Friday Digest - Apr 14, 2023

Friday Digest Apr 14, 2023

“The church community should be a seedbed for cultivating social integration and the ecology of life for peace.” — Wisconsin Conference Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Churches call for peace treaty in Korea GENEVA (UM News) — As the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement approaches, Christians worldwide, including the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches in Korea and The United Methodist Church, are calling for an end-of-war agreement and a peace treaty. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports. Read story

TODAY'S HEADLINES

North Georgia Conference Photo at church receives national recognition WASHINGTON — Among the winners of Smithsonian Magazine’s 20th annual photo contest is a photograph taken of a woman waiting for her polling place to open on the campus of Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta. The location is especially poignant because the congregation has a strong tradition of support for voting rights. Read story See the winning photographs

Upper New York Conference Church's tradition serves fish at Easter sunrise service TROY, N.Y. — Sunrise Easter services are common for many churches, but have you heard of a sunrise service with a fish breakfast? This is a tradition that Hope United Methodist’s pastor, the Rev. David Martin, has celebrated for decades. Shannon Hodson has the story. Read story

California-Nevada Conference Pastor tackles religious extremism of Jonestown GALT, Calif. — After learning that her pastor had lost two daughters and a grandson in the 1978 Jonestown massacre, the Rev. Mary Maaga ended up doing scholarly research on how religion can go so wrong. After a book and appearance in a documentary on the massacre, the United Methodist pastor is exploring how religion can be healthy and healing in her community. JB Brayfindley writes about Maaga’s ministry. Read story

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PRESS RELEASES

Global Ministries Board to focus on mission at Maputo meetings ATLANTA — Members of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries will gather in Maputo, Mozambique, for their board meeting April 20-22. The meeting will be preceded by an African Mission Partners Consultation, April 17-19, focusing on the future of United Methodist mission in Africa. It will be the first in-person board meeting for Global Ministries since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first outside the U.S. Read press release

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.

TribLive Young Methodists concerned about disaffiliation, too TARENTUM, Pa. — Natalie Frydryck, a youth leader at Monroeville United Methodist Church, said that concerns about disaffiliations within the denomination always focus on the perspective of adults. “Our children are concerned that disaffiliation is only a short-term solution that will cause unforeseen problems for the next generation of church leaders,” she writes. “While adults are making decisions regarding disaffiliation, they must listen to what our youth have to say.” Read commentary

RESOURCES

Religion and Race Resources for Native American Ministries Sunday WASHINGTON — United Methodists observe Native American Ministries Sunday — April 23 this year — specifically to support leadership development and ministries by and with Native Americans in the church. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers a downloadable infographic and suggestions for congregations and individuals to honor and support the contributions and voices of Native/Indigenous people. View resource

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.

Monday, April 17-Saturday, May 6   Polity course: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection  Thursday, April 20   Webinar: “Remaining & Thriving United Methodists”

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TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK

Bishop makes historic visit to Madagascar ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (UM News) — Hundreds of people packed into tiny Ambodifasika United Methodist Church to experience a series of firsts: the church’s first visit from a United Methodist bishop and its first baptisms, Holy Communion and confirmations. The island’s only United Methodist church also celebrated its inaugural church council and organizational conference during Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala’s visit. Alvin Makunike and the Rev. João Filimone Sambo have the story. Read story Read in Portuguese Read in French

Samoan congregation in Alaska celebrates new charter ANCHORAGE, Alaska (UM News) — Friends and leaders from across the Alaska Conference and Western Jurisdiction gathered to celebrate the chartering service of Ola Toe Fuataina United Methodist Church, a primarily Samoan congregation. Though it is now one of the newest United Methodist churches, Ola Toe Fuataina has been worshipping together since 2010. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose. Read story

Malawi church continues response to Cyclone Freddy BLANTYRE, Malawi (UM News) — More than a month after Tropical Cyclone Freddy romped through the southern Indian Ocean, survivors continue to mourn the loss of loved ones, homes, churches and entire communities. United Methodists are partnering with the government and others to meet immediate needs and plan for long-term recovery. Francis Nkhoma reports. Read story

Black clergy, laity share perspectives on church's future ATLANTA (UM News) — Asked for their perspectives of United Methodism’s future, more than 650 Black clergy and laity from every jurisdiction in The United Methodist Church listed three top concerns facing the denomination: discrimination and racism; inequities in appointments and salaries; and lack of young adults in church leadership. They responded to a recent survey by Gammon Research Institute, part of Gammon Theological Seminary. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports. Read story

Mission moves across Congo River BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (UM News) — As an initial step in establishing a United Methodist mission field in the Republic of Congo, John Wesley United Methodist Church was recently planted in the country’s capital. The new church has 150 members. Central Congo Episcopal Area Bishop Daniel Lunge, who spent three days in Brazzaville, stressed the need to train more people to expand the church's presence. The Rev. Fiston Okito has the story. Read story

Commentary: Mother of trans child shares story NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — No parent would want their child to face the kind of adversity that transgender children face, writes Heather Gee-Thomas. She describes her family’s journey and how her faith has guided her. Read commentary