“All the children are very happy; their visual acuity is more than 90 percent. We have changed the lives of the children.” — Dr. Moges Teshome on free eye surgeries provided to Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone.
Free surgery for Ebola survivors
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — A partnership involving Emory University, Christian Blind Mission and other organizations is providing free cataract surgery to Ebola survivors at the Ruth and Lowell Gess United Methodist Eye Hospital. Phileas Jusu reports.
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Faith leaders cheer latest ruling on Trump travel ban
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — It has been an extraordinary two weeks for refugees and their supporters as the president and courts battle over whether to ban or not to ban people from seven mostly Muslim countries. The latest ruling rejects the ban. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Most religious-minority refugees to U.S. are Christian
WASHINGTON — Slightly over a third of the refugees who were admitted into the United States in fiscal 2016 were religious minorities in their home countries. Of those, 61 percent were Christians, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the State Department’s Refugee Processing Center.
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UMCOR earns 4-star rating
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has announced.
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'The Vessel' launches in Oklahoma
CLAREMORE, Okla. (UMNS) — Sails swelling with the wind of the Spirit and 188 people aboard, The Vessel, a satellite campus of First United Methodist Church in Claremore, launched recently. Holly McCray of the Oklahoma Conference reports.
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Commentary: 4 functions of a church choir
RICHARDSON, Texas (UMNS) — Choir director Brian Hehn has helped Arapaho United Methodist Church become a “singing congregation” by emphasizing the choir’s four key functions. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership shares his advice.
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Correction
An item in the Feb. 8 Daily News Digest incorrectly stated the deadline for Ethnic-In-Service training grant applications. The deadline for application is March 1.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Early-bird deadline for Congregational Care Ministry Seminar — The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, on April 27-29 will have training on the best practices for congregational care. Through Feb. 15, there is a super early-bird rate of $140 for the seminar and $25 for the pre-conference on April 27. Details
More United Methodist events
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