“(James) is a shining example of how each of us is gifted with God-given talents and abilities that, when cultivated, can lead us to achieve far more than imagined.” — Cameron Bishop, president of Wesley Glen Ministries, on James Thigpen’s win at the Special Olympics World Games.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Special Olympian sails away with bronze in Berlin
MACON, Ga. (UM News) — James Thigpen sailed into Special Olympics history, winning a bronze medal for the U.S. at the 2023 World Games in Berlin. The win earned Thigpen hero status at his home, Wesley Glen Ministries, a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that is supported by the South Georgia Conference. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
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Western Jurisdiction
More details announced for bishop’s trial
PASADENA, Calif. — The Western Jurisdiction announced on its website that the church trial to adjudicate the complaints against Bishop Minerva Carcaño is scheduled for Aug. 21-25 at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena. Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn, a retired bishop from the Southeastern Jurisdiction, will preside over the trial. The Book of Discipline declares that church trials “are to be regarded as an expedient of last resort” and opens the possibility of a just resolution at any point.
Read announcement
Read updated UM News story: As trial date set, bishop reflects on ministry
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Old Otterbein ‘digs’ into history
BALTIMORE — Old Otterbein United Methodist Church recently underwent an archaeological dig under the direction of the chief archaeologist of the Maryland Historic Trust after old pottery and other artifacts were found in the church garden. Dating back to 1771, Old Otterbein is considered the “mother church” of the United Brethren in Christ strand of the denomination. The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin reports.
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Louisiana Conference
‘Ruston Remnants’ looking ahead
RUSTON, La. — United Methodist faithful from two churches that voted to disaffiliate are calling themselves the “Ruston Remnants.” They’re taking the first steps toward forming a new United Methodist faith community in Ruston, a college town in North Central Louisiana. More than 50 people attended a June 25 meeting, where they shared dreams and discussed goals. Mark Lambert has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Church’s arts ministry nurtures faith
JACKSON, N.J. — “The play’s the thing,” said Shakespeare’s Hamlet. But it’s not the only thing happening at Jackson Arts Ministry, an adventurous Christian arts and enrichment ministry of Jackson Church, a United Methodist congregation that serves its community in central New Jersey. John W. Coleman reports.
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Texas Conference
Churchgoers embrace the great outdoors
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Five dozen pilgrims from at least three different churches were encouraged to spend some time quietly focused on nature during Church of the Wild. The gathering was part of a national initiative that began seven years ago with a “radical vision to leave buildings to connect with the natural world to restore sacred relationship,” organizers say. Ronnie Crocker has the story.
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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.
Religion News Service
Supreme Court undermines Christian mandate
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith believes, in accordance with biblical teachings, that Christians are mandated to create a society in which everyone can flourish, writes Sally Vonner, the United Methodist organization’s top executive. She criticizes the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on affirmative action for undercutting that work.
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RESOURCES
Interfaith Power & Light
Webinar reviews energy resources for churches
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will join in a webinar that looks at how houses of worship can access clean-energy funds and credits as well as how faith communities can help address the climate crisis. United Women in Faith and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries are among the hosts of the webinar scheduled for 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time July 18.
Learn more and register
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