Daily Digest - August 18, 2020


"We don't need to sugarcoat that it was all these pretty women in white dresses with yellow sashes. They sacrificed. Let's honor their sacrifice by getting out and voting." — Annette Dorris, who, along with other United Methodist Women, is urging voting as the best way to celebrate the 19th Amendment's centennial.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Methodists crucial in fight for women's vote
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A Methodist woman's letter played a key role in pushing the 19th Amendment over the finish line. The struggle for women's suffrage took more than 70 years, and Methodists were involved throughout. Heather Hahn has the story as the U.S. celebrates the centennial of the amendment's ratification.
Read story
Methodists and the struggle for women's suffrage

The Salt Lake Tribune
Home visits and selfies

SALT LAKE CITY — As newly appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City and Centenary United Methodist Church, the Rev. AJ Bush has been ringing the doorbells of church families for safely distanced visits and selfie photos. Libby Seline writes about Bush's personal approach.
Read story

PRESS RELEASES

Council of Bishops, Africa University
Nhiwatiwa to lead Africa College of Bishops

WASHINGTON — Zimbabwe Area Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa was elected Aug. 17 by active United Methodist bishops in Africa to serve as interim president of the Africa College of Bishops, following the death of Sierra Leone Bishop John K. Yambasu. Africa University has also announced that it has established an endowment for scholarships in memory of Yambasu.
Read Council of Bishops press release
Read Africa University press release

United Methodist Women
United Methodist Women elects board of directors

NEW YORK — Twenty women were elected at several online jurisdictional meetings for the 2021-2024 term on the United Methodist board of directors. The board sets policy, secures funds from members and determines the organization's budget, as well as hiring and supporting the agency's top executive. UMW also announced a new program advisory group.
Read press release

Southern Methodist University
Maria Dixon Hall named SMU diversity chief

DALLAS — The Rev. Maria Dixon Hall has been named chief diversity officer of Southern Methodist University, reporting to President Gerald Turner. She's an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church, as well as a professor of corporate communication and public affairs at SMU.
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.

Florida Conference
On voting rights, we are not there yet

LAKELAND, Fla. — In the 100 years since the 19th Amendment's ratification, the United States has made strides in increasing access to the ballot. But there are still many barriers to citizens exercising their right to vote, write the Revs. Madeline Luzinski and Mary Mitchell of the Florida Conference.
Read commentary

RECENT HEADLINES

Sierra Leone bishop dead at 63

Churches step up to help salvage school year

EVENTS

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Town hall: Seasoned leaders discuss dismantling racism


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