Daily Digest - September 1, 2022

“As United Methodists, we have made our claim for a more excellent way to live and bring change.”Council of Bishops letter calling for United Methodists to work for gun violence prevention. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Bishops call for rejecting ‘idolatry of guns’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — To address the crisis of gun violence in the U.S. and around the world, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers and contact their elected leaders. The Council of Bishops released a letter to the wider church Sept. 1. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read Council of Bishops letter (PDF)
Read press release

Mississippi Conference
United Methodists reach out amid water crisis

JACKSON, Miss. — About 180,000 residents of Mississippi’s capital city are struggling to have clean drinking water, and some do not have water at all. United Methodists of Mississippi are rallying around their neighbors, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief has approved a $10,000 grant. The Rev. Vickie White writes about what the church is doing and how others can help.
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East Ohio Conference
Moving church outside the building

NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Two congregations are following up on a conference directive to find new and fresh ways to do ministry outside the walls of the church. Brett Hetherington checks in with the “Bowling and Bibles” and “Burgers and Bible” ministries at Mentor United Methodist and Mount Tabor United Methodist churches, respectively. One key to remember is not being afraid to fail, organizers say.
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PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Resource aims to help church conversations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new resource from United Methodist Communications aims to help congregations learn more about the shared beliefs, history, mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church. “We are the church. Together” is a slide presentation that aids leaders in answering members’ questions and walking their church through what it means to be United Methodist. 
Read press release 
Download ‘We are the church. Together’

Higher Education and Ministry
Remembering educator Vivian Bull

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is mourning the death of longtime board member Vivian Bull, who died Aug. 12 at age 87. Bull had been a member of the agency’s Investment Committee since 1988 and chaired the committee for the past several years. Bull also was a former president, associate dean and professor at United Methodist-related Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and the only female president of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. 
Read press release
Read Drew University announcement


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. 

Church must address property issues in net-zero effort
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (UM News) — For the environment, underused United Methodist Church buildings are “a growing disaster,” and churches and conferences should be assessing their impacts. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Edward Frank and Rick Reinhard write that the most significant step The United Methodist Church could take to reduce its carbon footprint would be to reuse or redevelop its underused real estate.
Read commentary

Indiana Conference
Bishop shares thoughts about Global Methodist Church

CARMEL, Ind. — In a video posted by the Indiana Conference, Bishop Julius C. Trimble offers his view of the new Global Methodist Church, which was launched May 1 and is recruiting United Methodist churches it hopes will switch denominations. Trimble warns “buyer beware” to those considering leaving and shares why he will continue to serve the Lord in The United Methodist Church.
Watch video


RECENT HEADLINES

Czech United Methodists help house Ukrainian refugees


Ask The UMC tackles disaffiliation questions in new series


EVENTS

Monday, Sept. 12-Friday, Sept. 23

Leading Bible Study: Biblical Interpretation

Thursday, Sept. 22
Race, America & the Church: Undenied — No Longer Willing to be Unheard

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