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Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications. " title="cedar-crest-camp" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/what-we-believe">What We Believe</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">How we serve</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/church-meals-score-touchdowns-with-athletes" aria-label="Church meals score touchdowns with athletes"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/04/19/44/dalewood-football-720x480.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=5FBCC2A1FAABEEE633671FBBFE18DEA6" alt="Dalewood Football 720x480" title="Members of Dalewood UMC in Nashville TN feed athletes from a nearby high school" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/church-meals-score-touchdowns-with-athletes" aria-label="Church meals score touchdowns with athletes">Church meals score touchdowns with athletes</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></section><section class="horizontal-three-column-funnel"> <div class="wrap"> <div class="row"> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">How we serve</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/look-what-god-can-do" aria-label="Video: ‘Look what God can do’"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/10/04/17/52/hurricane-helene-holston-response-1200x800px.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=BA8760F9DBBC6D3012CAC9C0E6104516" alt="Members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Greeneville, Tenn., collect and distribute food, water and hygiene supplies to those affected by torrential rains in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Photo by Annette Spence, Holston Conference." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/look-what-god-can-do" aria-label="Video: ‘Look what God can do’">Video: ‘Look what God can do’</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Respond & Give</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/how-we-serve/we-are-disciples/disaster-relief"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2023/02/14/18/53/earthquake-damage_600x400.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=B1221697A435DDE684305207BE5C00D7" alt="Earthquake damage. Photo courtesy of Pixabay." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/how-we-serve/we-are-disciples/disaster-relief">UMCOR: Global & US disaster relief</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></section> <div class="content-panel "><!-- RTE turned off in Experience Editor to prevent the lite-youtube embed from getting corrupted --> <p><div style="background-color:#F0F5F7; padding: 15px 20px;"><p style="font-size: 30px; font-family: Oswald, Impact, sans-serif;">Dear God, we thank you</p> <div class="videoResponsive"><lite-youtube videoid="ixFrXuQwQWg"></lite-youtube></div><p>Find a moment for peace and gratitude. Join this prayer of thanksgiving and praise for the blessings God offers us every day.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="/en/content/dear-god-we-thank-you" class=""><span class="btn" style="background-color: rgb(4, 128, 154); font-family: arial;">WATCH & SHARE</span></a></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="column col2-3"> <div> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Subscription & Podcast</h2> <div class="row padded-light-horizontal teaser"> <div class="column col1of2"> <h2>United Methodist Now</h2> <p> <strong>Find inspiration for daily living. </strong>Twice each month, our e-newsletter offers examples of Christian living, messages of hope, and information on what it means to be a United Methodist. </p> <a class="btn teal-btn" href="/en/ways-we-grow/umnow-newsletter-subscribe">Subscribe</a> </div> </div></div> <div class="row padded-light-horizontal teaser"> <div class="column col1of2"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/14/22/41/gysis-176-owensby-1920x1080-tny.jpg?h=282&iar=0&mw=502&w=502&hash=5AF8B19481F825C7152BAA4312465100" alt="In his new book, “A Full-Hearted Life: Following Jesus in the Secular Age,” Bishop Jake Owensby encourages us to embrace our true selves, cultivate genuine relationships and walk through life as Jesus did, offering wisdom and love to all we meet." /> <h2 class="padded-light-horizontal-h2"></h2> <p> <p>Be encouraged to embrace our true selves, cultivate genuine relationships and walk through life as Jesus did, offering wisdom and love to all we meet. <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/a-full-hearted-life-with-jake-owensby-gysis-ep-176" target="_self">Learn more.</a></p> </p> <div class="podcast-btn-container"> <a class="btn btn-podcast-more" href="https://podcast.umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/gysis-176-owensby.mp3">LISTEN</a> <a class="btn btn-podcast-more" href="/en/ways-we-grow/practicing-your-faith/tools-for-your-spiritual-journey/podcasts">MORE EPISODES</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><section class=""> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ads-outer-container"> <p class="sponsor-text">Sponsored</p> <section class="ads-inner-container ads-2up row"> <div class=""><script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/3177589/UMC.org-Top-300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1569007235235-0').setTargeting('test', 'lazyload').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ fetchMarginPercent: 500, renderMarginPercent: 200, mobileScaling: 2.0 }); googletag.enableServices(); });</script><!-- /3177589/UMC.org-Top-300x250 --><div id="div-gpt-ad-1569007235235-0"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1569007235235-0'); });</script></div></div> <div class=""><script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/3177589/UMC.org/UMC.org-Slot2-300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1569007336764-0').setTargeting('test', 'lazyload').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ fetchMarginPercent: 500, renderMarginPercent: 200, mobileScaling: 2.0 }); googletag.enableServices(); });</script><!-- /3177589/UMC.org/UMC.org-Slot2-300x250 --><div id="div-gpt-ad-1569007336764-0"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1569007336764-0'); });</script></div></div> <div class="ad"><script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/3177589/UMC.org/UMC.org-Slot3-300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1569007525541-0').setTargeting('test', 'lazyload').