News

20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World

The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund is working to raise $5 million through a new initiative, "20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World."  Persons are asked to make a contribution of $20 to $2,020 from now until the year 2020. The initiative solicits the endorsements of United Methodist leadership from throughout the denomination to contribute at least $20 and to ask others for contributions of $20 or more.   "Perfect 20/20 vision requires more than seeing...

United Methodists Called to 'Alcohol Free Lent' for 2011

Congregations urged to set up 'Spirit Fund' to raise money equivalent to cost of 'spirits' not consumed during Lent. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The General Board of Church & Society has issued a call for United Methodists to have an "Alcohol Free Lent."   The call is inspired by Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose members responded to their own "Alcohol Free Lent" challenge several years ago. The congregation created a...

Social Justice Agency Sets 2011 Legislative Priorities

Overcoming global poverty, U.S. jobs crisis, clean air – on list along with holdovers immigration and healthcare reform, and international family planning.  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) has set its 2011 legislative priorities for the 112th U.S. Congress. The six priorities include several holdovers from 2010, including healthcare and immigration reform.   The priorities support social justice stances...

Remember to Take World AIDS Day Offering on Dec. 5

World AIDS Day is December 1. United Methodist churches are encouraged to celebrate the first Sunday of December (Dec. 5) as AIDS Sunday and take a special offering. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has created a group of resources to help churches observe World AIDS Day at the beginning of next month. Visit UMCOR's World AIDS Day 2010 web page to access church bulletin insert, poster, and other resources.   To support United Methodist AIDS ministries, give on line. Or...

Ninth Annual Partners in Caring Seminar Is Nov. 8 in Sacramento

A day-long seminar for faith leaders and spiritual caregivers on end-of-life decision-making and care, titled "Partners in Caring," will be offered on Monday, November 8, 2010 at the Sierra Health Foundation Conference Center in Sacramento.  This event brings health professionals together with clergy, chaplains, faith community nurses, Stephen Ministers, and other health ministers and spiritual caregivers – to discuss life-sustaining treatment and advance directives,...

Adopt 'Wellbriety' During National Recovery Month

In 2009, the California-Nevada Annual Conference adopted a resolution designating September "National Recovery Month." Doug Sibley, a member of the Conference Board of Church and Society, reports that White Bison, Inc., an American Indian non-profit organization (and the home of Wellbriety, a Native American effort to support becoming free from dependence on drugs and alcohol) is asking each tribal government, organization, and grassroots community group to support National Recovery...

September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month

Theme is 'Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!' WASHINGTON, D.C. | September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month – an observance that marks its 21st year. The 2010 theme is, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!"                                      &nbs...

Epworth UMC, Berkeley Embarks on Three-Month 'Body & Soul' Pentecost Adventure

Epworth United Methodist Church in Berkeley has begun a three-month "Pentecost Adventure" it's calling "Body & Soul." Through August 23, the congregation is being invited to participate in "loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving neighbor as self." Epworth's pastor, the Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart, says, "We all have challenges to body and soul. While we cannot control every factor in our lives, we can make choices that...

Bishops Cast out Fear With HIV Tests

By David Briggs* May 3, 2010 | COLUMBUS, Ohio (UMNS) Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo of the Democratic Republic of Congo sat down in front of a health care worker and extended his left arm forward.   Less than two minutes later, his blood had been drawn and he was finished being tested for HIV/AIDS.   Just that simple.   That is the witness Ntambo and scores of other United Methodist leaders shared with the world May 3 as they went through HIV/AIDS testing on the first full...

Cal-Nev Churches Fight Diseases of Poverty Through Health Kits for Haiti

It's another example of Ministry in Action. Pioneer United Methodist Church in Auburn packed 1,000 health kits for Haiti in one hour on March 20 – then sent them to the UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City, in a shipment that also contained kits from Grass Valley, Napa, Lincoln, Carson City, Sparks, and Lake Tahoe churches in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. Campbell UMC has undertaken the mission of collecting 1,000 health kits for Haiti, as well!   See the Ministry in...

