Friday Digest | Mar 22, 2024 |
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 | “We need to press on, doing the work God has given us, staying faithful and focused like Nehemiah.” — West Ohio Conference Bishop Gregory Palmer, preaching during Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s annual meeting.
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| Five bishops participated in an episcopal dialogue during Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s General Meeting March 7 in Cincinnati. Photo by John Coleman, UM News.
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| Black caucus urged to champion change in pivotal year | | CINCINNATI (UM News) — During their annual meeting, members of Black Methodists for Church Renewal looked toward future advocacy work while also discussing denominational concerns, including budget cuts, disaffiliations, a more regionalized global church structure and the coming General Conference. John W. Coleman reports. | | | | |
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| US delegates name General Conference goals | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A group of more than 270 U.S. delegates has publicly endorsed three legislative proposals as General Conference approaches. They are championing what they call “the three R’s”: regionalization, the Revised Social Principles and the removal of exclusionary language against LGBTQ people. The statement comes as delegates expect a different gathering than the rancorous 2019 special General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
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| Global Ministries
Celebrating World Water Day | | ATLANTA — During World Water Day today, United Methodists can celebrate the work of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. Through the initiative, water resources in places such as South Sudan and Haiti have been improved and maintained through peaceful means that invite participation by whole communities. The theme for this year’s World Water Day is “Water for Peace.” Christie R. House has the story.
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| Louisiana Conference
Churches struggle to get property insurance | | BATON ROUGE, La. — Many churches are feeling the pain of rising property insurance costs. Even finding insurance can be a challenge. The Louisiana Conference put on a webinar about the problem, which some are calling a crisis. The conference also is helping with an insurance feasibility study for churches.
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| World Council of Churches
Bishop leads meeting with Orthodox patriarch | | ISTANBUL — The new World Council of Churches Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration held its inaugural meeting March 10-14. United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, Council of Bishops ecumenical officer, is the committee’s co-moderator. The meeting took place at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians around the globe.
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| Social media graphics for Holy Week, Easter | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The above Palm Sunday graphic can be downloaded and shared on social media. UM News also has shareable graphics for Good Friday and Easter available in English, French, Korean and Spanish. UM News wishes you a blessed Palm Sunday and Holy Week ahead.
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| Upper New York Conference
Conference promotes clergy wellness and self-care
| | LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — The Upper New York Conference initiated a holistic wellness program for clergy in early 2020. In a conference video series on wellness, the Rev. Corey Turnpenny shares how she fosters meaningful relationships, maintains a healthy life balance, finds joy in serving her congregation and values the importance of observing moments of Sabbath to rejuvenate. | | | | |
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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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Monday, April 8-Friday, April 12 | | |
| Tuesday, April 23-Friday, May 3
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Churches all in for total solar eclipse | BUCHANAN DAM, Texas (UM News) — The April 8 solar eclipse will have a 115-mile-wide “path of totality” that extends through Texas and 14 other states. Excitement is building, and United Methodist churches are finding creative ways to be involved — from providing RV parking to hosting science museum staff to handing out eclipse-watching glasses. Sam Hodges reports.
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Church strives to avert election conflicts in Congo | KINDU, Congo (UM News) — Through funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, The United Methodist Church in Congo focused on preventing violence and hate speech before, during and after recent elections. The church organized workshops and raised awareness through educational spots broadcast on local FM radio stations and text messages sent to thousands. Church members also participated in election observation. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. | | |
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Boards push forward despite budget cuts | ATLANTA (UM News) — In wide-ranging joint board meetings, officials with the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry discussed an ambitious future despite diminishing resources. Plans call for more equitable collaboration with constituents who need aid in an effort to get past colonialist attitudes, said Roland Fernandes, top executive of Global Ministries. He will lead both agencies beginning July 1. Jim Patterson has the story. | | |
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Dakotas Conference
Hispanic ministry growing
| MITCHELL, S.D. — The Hispanic ministry Iglesia Renuevo connects with 200 people each week through worship and discipleship and continues to grow. Pastor Hermon Perez is the leader of Hispanic worshipping communities at Sunnycrest United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls and Plankinton United Methodist Church. “The Lord is doing something amazing,” Perez said. “We just jump in. I’m enjoying the ride.” Doreen Gosmire has the story. | | |
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Discipleship Ministries
Wesley Pilgrimage helps faithful reconnect to past | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The annual Wesley Pilgrimage is a deep dive into the world of John and Charles Wesley and an opportunity to reconnect with the past and be propelled into the future, says the Rev. Diamond Pate, who took part last year. “The pilgrimage allows attendees to learn why Charles and John and the other Methodist leaders felt compelled to start the movement out of love of God and neighbor,” she writes. The 2024 Wesley Pilgrimage to England is set for July 27 to Aug. 6. The deadline to register is April 15. | |
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