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ fetchMarginPercent: 500, renderMarginPercent: 200, mobileScaling: 2.0 }); googletag.enableServices(); });</script><!-- /3177589/UMC.org/UMC.org-Slot3-300x250 --><div id="div-gpt-ad-1569007525541-0"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1569007525541-0'); });</script></div></div> </section> </div> </div></section><!-- /section --><div class="have-questions"> <div class="have-questions-content askumc-title">Have questions? We have answers!</div> <p class="have-questions-content">Find responses to frequently asked queries or Ask The UMC your question.</p> <div class="askumc-btn-container"> <a class="btn button white" href="/en/who-we-are/ask-the-umc-faqs">Ask The UMC</a> </div></div> <section class="impact-panel "> <div class="hero-image"> <img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/10/29/20/08/01-giving-impact-panel-umsd.jpg?la=en&h=662&mw=1500&w=1500&hash=8830FD63E4765DF3E2106B50169CC726" alt="01-Giving-impact-panel-UMSD" title="Image of " /> </div> <div class="wrap"> <div class="impact-content"> <div class="impact-category">Your Impact</div> <h2>YOU impact students</h2> <p><p>The United Methodist Church has set aside a Special Sunday to honor and uplift students within our congregation and around the world.</p><p>On United Methodist Student Day, our contributions support scholarships for promising UM students, investing in their spiritual and academic growth and helping them develop into strong, faith-driven leaders.</p><p>Together, we can support them by helping them prepare.</p> </p> <div class="impact-actions"> <a class="btn " target="|Custom" href="/en/how-we-serve/umcgiving">View resources</a> <a class="btn " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZMHG/home?utm_source=Press%20Release%20Distribution%20List&utm_campaign=dad4e98550-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_08_21_09_42_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-1d479870e4-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]">Donate</a> </div> <div class="impact-graphics"> </div> <div class="impact-reference">10/30/2024</div> </div> </div> </section> <div class=""> <section class="wrap tag-grid"> <div class="wrap row"> <div class="component-header"> <h3>Featured stories</h3> <div class="component-utilities"> <a class="view-all" href="/en/">View More</a> <div class="grid-nav"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrap row "> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Thanksgiving in the U.S.</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/easy-ways-to-share-gratitude-this-thanksgiving-2" aria-label="Ways to share gratitude at Thanksgiving"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2019/09/06/20/29/turkey-lock-in-youth.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=CE9D1CDE0EB8B80F58E47F1D89386861" alt="Youth of Centenary United Methodist Church in Los Angeles serve a meal during their annual "Turkey Lock-In." Photo courtesy of Jonathan Oyama, Centenary United Methodist Church. " title="Youth of Centenary United Methodist Church in Los Angeles serve a meal during their annual "Turkey Lock-In." Photo courtesy of Jonathan Oyama, Centenary United Methodist Church. " /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/easy-ways-to-share-gratitude-this-thanksgiving-2" aria-label="Ways to share gratitude at Thanksgiving">Ways to share gratitude at Thanksgiving</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Faithful</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/embodying-a-faith-that-matters-for-all-people" aria-label="Embodying a faith that matters for all people"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/05/14/16/25/mother-hugging-child-at-church-bw.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=9DA31165CA4D6A42F73468B8299FBA9F" alt="Adult hugging a child offering consolation." title="mother hugging child consolation" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/embodying-a-faith-that-matters-for-all-people" aria-label="Embodying a faith that matters for all people">Embodying a faith that matters for all people</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Advent begins Dec. 1</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/books-studies-for-advent" aria-label="Books and studies for Advent"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2020/09/23/11/36/adventwreath2011_5.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=651A7300A34D10DC6928A8C45A3DE41D" alt="Advent wreath and candles at Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. has 80 members who reach out to the community in a variety of ways. Copyright 2011 by Kats Barry." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/books-studies-for-advent" aria-label="Books and studies for Advent">Books and studies for Advent</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="wrap row "> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Ways we grow</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/get-them-talking-gratitude" aria-label="Get Them Talking: Gratitude"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2019/10/22/18/16/umc-talking-series-gratitude-208x138.jpg?h=166&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=3FE717703E8AD908D51D3E56F17528AE" alt="There are many ways to express thanksgiving. Scripture, prayer and questions will help get your family talking about an attitude of gratitude. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications." title="There are many ways to express thanksgiving. Scripture, prayer and questions will help get your family talking about an attitude of gratitude. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/get-them-talking-gratitude" aria-label="Get Them Talking: Gratitude">Get Them Talking: Gratitude</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Student Day is Nov. 24</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-how-does-united-methodist-student-sunday-help-students" aria-label="How do United Methodist Student Day offerings help students?"