Daily Digest - November 4, 2015

"What the dialogue really provided … is the space for grassroots women, for women activists, to get together and to talk about real issues." — Tatiana Dwyer, United Methodist Women, on a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian women.

Russian, Ukrainian women seek peace together

NEW YORK (UMNS) — When United Methodist Women co-sponsored a celebration last week of a longtime United Nations resolution dedicated to women’s roles as peacemakers, the organization had a specific example to offer as testimony. Recently, UMW brought together Russian and Ukrainian women at an international location to talk about how to end the conflict between their two countries. Linda Bloom has the story.
Read story and post a comment
 

Texas floods prompt relief work

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) — Navarro County, Texas, received 30 inches of rain over seven days recently, leading to widespread flooding of homes. The Central Texas Conference is focusing relief efforts there, with help from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Meanwhile, the Texas Conference plans to dispatch early-response teams to help with flood relief in other hard-hit areas. 
Read Central Texas Conference report
Read Texas Conference report
 

Commentary: Perkins dean speaks out

DALLAS — The Rev. William Lawrence, dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, says apologies are necessary but not enough for two SMU fraternities’ use of racist messaging and images in promoting a party. Lawrence calls for campus-wide discussion. “We must create new knowledge about the depths and dangers of this evil,” he writes in a Dallas Morning News op-ed.
Read essay
 

#CTTalks about Christian conferencing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Connectional Table on Nov. 2 began a series on Christian conferencing as part of the #CTTalks online forum. The forum aims to create conversation around key topics related to General Conference leading up to the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly in May 2016. The first video features Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader and Bishop Christian Alsted, both representatives from the Committee on Faith and Order.
Read press release
Watch video
 

Global scholarship ride raises funds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Cyclists around the world are invited to join Mike Ratliff, executive of United Methodist Young People’s Ministries, on the first Global Scholarship Century Ride. The ride will raise money to help United Methodist young people pursue their educational goals. Ratliff will celebrate his 60th birthday by riding 100 miles through Florida on Friday, Nov. 6.
Read press release
Donate online
 

Tips for engaging your church with gratitude

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — It is a spiritual practice of many religions and a hallmark of Christianity: Showing appreciation for all that we have and the wonderful world God gave us. Laurens Glass of United Methodist Communications offers ideas to bring Christians together in the joyous practice of gratitude.
Read story
 

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.

Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8
Virginia Conference United Methodist Men's Spiritual Advance — The Rev. Clarence R. Brown, pastor of Annandale United Methodist Church in the Alexandria District, will be the featured speaker at this event at the Virginia Conference United Methodist Assembly Center, 707 Fourth St., Blackstone, Virginia. Details.

Sunday, Nov. 8
International Days of Prayer for Persecuted Christians — The first two Sundays of November are set aside to remember and speak out on the persecuted church. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers resources for Christians to pray for other Christians who live under persecution. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society also urges churches to participate. Worship resources.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.