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United Methodist Communications
FIND A CHURCH DIRECTORY
There are millions of seekers out there. How will they find your church? On the new, redesigned Find-a-Church directory, a simple search offers up a seeker-friendly introduction to every United Methodist Church in the United States. Now when you update your Find-a-Church page you can
- Announce your worship schedule
- Add a picture of your church and its people
- Share a word of welcome
- Answer Frequently-Asked-Questions
- Include an interactive map with driving directions
In three steps your church’s database entry will become an interactive information source for seekers in your area.
- Print our “Getting Started” checklist. We’ve added several new open-text fields. This
document will guide you through the new Find-a-Church fields with explanations and examples.
2. Login to the Find-a-Church directory and complete your update. To ensure the accuracy of the directory information we ask that only designated church staff and church members submit changes. If you are church staff or a church member, you will be required to enter the 6-digit GCFA church ID number below to begin the submission process. This number appears on the enrollment form for Interpreter magazine from United Methodist Communications. If you do not have this form, contact your district office for this number. Others, please contact the church office and have them submit the changes.
If you have questions about updating your Find-a-Church information, contact United Methodist Communications at FAC@umc.org or 1-800-251-8140.
To update your profile, go to: http://archives.umc.org/Directory/login.asp?mid=222&FAC=14232
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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF MEN’S MINISTRY
2008 marks the 100th official anniversary of men's ministry in the United Methodist Church, and celebrations are planned for General Conference this week and in Annual Conferences across the United States. The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference celebrated the 100th anniversary at its 53rd Annual United Methodist Men Convocation held earlier this month at Pocono Manor.
Men's ministry was a part of all of the predecessor denominations of the United Methodist Church. In 1908, at the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, the Methodist Brotherhood was approved, making men's ministry an official part of the denomination. Prior to 1908, more than 1,500 Methodist Episcopal churches had men's ministry units under a variety of different names. Likewise, the United Brethren Church began the Otterbein Brotherhood at its 1909 General Conference. The Evangelical Church organized the Albright Brotherhood in 1931, named for Jacob Albright, founder of the denomination.
Today, the mission of the General Commission on United Methodist Men is to assist men to know Jesus Christ, to serve Him, to grow spiritually, and seek daily to do His will. Headquartered in Nashville TN, about two blocks from the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, the commission offers training and retreat opportunities, provides an online devotional and resource guide called Power Tools, supports the Upper Room Prayer Ministry, and works closely with Boy Scouts of America. It makes available Strength for Service devotionals, which are given to armed services chaplains and personnel, as well as firefighters, police, and other public servants. Across the United States, there are more than 250,000 United Methodist Men in 7,000 chartered units in local churches.
The 100th Anniversary of United Methodist Men celebration includes special monthly observances for local units:
- May – Strength for Service: The commission has printed 250,000 copies of this World War II devotional, and has given them free of charge to U.S. service personnel.
- June - Celebration of John Wesley's birthday (June 17, 1703), the Holy Club, John Wesley Fellows and Band of Brothers.
- July – UMM working in the mission of the church, including hunger-relief efforts in conjunction with the Society of St. Andrew.
- August – Lifting up the men at the local level.
- September – Prayer Ministries: UMM gives an annual gift of $25,000 to The Upper Room Prayer Ministries.
- October – Expressing appreciation of pastors and bishops.
- November -- Evangelism and spiritual life, mentoring relationships (especially the Amachi program), and providing Faith-Sharing New Testaments.
- December –Men’s Ministry Specialist, growing UMM on the local and conference levels with tangible goals, and Legacy Builders, a program that calls for men to step up to the plate in support of the missions and ministries of United Methodist Men.
The United Methodist Church encourages local churches to celebrate a Sunday during the year to recognize United Methodist Men and its ministries. A worship service and bulletin insert are available which you may use on this special day celebrating 100 years of men's ministry.
Check the General Commission on United Methodist Men website for the 100th anniversary bulletin insert and other resources for men's ministry in your church: www.gcumm.org. Also check the website for information on the upcoming 10th National Gathering of United Methodist Men which will be held July 10-12, 2009 at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee.
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