Daily Digest - August 3, 2023

“Being here and seeing everyone raising their hands has been inspiring. We are seeing more of the world, and my big takeaway is to not be one-minded in my faith.” — Grace Kruelen, 17, on worshipping with her peers at Youth 2023.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Youth connect with God, one another
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (UM News) — More than 2,500 attendees converged on Daytona Beach for Youth 2023, the quadrennial youth gathering from Discipleship Ministries. The four-day event incorporated worship, workshops, Bible study, fellowship time and service opportunities. Church leaders say they left feeling hopeful about the future of the denomination. Crystal Caviness has the story. 
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New ruling in conference dispute with SMU
DALLAS (UM News) — A Texas appeals court has largely sided with the South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church in its nearly four-year battle to retain some governance over Southern Methodist University. SMU is considering appealing aspects of the new ruling. Sam Hodges reports.
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Oklahoma’s high court puts hold on meeting
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Aug. 2 granted the Oklahoma Conference's request for an emergency stay on a judge’s order to hold a special session, pending the outcome of the conference’s appeal. The stay means the conference can cancel the special session that was planned for Aug. 5.  In a letter to the conference, Bishop James G. Nunn said, “This summer’s court cases are just a small bump in the momentum we have in the Oklahoma Annual Conference.”
Read updated UM News story  
Read bishop’s letter 

Upper New York Conference
Friday night faith community thrives
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Beloved on the BLVD, a new faith community at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, invites people to worship on Friday nights and connect with others over pizza. The ministry has been a hit. “We’ve found church folks that are looking for another opportunity and some folks who’ve found they didn’t fit in the churches they were in,” said the Rev. Bill Mudge, who helps lead the new group. The Upper New York Conference created a video profiling this growing ministry.
Watch video

Western Pennsylvania Conference
Vigils to raise awareness of racial injustice
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Charter for Racial Justice Committee of the Western Pennsylvania United Women in Faith is pausing this year to remember and acknowledge the centennial of the Johnstown Banishment, when, on Sept. 7, 1923, 2,000 Black and Mexican people were forced to leave Johnstown immediately, causing families to abandon homes, jobs and schools. The women’s group is encouraging others to learn more about the history of this event, raise awareness of racial injustice and participate in candlelight vigils that will occur closer to the anniversary.
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Learn more

United Methodist Communications
Keeping in contact in the Philippines
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the Philippines, the most disaster-prone country in the world, United Methodist Communications helps people stay in contact. The church agency provides training, equipment and support for disaster relief efforts there. United Methodist Communications also offers UMConnect, which provides a platform for church leaders to send text messages to areas with poor internet service. Diane Degnan has the story.
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