Daily Digest - August 10, 2020

“God has the power to undo the things we have done and make them into something new.”The Rev. Phil Woodson about the push to remove Confederate statues from public spaces.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Seeing removal of statues as ‘doing no harm’

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (UM News) — Three years ago, an Aug. 12 march by white supremacists opposing the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ended in tragedy. Today, United Methodists are among those continuing to call for Confederate monuments to be moved from public spaces. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story

Oregon-Idaho Conference
Boise church deconsecrates Lee window

BOISE, Idaho — Building on their commitment to fight racism, leaders of First United Methodist Church of Boise (Cathedral of the Rockies) deconsecrated a stained-glass window depicting Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Aug. 7. Workers will remove it permanently soon. Kristen Caldwell has the story.
Read story
Robert E. Lee window out at Boise church

Greater New Jersey Conference
Two churches keeping people fed 

BRIDGETON, N.J. — With a poverty rate of 30% worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, two churches in this city on the Cohansey River are working to keep people fed. St. John United Methodist Church Fordville and First United Methodist Church of Bridgeton together provide groceries to nearly 500 families each week. St. John, the only Native American church in the conference, serves the large population of Native Americans who still live in the city. Heather Mistretta has the story.
Read story

Higher Education and Ministry
Rust College names first woman president

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. — The former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, was recently elected as Rust College’s first woman president. Ivy Taylor is the 12th president of Rust, one of the 11 historically Black colleges supported by the Black College Fund of The United Methodist Church. “At the end of the day, I don’t just want people to say, ‘She was the first woman.’ I want them to say, ‘Her team built this. They redesigned and created this program,’ Taylor said. Jessica Love has the story.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

General Council on Finance and Administration
Mask distributor named ministry partner

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has vetted and approved On the Go Masks as a United Methodist ministry partner. The company is offering an exclusive program for the purchase of KN95 personal protection equipment at a reduced rate to churches and other United Methodist entities.
Learn more about mask discounts
Learn more about Ministry Partner Program


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.

Rodríguez left legacy of servant leadership
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — In a 50-year ministry career, the Rev. Daniel Z. Rodríguez advocated for justice and helped ensure that The United Methodist Church served Hispanic/Latino and ethnic communities. Bishop Joel N. Martinez remembers Rodríguez, who died July 19 at 88. 
Read commentary


RECENT HEADLINES 

Deaf ministries navigate COVID-19 challenges


Africans rely on survival skills to fight COVID-19


EVENTS

Thursday, Aug. 13 

Webinar: Preaching for the Season of Creation

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - Feb. 21, 2025

Missionary strives to grow Madagascar church; Walking in the Wesleys’ footsteps; Top stories from the week

UM News Digest - Feb. 19, 2025

Program strengthens cross-racial ministry; Helping Congo flood survivors; Black Methodists’ contributions celebrated

UM News Digest - Feb. 17, 2025

Missionaries leave mark on agriculture, education; Liberians march for United Methodist Church; Responding to Los Angeles area fires

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved