News

Oregon-Idaho Offers Program of Worship Resources

Registration now is open for the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center's 2012 series of resources for passionate worship: Liturgical Arts Renewal@Collins (LARC). The 2012 workshops begin on Feb. 28 with an event featuring two young clergy musicians who defy stylistic labels while enabling their congregations to claim, enthusiastically, their voices of faith. Jackson Henry was highlighted in a recent United Methodist Reporter story about a resurgence in congregational singing, and Joe Stobaugh is...

Remember the Future: 30 Days of Preparation for General Conference

Join Bishop Robert Schnase for "Remember the Future: 30 Days of Preparation," a series of reflections as The United Methodist Church prepares for General Conference 2012. These daily meditations explore hope, purpose, leadership, and making and becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. Beginning March 26, a new essay by Bishop Schnase will be posted daily on the Ministry Matters website. Each essay will explore a key topic or scripture, and suggest ideas for deeper reading and...

Vital WHAT? (The Difference Between Vital Congregations & Vital Signs)

Vital This, Vital That. Vital what? It can be confusing. There are two parallel and complementary initiatives underway in The United Methodist Church, each beginning with the word "Vital," and each having its own set of tools. Vital Congregations (www.umvitalcongregations.org) is the goal-setting piece. Go to that website to: see your church's history assess its current church health, and develop and set goals for the future. The other piece, Vital Signs, is the...

More Vital Signs FAQs

Here are a few more frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Vital Signs reporting. Q: Do we need to enter information for Dec. 25? A: No, December data is not required. You were asked to begin reporting in January 2012. However, if you have data for Dec. 25 and want to add it, you may do so.   Q: What if my count is wrong? Can I make edits in the system? A: Yes, for a limited time, you can edit your numbers. There always will be four dates visible (and editable) on the reporting...

Program Responds to Growing Need for Hispanic Leadership in The United Methodist Church

By Helen R. Neinast* Students in the Spanish-language Bachelor of Theology program come from all across the United States from a wide variety of ministry settings. Some are just starting their formal theological education while others have years of training in certification programs and United Methodist Course of Study work.   The program, co-sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica and offered in...

Women Candidates for Ordination Encouraged to Apply for 2012 Harkness Award

Women candidates for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church are encouraged to apply to the Georgia Harkness Merit Awards program of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Ordained Ministry Division. The program, which honors the life and service of teacher and theologian Georgia Harkness (1891-1974), grants a $5,000 award to those who are chosen as Georgia Harkness Scholars. The funding may be applied to tuition, fees, and room and board for the basic seminary degree...

2012 Reverend Frank Witman Scholarship Application Deadline is February 29

Do you know a student attending or planning to attend college in the coming year?  The United Methodist Federal Credit Union (UMFCU) is offering scholarship opportunities for student members to help them achieve their academic goals. Four applicants will each receive a $500 scholarship to be used toward tuition, books or student fees.   Students are asked to submit a 1,000 word essay on a topic that communicates the importance of financial responsibility in their lives or in the...

Early Bird Pricing for 'Elevation!' Workshop Closes January 31

Register before January 31 and receive the early bird pricing for "Elevation!" a continuing education and spiritual renewal retreat for worship leaders with Dr. Marcia McFee, May 14-18, 2012 at Zephyr Point Conference Center. Rejuvenate your passion for ministry through 21 contact hours of experiential and informative sessions. There will be opportunities for peer conversations and practicum on the concepts learned. Time will also be available to take advantage of the meditative...

GBOD Offers Free Webinars in January and February

The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church is offering free webinars, this month and next, for church leaders. Register at www.gbod.org/committee_resources. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 11:30 a.m. PST: Principles of Church Renewal for DSes Key factors for setting a path toward renewal of district congregations.   Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. PST: Goal Setting for Vital Congregations A guide for setting realistic numerical goals for your congregation on the...

Five New Ideas from GBOD to Start the New Year

Each month, the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) generates a list of five new ideas to help promote vital congregations. Start the New Year off right: Click here to download Five New Ideas from GBOD for January 2012....

