"It’s a call — not that much different from being called into ministry.” — The Rev. Cyndi Bloise, on her donation of a kidney.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Western Pennsylvania Conference
Kidney transplant ‘engineered by God’
BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Amy Scott, active member and youth ministry leader at First Bethel United Methodist Church, needed a new kidney. Her donor would turn out to be the Rev. Cyndi Bloise, of nearby Jefferson United Methodist Church. Jackie Campbell, communications director of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, tells the story of a life-saving connection.
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Texas Conference
After Harvey, graces big and small
HOUSTON — Beginning on Aug. 24, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall five times, bringing more than 30 inches of rain in six of the nine districts of the United Methodist Texas Conference. A year later, church members are recalling stories of outrageous grace, love and sacrifice. The conference has set a fundraising goal of $10 million to support long-term Harvey recovery. In a series of stories, Shannon Martin and Sherri Gragg look back at the response to the hurricane.
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More Harvey anniversary stories
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Teen creates video to explain DACA
WILDER, Idaho — Sherlyn Rueda is doing her part to help her friends and classmates understand immigration issues. The 13-year-old member of the Ministerio Metodista Amistad y Fe learned animation in her school and created a video to explain the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which supports children who were brought to the U.S. illegally. Rueda and her siblings are all DACA recipients.
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Watch video
North Texas Conference
Big crowd for Way Forward discussion
CARROLLTON, Texas — More than 250 people of the North Texas Conference gathered Aug. 18 for discussion of the denomination’s future, given its longstanding division over homosexuality. They heard explanations of the Commission on a Way Forward’s work with the Council of Bishops. The laity-sponsored meeting was held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
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No Daily Digest on Monday, Aug. 27
United Methodist News Service will not publish the Daily Digest on Monday, Aug. 27, as staff members will be attending the funeral of a colleague’s father. The Digest will return Aug. 28.
PRESS RELEASES
Great Plains Conference
#MeToo topic of annual event
LEXINGTON, Neb. — Great Plains Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and retired Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson will address the church’s role in the era of #MeToo in the annual “For the Transformation of the World” event, Oct. 27 at Lexington First United Methodist Church. The event is free, but registration is required.
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COMMENTARIES
Board of Global Ministries
Prayer, solidarity and courage in mission
ATLANTA — When three young missionaries were detained by Philippine authorities “on spurious political charges and visa issues,” the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries mounted a public campaign, #LetThemLeave, that likely hastened their release. Thomas Kemper, the mission agency’s top executive, offers a reflection on the effort.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Small churches, big ministry
The long road to adding 5 new bishops
EVENTS
Tuesday, Sept. 4-Friday, Sept. 21
Online Lay Servant Ministries class: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection
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