Friday Digest | Sep 01, 2023 |
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 | “We pray for our United Methodist witness as people donate supplies, donate material resources or volunteer time.” — Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin, sharing his prayers for the response to Hurricane Idalia.
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| Cedar Key United Methodist Church is experiencing flooding for the first time in its history because of the record storm surge. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Robin Jocelyn.
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| United Methodists begin Idalia recovery | | LAKELAND, Fla. (UM News) — A day after Hurricane Idalia rampaged across the U.S. Southeast, United Methodists in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina were assessing the damage and responding to immediate needs. The United Methodist Committee on Relief also was coordinating with United Methodists across multiple states to provide early response. Heather Hahn reports. | | | | |
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| Mississippi Conference
Campus ministry takes on student hunger | | HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The Wesley Foundation on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi is collecting food donations for students who are facing food insecurity. According to the United Methodist campus ministry’s website, more than 40% of college students endure food insecurity on a weekly basis. Matthew Johnson has the story. | | | | |
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| Oklahoma Conference
Summer programs keep the faith | | OKLAHOMA CITY — This summer, kids in elementary and middle school participated in summer programs hosted by United Methodist churches across the Oklahoma Conference. The youth participated in various activities such as tetherball, kayak lessons, art and worship services with the goal to grow as disciples of Christ. | | | | |
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| Minnesota Conference
Interim pastor helps church get on track | | MINNEAPOLIS — Willmar United Methodist Church got “unstuck” with the help of an intentional interim pastor. The Rev. JoAnne Taylor spent two years at Willmar having sometimes painful conversations with laity. They made staffing, leadership and activity changes. Additions include a community garden, and the leadership team plans to discuss reaching out to a collegiate hockey team or adopting a nearby local school. The Rev. Laurie Kantonen, North Star District superintendent, reports. | | | | |
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| | | There will be no UM News Daily Digest on Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day in the U.S. The staff at UM News wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday. The digest will return on Sept. 5. | | | | |
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| World Council of Churches
Study: Climate change threatens kids' health | | GENEVA — A new study published in the journals The Lancet and Child Abuse and Neglect, co-authored by the World Council of Churches, highlights the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of children. The ecological degradation caused by climate change increases the risk of armed conflict, forced displacement and poverty. The study specifically looked at how the climate crisis heightened risk of violence against children. | | | | |
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| Foundation for Evangelism
Video series looks at Wesleyan evangelism | | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Starting Sept. 5, The Foundation for Evangelism will be posting video study sessions each Tuesday led by Hal Knight, co-author of “Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith.” The videos for the first two chapters are available now on the foundation’s website. The foundation is a Wesleyan-tradition grant-making organization. | | | | |
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| | | | 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. |
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Short docket brings church-exit questions | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court has set its shortest fall docket in years. However, the Judicial Council continues to face questions related to church exits and the COVID-delayed General Conference. Heather Hahn has an overview.
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Leaders, scholars confront racism in the church | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Despite some progress, racism remains a persistent issue in The United Methodist Church. While there is talk of change, some church leaders say actions still support the status quo. Three new books by United Methodist authors reflect the discussion around racism in the church and how to end it. Jim Patterson reports. | | |
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Water project improves lives in the Philippines | CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Vulnerable families in the Davao Area now have access to clean water thanks to a rainwater-harvesting project led by The United Methodist Church in the Philippines. The Davao Area encompasses the southern part of the country. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports. | | |
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Fire ravages two camps for displaced people | MALICHA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Eastern Congo is appealing for aid as 45,000 people are left homeless by fires at two camps for internally displaced people in South Kivu. Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda expressed his compassion for those affected and said the church and other partners can play a role in easing the suffering of survivors. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. | | |
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Career expo helps dreams take flight at rural schools | SEKE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Over 200 rural students had the opportunity to rub shoulders with professionals in the aviation, legal and banking sectors under a program organized by a local United Methodist men’s organization. “Career guidance targeted at our learners is a new dimension introduced by the church. The airline staff were a major attraction,” said Murape School Headmaster Lameck Chahwanda. Eveline Chikwanah has the story. | | |
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Update on church-trial preparations | GLENVIEW, Ill. — Plans for the church trial of Bishop Minerva Carcaño continue to unfold as the Sept. 19 start date nears. With the trial being an open session, new guidance also has been made available for people wishing to attend and follow the proceedings. Plans are for the church trial to be livestreamed. The online address for the livestream will be announced later. | | |
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Western North Carolina Conference
N.C. disaffiliation lawsuit resolved | HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — The 36 churches that sued the Western North Carolina Conference over disaffiliation policies have resolved all litigation pending between them by mutual agreement. The conference’s board of trustees announced that the churches will disaffiliate under the Book of Discipline’s Paragraph 2553 and that the conference will work with them through the disaffiliation process. Earlier this year, a judge in North Carolina dismissed the churches’ lawsuit, but the churches had the option to appeal. | |
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