“I have great respect for the people on the staff of the Board of Pension. They are working for the greater good, but we have different perspectives on how to get there.”
— The Rev. Jenny Phillips, Fossil Free UMC coordinator.
Pre-GC2016 video on divestment gets pushback
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Some United Methodists believe the denomination’s Board of Pension and Health Benefits went too far in telling delegates from outside the United States how to vote on General Conference petitions. The board says it was trying to convey its message in a way easily understood in multiple languages. Heather Hahn reports on the debate.
Sierra Leone hospital gives sight to the blind
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — A United Methodist eye hospital is working to help save the sight of Ebola survivors by providing free treatment of a dangerous eye inflammation related to the deadly virus. Phileas Jusu has the story.
Bishop visits Flint churches
FLINT, Mich. (UMNS) — Months before local and state officials acknowledged the crisis of contaminated water, United Methodist churches were distributing cases of water, filters and information to surrounding neighborhoods. Michigan Area Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey toured three of the churches last week and met with other church pastors and leaders. “We appreciate how much you have done to help your communities and want you to know that you are not alone,” she said. Mark Doyal has the story, photos and video.
Read story and watch the video
Charleston shooting survivor visits Duke
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Jennifer Pinckney, who survived the Charleston massacre that took her husband’s life and the lives of eight others, said during a visit to United Methodist-related Duke University that her husband was “all about peace.” The widow of the late preacher and South Carolina state senator Clementa Pinckney talked about gun control, race and faith. Jesse James DeConto reports for Religion News Service.
Read RNS story
Her video won agency ʽcall’ contest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Maria Niechwiadowicz had the winning video in the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s #IAmCalled contest, asking United Methodists to share why they’re called to do the work they do. Niechwiadowicz teaches English in China with the Amity Foundation. Her video will be shown at General Conference 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Read press release
Churches Uniting in Christ elects new president
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — Churches Uniting in Christ, an ecumenical group that includes United Methodists, at its recent plenary elected new leaders and recommitted to work toward racial justice. Bishop Teresa Snorton with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is the group’s newly elected president. The United Methodist Church has full communion with the CME.
Take the daily Lent-Easter quiz
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) —The term Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten. Do you know what that means? Now until Good Friday, you can check each weekday for a new question from UMC.org to help you learn about the season.
Take the quiz
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, Feb. 16
Webinar “Not Safe for Church” ─ 6 to 7 p.m. CST. The Revs. F. Douglas Powe Jr. and Jasmine R. Smothers will discuss radical ways of ministry that can connect with new generations. Powe is the James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism and professor of urban ministry at United Methodist Wesley Theological Seminary, and Smothers is an executive in the North Georgia Conference. Cokesbury is offering a discount on their book, “Not Safe for Church,” for $11.38. Details
Friday, Feb. 19
Faithful Justice: Confronting Mass Incarceration – 12:30 p.m. EST, Methodist Theological School, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio. People of faith opposed to mass incarceration will gather for an afternoon and evening of conversation and a keynote address by James Logan, author of “Good Punishment? Christian Moral Practice and U.S. Imprisonment.” A $10 fee. Details.
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