“Teamwork makes the dream work,” wrote leadership guru John Maxwell in 2002. While the adage is fast becoming cliché, it could nonetheless describe what’s happening at New Hanover UMC in Gilbertsville.

Leaders there are focused on forging more cooperation particularly in the overall worship experience, as they dream of making new disciples of Jesus Christ. And the 31 new members who have joined the church so far this year, including 10 adults and eight infants who were baptized, may represent some of the plentiful fruit from their efforts. Read more. 

Small groups are essential venues of personal and spiritual development for many faith communities. The intimacy of smaller gatherings deepens relational bonds, nurtures trust, and provides a safe space for spiritual exploration, learning, and growth.  

How can you prevent your small groups from becoming inwardly focused and impenetrable to newcomers? Doug Powe and Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff outline four strategies to help groups maintain an outward focus and an invitational posture. Read more. 

One song heard during EPA’s Annual Conference in May pronounces with vivid eloquence a harmonious vision of racial justice and peace. And it comes with a poem in the popular, modern style of “spoken word.” Both offerings from EPA’s Commission on Religion & Race add urgency to the conference theme, proclaiming that the time for us to make real progress in dismantling racism is “Now.” Read more. 

1. 'Who do you say that I am?' asks 2021 UMC Report 

The UMC’s new 2021 State of the Church Report centers on the theme of claiming our theological and missional identity in faith and service to Christ. It adapts Jesus' question to Peter in Matthew 16, by asking "Who do we say that we are?" During a sensitive time with many challenges in the life of our church, the report engages the #BeUMC campaign, launched in 2021, that celebrates how United Methodists see ourselves. Read this and past annual UMC reports at http://resourceumc.org/SOTC. Read press release 

2. UMC reaches new Affiliation Agreement with BSA

United Methodist leaders and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have reached an agreement about new Affiliation and Facility Use Agreements between congregations, scouting units and the BSA. Bishop John Schol, who chairs the UMC Leadership Team, announced the completion in a July 6 letter. Read more. See the new affiliation agreement at www.GCUMM.org/Scouting or www.methodistscouter.org/a-new-agreement/. 

3. 'Relating with Clergy Spouses' workshop highlights on video 

Julie Anderman of Artos Retreats offers video highlights from the recent "Relating with Clergy Spouses" workshop for Staff-Parish Relations Committees (SPRCs) receiving new pastors and spouses this year. View the video. Also, see our Resources to Assist in Pastoral Transitions for Clergy and Churches web page for more resources.

4. New Disaffiliation Discernment FAQ answers added

Bishop John Schol answers more questions in a new addition this week to the Disaffiliation Discernment FAQ web page. Questions range from the impact of disaffiliation on inclusion of churches in the new UMC-BSA agreement, to stipulations about voting procedures, financial considerations and the assistance of EPA guides for churches considering disaffiliation. 

5. Christians connect through texting

A growing number of United Methodists have found texting to be a way to both encourage and be encouraged, as well as develop their faith alongside others, frequently in real time and regardless of location. Read story 

6. N. Illinois bishop responds to Independence Day shooting

After a mass shooting claimed seven lives and injured dozens of others at a Fourth of July parade, Bishop John Hopkins is urging United Methodists to act. “This mass shooting calls us to mourn, pray, remember innocent lives lost and strengthen our resolve to find ways to address the growing epidemic of gun violence in the United States,” wrote the Northern Illinois Conference interim bishop. Read statement. Northern Illinois Conference: United Methodists pray, mourn after tragedy.

7. United Methodists welcome busloads of migrants

After Texas’ governor decided to send buses of migrants to the U.S. capital, Capitol Hill UMC and other members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference swung into action to provide care and compassion. The people arriving on the buses are legal immigrants, moving through the U.S. legal system as they seek asylum. Read story 

8. Mustard Seed Migration Grants

United Methodist congregations across the U.S. are invited to propose new, creative projects to fill specific needs or gaps for refugees and migrants. The Mustard Seed Migration Grant program, administered by Global Ministries and UMCOR, will award $2,000 to up to 50 U.S. churches to engage in a new, one-time community-based service project focused on refugees and migration. . Applications will be accepted at any time prior to Sept. 1. Learn more. 

9. EPA ruling by Supreme Court criticized

A June 30 Supreme Court ruling that will limit the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate emissions from power plants is a major setback in the effort to address the climate crisis, said Elizabeth Chun Hye, faith director of mobilization and advocacy for United Women in Faith. “As women of faith called to steward the earth and care for one another, we are deeply concerned about the court's low regard for front-line communities,” she said.   Read statement