Friday Digest - Aug 19, 2022

Friday Digest Aug 19, 2022

"I don’t care how bad something is, something good’s going to come out of it. Those babies taught me that." — Billy Ellis, speaking of the babies born at First United Methodist of Aransas Pass, Texas, when that church filled in as the community hospital after Hurricane Celia.

Hurricane turned church into maternity ward ARANSAS PASS, Texas (UM News) — After Hurricane Celia in 1970, First United Methodist of Aransas Pass became a temporary hospital for its battered community, seeing more than 80 births over four months. The church recently held a reunion, welcoming back the now middle-age "babies" and others who had a key role in a hard but inspiring time. Sam Hodges reports. Read story

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Upper New York Conference Bishop Webb plans to retire Dec. 31 LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — After a season of prayer and discernment, Upper New York Conference Bishop Mark J. Webb announced that he has made the decision to retire from the active episcopacy on Dec. 31. "The divide within The United Methodist Church has lessened my joy for this role and changed my sense of whether my gifts, convictions and leadership as a residential Bishop are best for The United Methodist Church in the future," he wrote in a letter. Read announcement Read Bishop Webb's letter

PRESS RELEASES

Council of Bishops Bishops meet to discuss church future WASHINGTON — In the midst of ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 and church disaffiliations, the Council of Bishops will meet Aug. 22-26 to discuss the future of The United Methodist Church, prepare for new bishops to be elected later this year and address other timely topics related to its ongoing work. The bishops' meeting will be livestreamed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Aug. 22 and Aug. 26 on the Council of Bishops Facebook page. Read press release View Facebook page

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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 UM News staff.

Hollering for safety SEVERNA PARK, Md. (UM News) — Pastors are often so concerned about caring for others that they neglect their own safety, but they must learn to cry out when they need help. Pastor and author the Rev. Dr. Tori Butler encourages clergy — especially clergywomen — to use their voices when engaging people who make them feel uncomfortable. Read commentary

RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications The mission we share: Celebrating our call NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following God’s call to transform the world might seem impossible, but it’s a requirement for United Methodists. Together, our global connection provides and supports a wide variety of robust ministries that change and save lives every day, from health care to education to social justice, and much more. A new downloadable video from United Methodist Communications celebrates that call. Watch video

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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.

Wednesday, Aug. 24   Virtual Racial Justice Prayer Service Tuesday, Sept. 6-Friday Nov. 18   Online course: Reel Theology — Conversations at the Intersection of Hollywood & Divine

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TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK

Russian-speaking church supports Ukrainian refugees PRAGUE (UM News) — While Russians and Ukrainians engage in war in various parts of Ukraine, a United Methodist congregation in Prague is finding ways to unite its Russian and Ukrainian members and help refugees. Joey Butler reports; Mike DuBose has photos.  Read story United Methodist ministry with Ukraine

'It's an experience': Kickoff for Dotson Institute NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music and Worship in the Black Church and Beyond kicked off with celebrations Aug. 18-20 in Atlanta. The Rev. Cynthia A. Wilson, a close colleague of Dotson’s before his death in 2021, explains her vision for the new venture. Rather than being based in one place, it will be a series of educational opportunities for church worship leaders at various venues. Jim Patterson reports. Read story Watch video interview with Wilson

Commentary: Church must think more critically about digital presence DALLAS (UM News) — We are in the middle of a seismic shift in technology — particularly digital communication technology — and we don’t know how this will affect us as people of faith, writes the Rev. Dr. Wes Magruder, an ordained elder in the North Texas Conference who is serving as a Global Ministries missionary. He said the church must think more critically about the technologies that are shaping our lives. Read commentary