News & Stories
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Hope & Action Webinar Recording Now Available
Watch the recording of the “Hope and Action: Resourcing Congregations for Hospitality” webinar from February 12, 2025. This event provided a vital space for all our congregations, especially English-speaking congregations, to learn about current immigration policies and laws, dispel myths about migrants, immigrants, and refugees, and explore ways to extend hospitality to individuals at risk… Continue Reading→
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Supporting Immigrants: A Call to Action
Claudia Oviedo Tsiaousopoulos is a member of a United Methodist church in the NC Conference with a large immigrant population. She shares her experiences being a member of this community and urges us to stand in solidarity with them in their time of need. Visit the Immigration Resources page for more information. Continue Reading→
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A Gun Violence Reflection from Kennedy
Rev. Kennedy Gray shares how gun violence has affected him and his church community. Sign up to receive resources you can use in your Lenten study on gun violence prevention. Continue Reading→
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Black Authors for Small Groups & Church Leaders
Celebrate Black History Month by learning from Black authors and church leaders. We recommend these titles from our collection for small-group or individual study. The resources listed here include: Many Black authors have also written on Black history and anti-racism. Those resources are listed in our pathfinders on African American Ministry Resources and Anti-Racism. DVD… Continue Reading→
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Tell Us About Your Fresh Expression
Are you engaging in a Fresh Expression of church? If so, we want to know! In late 2024, we hosted a gathering with FX United Methodist leader Michael Beck. Over 150 clergy and laity came to get a taste of Fresh Expressions and to begin imagining how one could blossom in their context. Continue Reading→
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A Gun Violence Reflection from John
John Kelso, a long-serving member of the FBI, tells about the impact of gun violence on his life and work. John serves as a member of the Bishop’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Sign up to receive resources you can use in your Lenten study on gun violence prevention. Continue Reading→
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Counting the Reasons We Love Lay Speakers
499… That’s how many sermons our certified lay speakers reported preaching last year. Certified lay speakers travel across their districts—and sometimes beyond—to fill pulpits for pastors. 70 hours… That’s how much training certified lay speakers complete before stepping into the pulpit. Since 2012, all certified lay speakers take seven courses in Lay Servant Ministries, including… Continue Reading→
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Bishop Shelton: Celebrating Black History Month
Bishop Connie Shelton centers our celebration of Black History Month around 1 Peter 2:5 and the national theme of “African Americans and Labor.” She also honors the work of the NC Conference Strengthening the Black Church Committee. Continue Reading→
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An Encouragement for February
Although you’re reading this in February, I am writing to you on what feels like the 53rd of January, when I should be working on my statistical tables. The past few weeks are a blur of trying to begin the administrative year and care for my congregation, while preaching and living amid the fears and… Continue Reading→