Daily Digest - August 13, 2020

“This pandemic has brought to light the incredible disparity between the haves and have nots, and the need for injustice to be addressed. People of faith are called to shine light on the things that need to change and help to bring that change about.”The Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Coronavirus exacerbates economic, racial disparities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The ongoing economic effects from the coronavirus are disastrous for people who were already struggling, particularly racial and ethnic communities. Churches are trying to fill the need, even while many struggle themselves. Joey Butler reports.
Read story

Great Plains Conference 
Pastor faced small-town silence after Floyd’s death

TOPEKA, Kan. — Race is the subject of the latest “In Layman’s Terms” podcast from Todd Seifert, Great Plains Conference communications director. Guests include the Rev. Kathy Williams, an African American pastor in a small Kansas town. She shares how she dealt with silence there after George Floyd’s death.
Listen to podcast

Northern Illinois Conference
Pandemic causes changes in campus ministries

CHICAGO — Campus ministry leaders are relying on technology and hoping for good weather as college students return to campus. Sunny weather would allow for safer in-person meetings, said Kaitlyn Franz, site pastor at Northern Illinois University. Diane Strzelecki reports.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

St. Stephen United Methodist Church 
Church donates $20,000 to Loaves and Fishes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the coronavirus lockdown prevented members of St. Stephen United Methodist Church from volunteering or even donating food, they refocused mission efforts. Church members donated $20,000 to help Loaves and Fishes keep 20 food distribution sites going. 
Read press release  


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.

Slavery and the founders of Methodism 
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — The founder of Methodism was a staunch abolitionist and the early church was antislavery, but that dedication later faded, writes the Rev. William B. Lawrence. Lawrence outlines the complex history of the church regarding slavery. 
Read commentary

 
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