Bishops approve plan for sexuality panel
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Amid growing concerns for the denomination’s future, United Methodist bishops approved a plan for establishing a commission dealing with church teachings and homosexuality. The bishops’ executive committee also took a step toward a special session of General Conference in early 2018. Heather Hahn reports.
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Church supports ‘genuine change’ in Philippines
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (UMNS) — Hundreds of people from all walks of life held peaceful rallies before and during the first State of the Nation Address July 25 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte of the Philippines. Three United Methodist bishops led an ecumenical prayer and communion service during the rallies. Gladys Mangiduyos reports.
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WCC condemns attacks in Munich, Kabul
GENEVA (WCC) —The World Council of Churches has condemned terrorist attacks in Munich, Germany, and Kabul, Afghanistan. The Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit lamented the deliberate targeting of young people when an 18-year-old man opened fire in a crowded Munich shopping mall and a nearby McDonald's on July 22, and of the Hazara, an ethnic minority community in Afghanistan, who were demonstrating peacefully in Kabul the following day.
Read Munich statement
Read Kabul statement
Nonprofit acquires Minnesota ‘mother church’
MINNEAPOLIS (UMNS) — The Minnesota Conference has sold to a nonprofit a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and dubbed the “mother church” of Minneapolis Methodism. The downtown building was home to Wesley United Methodist Church, which closed in 2007. The nonprofit Historic Wesley on Grant Street will operate the building as a ministry center. Christa Meland reports for the Minneapolis Conference.
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Blind farmers in Sierra Leone get UMCOR assist
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In Sierra Leone, the United Methodist Committee on Relief has joined forces with other organizations to help communities develop self-reliance in food production. Among the participants is the Katik Village Blind Farmers’ Association. David Tereshchuk has the story for UMCOR.
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Northeastern delegates vow to fight racism
LANCASTER, Pa. (UMNS) — Delegates to the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference have pledged to work together as United Methodists to fight the scourge of racism. The pledge was made after the conference unanimously approved a resolution that called for the church to do more to fight discrimination, to confront racism, and to affirm that all lives matter in God's eyes. Maidstone Mulenga reports.
Story and resolution on pages 9-11
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.
Wednesday-Friday, July 27-29
“Reimagining Incarceration and Re-entry” Conference — St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, at 5501 Main St., Houston, will host the conference about how communities can help individuals reintegrate after their release from prison. ProjectCURATE in partnership with Houston: revision is spearheading the conference. Details
Monday-Thursday, Aug. 1-4
Festival of Wisdom and Grace Conference — Tony Campolo and Mickey Efird will speak at 2016 Festival of Wisdom and Grace Conference at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The gathering, sponsored by the Southeastern Jurisdictional Association of Older Adults, has the theme “Come to the Water.” Details
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