Vital Signs Reporting: Frequently Asked Questions

Last Monday (Jan. 2), the Communications Office emailed churches and pastors, asking for the email address they wish to use for the Vital Signs project. The response has been overwhelmingly good – with 233 churches responding. However, as more people are using the system, we've noticed that there are a few frequently asked questions. Here are three of them, along with answers.   Q: How does the time period work? Is it Sunday through Saturday, or Monday through Sunday?   A:...

SAMHSA Webinar: Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale

Register now to join the free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) webinar, "Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale: An Introduction," taking place on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, 4-5:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). The webinar will introduce SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS), which is being implemented to help states, tribes, jurisdictions, providers, and other stakeholders develop recovery-oriented systems...

Rethink Church Lenten Series to Have Online Component

How will you reach people for Christ this Lent? United Methodist Communications is ready to help you with a free Lenten sermon series, online advertising, and a multimedia bundle to help you include the broader community.   The Journey to Hope series begins with Christ's journey to the cross, and connects with matters such as relationships, money, work, and suffering to share the hope that exists beyond life's most difficult issues. The sermon series was developed in 2010, and has...

Focusing on Vital Signs, Vital Congregations in the New Year

In 2012, the focus in the California-Nevada Annual Conference – and for United Methodists everywhere – will be on helping congregations be vital and focused on God's mission in the world. Our Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table's Call to Action, and the California-Nevada Conference Strategic Plan for Congregational Vitality all are in agreement on the importance of this focus. Vital Signs reporting and Vital Congregations goal setting are two separate opportunities set...

Iowa Delegation Endorses Document Calling for United Methodist Church Restructure

The General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation of the Iowa Annual Conference recently endorsed a document from the Council of Bishops titled, "For the Sake of a New World, We See a New Church: A Call to Action."  The document outlines suggested changes in The United Methodist Church; some will require General Conference legislation, and some will not. The Rev. Brian K. Milford, head of the Iowa delegation, said, "Our delegation specifically endorsed the document...

The One-Size-Fits-All Gift

Not sure of the gift to get for your congregation, your pastor, teacher, or group leader? A last-minute gift can be your best gift. Cokesbury offers thousands of gifts that hold a deeper spiritual value, and a Cokesbury gift card is always meaningful and always available in just the right size for anyone on your Christmas list.   Order today to be sure to receive this perfect-sized gift in time for Christmas. Cokesbury will place the certificate in a gift envelope and mail it to the...

Get Free Subscriptions to 'Interpreter' for Leaders in Your Church

Interpreter is a publication for lay and clergy leaders in local United Methodist churches across the United States. Articles in the magazine connect you to: God, Other United Methodist leaders, and Ideas and resources to use in your ministry. Published six times each year by United Methodist Communications, each issue includes a cover package of feature articles for local leaders, along with other stories and articles providing ideas and resources.   Each...

Broken to Peace

Video study series helps people find faith in times of trouble Christians facing difficult life circumstances can find help dealing with them through a new inspirational video study series called Broken to Peace.  Designed for group study, the six-part series features people sharing compelling real-life stories that brought them to their knees, and telling how faith helped them cope.   The video discussion starters follow the journeys of people who have faced difficult issues...

Book of Discipline Now Online

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The 2008 edition of the Book of Discipline, The United Methodist Church's official law book, is now available online, through Cokesbury, without charge, in a read and search version only. General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, revises and approves the Book of Discipline every four years. The Book of Discipline will be revised next at the 2012 General Conference, which will make the 2008 edition obsolete....

New Vision Pavilion Construction at Shasta Camp is Complete

By Carol Kern Members and friends of First United Methodist Church in Redding and Shasta Camp supporters gathered for a Shasta Camp benefit barbecue dinner and concert at the church on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011.   The dinner served as prelude to a concert in which the church highlighted its music ministry. Included were vocal/guitar ensembles, solo vocals, and the church's adult, children's and bell choirs. A Christian "rapper" from Paradise added a different dimension to the...