Daily Digest - April 13, 2021

"As a Christian, I am proud of the aspirational themes of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation embedded in this film." — HJ Lee, producer of the film "Happy Cleaners."

NEWS AND FEATURES

Film puts Korean Americans center stage
NEW YORK (UM News) — United Methodists Julian Kim and Peter Lee didn't see their lives represented in Hollywood films, so they did it themselves. Their film "Happy Cleaners" takes a look at the lives and struggles of working-class Korean Americans. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Holston Conference
Churches respond after school shooting

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists in the city where a fatal school shooting happened April 12 are trying to help a school that was already reeling from shooting deaths of four students since January. Churches in the Holston Conference are striving to blend prayers with action. Annette Spence has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Sharing God's love through tax assistance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Preparing tax returns may not be at the top of anyone's list of spiritual gifts, but when the Rev. Bruce Hiner studies the latest IRS tax laws, he believes he is learning new ways to preach the gospel. Hiner is one of several United Methodists volunteering with programs that assist others with tax preparation. Crystal Caviness reports.
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CBS4 Denver
Church parking lot a place for homeless

DENVER — A new safe outdoor space for Denver's unhoused residents is coming to Park Hill United Methodist Church's parking lot June 1. The nonprofit Colorado Village Collaborative will run the site after operating at another church's parking lot. Some local residents have questions. Andrea Flores reports.
Read and watch story

Florida United Methodist Foundation
Hispanic clergy prepare for retirement

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Presente & Futuro seminar helped the Rev. Luz Maldonado prepare for retirement after 36 years of ministry. The annual seminar features information and resources on financial planning, pension and benefits, taxes, Social Security and estate planning. Connor Murphy has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES

Texas Methodist Foundation
Development fund now Wesleyan Investive

AUSTIN, Texas — What had long been the United Methodist Development Fund has been renamed Wesleyan Investive, the board announced. The loan-granting and leadership organization is managed by Texas Methodist Foundation.
Read Wesleyan Investive press release
Read Texas Methodist Foundation press release
Read about Texas Methodist Foundation

COMMENTARIES

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 the UM News staff.

Caught in a twilight zone of change
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — Even after the passage of civil rights laws, a white teen found change slow to come in the rural South of the 1970s. Author and retired local pastor Richard F. Hicks shares his story for UM News' Personal Encounters with Racism feature.
Read commentary
Read more Personal Encounters with Racism

United Methodist Communications
Are you ready to accept your mission?

HOUSTON — Too many times we want people to join us in what we are doing, writes the Rev. Joseph Yoo in a commentary for Rethink Church. But being missional requires meeting people where they are and joining them in what they are doing.
Read commentary

RECENT HEADLINES

Exploring the meaning of resurrection

Racial diversity linked to church growth

EVENTS

Wednesday, April 28

United Methodist Seminaries and Clergy Financial Literacy webinar


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