“We need people across the globe to faithfully, respectfully and with a discerning heart be part of the conversation about a way forward. This is really family business.” — Bishop Bruce R. Ough on planned conversations around human sexuality.
Panel aims to spur conversation on sexuality
OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — Bishops and other leaders of The United Methodist Church will hold the second of three live-streamed panel discussions on human sexuality from 8 to 10 a.m. CT on Nov. 1. The Connectional Table, leaders of the global church, is inviting United Methodists to contribute. The discussion comes when, because of the U.S. Supreme Court, more states are seeing legalized same-gender civil marriage.
Using radio to help fight Ebola epidemic
GANTA, Liberia (UMNS) — Aaron Debah is on the frontlines of the fight against Ebola. Debah, a nurse who serves as executive director of Community Action Against Ebola, is also devoting his radio program about health issues to Ebola education, the Internews Network reported. Ganta United Methodist Hospital, the only major health facility in Ganta, now has just three doctors for a city of more than 75,000.
Ebola patient in Dallas hospital dies
Planning for evangelism event in North America
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Council of Churches representatives met Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 to set the agenda for a consultation on evangelism in North America in 2015. “Without exception,” said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the U.S. National Council of Churches, “we all agreed this to be an urgent matter at a time when so many are falling away from their faith in Christ.”
Clark Atlanta gets $231,000 grant from Chevron
ATLANTA (UMNS) — A $231,000 grant from Chevron Corporation will provide scholarships and support enrichment programs for Clark Atlanta University’s business and engineering students. This is the third grant the historically black United Methodist-related college has received from Chevron since 2011.
Blog: The real problem with kids and social media
MOBILE, Ala. (UMNS) — Social media can inhibit adolescents from learning needed social skills, writes the Rev. Jeremy Steele, a United Methodist writer and pastor in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. He writes about first steps parents and churches can take to help youngsters be socially and digitally savvy.
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.
Sunday, Oct. 12
Children's Sabbath — The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers prayers and hymns celebrating the sacredness of children. This year’s theme is “Precious in God’s Sight: Answering the Call to Cherish and Protect Every Child."
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Free webinar "What's Trending in Children's Ministries" — 10 a.m. CT. The session addresses questions that have appeared on the UMC Ministry with Children Facebook Group as they pertain to the formation of children. Details.
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