News and Views

Emory Fellowship, a United Methodist church in Washington, D.C., is mid-way through a $55 million transformation to reach its neighbors and community.

At the reCall Summit Oct. 20 - 21, United Methodists learned more about the sin of racism and took home concrete action steps to address it.

UMs meet to discuss gun sense

Posted by Melissa Lauber on Oct 18, 2017

More than 220 people gathered at the BWC Mission Center Oct. 17 for "Critical Conversations: Gun Sense." This was a time for dialogue on how people of faith and faith leaders could and should respond in light of the recent events in our country.

One of the first questions asked after someone is killed by a domestic partner is, ‘Why didn’t they say something’? The question is almost an indictment of their silence and a further victimization of their circumstances.

In a growing trend of less focus on worship and more emphasis on personal faith nourishment and experiencing God-moments through mission and creative outreach in the community, a sense of “whole life evangelism” is becoming the way of doing church today. 

Taste & See redefines possibilities of church

Posted by Melissa Lauber on Oct 16, 2017

On his way to the Taste & See event at American University on Sept. 24, the Rev. Rodney Smothers found himself wondering about the purpose, “the why,” of the event. But his thoughts were soon sidetracked by his GPS, which insisted he go a strange, more indirect path.

United Methodist clergy should hold tight, for now, following a federal judge's ruling that struck down the law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances. GCFA and WesPath are monitoring the situation.

A federal judge in Wisconsin recently found the housing allowance tax exemption for clergy to be unconstitutional. The Legal Services Department at GCFA has reviewed the decision and prepared a short analysis.

Colesville UMC recently dedicated a Rain Garden as a way to support water conservation and attack water pollution. The garden will also be a teaching tool for children and others to learn about caring for God's creation.

D.C. church repents for racism of its past

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Posted by Melissa Lauber on Oct 11, 2017

Mount Vernon Place UMC in D.C. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the laying of its cornerstone with a service of remembrance and repentance.