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/04/22/14/ask-the-umc-student-day-web-ad-1200x628px.jpg?h=131&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=CBEA50156A36EDAC450F1FF9A21B4372" alt="Ad for United Methodist Student Day, United Methodist Communications" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-how-does-united-methodist-student-sunday-help-students" aria-label="How do United Methodist Student Day offerings help students?">How do United Methodist Student Day offerings help students?</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">God's love in action</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/fly-fishing-ministry-brings-connection-faith" aria-label="Fly fishing ministry brings connection, faith"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/19/18/57/fly-fishing-ministry-michigan-500x332.jpg?h=166&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=A0C832AAF1430AB74C5341B05379842A" alt="Faith on the Fly teaches people how to fish and creates faith-filled opportunities to learn new things and bond with others. Courtesy of Michigan Conference" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/fly-fishing-ministry-brings-connection-faith" aria-label="Fly fishing ministry brings connection, faith">Fly fishing ministry brings connection, faith</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="wrap row "> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Native American Heritage Month</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodist-works-to-preserve-native-american-heritage" aria-label="United Methodist Works to Preserve Native American Heritage"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2019/11/04/19/46/mary-t-newman-416x276.jpg?h=166&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=06C52540AB73815B7C36346E67441CDA" alt="Mary T. Newman is interviewed in the UMCOM studio about Native Moccasin Rock" title="Mary T. Newman is interviewed in the UMCOM studio about Native Moccasin Rock" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodist-works-to-preserve-native-american-heritage" aria-label="United Methodist Works to Preserve Native American Heritage">United Methodist Works to Preserve Native American Heritage</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Who we are</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/our-people/committed-to-the-umc"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2020/03/16/17/13/1200x800_unity_hands_crossflames.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=9B6595A1AB934B6E4A784645ABC3B1D4" alt="Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS " /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/our-people/committed-to-the-umc">Committed to The UMC</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Share your story</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/beumc-external" aria-label="#BeUMC "><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/01/11/55/beumc-faithful-baptism-1200x800-tiny.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=174CE84DABEA354B4B8E0798A4E6B8EA" alt="The people of The United Methodist Church are faithful" /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/beumc-external" aria-label="#BeUMC ">#BeUMC </a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section></div> <div class="ads-outer-container"> <p class="sponsor-text">Sponsored</p> <section class="ads-inner-container power-statement"> <div class=""><!-- update for CLS improvement. 20241024 LD Ticket 12253 --> <script scoped=""> var gptAdSlots = []; 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The hospital is attracting more patients from distant regions. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/hospital-provides-beacon-of-hope-in-eastern-congo" aria-label="Hospital provides beacon of hope in Eastern Congo">Hospital provides beacon of hope in Eastern Congo</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Our people</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/volunteers-in-mission-respond-to-helene" aria-label="‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/19/15/02/anita-mckinney-helene-720x480.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=684398C75C8AA5772902C101D1D31485" alt="Al Tompkins and Carolyn Koontz talk with Anita McKinney on the porch of her home in Newland, N.C. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News." title="Al Tompkins and Carolyn Koontz talk with Anita McKinney on the porch of her home in Newland, N.C. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/volunteers-in-mission-respond-to-helene" aria-label="‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms">‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-1"> <h2 class="horizontal-three-column-funnel-h2">Disaster relief</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="column col1of2"> <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-responds-as-typhoons-batter-philippines" aria-label="Church responds as typhoons batter Philippines"><img src="https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/11/20/20/05/philippines-bicol-coast-guard-ako-tv-1-1200x800px-upres.jpg?h=167&iar=0&mw=250&w=250&hash=87CF800DFB7599CA53024A67DB38D66D" alt="Philippine Coast Guard personnel evacuate residents in the Bicol region on Oct. 24 after floodwaters rose quickly due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Trami (called Kristine in the Philippines). United Methodists are among those rallying to help survivors in the wake of Trami and several other tropical storms that battered the region. Photo courtesy of the Ako Bicol Online TV Facebook page." /></a> </div> <div class="column col1of2"> <a class="title-tag" href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-responds-as-typhoons-batter-philippines" aria-label="Church responds as typhoons batter Philippines">Church responds as typhoons batter Philippines</a><br /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section></div> <div class="ads-outer-container"> <p class="sponsor-text">Sponsored</p> <section class="ads-inner-container power-statement"> <div class=""><!-- Updated to prevent content layout shift (CLS) 20241024 LD --><style scoped=""> .center-ad { margin: 0px auto; text-align: center; }</style> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] }; // GPT ad slots var anchorSlot; var staticSlot; var hight = 0; var width = 0; var adSizehight = 0; var adSizewidth = 0; if (window.matchMedia("(min-width: 1250px)").matches == true) { hight = 970; width 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