“When we left the Central African Republic, we left everything behind. Our priority was to save our lives first. The assistance of The United Methodist Church comes at a time when we really need it.” — Ngbangayema Hervé, who has been living with his family at a refugee camp in Congo.
Church helps displaced Central Africans
YAKOMA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church helped nearly 1,000 families from the Central African Republic living in a refugee camp in Limasa. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Global Migration program, the church in East Congo helped disburse $50,000 to purchase food for people displaced by insecurity in the region. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Pastor answers call, despite cancer battle
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Emery United Methodist Church recently celebrated the Rev. Angela Ford’s licensure as a local pastor. Ford continues to serve as the congregation’s pastor even as she battles an incurable cancer. “I know that I have a purpose, and I believe every day that I have some type of ministry opportunity in my life,” Ford said. Tyler Sprouse reports.
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Status and Role of Women
Celebrating 50 years of advocacy for women
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women will mark its 50th anniversary on Sept. 15, celebrating a half century of advocating for the full inclusion of women in church life as well as helping to promote sexual ethics. The agency is offering five ways to join in the festivities including encouraging its annual conference counterparts to plant a tree.
See five ways to celebrate
Watch video on agency's work
Global Ministries
New Global Mission class forming
ATLANTA — Applications will be accepted until Dec. 1 for the Global Mission Fellows program, US-2 track, which puts 20- to 30-year-olds to work in social justice ministries in the United States. Those selected for the next Global Mission Fellow cohort will begin service in August 2023.
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Apply
Africa Initiative
Africa Initiative responds to bishops
MONROVIA, Liberia — All but one of the active African bishops of The United Methodist Church recently issued a statement condemning the Africa Initiative, saying the group is working with the Wesleyan Covenant Association to destroy the denomination. The Africa Initiative has responded, expressing respect for the bishops, but also asserting its rights as an advocacy group whose membership includes General Conference delegates.
Read Africa Initiative statement (PDF)
UM News: African bishops call for unity, condemn advocacy groups
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.
'You can holler for your safety because you matter'
SEVERNA PARK, Md. (UM News) — The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler explores the risks that pastors — particularly clergywomen — face in the course of their work and practical ways to stay safe. In the second installment of her new “Hollering for Change” series for UM News, she interviews the Rev. Dr. Jalene Chase, former Metro Transit police officer in Washington and current pastor of Goshen United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
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Religion and Race
Small-group studies available for anti-racism podcast
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has released small-group study guides for each episode in the first season of “Expanding the Table,” the agency’s award-winning podcast on practicing anti-racism. Additionally, the agency has added full transcripts for each episode to aid in accessibility.
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