Daily Digest - April 9, 2021

“The world needs to see Christ more than just on Sunday mornings.” — The Rev. Judson Barnes, pastor of Hiltonia (Georgia) United Methodist Church.


NEWS AND FEATURES

South Georgia Conference
Churches fight COVID-19 with care boxes

SYLVANIA, Ga. — In prayers, the Rev. Dorsia Atkinson felt God nudging him to help bring relief to his rural county. In a region where the only store is often the local gas station, Atkinson decided that care packages might help people avoid spreading the virus, and other local churches joined the effort. Kara Witherow has the story. 
Read story 

South Carolina Conference
Bishop responds after another mass shooting

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Conference calls for prayer and work to end gun violence after a mass shooting in Rock Hill. Five people, including two children, were shot to death April 7 at a home, and a sixth person was shot and wounded. A prayer vigil is scheduled for noon U.S. Eastern time April 11 at India Hook United Methodist Church.
Read Bishop Holston’s statement

Holston Conference
Chocolate eggs sweeten missions

GALAX, Va. — The United Methodist Women of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church have been making chocolate Easter eggs as a fundraiser for more than 35 years. Annette Spence tells how the eggs support missions and how they provided a tasty treat for her church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Read story

Collierville United Methodist Church
Remembering the Rev. David Atkinson

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. David Atkinson “loved the church, loved God and wanted to be the best pastor to any church he served,” said his longtime friend, the Rev. Sky McCracken. Collierville United Methodist Church has a remembrance of its senior pastor and veteran General Conference marshal, who died April 7 due to complications from COVID-19.
Read remembrance


PRESS RELEASES

Church and Society
Agency urges support for voting rights

WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is urging U.S. United Methodists to call their senators to support federal voting-rights legislation. The call to action cites church teachings approved by General Conference.
Read story

Status and Role of Women
Anti-racism, gender pay gap discussed by board

CHICAGO — The board of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women met virtually March 19-20. Discussion topics included the commission’s role in anti-racism work and an updated survey addressing the gender pay gap in the denomination.
Read press release
 

RECENT HEADLINES

Racial diversity linked to church growth


Restructuring legislation gets a hearing


EVENTS

Monday, April 19-Friday, April 30

Online Lay Servant Ministries course: Becoming Accountable Disciples

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