Friday Digest | Sep 27, 2024 |
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Pastor Edward Muchengaguyo (right front) leads a prayer following a soccer match between Hwedza United and the Dendenyore Red Stars in Wedza, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.
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| Soccer helps rural church score new members |  | WEDZA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A soccer-loving pastor has used his passion to nurture young players’ skills and draw new members to St. James Hwedza United Methodist Church. More than 20 players and a coach have joined the church this year. Kudzai Chingwe reports on Pastor Edward Muchengaguyo’s evangelism efforts. | | | | |
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| Ask The UMC
Opening the door to reaffiliation | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While the 2024 General Conference closed the door on disaffiliation, it opened a door for disaffiliated churches to reaffiliate at some future time. The legislation requires affected annual conferences to develop and adopt their own reaffiliation policies. In Part 6 of Ask The UMC’s “The UMC really is …” series, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards looks at where annual conferences in the United States are in developing those policies. | | | | |
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A satellite view of Helene from Sept. 27 shows the width of the storm's path over the eastern United States. Screengrab of GeoColor imagery gif, courtesy of CIRA/NOAA.
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| Florida, South Georgia conferences
Bishops pray as Helene response starts | | LAKELAND, Fla. — Bishops Tom Berlin of Florida and Robin Dease of Georgia offered prayers ahead of Helene making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, the most powerful storm to strike Florida’s Big Bend region since records began being kept in 1851. Damage assessments were just beginning as Helene made its way inland with tropical-storm strength winds and floods in multiple states. As of midday Sept. 27, at least 25 people were confirmed dead because of the storm and more than 4 million people were without electricity across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and southern Virginia. UM News plans to have more coverage of the hurricane response in the days ahead.
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| Church and Society
Event caps off UM Building's centennial celebration | | WASHINGTON — A year full of events celebrating the centennial of the United Methodist Building culminated in a Sept. 26 event, “For Justice and Enduring Peace: Celebrating 100 Years of Social Witness on Capitol Hill.” The gathering featured musicians, poets and speakers, including Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, who has lived in the building since his 2005 election. The celebration honored “those who have worked for 100 years to bend the moral arc of the universe,” said Bishop Julius C. Trimble, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
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| New England Conference
New Hampshire church opens overnight shelter | | PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — Like many places across the country, the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire is experiencing a critical housing shortage. Members of Peterborough United Methodist Church responded when they learned of the need for a shelter. New England Conference staff report.
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| Holston Conference
College ministers concerned about funding | | ALCOA, Tenn. — In Holston Conference, the five United Methodist ministries that fall under the “Wesley Foundation” title are working hard to reach out to student populations at five state colleges, according to their leaders. It’s easy to find examples of how their ministries are making a difference including with students who want to be baptized. But the ministries also must deal with budget cuts. Annette Spence reports.
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| United Methodist Communications
Prioritizing play in a delight-deficient world | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Adults live in a world where play is seldom prioritized. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Rev. Tyler Strange reminds people that soul care means living from the inside out and that by rediscovering joy, they can unlock a playful spirit.
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UM News includes in the Daily 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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| Western Pennsylvania Conference
Why prayer matters | | CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — “Does prayer scare you?” Esther Bowden writes in a blog post about the importance of prayer. “It also scared me at one time. I wasn’t comfortable praying out loud. Then I learned how to pray, and it became one of my gifts — to pray for others and even for myself.”
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| Finance and Administration
Webinar looks at pipes and cold weather | | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Burst pipes and leaks are a major cause of church property claims. The United Methodist Insurance Program and partner GuideOne Insurance have scheduled a webinar on preparing churches for winter’s colder temperatures at 12:30 p.m. U.S. Central time Oct. 15.
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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, Oct. 7-Friday, Oct. 18 | | |
| Monday, Oct. 28-Friday, Nov. 8
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Christian farmers in Holy Land refuse to hate | BETHLEHEM (UM News) — Amid increased harassment from Israeli settlers, a Lutheran Palestinian family continues its struggle to keep its Tent of Nations farm in the Holy Land. “We want to prove that nonviolent resistance is key to change,” said Daoud Nassar, who runs the farm with his siblings. “We might not see the outcome of that work immediately, but in the long run we have to succeed.” Paul Jeffrey has the story.
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Church works to promote breastfeeding in Congo | KINDU, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in eastern Congo continues to strengthen its commitment to the health of mothers and children by promoting breastfeeding. The church actively participated in World Breastfeeding Week, offering information sessions and conducting a campaign that featured testimonials from mothers who highlighted both the challenges and joys of breastfeeding. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. | | |
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How would John Wesley vote? | WASHINGTON (UM News) — With the Nov. 5 Election Day approaching in the U.S., the United Methodist Board of Church and Society’s voter toolkit guides members of the denomination on the values they should keep in mind as they decide who gets their vote. Voter suppression is a danger with this election, Church and Society leaders say, and United Methodists should serve as poll workers if they can, to help prevent it. Jim Patterson reports. | | |
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'The Recap' focuses on ministries of support | NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest episode of “The Recap” highlights ministries that aid communities facing drought in Zimbabwe, recovering from floods in Tanzania and supporting the unhoused in Oklahoma City. Produced by United Methodist Communications, the video series helps congregations gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how the denomination is transforming the world. | | |
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Archives and History
Boggan, Harvey reelected at board meeting
| BOZEMAN, Mont. — Ashley Boggan D. was reelected as the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, and Bishop Cynthia Fiero Harvey was reelected board president at the commission’s annual meeting. The 2025 budget also was approved and allows for new centers and programming, as well as new staff positions as the agency realigns its priorities and mission going into the next quadrennium. The meeting concurred with the 10th Historical Convocation at Bozeman United Methodist Church. | | |
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