“What we’re trying to emphasize in these resolutions is that we are still doctrinal, Jesus-loving, Trinitarian, Bible-believing people.” — Pat Luna, part of an Alabama-West Florida Conference group that submitted a resolution reaffirming that United Methodists remain committed to core Christian beliefs.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Church in US sees shift toward LGBTQ inclusion
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A number of U.S. United Methodist annual conferences passed resolutions supporting the removal of church bans related to homosexuality. This conference season also saw resolutions that reaffirm the denomination’s fidelity to core Christian doctrines and commit United Methodists to evangelism. Heather Hahn reports.
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More actions at annual conferences
Texas Conference
Family ties lead to church restoration
WILLIS, Texas — A major restoration of Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church, founded just after the Civil War by ex-slaves, owes largely to the work of two women. Ann Meador pushed the construction project in part to honor an ancestor’s role in spreading Methodism in Texas. Cynthia Stubblefield Walker’s grandmother was a member of Thomas Chapel. Lindsay Peyton describes the women’s efforts in full.
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PRESS RELEASES
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Big weekend for historic Black church
DALLAS — St. Paul United Methodist Church will observe its 150th anniversary this weekend, with a full schedule of events underscoring its role as an early and influential African American congregation. The church’s gothic revival sanctuary, begun in 1901 and finished in 1927, was built by Blacks and designed by Black architect William Sidney Pittman.
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United Theological Seminary
Conferences ignite with ‘Dynamite Prayer’
DAYTON, Ohio — The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary is providing training resources for multiple United Methodist conferences that are rallying their congregations to engage in daily breakthrough prayer this fall. One of the main resources for this effort is “Dynamite Prayer: A 28 Day Experiment” by the Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, Innovation Center director, and the Rev. Rosario Picardo.
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To order guide
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 UM News staff.
‘… and compassion for all’
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — Retired pastor the Rev. Mel West suggests adding the word “compassion” to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance to implant a spirit, an attitude and an action into the hearts and minds of all who recite it.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Focus on facts, actions to reduce gun violence
PHOENIX — Billie K. Fidlin, director for outreach and justice in the Desert Southwest Conference, says resolutions by the General Conference in 2016 and the Desert Southwest Annual Conference in 2018 should be priorities. The resolutions are about ways to lessen gun violence and keep guns off church property, respectively.
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EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 21-Friday, Sept. 29
Online course: God’s Presence in Life’s Challenges
Friday, Aug. 25-Sunday, Aug. 27
Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Special sanctuary lost in Maui fires
DALLAS (UM News) — Members of Lahaina United Methodist Church are grieving the destruction of their historic sanctuary in the wildfires that devastated the west side of Maui, Hawaii. Some regular visitors to the island also are feeling the pain, having formed a close attachment to the sanctuary and the congregation. Sam Hodges reports.
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Summer programs nourish bodies and soles
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Two local nonprofits with United Methodist ties are partnering this summer to connect neighbors through food, fellowship and foot care. Trinity Community Commons and Open Table Nashville host a community supper and foot clinic every Tuesday in May through September. Volunteers and recipients are encouraged to get to know each other in an environment that fosters relationships. Vernon Jordan reports.
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Church WhatsApp group fosters collaboration
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has created a dedicated WhatsApp business platform to promote collaboration among church members. The group serves as a virtual meeting space where United Methodists can connect, explore business opportunities, promote each other’s companies and services and offer other support. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
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Zimbabweans help neighbors after cyclone
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Still reeling from the impact of Cyclone Freddy earlier this year, survivors in Malawi received $35,000 in cash and supplies from United Methodists in Zimbabwe. Stanley Dawa, Board of Church and Society chairperson, said church members felt called to act after the disaster. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Commentary: Wesleyan teaching demands antiracism
DOWAGIAC, Mich. (UM News) — Wesleyan theological tradition demands that we respect the value of every single human being, writes pastor and author the Rev. Christopher P. Momany. This was a common theme among many Methodist abolitionists, he says, and holds true in antiracism work today.
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A Methodist mother-in-law for the ages
DALLAS (UM News) — Mary Brooke Casad offers a tribute to her mother-in-law, Dede Weldon Casad, a longtime United Methodist clergy spouse who was “forever beginning.” She earned a Ph.D. at 73 and started a senior adult ministry at 87. Dede Casad died last month at age 94.
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