“In my opinion, (Boy Scouts) is really Christianity in motion.” — Fred Daniel, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 398 of the Boy Scouts and member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, both in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Scouts continue molding leaders
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (UM News) — After a challenging few years, when sexual abuse dominated the news and COVID-19 made it hard to meet, the Boy Scouts are keeping themselves busy shaping leaders and getting kids unplugged and outdoors. The organization at its best can mold a shy boy into a confident leader, one scoutmaster says. Jim Patterson reports.
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UM News: New era for church and Boy Scouts of America
Tennessee-Western Kentucky
Tennessee United Methodists discuss gun reform
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists joined their voices to call for gun reform in Tennessee and support the state governor’s call for a special legislative session on public safety and constitutional rights. An Aug. 6 panel on United Methodism and gun reform included Bishop William T. “Bill” McAlilly and a United Methodist police chaplain who was a first responder at the March 2023 mass shooting at the Covenant School that killed three adults and three children. Tyler Sprouse reports.
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South Georgia Conference
Ministry blankets kids in hospital
HAWKINSVILLE, Ga. — Carolyn Harrison, seeking purpose after retirement, embarked on a mission to provide warmth and comfort to those in need. She learned of the need for blankets for youngsters admitted to the children’s hospital in Macon. The result is a ministry supported by members of Grovania and Snow United Methodist churches. Allison Lindsey has the story.
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Florida Conference
Conference approves 46 church departures
LAKELAND, Fla. — Meeting in the second of three virtual sessions, the Florida Annual Conference approved the exit of 46 churches with property under The United Methodist Church’s disaffiliation policy. To take advantage of that policy, some of the exiting congregations had to first withdraw from a lawsuit seeking to circumvent the disaffiliation provision’s requirements. Other conferences have special sessions planned in the coming months before the disaffiliation policy ends at the end of the year. Joe Henderson reports.
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See special sessions schedule
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.
Wespath
Sustainable investing is smart, not political
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Some pundits are criticizing investors who consider environmental and social concerns as part of their decision-making process. Dave Zellner, chief investment officer for Wespath Benefits and Investments, says the church agency has achieved benchmark-beating performance from investment strategies focused on environmental and social themes.
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RESOURCES
Caregiving Happens
Resources for caregivers online
DURHAM, N.C. — A Duke Divinity School professor is offering blessings, videos and podcasts to help people who are caring for seriously ill relatives and friends. The resources on the Caregiving Happens website are designed “to be a comfort to you as you carry so many thankless burdens that you can’t put down,” says Kate Bowler, who launched the site.
See resources
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishop Talbert, advocate for justice, dies
New ruling in conference dispute with SMU
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 14-Monday, Oct. 16
Online course: Religion and Science — Pathways to Truth
Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15
Reconciling Ministries Network Convocation 2023
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