Daily Digest - June 29, 2023

“Edgar had a remarkably keen understanding of the links between local and global Christian mission.”Roland Fernandes, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, on the Rev. Edgar Avitia Legarda.

 

NEWS AND FEATURES

Global Ministries staffer mourned near and far
EL PASO, Texas (UM News) — Year after year, the Rev. Edgar Avitia Legarda traveled across Latin America and beyond for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, encouraging mission work and tending relationships with various Methodist groups. His June 27 death from a heart attack, at age 62, prompted an outpouring of grief among far-flung colleagues. Sam Hodges and Jim Patterson report.
Read story

Religion News Service
Vandals cause $100,000 in damage to church

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Fowler United Methodist Church has learned that vandals who broke into the historic Black church earlier this month caused about $100,000 in damage. The destruction is being investigated as a hate crime. In the meantime, fellow United Methodist churches are reaching out with aid. Adelle M. Banks reports.  
Read story 
Baltimore-Washington Conference: Vandals strike church
 
New 2023 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the California-Nevada, Central Appalachian Missionary, East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Kentucky, Minnesota, New England, North Alabama, Northern Illinois, Pacific Northwest, Poland, South Carolina, Susquehanna, Texas and Virginia conferences.  
Read reports


PRESS RELEASES

World Council of Churches
Group names Bishop Dyck to leadership role

GENEVA — Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer for The United Methodist Church, has been named a moderator of the World Council of Churches’ Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration. The ecumenical group’s central committee elected leaders for six commissions.
Read press release


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.
 
Campus Wesley Center brings comfort to parents
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — A Wespath Benefits and Investments executive and his wife can worry a little less about how their daughter will fare in college, thanks to the United Methodist ministry known as Wesley at Virginia Tech. Joe Halwax writes about how the ministry embraced his daughter from the first campus visit.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Upper New York Conference
Podcast examines ‘The Examen’

LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — In an episode of “Spiritual Practices,” an Upper New York Conference podcast series, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius guides listeners through “The Examen,” a highly structured practice that allows Christians to notice the ways in which God has been present in their lives.
Listen to podcast


RECENT HEADLINES

Butchery plant empowers pig farmers in Liberia


Disciple Bible Study goes digital


EVENTS

Monday, July 10-Friday, July 21

Online course: From Your Heart to Theirs — Delivering an Effective Sermon

Tuesday, July 25-Friday, July 28
YOUTH 2023


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - Feb. 21, 2025

Missionary strives to grow Madagascar church; Walking in the Wesleys’ footsteps; Top stories from the week

UM News Digest - Feb. 19, 2025

Program strengthens cross-racial ministry; Helping Congo flood survivors; Black Methodists’ contributions celebrated

UM News Digest - Feb. 17, 2025

Missionaries leave mark on agriculture, education; Liberians march for United Methodist Church; Responding to Los Angeles area fires

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved