Friday Digest - Aug 13, 2021

Friday Digest Aug 13, 2021 TODAY'S HEADLINES Ask The UMC Pioneers in Methodism: Betsey Dow Twombly NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Betsey Dow Twombly was a trailblazer in education for women and men, and a leader in supporting women in mission. She taught one of the first courses in the early beginnings of Boston University School of Theology. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on Twombly in the latest installment of its Pioneers in Methodism series. Read story Read more Ask The UMC Texas Conference Faith and fatigue as COVID strikes back HOUSTON — Texas Conference clergy report frustration and discouragement among parishioners as COVID-19 numbers have risen again, filling many hospitals. Rural areas with low vaccination rates are struggling along with cities. Lindsay Peyton reports. Read story Global Ministries Preparing for disasters in advance ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief is partnering with the Florida Conference to prepare for future disasters while things are quieter on the weather front. After several years of harmful storms, 2019 and 2020 were relatively calm, sparking the "Blue Skies Preparation" project, which is taking the opportunity to train, envision and practice for future disasters. Christie R. House has the story. Read story ADVERTISEMENT PRESS RELEASES United Methodist Publishing House Webinar on white supremacy set NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two authors who've written about white supremacy will discuss the topic during an Aug. 19 webinar. Jennifer Harvey and Robert P. Jones will talk about why and how Christians must confront bigotry in our history and present to move forward in repairing the damage that has been done. The webinar is at 2 p.m. U.S. Central time. Read press release Register COMMENTARIES UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff. FaithMatters Why it's a sin not to wear a mask LONGWOOD, Fla. — Those who won't wear a mask to help fight the spread of COVID-19 are committing a sin, according to the Rev. Jim Harnish, a retired United Methodist pastor. "The deepest truth about sin is that it is always selfish," Harnish writes. Read blog post ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here. Thursday, Aug. 19   How to Implement a Simplified Structure in Your Church Friday, Sept. 17   Bishop Palmer's Leadership Clinic: Nadia Bolz-Weber ADVERTISEMENT TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK 'Renaissance' Bishop Beverly Shamana dies at 81 EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (UM News) — Bishop Beverly Shamana, who led the California-Nevada Conference from 2000 to 2008, has died at age 81. She was the second female African American elected to the United Methodist episcopacy. Bishop Grant Hagiya described her as a "renaissance person," given her talents as an artist and musician, as well as church leader. Sam Hodges reports. Read story Read Council of Bishops press release Don't count out small, rural churches PULASKI, Tenn. (UM News) — While the demise of small, rural churches sometimes seems irreversible as United Methodist faithful grow older, strategies are out there to revitalize these congregations by focusing on what their communities most need. Bigger and younger is not always better, say some United Methodist experts. Jim Patterson reports. Read story UM News: Rural churches emerging from coronavirus Nairobi church offers home care, hope to sick NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Members of Huruma United Methodist Church are providing help and hope to people living with cancer in Nairobi's slums. The church's free community home-care program focuses on strengthening end-of-life care and enhancing quality of life for underprivileged people who have no primary caregiver. Gad Maiga reports. Read story Commentary: Simone Biles and St. Paul NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Famed Olympic gymnast Simone Biles arrived at the Tokyo Olympics with high expectations, but unforeseen complications prevented her from meeting them. Likewise, St. Paul came to Athens expecting to establish a church and fell short. The Rev. Rich Peck considers what may have prevented Paul from meeting his goal. Read commentary Church helps children orphaned by volcano GOMA, Congo (UM News) — More than two months after active volcano Mount Nyiragongo erupted — claiming lives and destroying some 1,000 homes — families, and especially children, remain vulnerable. United Methodists are caring for more than 40 children, some orphaned by the eruption. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports. Read story New 2021 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2021 annual conference reports. New this week are the Central Texas, East Congo and Kivu conferences. Read reports Church and Society Faith leaders support worldwide vaccine access WASHINGTON — As citizens in many countries remain unprotected from the coronavirus, United Methodists and other faith leaders view access to the COVID-19 vaccine as a human right, along with other basic health care needs. The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, was among the religious leaders who met virtually Aug. 4 with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to express support for waiving vaccine patents to increase COVID vaccine access for developing countries. Linda Bloom reports. Read story South Carolina Conference Kidney disease puts woman in prayerful place CAMDEN, S.C. — For United Methodist Stephanie Ponds Henry, a free health screening at her annual conference meeting led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 kidney disease. She is now on the national transplant list. She is waiting and praying to see what God intends