Daily Digest - August 14, 2020

“Had it not been for the motorbike, I would not have managed to deliver the medication, which was desperately needed.”The Rev. Paul Nyagomo, pastor in rural Zimbabwe, on getting medicine to a 79-year-old church member.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Motorbikes keep pastors moving during COVID-19

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Equipped with new motorbikes, 10 rural pastors are conducting vital ministries — delivering messages of hope and even medication — during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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United Methodist Committee on Relief
Faithful institutions stretch to serve others

ATLANTA — Some historic United Methodist National Mission Institutions — Gum Moon Residence in San Francisco and Red Bird Mission and Henderson Settlement in Kentucky — have used the Sheltering in Love UMCOR COVID-19 grants to increase their ministries as the demand for their services grew during spring and summer. Christie R. House has the story.
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The Kansas City Star
Clergy partner with police to reduce violence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Local faith leaders hope a new initiative, Getting to the Heart of the Matter, will help reduce violence in the city that just recorded its deadliest year of gun violence on record. A group of two dozen pastors and church leaders stood with the downtown police department Aug. 11 to propose the plan. The Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, said that while not everyone is a believer, most faith communities already have relationships within their neighborhoods. Anna Spoerre reports. 
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Texas Conference
Teacher takes to TikTok

KINGWOOD, Texas — Tricia Zinnecker, a sixth-grade teacher and member of Kingwood United Methodist Church, has used TikTok to post videos during the pandemic. It’s a way of demonstrating to students a smart approach to social media. Her Houston-area church also has turned to TikTok for student ministry. Lindsay Peyton reports.
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PRESS RELEASES

Publishing House plans remote work permanently
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House’s board of directors has approved moving to a permanent remote work arrangement for staff, who have worked remotely since mid-March, when shutdowns for the coronavirus began. 
Read press release

Higher Education and Ministry
Discussion on end-of-life care planned

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two experts on caring for dying patients will converse about how COVID-19 has changed the process during a virtual event sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The event is set for Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. Central time on Facebook and YouTube. 
Read press release 


RECENT HEADLINES 

Coronavirus exacerbates economic, racial disparities


Commentary: Slavery and the founders of Methodism


EVENTS

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Town Hall: Seasoned leaders discuss dismantling racism

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