“Beyond loving our neighbors is the call for a more just relationship with our neighbor. Power is often held by the perpetually powerful, while powerlessness is left for the margins. This leads to crime, abuses and falling out of church community.” — The Rev. Robert Hicks on community organizing through church in Alaska.
Grant helps Alaskans address community issues
WASILLA, Alaska (UMNS) –– The Peace with Justice Sunday special offering is helping an Alaskan United Methodist organize churches to address local social problems. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports on how church-based community organizing is building community, thanks to this grant. Peace with Justice Sunday is May 22.
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E-readers reach students in heart of Congo
WEMBO NYAMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — Delivering e-readers to theology students at Patrice Emery Lumumba University required a harrowing 600-mile journey to the heart of the Congo. But each e-reader is loaded with about 1,000 books, profoundly enhancing students’ access to theological texts, including John Wesley’s sermons. Pierre T. Omadjela reports.
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Grave found of church founder, a former slave
CLINTON, Tenn. — Thanks to a historian’s research, members of Haven Chapel United Methodist Church can visit the gravesite of the church’s founder, Elijah Knott, a former slave who served in the Union Army. Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel reports on the historical detective work that led to the discovery of Knott’s final resting place.
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More than 350 books given to firefighters
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (UMNS) –– Following a massive fire and the hospitalization of several firefighters, the Strength for Service Corporation sent 360 copies of Strength for Service to God and Community devotionals to all the firefighters in this state capital. Rich Peck of United Methodist Men reports.
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Friday-Monday, April 15-18
Ecumenical Advocacy Days — The event, organized in part by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, draws Christians from across the United States to advocate on Capitol Hill. The theme this year is “Lift Every Voice against Racism, Class and Power.” Speakers include Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, and the Rev. William Barber, convener of the Forward Together Moral Movement. Details
Tuesday-Thursday, April 19-21
Annual gathering of interim ministry specialists — The Transitional/Intentional Interim Ministry Specialists Association of The United Methodist Church will be at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, Colorado, near Denver. The keynote speaker for the ninth annual event is J. Val Hastings, founder of Coaching94Clergy. $225. Details
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