“We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. … We urge the church and society to recognize the gifts, contribution, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.” — United Methodist Social Principles on immigration.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Border immersion becomes justice journey
SAN DIEGO — Emma Escobar, coordinator of Latino Ministries for the Baltimore-Washington Conference, led a group of 24 United Methodists to the U.S. border with Mexico to meet people affected by immigration policies and to learn how faith plays a role in their lives. Melissa Lauber writes about the group’s experiences.
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South African churches stand against xenophobia
DURBAN, South Africa (UM News) — Hundreds of United Methodist congregations gathered to take a stand against xenophobia during a churchwide day of prayer. The event was a response to recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. Nandipha Mkwalo reports.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Immigrants still a priority in New Jersey
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Congregations in New Jersey continue their support for immigrants, assisting them to get driver’s licenses, learn English, get job training and find homes. The Rev. Emad Gerges of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bayonne says he tries to serve Arabic-speaking immigrants through deeply personal relationship building and programming. Heather Mistretta reports.
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Pew Research Center
In US, Christianity's decline continues
WASHINGTON — Christians are still in the majority in the United States, but a shrinking one. Pew Research Center telephone surveys in 2018 and 2019 found 65% of U.S. adults identify as Christian, down from 77% a decade ago. Meanwhile, the percentage of the religiously unaffiliated continues to rise.
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No Daily Digest on Oct. 22
There will be no UM News Daily Digest on Oct. 22 as staff will be attending a team meeting. The digest will return on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Black bishops demand voice in church future
WASHINGTON — The Ebony Bishops are calling for African American clergy and laity to have a voice in The United Methodist Church’s future. “Our witness is grounded in our experience of deliverance from enslavement, Jim Crow, the exclusionary practices of the Central Jurisdiction and the ongoing discrimination in our world,” said the bishops’ statement.
Read press release
Read statement
Commission on General Conference
General Conference organizers unveil GC2020 logo
MINNEAPOLIS — The Commission on the General Conference has unveiled the logo for the 2020 General Conference to accompany the theme “…and know that I am God,” based on Psalm 46:10. The denomination’s top lawmaking body will meet May 5-15.
Read press release and view logo
Biblical comparison shapes GC2020 theme
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EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 24
God vs. money webinar: Winning strategies for your church
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