Daily Digest - March 19, 2020

“Kids just can’t believe that our nation allowed those kinds of injustices to visit upon so many people.”Carole Boston Weatherford, author of a children’s book about Methodist pastor and hymn writer Charles A. Tindley.


Spotlighting black heroes in children’s books
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A new children’s book tells the story of Methodist minister Charles A. Tindley, who worked his way up from childhood poverty to become a respected clergyman and hymn writer. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story

UM Disability Blog
Include Deaf and Hard of Hearing in online worship

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With most churches switching to online services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, care must be taken to include members who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The UM Disability blog not only recommends using sign language interpreters and captioning but also that churches simply "think visually" in their presentations.
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South Georgia Conference
Youth make blankets for kids in foster care

PERRY, Ga. — Youth at Perry United Methodist Church spent a recent evening cutting, tying and worshipping. Above all, they shared the love of Christ as they made 20 blankets to give to children who will be entering the foster care system. Kara Witherow has the story.
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North Texas Conference 
Joys and challenges for clergywomen in small towns

BONHAM, Texas — Clergywomen serving small-town churches have satisfactions but also face prejudice from those who don’t accept that women should be in the pulpit. The North Texas Conference shares profiles of four of its women pastors who work in small towns.
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PRESS RELEASES

Global Ministries 
Online giving for UMCOR Sunday

ATLANTA — UMCOR Sunday, observed March 22 this year, falls during a time when most United Methodists in the U.S. and Europe are worshipping through digital technology because of the coronavirus threat. Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief can still be made online or by mail. 
Learn more or donate


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.

Perkins School of Theology
Advice on preaching to an empty room

DALLAS — The Rev. Alyce McKenzie, director of the Center for Preaching Excellence at Perkins School of Theology, shares tips for pastors who in this period of coronavirus are giving online-only sermons.
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RECENT HEADLINES

Church leaders postpone GC2020

Small churches undaunted by virus challenges


EVENTS

Friday, March 20

Webinar: Using Digital Technologies for Faith Formation 


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