Healthcare Bill's Passage Called 'Huge Step' Toward Affirming UM Social Principles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The chief executive of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) says the U.S. House of Representatives took a "huge step" toward affirming the denomination's Social Principles when it passed health-insurance reform legislation on March 21. Jim Winkler says the House action affirms the United Methodist Social Principles that declares health care is "a basic human right."   The House passed the U.S. Senate version...

Health Care Reform Workshop Scheduled for February 20

You are invited to explore the current National Health Care Reform package, what gaps exist, and why a single payer program for the state of California may still be necessary – at a February 20 workshop at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Rocklin. The Saturday morning (10 a.m. to noon) workshop will feature Elizabeth Sholes, Director of Public Policy at California Council of Churches and California Church IMPACT, and Cindy Young, Chair of the California Education Coalition for...

Leader Chosen for 'Healthy Families, Healthy Planet' Initiative

10 United Methodist annual conferences to work with General Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries in international family-planning project. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Katey Zeh, a native Georgian, has been hired by the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) as the part-time consultant for "Healthy Families, Healthy Planet." She will serve as educator, advocate, and organizer for the initiative, which is a year-long effort to build a strong constituency of...

Emory President Named to Bioethics Commission

ATLANTA (UMNS) - President Barack Obama has named Emory University President James W. Wagner vice chair for a new commission on bioethics.   The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues will advise Obama on issues that may emerge from advances in biomedicine and related areas of science and technology.  The commission's goal is to ensure scientific research, health care delivery and technological innovation are conducted in an ethically responsible manner....

2009 World AIDS Day Worship Resources Available

WASHINGTON (UMNS)--Resources, including a 2009 sample worship service, are available for churches to use on or around World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. Congregations are urged to lift up the power of prayer and worship in the battle to eradicate AIDS, said Linda Bales Todd, executive with the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. HIV-prevention programs and ministries are making a difference in the rate of infections worldwide, she said. Visit UNAIDS to access the latest global AIDS data....

Commentary: Thandi's Story Shows Toll of AIDS

A UMNS Commentary By Nancy Neelley* Thandiwe is a quiet girl who has experienced the kind of loss that no 12-year-old child should have to bear. I met her recently while on a mission trip to Zimbabwe for Project Tariro, a ministry that addresses the needs of Zimbabweans living with HIV/AIDS. "Tariro" means hope in Shona, and meeting Thandi gave me a new understanding of the need for hope.   In Zimbabwe, an estimated one in four adults is living with HIV/AIDS. Thandi's...

'Imagine Something More' to End Malaria, Bishop Says

By Linda Bloom Oct. 16, 2009 | STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) United Methodist Bishop Thomas Bickerton keeps a $10 bill in his pocket so he can demonstrate how little money it takes to protect an African household from malaria.   But the roving ambassador for the denomination's involvement in the Nothing But Nets project, a joint effort with the United Nations Foundations and other groups, has a much larger goal than the millions of bed nets that have been sent to Africa....

Keeping an Eye on the Prize: Healthcare for All

GCORR Commentary By Jeneane Jones* Former President Jimmy Carter brings up the dreaded "R" word in the debate over the Obama Administration's health care reform bill. President Barack Obama refuses to go there when describing the acerbic criticism his health care plan is receiving. His recurrent response seems to be 'this isn't about me. It's about the country.'   But to be clear, racism is imbedded in the health care system just as it is imbedded in the fabric of U.S....

United Methodist Legislators Disagree on Reform Details

A UMNS Report By Tom Gillem As the debate over reforming the nation's health care system rages in Washington, the 53 United Methodists who are members of Congress are listening to their constituents and deciding the best path to follow.   But their feelings about the various reform proposals in both the House and Senate tend to echo the positions of their particular political party. All think some reform is needed, but how to make it happen is the issue.   Michigan Democrat...

UMs Challenged to Take Part in October 20 'National Day of Remembrance and Hope'

An article by the Rev. Cynthia Abrams, Director of the Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health Care program for the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church challenges UMs to join people of faith throughout the United States for a "National Day of Remembrance and Hope" on Tuesday, October 20, to remember "the 45,000 people who die each year because they lack insurance that provides access to needed health care." "That shocking statistic . ....