CONFERENCE CONNECTIONS
All United Methodist churches are connected through shared mission and ministry and united in their efforts to grow in love of God and neighbor, reach new people, and heal a broken world. Check out these recent news tidbits from the Minnesota Annual Conference, which serves all 360 United Methodist churches in the state.
· Bishop Ough: Them and us: As we approach the 2016 General Conference, a denominational gathering that occurs every four years, The United Methodist Church is fraught with many “them-and-us” controversies—controversies over whom we will include or exclude, issues over biblical authority and biblical obedience, tensions over how we witness to a broken world, struggles over how to create an authentic global church, disagreements over how and who will lead the church, said Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough. “We seem to have forgotten that, within the body of Christ, unity is not built around the urgency created by opposing positions, but rather, unity is built around the urgency to witness to Christ’s transforming power and saving grace…I invite you to join me in praying that we will all stay attuned to the call of God’s indwelling Spirit, and that God will lead the beloved community—the church—toward a renewed energy and focus that is beyond our ‘them-and-us’ tendencies, beyond our divisions.”
· New Hmong ministry reaches people in northwest metro: The Minnesota Conference’s newest faith community, Northwest Minneapolis United Methodist Ministry, launched worship on Jan. 10 and meets in Robbinsdale. This ministry, which incorporates both Hmong and English so as to engage both older and younger generations, has more than 30 in average worship attendance and is growing. “God’s driving the vision, but we are there because God uses our eyes, our ears, our hearts, our hands to do the work,” said Rev. Tsuchue Vang, who founded the ministry and plans to start another Hmong faith community in the east metro in 2018. “If we are faithful to evangelize and we have the mind and patience to plant a church, it’s doable.”
· You’re invited to 2016 Annual Conference: Registration for this annual gathering of Minnesota United Methodists (scheduled for June 21-23 in St. Cloud) is open, and people from all congregations are welcome to come, as voting members or as visitors. This year’s session was designed with young people in mind, and it will feature meaningful worship, small-group conversations on social justice issues, learning sessions with author Sara Miles, a party in the park, camps for children and youth, and more. Come for an evening, one full day, or all three days! Learn more at www.minnesotaumc.org.
IT WORKED FOR ANOTHER CHURCH
· Reaching community through free playtime: After realizing that its community didn’t have a lot of places for small children to play, Northfield United Methodist Church stocked its gym with toys and opened it up to families twice a week. Not only has this been a blessing to parents in the community, but it’s helped the church reach dozens of new people. An estimated 40 to 50 families from the community have come for playtime since it began in January, most of whom weren’t previously connected to the church.The church collects e-mail addresses from families that come and then follows up later to invite them to other events.
STAY CONNECTED!
“Like” the Minnesota Annual Conference on Facebook, follow the conference on Twitter (@MinnesotaUMC), and sign up (at www.minnesotaumc.org) for twice-weekly e-newsletters. For more information about any of the items listed above, visit www.minnesotaumc.org.