Presbyterian Connection Newspaper: Summer Edition

Issue 26, Summer 2023 The latest issue of the Presbyterian Connection newspaper was sent out to all congregations and subscribers beginning in late June. This is another full edition at 48 pages and is packed with amazing articles and photos from Presbyterian congregations, individuals and groups across the country. In this issue you’ll find: A feature article on Jesus and the Old Testament, written by the Rev. Patricia Dutcher-Walls. A summary of events from the 2023 General Assembly. The names and photos of the 2023 graduates of the three Presbyterian theological colleges. An article on hybrid worship based on one congregation’s experiences. A discussion on young adult ministry and ideas for welcoming young people to church. An update on the fire that damaged St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Barrie, Ont. An interview with PCC mission staff, the Rev. Jeanie Lee. Profiles on Pauline Brown, Rodger Talbot and the Rev. Charles Alexander Scott. Photos from congregations across the country, pulpit vacancies, answers to Just Wondering questions and so much more! Copies of the Prayer Partnership were also sent out with the Summer 2023 issue of the newspaper. The latest edition contains daily prayers, Sunday Mission Moments and monthly Social Action Spotlights for July, August and September 2023.

The Presbyterian Connection newspaper is a Christian newspaper that strives to unite Presbyterians from across the country through stories, reflections, interviews and articles, allowing us to share and develop our faith. The newspaper is distributed four times a year, free of charge. The goal of the newspaper is to further equip leaders, connect congregations and missions, facilitate communication and highlight denominational work—strengthening our denominational ties across the country.

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Friday Digest - Jun 30, 2023

Friday Digest Jun 30, 2023 “I am completely convinced that the table is the best way to build community in our church.” — The Rev. Kate Fields, pastor of children’s ministry and discipleship at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. United Methodist Communications Church connects farmers and city dwellers NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every United Methodist knows that food has the power to connect and build community. The Rev. Kate Fields, a biologist turned pastor, is helping Belmont United Methodist Church near Nashville’s downtown connect with local farmers and is developing curriculum other churches can use. Watch video TODAY'S HEADLINES Church and Society Faith leaders decry high court ruling on affirmative action WASHINGTON — In response to the June 29 decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding affirmative action, leaders of four United Methodist general agencies — Board of Church and Society, Commission on Religion and Race, Commission on the Status and Role of Women and Board of Higher Education and Ministry — released a joint statement expressing their opposition to the decision. Read statement North Georgia Conference, South Georgia Conference Standing with Jewish neighbors MARIETTA, Ga. — United Methodists in both the North and South Georgia conferences are standing in solidarity with Jewish neighbors after an anti-Semitic group demonstrated outside synagogues in Marietta and Macon during Shabbat services. In Marietta, East Cobb United Methodist Church hosted an interfaith Time of Prayer and Action on June 28. In Macon, Mulberry Street United Methodist Church plans to host a Service of Unity on July 2, where U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is scheduled to speak.  Read North Georgia Conference story Read South Georgia Conference story Capital Gazette Arrests made in church vandalism case ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Anne Arundel County Police Department announced June 29 that it had filed charges related to three hate bias cases, including vandalism at Fowler United Methodist Church that caused an estimated $100,000 in damages. Luke Parker reports. Read story Baltimore-Washington Conference: Vandals strike church No Daily Digest July 3-4 There will be no UM News Daily Digest on Monday, July 3, or Tuesday, July 4. UM News wishes everyone a blessed U.S. Independence Day. PRESS RELEASES Higher Education & Ministry, Global Ministries Agencies affirm commitment to church's future NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Greg Bergquist and Roland Fernandes, top executives of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and Board of Global Ministries, have issued a joint statement affirming both agencies’ commitment to support the worldwide United Methodist connection as the church moves toward the future. The June 28 statement was issued on the 320th birthday of Methodism founder John Wesley. Read statement 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. Kentucky Conference United Methodists still show the love of God OWENSBORO, Ky. — The Kentucky Annual Conference earlier this month approved the disaffiliation of 286 churches. However, Bishop Leonard Fairley writes that there is more to the United Methodist identity than difficult times of discernment around human sexuality. Fairley, who leads the Kentucky and Central Appalachian Missionary conferences, writes about how United Methodists show God’s love. Read commentary RESOURCES Hacking Christianity Help for churches' new-member classes SEATTLE — The Rev. Jeremy Smith, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Seattle, has led more than 16 years of “new member” classes to introduce people to The United Methodist Church. He has put together a list of topics and linked to resources to help instructors. See list and resources 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, July 24-Friday, Aug. 4   Online Course: Fractured Ground — A Book Study Exploring Mass Trauma Wednesday, July 19-Friday, July 28   Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree ADVERTISEMENT TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK Global Ministries staffer mourned near and far EL PASO, Texas (UM News) — Year after year, the Rev. Edgar Avitia Legarda traveled across Latin America and beyond for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, encouraging mission work and tending relationships with various Methodist groups. His June 27 death from a heart attack, at age 62, prompted an outpouring of grief among far-flung colleagues. Sam Hodges and Jim Patterson report. Read story Estonian churches leave United Methodist fold TALLINN, Estonia (UM News) — The 23 United Methodist churches in the nation of Estonia have completed the steps to depart the denomination and form the autonomous Estonia Methodist Church. United Methodists in the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference met earlier this year to approve a process allowing the churches to disaffiliate. Heather Hahn reports. Read story UM News: Eurasia and Estonia begin exit from church New 2023 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the California-Nevada, Central Appalachian Missionary, East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Kentucky, Minnesota, New England, North Alabama, Northern Illinois, Pacific Northwest, Poland, South Carolina, Susquehanna, Texas and Virginia conferences.  Read reports Commentary: Campus ministry reassures parents GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — A Wespath Benefits and Investments executive and his wife can worry a little less about how their daughter will fare in college, thanks to the United Methodist ministry known as Wesley at Virginia Tech. Joe Halwax writes about how the ministry embraced his daughter from the first campus visit. Read commentary Check out UM News on TikTok NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — UM News is now providing news and features through TikTok. Find us on the social media platform as unitedmethodistnews. Initial stories focus on such diverse topics as The United Methodist Church’s growth in Madagascar, a “Moral Monday” march in Tennessee, the chartering of a Samoan congregation in Alaska and the impact of a prison ministry in West Virginia. Vernon Jordan brings the stories.  View videos Ask The UMC Exploring Our Living World NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Religion describes the ways human cultures have sought to create, sustain and renew links with one another, the world around them and the powers or reality behind it all. In a six-part series, Ask The UMC explores how United Methodists seek to sustain and renew links to our living world. Part 1 looks at how United Methodists relate to animal life.  Read story 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. Change your preferences on MyPortal