Daily Digest: May 1, 2014

“We believe it is vitally important to find congruency between meeting the needs of our constituents and responding to the call to be faithful Christians.” – Barbara Boigegrain and Thomas Kemper in a letter to church members.

Report on investing, human rights offers guidelines
NEW YORK (UMNS) — A draft report on socially responsible investment, particularly related to international human rights, will be released for comment May 1 to The United Methodist Church by the Board of Pension and Health Benefits and Board of Global Ministries.

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Recovery begins for Ark. town, church
VILONIA, Ark. (UMNS) — Recovery efforts are underway in this suburb of Little Rock, following a devastating tornado April 27. This was the second tornado to hit Vilonia in three years, but the Rev. Nathan Kilbourne, pastor of Vilonia United Methodist Church, hasn't heard of any residents planning to leave. Read the report by Amy Forbus of the Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference.

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Preparedness, training: Key to disaster response
NEW YORK (UMNS) — With a new round of training and advance warning of the severe weather, United Methodist annual (regional) conferences were ready to respond to the latest tornadoes, said Greg Forrester, U.S. disaster response executive for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Linda Unger has the story.

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Elvira Arellano: A Methodist in Ministry
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Elvira Arellano, an immigrant rights activist from Mexico who gained nationwide publicity for seeking shelter in Adalberto United Methodist Church seven years ago, has returned to continue to advocate for immigration reform. She will participate in the annual May Day March for Immigration Reform on May 1. Anne Marie Gerhardt, communications director for the Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference, has the story.

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More information on May Day march

Higher Education board supports Claremont decision
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry supports Claremont School of Theology’s decision to end its relationship with Claremont Lincoln University, top executives said April 29. Claremont’s board of trustees announced last week that the two institutions agreed to end the 2011 joint venture to offer interreligious graduate education.

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Pedaling to stop traffic
HICKORY, N.C. (UMNS) — The Rev. Mark Andrews, pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, is staring down the road at an ambitious challenge to pedal his bicycle from North Carolina to Oregon this summer. He is also using the ride to gather support for United Methodist Women’s efforts to stop human trafficking. The Western North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference has the story.

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