“Together with inmates, we danced (and) beat the drums as we praised and worshipped God, and we got instant results.” — The Rev. David Mupaya, on The United Methodist Church’s outreach at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Zimbabwe.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Prison evangelism transforms inmates
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe is helping bring inmates at a maximum-security prison to Christ. Through its prison fellowship ministry, 350 inmates were baptized recently. Maplan Kakoto, Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison superintendent, said the work of the church helps with the rehabilitation of inmates and their reentry into society. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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Oklahoma Conference
Church takes on stained-glass mystery
EDMOND, Okla. — The beautiful stained-glass windows of First United Methodist Church of Edmond date to 1929. The identity of the artist who designed them is a mystery, but church members are on the case, with the help of a local expert who is restoring the glass. The Oklahoma Conference reports.
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Read about restoration project
South Carolina Conference
Congregations join for downtown outreach
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Over and over, the Rev. Nathan Smalls prayed the same prayer: “Lord, please send us some food and some helpers for the people in our community.” The answer to his prayer came in the form of a partnership between his small congregation, Mount Carmel United Methodist, and the nondenominational Coastal Community Church. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Scholarships key for Dillard grad
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dillard University graduate Julia Tippen says scholarships from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry made it possible for her to pay for her mass communication degree. The lifetime United Methodist received four scholarships to attend Dillard, one of the 11 historically Black colleges and universities supported by the United Methodist Black College Fund.
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For more information on scholarships
MYSA
Church to have AI-generated service
AUSTIN, Texas — A United Methodist church in Austin says its Sept. 17 worship service will be entirely generated by artificial intelligence, part of an effort to explore the implications of AI for society and spirituality. The Rev. Jay Cooper of Violet Crown City Church called the experiment "a one-time deal.” Chris O'Connell has the story.
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Read church’s 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.
Faith & Leadership
Keys to revitalizing the ‘Old First Church’
MIAMI — In a two-part series, Western North Carolina Conference Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr. and the Rev. Audrey Warren of Miami’s First United Methodist consider how U.S. downtown congregations or First Churches — often rich in tradition but strapped for cash — adapt to a changing society. They look at keys to revitalizing big downtown churches and how First United Methodist Church of Miami adapted.
Read about revitalizing downtown churches
Read about First United Methodist Church of Miami
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Communications week brings training options
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications will host Communications Impact Week on Sept. 18-22. The event showcases how communication resources and tools empower ministry around the globe. It also includes free, 15- to 20-minute training opportunities on “Analyzing Social Media Engagement” and “Sharing Your Faith Journey.”
Read press release
Learn more and take part in training
RECENT HEADLINES
Documentary focuses on reviving the Sabbath
2023 annual conference reports
EVENTS
Monday, Sept. 18-Friday, Nov. 10
Online course: Building Beloved Community in a Wounded World
Monday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 7
Online course: Loving People and Planet in the Name of God
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