Friday Digest | Aug 30, 2024 |
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 | “We are so grateful to God for this opportunity here in Gothenburg to get to know each other even more and to get a deeper relationship with God.” — Uniting Church in Sweden Bishop Lasse Svensson, welcoming people to the World Methodist Conference. | |
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| Siblings Agnes and Alfred Quint (on screen) join with singers from the Uniting Church in Sweden to lead worshippers in “O Store Gud” (“How Great Thou Art") during the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo by Klaus Ulrich Ruof, Germany Central Conference.
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| Conference spotlights Methodism 'on the move' | | GOTHENBURG, Sweden (UM News) — Representatives from Wesleyan-rooted denominations worldwide, including United Methodists, traveled to Sweden for the World Methodist Conference. The four-day conference, with the theme “On the Move,” began with a well-traveled hymn that originated in Sweden and has become beloved in revivals around the globe. Heather Hahn has the story. | | | | |
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| California-Pacific Conference
'Worker Bees' take worship beyond walls | | LONG BEACH, Calif. — On Aug. 18, over a dozen people representing a diversity of ages and races showed up at Long Beach Rescue Mission with one purpose: to serve. These “Worker Bees” meet once a month for Servant Sunday. The service is part of the ministry of Being the Church Long Beach, a collaboration of four United Methodist churches. The Rev. Jennifer Burns has the story.
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| Global Ministries
Landmines threaten Ukraine | | ATLANTA — Because of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has become one of the most heavily mined regions of the world, according to Human Rights Watch. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Mines Advisory Group are working together to disseminate information about the danger. Many community sessions are held in schools or civic buildings, but because the war goes on, the training is offered online as well. Christie R. House has the story.
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| South Carolina Conference
Conference allows church exits into 2025 | | COLUMBIA, S.C. — The trustees of the South Carolina Conference plan to offer a discernment process through 2025 for churches considering separation from the denomination. However, the trustees also acknowledged questions before the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, that could affect the process. Jessica Brodie reports.
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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 Central Congo and Kenya-Ethiopia conferences.
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| Dignity Memorial
South Central Jurisdiction leader dies at 89 | | OKLAHOMA CITY — The Rev. David Lee Severe, who served as executive director of The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdiction for 11 years, died Aug. 27 at age 89. He died at his home surrounded by family. Severe served as a pastor in the Oklahoma Conference for 51 years. He also took on a variety of conference and denominational leadership roles. Dignity Memorial has his obituary.
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| United Methodist Communications
What is the Social Creed? | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church’s Social Creed draws from the denomination’s Christian beliefs and Wesleyan practices to express its solidarity with the working class and commitment to fair and just labor practices. Originally drafted in 1908, it is a historic and sacred testament to the denomination’s social witness. Philip J. Brooks looks at how it has changed over the years and its importance.
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| No UM News Digest Sept. 2-3 | | There will be no UM News Digest on Monday and Tuesday in observance of Labor Day in the United States. The staff at UM News wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday. The Digest will return on Sept. 4.
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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. | |
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| Stopping overdose deaths helps God's people | | CHINO, Calif. (UM News) — Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, an addiction medicine physician points to United Methodists’ Wesleyan roots of caring for those who struggle with substance abuse. “Since our formation as a church, we’ve shown that people with lived experience who have wandered off the straight and narrow path are worthy of our time, our understanding and of receiving prevenient grace,” writes Dr. Jonathan D. Avalos. | | | | |
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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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Wednesday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 7 | | |
| Thursday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 5
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Nigerian United Methodists move toward new leadership | JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — The United Methodist Church of Nigeria is on path to elect episcopal leadership, as all four conferences held special sessions and affirmed remaining in the denomination. The sessions had guidance from the interim leadership team appointed by the denomination’s Council of Bishops. The meetings went forward despite the challenges Zimbabwe’s Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa faced in Nigeria. Eveline Chikwanah reports. | | |
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World Methodists gather for Korea Peace Night | GOTHENBURG, Sweden (UM News) — More than 250 young adults, leaders of world Methodism and the top executive of the World Council of Churches gathered to speak out against wars and racism during Korea Peace Night, held on Aug. 15 at the World Methodist Conference. Participants shared their thoughts, messages and prayers for peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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Church brings vital aid to flood victims in Tanzania | DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (UM News) — The United Methodist Church has offered support to hundreds of families following devastating floods that ravaged the Masai and Morogoro districts. A $50,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief helped to provide food and other needed supplies. The Rev. Idda John Ngowi, Masai District superintendent, said the aid lifted spirits in the affected villages. Asaph Sungura Ally reports. | | |
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Black clergywomen gather for fellowship, inspiration | NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — At its national meeting in July, The Black Clergywomen of The United Methodist Church caucus gathered to encourage one another and be encouraged. Through the presence of several Black clergywomen in prominent leadership positions, attendees could see that the “stained-glass brick ceiling” is steadily being broken. The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler shares her thoughts on the event. | |
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