for her. Jessica Brodie has the story. Read story United Methodist Communications Site offers photo resources for churches NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In observance of World Photography Day on Aug. 19, United Methodist Communications has gathered photographic resources to help local churches tell their stories through compelling imagery. Tools available include a searchable media library of downloadable images, a training course on capturing better smartphone photos and a video tutorial on making photo slideshows. The new website also will feature an interview with United Methodist News photojournalist Mike DuBose, who shares stories, tips and examples to help viewers improve their picture-taking skills. Read press release See resources Register for smartphone training South Georgia Conference Church hosts school-uniform drive MACON, Ga. — Each month this year, Wesley United Methodist Church has chosen a mission project as a way to give back to its community. For July, the congregation collected gently used or new school uniforms and hosted a free uniform giveaway. Kara Witherow reports. Read story Georgia churches celebrate return of VBS California-Nevada Conference Church helping Dixie Fire survivors WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United Methodists are helping survivors of the Dixie Fire, the largest fire in California history. Churches in Quincy, Portola, Greenville and Susanville are assisting evacuees. More than $10,000 worth of gift cards, emergency hygiene kits, wildfire buckets, cleaning supplies and local church assistance have been distributed. Steve Elliott reports. Read story To make a donation Kentucky Conference Grant enhances internship program CRESTWOOD, Ky. — A $10,000 grant from the Forum for Theological Exploration is enhancing the experience for four Isaiah Project interns by adding an online coaching component to their discernment process. The Isaiah Project is a Kentucky Conference initiative to support young people who feel called to ordained ministry. Alan Wild has the story. Read story United Methodist Men Helping men going through hard times BEERSHEBA SPRINGS, Tenn. — Men who find themselves in emotional chaos can find a way out. That was the message offered during a recent retreat sponsored by the Commission on United Methodist Men. Prayer, forming an intentional relationship with Christ and engaging in accountability relationships with other men are key steps toward emerging from a dark stretch, said the Rev. Rick Vance, one of the presenters. Read report on retreat Africa University Golf tourney benefits Africa University MUTARE, Zimbabwe — The eighth annual Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Invitational Benefiting Africa University will take place Sept. 27 in South Carolina. The tournament, sponsored by Wespath Institutional Investments, will raise funds to support scholarships and other needs at the United Methodist university. Golfers will pay tribute to the Rev. John Wesley Hipp, who died shortly after participating in the 2020 tournament. Read press release Religion and Race A Christian look at critical race theory WASHINGTON — Critical race theory examines how laws in the United States have built and supported racial inequities. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers an online panel about the theory, featuring law and seminary professors. The agency also has an infographic that aims to separate myths from truth. Watch panel discussion Download infographic (PDF) Dakotas Conference Commentary: Reflections on the Olympics MITCHELL, S.D. — Bishop Laurie Haller, who leads the Iowa Conference and is interim leader of the Dakotas Conference, writes that she's always impressed by seeing how athletes deal with pressure and performance anxiety. She praised U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles for courage in publicly acknowledging her own struggles. After 18 months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Haller encourages others to be mindful of their mental health and to practice self-care. Read commentary Methodist Federation for Social Action Webinars to explain Doctrine of Discovery DETROIT — A webinar series will explore the history and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery, the legacy of conquest inherited by Christians. Over five sessions, attendees will learn about the impact of the ownership of land and the theological basis to respond, repair and repent. The series is sponsored by the Methodist Federation for Social Action, United Methodists for Kairos Response and the Native American International Caucus. Read press release Register for first session Creating a Culture of Renewal Jesus offers model of how to unplug CASPER, Wyo. — When Jesus took time for spiritual renewal, he went into the wilderness, writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter. She suggests that to connect with God, Christians take some time away from their laptops, calendars and smartphones. Read commentary United Methodist Communications Training on effective communications NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Valuable information to help church leaders communicate better is available Aug. 24-25 during Moving the Church Forward Through Communication, a virtual conference led by United Methodist Communications. The ecumenical sessions will include insights on reaching different generations, orienting to the digital-first era and maximizing the effectiveness of online worship and engagement. The cost of the workshop is $50. Read press release Register United Methodist News is a ministry of  810 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203  Unsubscribe from UM News Friday Digest. We respect your privacy and will never share your information with any party.