Daily Digest - May 31, 2023

“We are weathering this storm, and hopefully, it’s coming to an end soon. But we need to keep carrying the light of Christ into this world that needs it.” Kim Simpson, chair of the Commission on the General Conference. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

What to expect at the next General Conference

FLORENCE, Ky. (UM News) — The group that plans The United Methodist Church’s big legislative assembly is putting together the final details for holding the long-delayed General Conference next year in Charlotte, North Carolina. The group, which held its first in-person meeting since 2019, is as changed as the denomination it serves. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read General Conference commission press release
UM News: Tackling a petitions conundrum

Wesley’s vision of education alive and well today
BRISTOL, England (UM News) — Methodist school leaders gathered in the United Kingdom for the 10th joint conference of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities and the U.K.’s Methodist Schools. The gathering included commemoration of John Wesley’s founding of Kingswood School in Bath 275 years ago. United Methodist Bishop Mande Muyombo urged participants to promote Methodist education in order to address contemporary issues. Barbara Dunlap-Berg reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Revival reignites church, community

LANCASTER, S.C. — What do you do when the pandemic’s far-reaching effects have claimed a good chunk of your church’s members and you’re eager for a bold path forward in ministry? If you’re Hopewell United Methodist Church, you listen to the Holy Spirit — and host a multiday revival. Jessica Brodie has the story. 
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KOIN-News
Church wants pod shelters to help with housing

ALOHA, Ore. — Aloha United Methodist Church in Washington County, west of Portland, is working with the county’s housing department to erect a temporary planned pod-housing shelter in an extra parking lot. The county and church are seeking more community input on the effort, which has already faced some neighborhood pushback. Jami Seymore reports.
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PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Bickerton challenges churches, conferences

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a video message for annual conferences and local churches, the president of the Council of Bishops proclaims it is time to “architect the next expression of United Methodism.” In the six-minute video produced by United Methodist Communications, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said, “The future of The United Methodist Church hinges on our ability to deeply pray that God will give us the strength and the courage to do what we must, what we have been called to do all along.” United Methodist Communications offers resources and messaging to help churches reclaim their mission.
Read press release
Watch video
See resources 


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. 

Knitting bonds of love and hope all over the world
BUENOS AIRES (UM News) — “Methodist education is all about transforming lives,” writes Adriana Murriello, “and being part of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities is a way of feeling a part of something bigger than one’s own institution.” Murriello, general director of Colegio Ward in Argentina, attended the April 25-May 1 joint international conference of Methodist school leaders and shares her reflections.
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RECENT HEADLINES

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Korean churches commit to mission work in Mongolia


EVENTS

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