Daily Digest - April 5, 2022

“It was a matter of us saying, ‘Do we want to do something?’ And, of course, the answer was, ‘Yes.’”The Rev. Arthur Jones, on the decision by St. Andrew United Methodist Church of Plano, Texas, to have a fundraiser concert for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.


NEWS AND FEATURES

United Methodists pass plate for Ukraine

ATLANTA (UM News) — United Methodists have been busily and creatively raising money to help Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by the Russian invasion of their country. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has already received more than $5 million for targeted aid to internally displaced persons and refugees. Sam Hodges reports. 
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Pilgrimages offer opportunity for growth 

BALTIMORE — Recently, a United Methodist Men’s group from Severna Park United Methodist Church made a mini-pilgrimage to explore denominational history in nearby Baltimore. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has 16 historical sites with 33 component sites within its bounds that United Methodists are welcome to explore. Conference staff report.
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Discipleship Ministries
Hope United Methodist Church generates hope
BILLLINGS, Mont. — Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Hope United Methodist Church has managed to thrive. The church has added about 20 to the congregation since 2020. The Rev. Angie Dornisch has led Hope as it has added new ministries and strengthened existing ones while getting the youth group and Sunday school programs moving again. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
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North Texas Conference
Nonprofit makes pitch for big grant

DALLAS — The Wesley-Rankin Community Center, a United Methodist-supported nonprofit, is competing for a large United Way grant in hopes of expanding an educational training and work readiness program for West Dallas high school students. Wesley-Rankin will be among five social entrepreneurship teams pitching for the grant during an online competition on April 6. The North Texas Conference has the story.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Podcast explores value of ecumenism for social justice

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In the latest episode of the “Meet in the Middle” podcast, the Rev. Renee Mikell talks with the Rev. Ryan Pusch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America about the value of ecumenism and the benefit of a collaborative approach to social justice issues. 
Listen to podcast

Safe Havens, New England Conference
Pastor attends White House ceremony

BOSTON — The federal Violence Against Women Act must be reauthorized every five years. For this year’s reauthorization, the Rev. Anne Marie Hunter, an elder in the New England Conference and co-director of Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse in Boston, was invited to the White House to celebrate. She shares the experience in her blog.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

Alaska Conference
New Alaska Pacific University president named

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — United Methodist-related Alaska Pacific University has announced that Janelle Vanasse will be its next president, starting June 1. The university has a focus on educating Alaska Natives and honoring indigenous heritage.
Read press release 


RECENT HEADLINES

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EVENTS

Monday, April 18-Friday, April 29

Campus Ministry course: Empowering Congregations to Support Students


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