Daily Digest - June 2, 2023

“The church still has vital presences in the world that I hope we will continue to pull on. These seem like hard days, but I see many hopeful things happening.” — The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe


TODAY’S HEADLINES

Henry-Crowe reflects on almost 50 years of ministry
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Retired from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society since December, the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe says a United Nations seminar at age 16 launched a career focusing on peace and justice. “The trip was my entrée into a larger world influenced by the church,” she said. Kathy L. Gilbert talks with Henry-Crowe about her ministry work, what’s next and her hopes for the future. 
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United Methodist Communications
Spotlighting spiritual gifts in action
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest installment of “Spiritual Gifts in Action,” a new series from United Methodist Communications, celebrates the ways United Methodists are using their spiritual gifts to reflect God’s love and transform their communities. Laura Buchanan and Crystal Caviness look at United Methodists using their gifts of leadership, sewing and teaching for God’s glory.
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Read previous installment

North Georgia lifts disaffiliation pause
ATHENS, Ga. (UM News) — The North Georgia Conference board of trustees announced June 2 that it has officially lifted the pause on churches going through the disaffiliation process. The decision follows two civil court rulings ordering the conference to allow churches that sued the conference leadership to vote on disaffiliation. The trustees’ announcement also applies to churches that have not been involved in litigation. Also on June 2, the conference approved the disaffiliations of two congregations in Augusta after a Columbia County Court judge ordered the conference to hold the disaffiliation votes. The annual conference declined to reconsider the disaffiliation of these two churches. The North Georgia Conference plans to hold a special session Nov. 18 to vote on disaffiliation requests.  
See more from the North Georgia Annual Conference
UM News: Judge lifts disaffiliation pause
Number of disaffiliations approved 


PRESS RELEASES

Church and Society
Statement criticizes cuts in debt ceiling bill
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination’s advocacy agency, has released a statement criticizing elements of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the bipartisan legislation addressing the debt ceiling. Negotiations that will result in cuts and barriers for lower-income citizens to access basic needs violate the Social Principles’ obligations to “promote the well-being of society as well as agencies that care for the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and the disenfranchised,” the statement reads.
Read full statement

African American Methodist Heritage Center
Stith Grant deadline extended 
MADISON, N.J. — The deadline to submit proposals for a $5,000 grant to preserve the history of African American United Methodist congregations has been extended to June 30. The grant, issued every other year, is named for retired Bishop Forrest C. Stith, the first president of the African American Methodist Heritage Center.
Read press release


RESOURCES

Religion and Race
Toolkit for cross-racial/cross-cultural ministry available
WASHINGTON — The work of cross-racial/cross-cultural ministry requires one to juggle a variety of mindsets, heart sets and skill sets. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has developed a variety of resources to empower, prepare and equip ministry leaders across diverse ministry contexts to do their best work.
Download resource


EVENTS

Sunday, June 4
Peace With Justice Sunday

Monday, June 5-Friday, June 16
Online course: Getting to Know John Wesley


TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Bishop Meadors remembered as ‘giant of justice’
ANDERSON, S.C. (UM News) — Bishop Marshall L. “Jack” Meadors Jr., who died May 25, is being remembered as a compassionate leader and dedicated activist on issues such as child poverty, war and women’s rights. Meadors led the Mississippi Conference from 1993 to 2000. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read obituary
Read Council of Bishops press release

What to expect at the next General Conference
FLORENCE, Ky. (UM News) — The group that plans The United Methodist Church’s big legislative assembly is putting together the final details for holding the long-delayed General Conference next year in Charlotte, North Carolina. The group, which held its first in-person meeting since 2019, is as changed as the denomination it serves. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read General Conference commission press release
UM News: Tackling a petitions conundrum

Wesley’s vision of education alive and well today
BRISTOL, England (UM News) — Methodist school leaders gathered in the United Kingdom for the 10th joint conference of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities and the U.K.’s Methodist Schools. The gathering included commemoration of John Wesley’s founding of Kingswood School in Bath 275 years ago. United Methodist Bishop Mande Muyombo urged participants to promote Methodist education in order to address contemporary issues. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports.
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Commentary: Knitting bonds of love and hope 
BUENOS AIRES (UM News) — “Methodist education is all about transforming lives,” writes Adriana Murriello, “and being part of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities is a way of feeling a part of something bigger than one’s own institution.” Murriello, general director of Colegio Ward in Argentina, attended the April 25-May 1 joint international conference of Methodist school leaders and shares her reflections.
Read commentary

United Methodist Communications
Bickerton challenges churches, conferences
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a video message for annual conferences and local churches, the president of the Council of Bishops proclaims it is time to “architect the next expression of United Methodism.” In the six-minute video produced by United Methodist Communications, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said, “The future of The United Methodist Church hinges on our ability to deeply pray that God will give us the strength and the courage to do what we must, what we have been called to do all along.” United Methodist Communications offers resources and messaging to help churches reclaim their mission.
Read press release
Watch video
See resources

Mountain Sky Conference
Part-time pastor brings whole self to ministry
ELIZABETH, Colo. — Pastor. Realtor. Relationship coach. Published author. Health and wellness adviser. The Rev. Mary Beth Taylor, as a pastor in a part-time appointment, has found multiple ways to use her talents for ministry. She says she wants to be “a catalyst for people to live their best life.” Evelyn D. Warren has the story. 
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North Texas Conference 
Picklin’ Parson Food Club is a hit
CHANDLER, Texas — The Rev. Stan Copeland of Dallas’ Lovers Lane United Methodist Church started the Picklin’ Parson Food Club to provide fresh vegetables in food desert areas of East Texas, including his hometown. Families pay $2 a week for $25 worth of produce of their choice. The goal was to serve 150 families, but after five months, 266 families are in the program. Monica Frazier reports.
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