Friday Digest | Jun 14, 2024 |
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 | “Women from different communities come together to cultivate the land, giving them the opportunity to talk to each other and exchange their life experiences.” — Rose Nabintu, a Kivu peace mediator, on The United Methodist Church’s agricultural initiative in eastern Congo.
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| Chantal Naweza (left) weeds a community garden in the Ubwari region of eastern Congo. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.
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| Church expands peace initiatives in Congo | | UVIRA, Congo (UM News) — As the eastern part of Congo struggles with inter-community conflict and a persistent food crisis, The United Methodist Church continues its peace-building efforts with new programs. Funding from Connexio Switzerland, a mission organization of The United Methodist Church in Switzerland, has enabled the church to develop communal fields and livestock activities that foster cohabitation and promote peace between members of rival ethnic groups. Philippe Kituka Lolonga has the story. | | | | |
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| United Methodist Communications
Pioneers in Methodism: Bishop Dionisio Deista Alejandro | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In 1944, Dionisio Deista Alejandro became the first native Filipino elected a bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines. In his lifetime of ministry, he served as an editor and educator and was well known as a gifted evangelist and leader. Vicki Wallace has his story.
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| Florida Conference
Downtown Miami church transitions to new life | | MIAMI — First United Methodist Church in Miami, like other downtown churches, had been declining for decades and needed significant budget cuts to survive. But in 2018, the congregation decided to sell its church to Property Markets Group for about $55 million. Now the church has worship and fellowship space in a skyscraper that also includes residences and office space. The church is drawing younger members while continuing its outreach. Joe Henderson has the story.
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| INDY Week
Church's bell tolling goes viral | | DURHAM, N.C. — Katelyn MacDonald, who plays the music that chimes from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, decided to play a pop song to begin LGBTQ Pride Month. The church now has racked up around 7 million views on a TikTok that shows MacDonald playing Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” on the church bells. Among the fans of the rendition is the singer herself. Chase Pellegrini de Paur reports.
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| Honoring fathers and father figures | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Ahead of Father’s Day in the U.S., UM News wishes blessings to all the United Methodist men who are mentors and role models. Feel free to download and share the above graphic on social media.
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| Emory & Henry College
Fincher named interim president of Emory & Henry | | EMORY, Va. — Louise Fincher, a seasoned higher education leader, health care educator and senior vice president of Emory & Henry, has been named interim president of the institution following the announcement that John W. Wells, the current president, will be stepping down from his position at the end of July to become the inaugural chancellor of Emory & Henry University. Fincher will assume the role of interim president beginning Aug. 1 until a successor for Wells is named by the university’s board of trustees. | | | | |
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| Day1.org
'Day1' archives head to Pitts library | | ATLANTA — The Alliance for Christian Media, the nonprofit broadcasting organization that produces the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio and podcast program “Day1,” has entrusted Pitts Theology Library at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with the full digital archives of its radio program. Formerly known as “The Protestant Hour,” “Day1” has been broadcasting sermons weekly since 1945. Candler is one of 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S. | | | | |
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UM News includes in the 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. | Huntingdon College
Embrace United Methodist higher education | | MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A United Methodist college is a place where students are encouraged and permitted to think about the meaning of truth, writes the Rev. J. Cameron West. The outgoing president of Huntingdon College calls for using the school as a “missional vehicle in the search for truth,” and he reflects on the importance of United Methodist higher education. | | | | |
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| Religion and Race
Juneteenth small-group resource available | | WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has introduced “R.A.C.E. Toward Jesus,” a six-session Juneteenth worship and study resource that can be used in personal and group study and reflection. The program aims to examine how systemic oppression and systemic racism affect and harm the human family. | | | | |
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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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Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22 | | |
| Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22
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Rev. James Lawson, civil rights pioneer, dies at 95 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., who made it his life’s work to create a nonviolent nation, died June 9 at age 95. During his lifetime, the United Methodist pastor studied and taught nonviolent resistance, walked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and trained many of the young leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Kathy L. Gilbert and Jim Patterson report.
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Stories abound after the death of Rev. Lawson | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Stories of grace under pressure abound about the Rev. James M. Lawson Jr. The Civil Rights Movement leader had so many achievements through his work on nonviolence that some tend to be overlooked, including his ecumenical work with The United Methodist Church. Jim Patterson has the story. | | |
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A broken neck leads to prisoner ministry | INDIANAPOLIS (UM News) — The day in 2001 when media entrepreneur Jim Cotterill broke his neck in a bicycle accident has improbably led to many Indiana inmates having a better chance for a successful life when they leave prison. Jim Patterson has the story. | | |
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New 2024 annual conference reports posted | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2024 annual conference reports. New this week are the Hungary, Indiana, Minnesota, South Georgia and Upper New York conferences. | | |
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Global Ministries
UMCOR renews relief efforts in Gaza
| ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has awarded several grants through the United Methodist Committee on Relief that are being mobilized to support organizations in Gaza on the ground, moving with and serving the displaced population. Through eight months of conflict with Israel, the need in Gaza remains overwhelming. Christie R. House has the story. | | |
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Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops
Northeastern bishops end disaffiliations
| FULTON, Md. — The Northeastern Jurisdiction’s bishops have announced that they plan to uphold General Conference delegates’ decision to discontinue disaffiliations. The bishops also announced they are commissioning a small team of theologically diverse clergy and laity to produce a resource on the changes General Conference made regarding human sexuality. | |
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