United Methodist Reporter Blog

UM of the Year, in the Jan. 6 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

In 2011, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won re-election as president of Liberia and also was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She’s credited with bringing stability to her country, as well as with fighting corruption and emphasizing education. She grew up a Methodist, and remains a deeply committed Wesleyan Christian, staying active in her UM church in Monrovia despite the demands on her time. For all these reasons, she was an easy choice for the Reporter’s 2011 United Methodist of the Year. Staff writer Mary Jacobs has the story.
 
A new Pew study shows that Christians account for about one-third of the world population, as they did a century ago. But where they are has changed dramatically. Christianity – including the Methodist version – has become truly global, with particularly fast growth in sub-Saharan Africa. We look at the details of the study and draw on UM sources for analysis.
 
A tiny, dying Episcopal church found new life through its community garden, which over eight years has produced about 20 tons of organically-grown vegetables, much of it bound for local food pantries. Faith & Leadership reports.
 
A UM church in Tallahassee, Fl., has long had a small group devoted to the study of both science and theology. Alan Moreton is in the group, and he contributed a report on how it works.
 
In commentaries, special contributor Mark P. Smith takes issue with United Methodists who are supporting the Occupy movement. The Rev. James Howell offers a personal look at prayer, and argues that seminaries should offer more instruction on the subject. Donald Haynes’ “Wesleyan Wisdom” takes on the survey showing that the UMC is regarded more favorably by Americans than other large faith groups. He notes that folks may like us, but they’re not joining us.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, and a Religion News Service feature on renewed debate about the faith of Thomas Jefferson.
 
We welcome story tips and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

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Carrying On, in the Dec. 30 'Reporter'

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In 2011, United Methodists took on plenty of challenges, including helping communities and congregations bounce back from natural disasters. Many clergy pledged to go against church law by conducting same-sex unions, prompting a counter-movement that called on bishops to uphold the Book of Discipline. Other clergy spoke out and hit the streets, opposing tough immigration laws or supporting the Occupy movement. Meanwhile, top UMC leaders prepared for General Conference 2012, which will likely see budget cutting and an effort to restructure the church bureaucracy. We take a look at these and other highlights of a most eventful year.
 
There’s no keeping religion out of the news, and Religion News Service offers its roundup of the major religion-related stories of 2011.
 
Staff writer Mary Jacobs reviews 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. She notes that John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, was an inspiration for this new volume.
 
The Rev. Rudy Rasmus has thought a lot about hope, which isn’t surprising, given that he works with thousands of hard-luck folks through his Houston church. He shared his insights in a Q&A with the Rev. Kathy Noble, of Interpreter magazine.
 
A UM congregation in State Park, Pa., has had to cope with fallout from a scandal involving one of their own – former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Special contributor Jackie Campbell snagged an interview with the church’s pastor, the Rev. Ed Zeiders. Her piece comes to us via United Methodist News Service.
 
In commentaries, the Rev. Andrew C. Thompson explains why he’s retiring his column title “Gen-X-Rising.” (He’ll continue writing for UMR.) Retired Bishop Woodie White,  in his Reflections column, praises “special shepherds” who do Hospice Ministry. And Missy Buchanan uses her Aging Well column to note that while it may be true that the UMC is a graying denomination, it’s also true that the ranks are full of wise, gracious seniors who ought to be better appreciated and better put to use.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column on the French carol “He is Born” (“Il Est Né”), and a feature on a Phoenix physician who runs a UM-sponsored mobile clinic that brings medical care to the homeless.
 
We welcome story ideas, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us, and please continue doing so in 2012. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

P.S. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to join in the conversation.

Christmas Gift, in the Dec. 23 'Reporter'

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Church plant stories abound, but few can top that of Christ’s Foundry, a UM mission in a heavily Hispanic part of Dallas. Under the Rev. Owen Ross—an Anglo from East Texas—Christ’s Foundry has grown to 140 members, and with the help of other UM churches has raised $2 million for its first sanctuary/education building. The debut worship service will be Christmas Eve. Special contributor Jon Nielsen tells the encouraging story in detail. 

A recent survey by LifeWay, the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, found that the United Methodist Church is regarded more favorably by Americans than other large religious groups. Our story looks at nuances in the data, and draws on interviews with the researchers as well as UM leaders.
 
The UMC may be well-liked, but it’s continuing to shrink, and that has forced leaders to consider major restructuring of the denomination’s bureaucracy. Religion News Service reports that other mainline denominations are doing the same.
 
