“We’re so focused on alleviating suffering. I think we also have to be investing in addressing the root causes of that suffering.” — The Rev. Jenny Phillips, senior technical adviser for environmental sustainability at Global Ministries.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Agencies set greenhouse gas emissions goal
ATLANTA (UM News) — Eleven general agencies of The United Methodist Church are pledging to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations and investments. The initiative was announced on Earth Day. Jim Patterson reports.
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Leadership body invites church to vision work
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Connectional Table, the denomination’s equivalent of a church council, is urging United Methodists around the globe to join in conversations about the denomination’s identity, vision and mission. With General Conference now delayed to 2022, the leadership body hopes to bring more people to its table. Heather Hahn reports.
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Missouri Conference
Major League Methodists
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Major League Baseball recently decided to elevate the historic Negro Leagues to major league status, highlighting the legacy of thousands of Black players from the era of segregation. Among them: Henry “Bo” Mason and John Wesley Donaldson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs and had Methodist roots in Missouri. The Rev. Kim Jenne reports.
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Florida Conference
Camp plans for post-pandemic outreach
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — When the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year, the ministry at the Warren Willis Camp and Conference Center was hit particularly hard. Now, the United Methodist camp is back in business. Joe Henderson has the story.
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A new Friday Digest
In order to streamline our news delivery and enhance our service to you, United Methodist News is merging the Friday Daily Digest and the Weekly Digest. Beginning on April 23, the single Friday Digest will combine the best of the Daily and Weekly digests, providing new stories, press releases and commentaries, as well as the top stories from the past week. If you already are subscribed to the Daily or Weekly emails, you will automatically receive the new Friday Digest. If at any point you would like to opt out, you can use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. We hope you enjoy the new Friday edition.
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops plan virtual meeting
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops will meet virtually April 26-30 to discuss the changing role of the episcopacy and new ways to lead the church. They also will hear reports on anti-racism efforts, ecumenical relations, immigration and disaster relief. The first and last days of the meeting will be livestreamed on the bishops’ Facebook page beginning at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time.
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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.
UM & Global
Why Asian Americans should speak out about racism
ATLANTA — The Rev. John Oda, program manager of the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, describes a propensity in Asian American culture to stay silent on tough issues such as racism. But as national movements to confront racism grow, he says Asian Americans should raise their voices. In the wake of rising violence against the Asian community since the coronavirus pandemic began, “our silence is literally killing us,” Oda writes.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Earth Day reminds us to be responsible stewards
WASHINGTON — Though Earth Day is not a religious holiday, many churches plan activities or observances focusing on environmental awareness and care for the planet. Jones Memorial United Methodist Church spent a day collecting water bottles from the Anacostia River, picking up 475 pounds of single-use plastic. “As stewards of God’s creation, we are responsible for the ways in which we use it and abuse it,” writes the Rev. Cary James Jr., the church’s pastor.
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Download Earth Day resources
RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists react to Chauvin verdict
Commentary: A shattered windshield, a shattered worldview
EVENTS
Monday, May 17-Friday, May 28
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