Daily Digest - March 30, 2023

“They leave their parents and move to another country; it’s stressful for them. I guess when they see care through me, it reminds them of their mom. I love them very much.” — The Rev. Nellya Shakirova, on caring for students at Bishkek United Methodist Church in Kyrgyzstan.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Students find home, unity at Bishkek church
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (UM News) — At a small United Methodist church, “mama pastor” Nellya Shakirova nurtures her congregation and helps Indian and Pakistani students come together, despite political differences back home. Tim Tanton and Mike DuBose have the story and photos.
Read story
UM News: Young people drive church growth
UM News photo essay: Ministry in Kyrgyzstan

Dream brought comfort amid warning of invasion
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (UM News) — A month before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, student Marshaline Anand had a disturbing dream. It wasn’t the first time that she had a vivid sense of God communicating with her. Tim Tanton has the story.
Read story

A conversation with the Rev. Candace Lewis
SEVERNA PARK, Md. (UM News) — The latest installment of the “Hollering for Change” series continues to look at women “firsts” in the denomination. The Rev. Tori Butler speaks with the Rev. Candace Lewis, president-dean of Gammon Theological Seminary — the first woman to hold that position. Lewis speaks about the guiding force to take risks in her career and to break through the “stained-glass brick ceiling.”
Watch video

Finance and Administration, Greater New Jersey Conference
Appeals judge upholds Scouts plan
WILMINGTON, Del. — The Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy reorganization plan, which includes the $30 million United Methodist settlement with the survivors’ trust, has survived its first appellate challenge. The General Council on Finance and Administration has provided a brief overview of frequently asked questions about what that means and what might be next. John W. Coleman has a story.
Read Finance and Administration’s FAQs
Read Greater New Jersey Conference story  
 
Bar of the Conference
Looking at inclusion from a global perspective
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In his “Bar of the Conference” podcast, United Methodist campus minister Derrick Scott III talks to the Rev. Israel Alvaran, a United Methodist elder in the Philippines who now works with the advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network. Alvaran talks about his faith journey, the state of the church in the Philippines and his hopes for regionalization. 
Listen to podcast 


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. 

Creating a Culture of Renewal 
Preaching Holy Week without condemning Jews
CASPER, Wyo. — Historically a time to reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, Holy Week also carries a painful history of violence and persecution against Jewish people. In a time of rising anti-Semitic incidents around the globe, the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter writes about how to preach during Holy Week with love, empathy and understanding for all.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Calvary United Methodist Church
Responding to Covenant School shooting
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Calvary United Methodist Church, located only a few blocks from Covenant School, where a shooter killed three children and three adults, has put together resources in English and Spanish for responding to trauma and mass violence. Dr. Patti van Eys, a church member and licensed clinical psychologist, will lead a question-and-answer session on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. U.S. Central time March 30 on how to respond to children in this time. 
See resources and register for Q&A session


RECENT HEADLINES

United Methodists respond after cyclone batters Africa

Church radio drums up support for orphans


EVENTS

Thursday, April 20
Out of Ashes: A Service of Lament in a Season of Disaffiliation

Sunday, April 23
Native American Ministries Sunday