“The future belongs to us; let us willingly serve it.” — Bishop Ivan Abrahams, general secretary of the World Methodist Council and bishop of the Methodist Church in Southern Africa, to attendees of the World Council of Churches General Assembly.
WCC assembly focuses on reconciliation
KARLSRUHE, Germany (UM News) — Speakers at the World Council of Churches General Assembly connected the theme of the ecumenical gathering, “Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity,” to a splintering within The United Methodist Church. Bishop Harald Rückert pointed to the relationship between France and Germany after World War II as an example for the denomination that reconciliation is possible. Klaus Ulrich Ruof reports.
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See photos from the WCC Assembly
Judicial Council
Church court releases fall docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a 24-item docket for its fall session. Because of the pandemic, the Judicial Council has been meeting online and deliberations are not yet scheduled. Briefs are due Oct. 12 and reply briefs are due Oct. 22.
See docket
Pacific Islander Ministry Plan
Pacific Islanders pledge unity amid schism
ATLANTA — Amid rising church disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s Pacific Islander Ministry Plan Advisory Committee pledged to continue to live into God’s unity and not focus on issues that divide. The group’s statement noted that Pacific Islanders, like others in the church, have differing views on human sexuality. “Our hope is that this one issue will not ‘conquer and divide’ us so that we can continue our journey in the UMC,” the group said.
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Upper New York Conference
Kids, parents enjoy autism-friendly camp
GREIG, N.Y. — Rainy weather did not stop 10 children and seven parents from enjoying the inaugural Autism-Friendly Family Camp, which took place Aug. 21-24 at Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. The camp was the brainchild of the Rev. Emily Huyge, pastor at First Geneva United Methodist Church. She wanted her 7-year-old son, who has an autism spectrum disorder, to be able to experience a summer Christian camp. Shannon Hodson reports.
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North Georgia Conference
UMCOR grant helps with flood relief
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has awarded a solidarity grant of $10,000 to the North Georgia Conference to support initial relief efforts for the damage caused by severe flooding in Chattooga and Floyd counties. The best response for now is to wait, pray, give and prepare, the conference reports.
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World Council of Churches
Bishop elected to ecumenical group's top committee
KARLSRUHE, Germany — United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer of the Council of Bishops and interim bishop of the California-Nevada Conference, has been elected to the executive committee of the World Council of Churches. The central committee elects 20 of its members to serve as the WCC executive committee.
Read press release
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.
9/11 attacks sparked life change for eyewitness
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UM News) — The Sept. 11 terror attacks forced United Methodist Christina Ray Stanton and her husband to flee their dream apartment in Manhattan. In the aftermath, they found new identities in Christ and changed their careers. As a missions director, Stanton “pays forward” the transformative support she received by helping others in need.
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United Methodist Communications
Ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 every year, The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them being heard in the public forum. ResourceUMC offers several ways for churches to observe the event.
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