Friday Digest | Sep 06, 2024 |
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 | “In cases where an applicant church was historically part of a World Methodist Council member church, the Officers shall engage in conversation with both parties.” — Part of the newly adopted World Methodist Council membership guidelines. | |
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| Gothia Towers, a hotel and convention center in Gothenburg, Sweden, hosted the World Methodist Conference and the annual conference of the Uniting Church in Sweden at the same time. Photo by Klaus Ulrich Ruof, Germany Central Conference.
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| Methodist council sets membership rules | | GOTHENBURG, Sweden (UM News) — At the urging of United Methodist bishops, the World Methodist Council formalized its application process for new members. The guidelines come as disagreements within The United Methodist Church are giving rise to new denominations. The World Methodist Council also issued statements on a variety of issues, including the situation in Palestinian territories. Heather Hahn reports. | | | | |
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| Florence Kachingwe (left, in pink skirt), chairperson of The Class of 81 Charitable Foundation, sings and dances with kids at Fairfield Children’s Home, a United Methodist-affiliated children’s home in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Tafadzwa Gumbochuma. | |
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| Former students give back to families in need | | JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (UM News) — Former students from a United Methodist high school that sits across the road from Africa University in Zimbabwe have come together to assist poor communities. The Class of 81 Charitable Foundation recently provided assistance to the United Methodist-affiliated Fairfield Children’s Home in Mutare. Alvin Makunike has the story.
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| North Georgia Conference
Churches, bishop reach out after shooting | | ATLANTA — United Methodists across Barrow County are opening their hearts and doors to their neighbors as the community grieves the tragic loss of four lives in a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder. Bishop Robin Dease, who leads the North Georgia and South Georgia conferences, also issued a call for prayer. Sybil Davidson reports.
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| United Methodist Communications
Blessed are the peacemakers | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — John Wesley preached on being of one heart though we are not of one opinion. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Rev. Beth Crissman challenges others to take up Jesus’ challenge to be ambassadors of peace, and talks about the Peace Conference scheduled in 2025.
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| Alabama-West Florida Conference
Ministry expands to Western Pennsylvania | | BRADFORD, Pa. — More than a decade ago, the Alabama-West Florida Conference launched a program that would become known as Communities of Transformation — a faith-based approach to helping families break out of poverty. This year, Communities of Transformation graduated the first class in the Western Pennsylvania Conference pilot program. Alabama-West Florida conference staff have the story.
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| Idaho Education News
Church joins suit against Idaho book ban | | BOISE, Idaho — Collister United Methodist Church, which operates a lending library with LGBTQ-affirming books, has joined a lawsuit against the state of Idaho seeking to stop a controversial library law. The new law bans books from both public and private libraries that are deemed to share “harmful” content for children. The church and nine other plaintiffs say the Children’s School and Library Protection Act violates constitutional rights to provide and access information. Ryan Suppe reports.
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| Pulpit Perspectives
Podcast features preachers | | TERRE HAUTE, Ind.— An Air National Guard chaplain is hosting the “Pulpit Perspectives” podcast, in which he interviews pastors about their work to help build connections in divided times. The Rev. Kent A. Lundy, an elder in the Indiana Conference, interviews clergy while standing with them in their pulpit. In about an average sermon length, listeners gain insights and inspiration.
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| Council of Bishops
Bishops call for 2026 leadership gathering | | WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops is calling for a five-day leadership gathering in April or May 2026. The bishops plan to hold the gathering instead of the special session of General Conference that they previously announced. The goal is to advance the positive momentum of this year’s legislative assembly and prepare for the 2028 General Conference. UM News plans to follow up on this developing story next week. | | | | |
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| Council of Bishops
African bishops declare regionalization support | | MUTARE, Zimbabwe — United Methodist bishops in Africa have released a statement following their meeting on the campus of Africa University this week. In the statement, the bishops declared their support for the regionalization legislation that needs ratification by annual conference voters. They also called for continued education about the proposal. UM News has additional coverage of the meeting coming next week. | | | | |
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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, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 5
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Pastor goes on pilgrimage for peace in Holy Land | JERUSALEM (UM News) — The Rev. Larry Clark joined 11 other Christians from the U.S. in a trip to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to mistreatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The retired United Methodist pastor, who has made 15 trips to the Holy Land since the 1980s, said, “It’s important to be a witness.” Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos. | | |
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Robbins was 'shining light' for ecumenism | MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — The Rev. Bruce W. Robbins, who died Aug. 3 at age 73, is being remembered as an advocate for Christian unity and interfaith dialogue and “one of the church’s bright and shining lights.” Robbins held both staff and top leadership roles with the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns and later served as senior pastor of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Linda Bloom reports.
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Commentary: Bridging Confucianism and Christianity | OLD TOWN, Maine (UM News) — Many Asians grew up with a grounding in Confucianism that continued to inform their faith even after embracing Christianity. Dialogue and mutual understanding of different cultures — Confucian and White Anglo Protestantism — will strengthen and help carry out effective cross-racial and cross-cultural ministries, writes the Rev. Dr. Jung Sun Oh. | | |
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Arkansas Conference
United Methodists keep property as suit ends | JONESBORO, Ark. — All parties in the lawsuit involving Jonesboro First United Methodist Church property have agreed to a settlement, resolving a case that began in December 2022 when a breakaway congregation sued. Under the agreement, The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist congregation keep ownership of the property. In addition, Jonesboro First United Methodist Church will receive $1.1 million. “I am grateful for all whose efforts have brought this case to a close by mutual agreement,” said Arkansas Conference Bishop Laura Merrill in a statement. | | |
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