The new Steve Spielberg movie War Horse tells of a boy’s love for, and separation from, a thoroughbred horse during the chaos of World War I. Associate editor Bill Fentum has an admiring review, as well as a Q&A drawn from a group interview Mr. Spielberg did with journalists.
 
Whether it’s helping stock a food pantry or initiating a major drive to collect socks for the needy, staff members of UM agencies and annual conferences quietly make a difference during the Christmas season. United Methodist News Service reports.
 
In commentaries, Bishop Sally Dyck makes the case for finding spiritual gifts and opportunities during the Christmas Season. Glenn Hannigan reflects on reactions to the unabashed displays of Christian faith by Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. And Donald Haynes uses his Wesleyan Wisdom column to explain grace theology and to challenge today’s United Methodists to learn more about their doctrinal heritage.
 
We offer plenty more in this edition, including History of Hymns, about “Once in Royal David’s City,” and a report from Sierra Leone, where Bishop John K. Yambasu has appointed two women as district superintendents—a rare move for the UMC in Africa. 

We welcome your story tips, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us, and please accept the UMR staff’s best wishes for a merry Christmas.
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

Holy Day Trend, in the Dec. 16 'Reporter'

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Christmas week services are seeing higher attendance even than Easter services in some UM churches. Staff writer Mary Jacobs talks to a range of sources about the trend, including the addition of Christmas Eve Eve services – held on Dec. 23^rd.
 
UM clergy and churches of a social activist bent have become involved in the Occupy movement, mainly by serving as chaplains or opening their church doors for meetings. Our story draws on interviews from a range of pastors.
 
In the New York Conference, there’s open conflict among clergy about officiating at same-sex unions, something prohibited by church law. A traditionalist group is saying it will seek to have charged under the Book of Discipline clergy colleagues who have vowed to conduct such ceremonies.
 
Methodism is showing growth and vibrancy in Cuba, according to an essay we have from the Rev. John Page, who traveled there recently with a group from his UM church in Georgia.
 
This week’s commentaries include a couple on the Christmas theme. Retired Bishop Woodie W. White devotes his “Reflections” column to noting how this year Christmas has a different feel for him, given the death of one close friend and another’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. Special contributor John Dowell recalls how his stint as Santa Claus for a pub led to an encounter that put him on the path to faith.
 
We have the Rev. Eric Van Meter’s essay arguing that the UMC’s revival depends on finding inspiring, outward-focused ideas, not growth-for-growth’s-sake reforms. And the Rev. Michael Ratliff of the General Board of Discipleship makes the case for the UMC’s Youth Service Fund.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including a review of Carrie Newcomber’s latest recording, C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column (this time on the German carol “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine”), and a feature on a UM Church in upstate South Carolina whose ministry brightens Christmas for many hard-up families.
 
We welcome story tips, comments, and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us.
Sam Hodges, managing editor

P.S. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to join in the conversation.

`Eagle’ Incubator, in the Dec. 9 'Reporter'

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A Boy Scout troop at predominately African-American St. Luke “Community” UMC in Dallas has overachieved at producing Eagle Scouts. Special contributor Jon Nielsen writes about the troop and its relationship with the church.
 
Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the Pittsburgh Area has been spokesperson and leader for the UMC’s anti-malaria effort. We caught up with him for a Q&A in which he discusses how he got involved and where he thinks things stand now.
 
Exploration 2011 brought together hundreds of young United Methodists for worship and other events aimed at helping them discern their level of commitment to church work. Special contributor Vicki Brown has a report from the scene.
 
Donna Johnson’s new memoir Holy Ghost Girl recounts her and her family’s involvement with tent revivalist David Terrell. Staff writer Mary Jacobs did a Q& A with the author.
 
The Episcopal Fund of the UMC covers expenses for bishops, retired and active. And it’s destined to shrink along with other major UMC budgets as the 2012 General Conference grapples with the reality of reduced contributions. United Methodist News Service has a story with specifics about the fund and its prospects.
 
In commentaries, Don House writes that restructuring of the UMC agencies should not include a reduction of independence for the General Council of Finance and Administration. The Rev. Sky McCracken, a district superintendent, argues that the Call to Action reform proposals deserve to be given a chance. And the Rev. Donald Haynes uses his “Wesleyan Wisdom” column to make a plea for more autonomy for the local UM church.
 
There’s lots more in this issue, including a review of the latest recording by contemporary Christian musician Matthew West; C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column on “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”; and a feature about a UM pastor in Missouri who chose weight-loss surgery.
 
We welcome story tips, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us. 

Sam Hodges, managing editor