“When there is peace on the Korean Peninsula, there will be peace in the global community, and we will be called to bear witness to the Gospel on this earth as our final missionary task.” — Bishop Chungsuk Kim, Korean Methodist Church.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Korean Methodists continue work for reunification
SEOUL, South Korea (UM News) — The Roundtable for Peace on the Korean Peninsula will be in August, after being postponed by COVID-19. Immediately afterward, the Korean Methodists and United Methodists will have a mission consultation to enhance the partnership between the two denominations. In a previously unpublished 2021 interview, Bishop Chungsuk Kim of the Korean Methodist Church talks about his hopes for the event. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Retired pastor honored for historical research
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Rev. Roger M. Gramling, a retired elder of the South Carolina Conference, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Ministry of Memory Award. The award, which recognizes excellence in archival and historical work, is presented by the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church with the support of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has the story.
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Pew Research Center
Survey looks at online, in-person services
WASHINGTON — About a quarter of U.S. adults regularly watch religious services online or on TV, and most of them are highly satisfied with the experience, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. At the same time, Americans tend to give higher marks to worshipping together in person. Michelle Faverio, Justin Nortey, Jeff Diamant and Gregory A. Smith report.
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KRCG-13 CBS
Fire causes $200,000 in damage
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Church leaders say Missouri United Methodist Church’s emergency response happened as intended when an electrical fire ignited in a church building during the early morning of July 3. The sprinkler system doused the fire before firefighters arrived. But the church is now dealing with an estimated $200,000 in damage to a multipurpose area. Its sanctuary is unaffected. Nicolas Fuchs reports.
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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.
New mission church brings Gospel parable to life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In May, two merged congregations at Glencliff United Methodist Church officially launched The Commons at Glencliff in the Tennessee Western-Kentucky Conference. The merger enriches both church and community as new initiatives spark hope for the future, writes the Rev. Neelley Hicks.
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Susquehanna Conference
Sitting at the crossroads of life
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Have you ever found yourself sitting at a crossroad in life, wondering what to do? You know you can’t just sit there. You need to make a decision. “Whatever crossroads you may find yourself sitting in,” writes Douglas Hoy, “know that God is already miles ahead of you clearing the path.”
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
4 tips for church social-media effectiveness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For most churches (even low-tech churches), the key to increasing your effectiveness with social media is the people sitting in your pews. The Rev. Jeremy Steele offers four ways churches can leverage people to increase impact.
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