“At Cultiv8, we work to restore all kinds of habitat, so that people and nature can flourish for generations.” — The Rev. Rob Spencer, founder of the nonprofit Cultiv8 Community.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Blessing rural kids, butterflies
PARIS, Texas (UM News) — The Rev. Rob Spencer stepped down as a local church pastor to start a nonprofit that has had hundreds of rural children experiencing nature by planting native wildflowers for butterflies. Spencer, a fourth-generation Methodist clergyman, named the nonprofit Cutiv8 Community. Addressing kids’ “nature deficit” is just one of its goals. Sam Hodges reports.
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Upper New York Conference
Mission work helps refugee become homeowner
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A group of retirees from three United Methodist churches have been volunteering as carpenters for Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services for many years. Their work is supported by Everyday Disaster grants from the Upper New York Conference. Shannon Hodson reports on one of the refugees who has been helped by this ministry.
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Iowa Conference
Going solar in Iowa
GRINNELL, Iowa — A church long known for its green initiatives is taking it one step further. Grinnell United Methodist Church began installing solar panels the first week in July. When installed, the system is projected to provide more than 67,000 kilowatts of power annually. Already, Grinnell has a geothermal system for heating and cooling and highly efficient lighting that uses less electricity. Monique Shore has the story.
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Sun City Independent
Church changes lives with scholarships
SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — Every year, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church awards scholarships to nursing students at Banner Del Webb Hospital and to graduates of a nearby high school who lack the resources needed to pursue higher education. Church scholarships are helping 26 students. The Sun City Independent has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Insurance Program
Celebrating one year of partnership
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Insurance Program and Sovereign Insurance Group recently announced the celebration of their one-year partnership anniversary. Over the past year, the two have worked closely to develop and refine insurance programs that address the evolving risks faced by the United Methodist community in the U.S.
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Day1.org
Pastor to preach on ‘Day 1’
ATLANTA — The Rev. Quincy Brown, senior pastor of Snellville United Methodist Church in Snellville, Georgia, will preach on lessons from the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an angel in an Aug. 6 sermon on “Day 1.” The ecumenical radio program, hosted by Peter Wallace, can be heard online at Day1.org and by podcast.
To listen
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.
Greater Northwest Area
Writing United Methodism’s next headline
DES MOINES, Wash. — Patrick Scriven writes about why he thinks The United Methodist Church is in a better place today even with the departure of 20% of U.S. churches. “With less of a focus on internecine arguments, our Church can turn that same energy … to address the needs of the communities God has placed us in,” he writes.
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UM News: Church sees signs of renewal even as exits rise
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