Conference’s first hybrid vocational and entrepreneurship school will unlock new opportunities for students and teachers alike, church leaders say. Taiama Enterprise Academy now has 24/7 solar-powered electricity, thanks to funding from Operation Classroom, a United Methodist organization supported by U.S. churches in the Indiana Conference. Phileas Jusu has the story.
Dakotas Conference
Welcoming people from disaffiliating churches
SPEARFISH, S.D. — Spearfish United Methodist Church has joined other Dakotas Conference churches as an Oasis Network church, indicating it will welcome United Methodists who plan to leave a disaffiliating church and are looking for a new church home. The Oasis Network was started in the Texas Conference. Janelle Jones reports.
Growth for some churches staying United Methodist
Growth for some churches staying United Methodist
KINGWOOD, Texas (UM News) — Disaffiliations are reducing the number of United Methodists and United Methodist churches in the U.S. But a realignment also is going on, with some United Methodist churches having growth spurts as they pick up members from churches departing the denomination. Strawbridge United Methodist is in a disaffiliation hotspot and has seen attendance double. Sam Hodges reports.