A Moment for Mission
“Truth springs up from the ground; righteousness gazes down from heaven. … Righteousness walks before God, making a road for his steps.” —Psalm 85:11, 13, CEB
This year, United Methodist Communications celebrates 80 years of communication ministry.
Communication has changed dramatically during the agency’s history, the seed of which began at the Uniting Conference of 1939. The denomination’s first communication agency, the Commission on Public Information, opened its doors the following year with a focus on publicity through newspapers, magazines, radio and theater newsreels.
That was the first step on a journey toward creation of a comprehensive communications agency that today engages millions of people with the story of God’s work in the world through The United Methodist Church.
A constant throughout the years has been a willingness to evolve to meet the changing needs and media consumption habits. The denomination’s communications functions evolved through many name and structural changes before the 1972 General Conference consolidated two entities into United Methodist Communications.
An enduring focus over the years has been working in partnership with congregations to provide training and resources for church leaders. Today UMCom provides a multitude of resources, content, services and training.
In 2001—just days before 9/11—UMCom created the denomination’s first comprehensive advertising campaign to raise awareness of The United Methodist Church, sharing messages of invitation and hope through TV commercials, print ads and billboards.
Thanks to generous World Service Fund support, United Methodist Communications meets the diverse needs of a worldwide, multilingual church, using the power of communication to enhance ministry and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people everywhere.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gift of communication. Thank you for the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ through our words and our actions. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform how United Methodists do church. Since early spring, technology-based worship, learning, giving, caring, meeting and much more have become the main way of doing ministry.
Playing a key role in helping congregations and annual conferences navigate this constantly changing environment is United Methodist Communications. The agency offers training and support to help the church adapt to digital ministry, as well as vital resources and engaging news. (See resourceumc.org/coronavirus and umc.org/coronoavirus .)
In this Advent season, we listen with anticipation to the psalmist, who declares, “Truth springs up from the ground; righteousness gazes down from heaven.…Righteousness walks before God, making a road for his steps” (Psalm 85:11, 13). Yes, 2020 has been a year like no other. But, no, we will not give up. We look toward the future, hopeful in the gift of the Christ Child and confident that God cares for us always.
Strengthened by congregational support through the World Service Fund , United Methodist Communications shares that hope. Thank you!
—Adapted from United Methodist Communications website