“(Pope Francis) was holding the bobblehead and shaking it so that its head would bobble, and was just cracking up.” — Ashley Boggan D., top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, about giving the pontiff a bobblehead of John Wesley.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Pope delighted with John Wesley bobblehead
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, came “face to bobblehead” with Methodism founder John Wesley. During a general audience at St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff was given a John Wesley bobblehead by Ashley Boggan D., top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. She says the gift made him smile and laugh. Jim Patterson has the story.
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World Council of Churches
Praying for devastated Libya
CAIRO — Christian leaders in North Africa are expressing grief after the Mediterranean Cyclone Daniel killed thousands of people in the province of Cyrenaica in eastern Libya. Flooding has claimed the lives of at least 11,300 people with more than 10,000 still missing in the deeply divided country. The World Council of Churches reports.
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Dakotas Conference
Root beer float ministry returns
JAMESTOWN, N.D. — The root beer float ministry is back at First United Methodist Church. Because Jamestown Middle School is right across the street, the church uses the refreshments to invite students to check out the church. Some of them go on to attend the Crosswork afterschool program, where they get a snack, short lesson and other activities. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Podcast explores rediscovering joy in ministry
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Renowned Korean American minister and writer the Rev. Lydia Sohn is the latest guest on the Greater New Jersey Conference’s “Uncovered Dish” podcast on Christian leadership. As churches navigate the post-pandemic world and the “Great Pastor Resignation,” the conversation with Sohn explores the immense responsibilities church leaders face and rediscovering joy in ministry.
Listen to podcast
PRESS RELEASES
Archives and History
Maddox honored for Wesley work
MADISON, N.J. — A United Methodist elder and emeritus professor at Duke Divinity School received the Distinguished Service Award Sept. 14 from the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. The Rev. Randy L. Maddox said he was honored and grateful for the support of Archives and History in cultivating “faithful preservation and exploration of our Wesleyan heritage.” He received the award during the agency’s annual meeting.
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Emory University
Helping kids grow in faith
ATLANTA — Emory University has received a grant of $1.25 million from Lilly Endowment to support Candler School of Theology in establishing The Sacred Arts Collective, a program that aims to support faith-based organizations as they help children grow in faith and deepen their relationships with God. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative.
Read press release
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.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Delegation carries a divine logic
WASHINGTON — Ann Michel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership explains that delegation and collaboration are more than effective leadership strategies. They are acts of faith that imitate the way God chooses to engage humankind in God’s mission.
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EVENTS
Sunday, Sept. 17
March to End Fossil Fuels
Sunday, Oct. 1
World Communion Sunday
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Bishop’s church trial: Questions and answers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño is facing the prospect of The United Methodist Church’s first trial of a bishop. Heather Hahn looks at some frequently asked questions about the denomination’s trial process.
Read questions and answers
Read press release on trial livestream
Reviving the Sabbath
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A documentary on American Public Television is promoting reconsideration of how Christians and others observe a Sabbath day each week. “Sabbath: An Ancient Tradition Meets the Modern World” is a two-hour documentary that looks at how various groups observe a weekly Sabbath and argues for the importance of the practice. Jim Patterson has the story.
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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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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
MYSA
Church to have AI-generated service
AUSTIN, Texas — A United Methodist church 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
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