"The United Methodist Church has a moral obligation to be vocally and visibly outraged at these shootings and this precipitous rise in violence and hatred against the Asian American community." — The Rev. John Oda, who directs The United Methodist Church's Asian American Language Ministry Plan.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church leaders decry attacks against Asians
ATLANTA (UM News) — Authorities are still investigating the motive for the March 16 killings of eight people, including six Asian women, at Atlanta area massage parlors. But United Methodist leaders say the horrific violence occurred amid a pandemic-related rise in anti-Asian attacks in the U.S. that needs to stop. Sam Hodges reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Pastor addresses vaccine hesitancy
WASHINGTON — The Washington National Cathedral hosted a March 16 event designed for faith leaders to show the world that receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is not only safe but also the right thing to do. One of those receiving a shot was the Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, lead pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church, who described being vaccinated as "a primary way that we love our neighbor." Erik Alsgaard reports.
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West Ohio Conference
Sewing kindness, one stitch at a time
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Women clergy from across the West Ohio Conference are finding unexpected packages in the mail. The clergy stoles are a gift from the Rev. Rebeka Maples, who understands the complexities faced by women in ministry. Kay Panovec has the story.
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Vanderbilt University
Lawson donates photos to Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rare photographs of and by United Methodist elder the Rev. Jim Lawson were donated by the civil rights leader to Vanderbilt University. The photos will be part of the collection of the James M. Lawson Papers, which he donated in 2013.
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UM News: Panelists urge action on race issues
PRESS RELEASES
Wespath
Agency adds platform to help investors
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath Benefits and Investments has joined with the software company Stellar Technology Solutions LLC to offer its institutional investors a more efficient and personalized investment accounting and record-keeping experience. The Stellar platform offers an online portal for investors to track subaccounts.
Read press release
Native American International Caucus
Celebrating first Native Interior secretary
WASHINGTON — United Methodist Native Americans have sent a letter of congratulations to Secretary Debra Haaland, the first Native American head of the Interior Department and any cabinet office. The Interior Department manages public land and houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "We will commit to keeping her in dedicated prayer and stand ready to assist in whatever ways we can to work for the benefit of the seven generations," the denomination's Native American International Caucus said.
Read press release (PDF)
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 the UM News staff.
The Conversation
What the Bible can teach about history
DENVER — Mark K. George, a professor at United Methodist Iliff School of Theology, writes about how the Bible's approach to history might inform how Americans study their country's history. "As a Bible scholar, I am struck by the ways the Bible tells both the good and bad of ancient Israel's history," he writes.
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RESOURCES
Council of Bishops
Dismantling Racism: 'Are You Ready to See Jesus?'
COPENHAGEN — Bishop Christian Alsted of the Nordic and Baltic Area continues the Council of Bishops' series of Lenten devotions with a message based on John 12:20-26, titled "Are You Ready to See Jesus?" The series is themed to the churchwide Dismantling Racism initiative. Each Wednesday during Lent and every day during Holy Week, people can view a 15-minute recorded devotion led by a bishop and leaders from their episcopal areas.
Watch devotionals
RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, April 12-Friday, April 23
Lay Servant Ministries course: Patterned by Grace — How Liturgy Shapes Us
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