“Whenever there is a mishap within the nation, The United Methodist Church will be affected.” — The Rev. Alan Masimba Gurupira, administrative assistant to Zimbabwe Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, on unrest in Zimbabwe.
United Methodists affected by unrest in Zimbabwe
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Violent, almost daily protests in Zimbabwe against President Robert Mugabe’s handling of the country’s economic crisis have caused some United Methodist churches to cancel some services and even lock their doors. The protests also prompted a letter of assurance from Africa University to students and supporters. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Africans express concern about ‘disobedience’
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — The United Methodist Africa Initiative, a group of African delegates to General Conference 2016, has issued a letter expressing its “serious concerns about the future of our beloved church.” The letter says acts of disobedience to church law undercut unity as well as the Council of Bishops as it is convening a special commission to consider how to work through denominational tensions over homosexuality.
Read the letter
Camping administrator on leave after arrest
PORTLAND, Ore. — A United Methodist camping and retreat administrator facing a federal child pornography charge has been placed on leave after his arrest. Jim Ryan of The Oregonian has the story.
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Read Oregon-Idaho Conference statement
Operation Classroom to emphasize training
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — Operation Classroom is moving into new areas of emphasis in Sierra Leone, with an enterprise academy that will train people in practical skills for employment, writes Indiana Area Bishop Michael Coyner, who noted that Operation Classroom will continue to be a mission project for the conference.
Read commentary
Foundation begins investment relationship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church Foundation announced a new investment consulting relationship with The Humphrey/Kelly Group of Merrill Lynch Global Institutional Consulting.
Read press release
New time for Daily Digest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist News Service Daily Digest is moving to a new time. The e-newsletter of news from around the United Methodist connection is now sent at 6 a.m. CDT. Beginning Aug. 9, the digest will be sent at 6 p.m. CDT.
Subscribe to the Daily or Weekly Digests
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Webinar “Crowdfunding 101: How To Run a Successful Campaign” — 7 to 8 p.m. EDT. This webinar is designed to give participants an overview of crowdfunding, as well as step-by-step directions for how you can take advantage of what a crowdfunding platform has to offer. The focus will be on the lifecycle of a campaign. Practical Resources for Churches, an ecumenical training organization, is offering this class. Details
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