“We believe that we need to acknowledge the conversations happening throughout our connection about ways to go forward in ministry, perhaps even along separate paths.” — Statement from Connectional Table leaders
NEWS AND FEATURES
Connectional Table ponders role post-GC2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — As conversations happen across The United Methodist Church about possible denominational splits, the Connectional Table wants a place at the table. Heather Hahn reports on discussions within the body that coordinates the denomination’s mission and ministry.
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Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
Standing Rock, 3 years later
OKLAHOMA CITY — April 3 marks the third anniversary of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s protest against building a 1,200-mile-long Dakota Access Pipeline near the North Dakota reservation, which the tribe said threatens its water supply and sacred sites. It’s estimated that 17,000 “water protectors” from around the world passed through the Sacred Stone Camp from April 2016 to February 2017, including United Methodists who came to show support and witness history. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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Alaska Conference
No gold left, but a jewel remains
HOPE, Alaska — The gold rush had ended by the time a Methodist lay pastor led the drive to establish a church in this small town, about 90 miles from Anchorage. The Rev. Jim Doepken tells how the Hope Retreat Center remains a jewel for the Alaska United Methodist Conference.
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South Georgia Conference
Serving spiritual needs of law enforcement officers
MACON, Ga. — When he’s not preaching from the pulpit on Sunday mornings, the Rev. Mike Davis can often be found at the ballfield, on the firing range, practicing jiu-jitsu or in a patrol car. Davis is one of five United Methodist clergy who are active volunteer chaplains with the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. Kara Witherow has the story.
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COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The commentaries reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
Opinion: 5 reasons to consider a U.S. church
OLATHE, Kan. — The U.S. church is the only member of the world Methodist family that doesn’t have regional autonomy, writes the Rev. Mark Holland in a Mainstream UMC blog. Holland details five reasons it is time to consider some version of an autonomous U.S. church in the wake of General Conference 2019.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Church embraces cyclone survivors in Zimbabwe
Feedback sought on global Discipline effort
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 9
Evangelical Society Lecture: The Rev. Kevin Watson
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