Friday Digest | Sep 20, 2024 |
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“We are doing our best to support each other. It isn’t us and them; it’s just us.” — The Rev. Vicki Downing, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Springfield, Ohio.
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The Greetings from Springfield, Ohio, mural has become a landmark of downtown. Photo courtesy of Greetings Tour; used with permission.
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| Church leaders stand with Haitian neighbors |  | SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (UM News) — As false claims about Haitian migrants have led to bomb threats, United Methodists in Ohio and beyond are speaking out and offering support to hurting people. They also are addressing the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric in Pennsylvania. Some of the Haitian newcomers are now United Methodists. Heather Hahn reports. | | | | |
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| Council of Bishops
Bishops denounce political violence | | WASHINGTON — Amid polarization and increasing threats, the United Methodist Council of Bishops has released a statement that denounces violence, authoritarianism, and secular and Christian nationalism. “Let’s join conversations in our pulpits, pews, and the public square that advance justice and build up our communities in love,” writes Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone. | | | | |
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| South Carolina Conference
Book celebrates service ministry | | COLUMBIA, S.C. — Youth and adults teamed up across South Carolina for 32 Salkehatchie Summer Service camps this summer, ultimately repairing more than 100 homes for families in need through the help of nearly 1,200 volunteers. At the same time, the Advocate Press is gearing up for the release of the second-edition reprint of “Send Me! The Story of Salkehatchie Summer Service.” The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has stories on both.
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| Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Sharing God's love at Christmas begins now | | NORRISTOWN, Pa. — People often complain when they start seeing Christmas items on store shelves before fall even begins, but the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Christmas Cards for People in Prison program believes you’re never too early to share some Christmas love. Over the past several years, the ministry has delivered thousands of cards annually to correctional facilities, touching the hearts of those who are imprisoned. For those who would like to participate this year, the conference website offers steps for creating and sending cards.
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| Dakotas Conference
Solar oven ministry continuing | | MITCHELL, S.D. — Solar Oven Partners, a ministry of the Dakotas Conference, is seeking a new executive director after the death of Christopher Sylvah in July. For more than 23 years, the ministry has been supplying innovative solar ovens to impoverished families around the world. That work continues, but more volunteers are needed. Dave Stucke reports.
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| Baltimore-Washington Conference
Remembering disability ministry leader | | BALTIMORE — The Rev. Nancy Webb, a pioneer for disability rights and longtime advocate for social justice, died Sept. 16 at age 76. Webb was involved in the creation of the Association of Ministers with Disabilities, a United Methodist caucus, and served as chair of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Commission on Disability Concerns. The caucus is hosting a virtual memorial service for Webb at noon U.S. Central time on Sept. 27.
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Click the photo above to download the UM News graphic to share on social media.
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| Secretary of the General Conference
Update released on delegate attendance | | CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The office of the General Conference secretary has released updated figures on the percentage of delegates seated at General Conference earlier this year. Plans called for a total of 862 voting delegates to attend this year. Of the 380 delegates allotted to Africa, Europe/Eurasia and the Philippines, 78% were seated. Specifically, 73% of the allotted African delegates were seated. There were 85 missing delegates overall, with 76 absences from Africa. The office noted that safeguards instituted after the 2019 special General Conference to ensure only duly elected delegates were seated proved successful, with zero reports of fraud.
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| Society of St. Andrew
Celebrating 1 billion pounds of food | | BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew is celebrating that it has delivered one billion pounds of food to the hungry, with help from volunteers. The gleaning ministry, a longtime United Methodist partner, plans to have an online celebration at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 26.
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| Religion and Race
New Bible study on diversity available | | WASHINGTON — The concept of diversity, equity and inclusion has become a polarizing issue, but conversations around inclusion are more important than ever. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has created a new five-week Bible study, “Embracing God’s Call: A Bible Study on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” to help congregations explore these critical topics through the lens of discipleship.
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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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Spotlighting UMC's role in Indigenous boarding schools | BOZEMAN, Mont. (UM News) — A report on The United Methodist Church’s involvement with U.S. boarding schools for Native American children was presented at the 10th Historical Convocation. The research includes a list of known schools with Methodist ties and also details how various religious organizations were involved with either funding, staffing or both. Remembrance and repentance are the goals of the initial research, church leaders said, but more work is planned. Crystal Caviness reports.
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Immigration ministry undaunted by political climate | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Immigration Law & Justice Network, formerly Justice for Our Neighbors, is a United Methodist ministry that provides free or low-cost expert legal counsel to immigrants as they seek legal status in the United States. Co-executive directors Alba Jaramillo and Melissa Bowe discussed with UM News how their work has changed and the challenges they face as immigration becomes more politicized. Joey Butler and Gustavo Vasquez report. | | |
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Church is alive and growing in Zimbabwe | HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — With close to 20,000 United Methodists converging for two 2024 jubilee conventions, Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa declared, “The UMC in Zimbabwe is alive.” As some regions in Africa face turmoil post-General Conference, the bishop said Zimbabwe can be a model for what is possible on the continent. The Rev. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo reports. | | |
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Commentary: Nigeria church yearns for reconciliation
| JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has experienced two decades of conflict caused by tribalism and power struggles. But the recent change in leadership signals the potential for reconciliation and a return to peace and unity, writes the Rev. Dr. Eunice Iliya. She talked with leaders of three factions in the Nigerian church who are speaking in support of setting aside differences and returning to healthy relationships. | | |
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