Daily Digest - September 11, 2023

NEWS AND FEATURES

Ask The UMC
What belongs on the Lord’s table? 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What belongs on the Lord’s table? The short answer to the question is: “Whatever is needed for the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion, and little or nothing more.” Ask The UMC explains.
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Read more Ask The UMC

South Georgia Conference
Church sweetens hospitality with honey jars
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Jim Ellis is affectionately known as the “Bee Guru” of Striplin Terrace United Methodist Church. His passion for these remarkable insects has the congregation buzzing with a new energy around hospitality. Allison Lindsey has the story.
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California-Nevada Conference
Tongan church offers people safe harbor 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — “Taulanga U” in Tongan means “safe harbor.” First Taulanga-U Tongan United Methodist Church aims to be that safe harbor for Christian discipleship and for sharing the Gospel with those lost in a sea of chaos. The Rev. Latulala Toetu’u shares his church’s story. 
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South Carolina Conference
Church’s Freedom School marks 10th year 
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A decade ago, the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School was a fledgling experiment at Francis Burns United Methodist Church. Today, the congregation celebrates that the program has transformed youth, the church and the neighborhood for the better. Jessica Brodie has the story. 
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Discipleship Ministries
Remembering 9/11
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On this solemn anniversary, United Methodists remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Discipleship Ministries has a prayer for this day.
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Read previous UM News story: Finding light in the darkness of 9/11


PRESS RELEASES

Finance and Administration
Real estate company named ministry partner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has added Foundry Commercial as its newest ministry partner. Foundry, a full-service real estate services and investment company, can work with local United Methodist churches to align their church properties with their ministries.
Read press release


RESOURCES

Baltimore-Washington Conference
How churches can celebrate Deaf Awareness Week
BALTIMORE — As International Deaf Awareness Week approaches on Sept. 25, hearing and Deaf congregations alike can celebrate Deaf culture during that week, and well into the future. The United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministries offers several ways to celebrate the community.
View resource

Amplify Media
Filling in the gaps while reading Mark’s Gospel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amy-Jill Levine, New Testament and Jewish studies professor, will discuss with Josh Scott her new study, “The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News.” Mark is the focus of the lectionary year starting this coming Advent season. The Amplify Media webinar is set for 11 a.m. U.S. Central time Sept. 19. 
To register


RECENT HEADLINES

What comes after General Conference deadline?

Yambasu grant helps mission farms flourish


EVENTS

Sunday, Sept. 17
March to End Fossil Fuels

Friday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Sept. 30
RESILIENCE: Practicing Compassion in a World of Conflict