Daily Digest - September 21, 2023

“Friends, I am embarrassed that I was not able to manage the work of this annual conference and its staff and its relationships in a way that would have prohibited this extended process that has not only affected me, but affected the California-Nevada Conference … and has brought disruption to the life of The United Methodist Church.” Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, testifying during the third day of her church trial. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Trial sees defense of bishop, closing remarks 

GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño — The United Methodist Church’s first Latina bishop — testified that she feels great responsibility for the costs that the trial process she is undergoing has brought upon the church. As the trial entered its third day, the jury heard from the bishop and other witnesses who defended her work in the California-Nevada Conference.  Following closing arguments in the afternoon, the jury began its deliberations. Heather Hahn reports. 
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Joint Mission Consultation welcomes regionalization 
SEOUL, South Korea (UM News) — The General Board of Missions of the Korean Methodist Church and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries held their second Mission Consultation Aug. 30-31. The two groups agreed to collaborate on developing faith leaders in Asia and collaborating on ministries for peace and justice on the Korean Peninsula and worldwide. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story.
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Global Ministries
Special Sunday helps students fulfill calling

ATLANTA — World Communion Sunday in October helps finance scholarships and leadership development opportunities for international students and U.S. racial-ethnic students who are pursuing advanced degrees. United Methodists who have benefited include the Rev. Claudine Leary, who had to flee Rwanda because of genocide and lived in refugee camps for years. Today, Leary is involved with a nonprofit she co-founded to resource and advocate for the education of children living in refugee camps in sub-Saharan Africa. Christie R. House has the story.
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See World Communion Sunday resources

United Methodist Communications
Resource encourages intentional listening

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Scott Hughes with United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is on a mission to help people engage in meaningful dialogue that will build trust and relationships. Laura Buchanan shares his plan for churches to have “Courageous Conversations.”
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Religion News Service
Survey: Clergy more liberal than congregants

WASHINGTON — Clergy in mainline Christian churches — including United Methodists — are more liberal than the people they lead, according to a recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute. The survey showed that about half of the clergy polled identify with the Democratic Party, while 45% of mainline Protestant churchgoers are conservative politically. In The United Methodist Church, 44% of the pastors identified themselves as liberal. Yonat Shimron reports.
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PRESS RELEASES

California-Pacific Conference
Help wanted for ministry to migrants

PASADENA, Calif. — The California-Pacific Conference is making an urgent request for volunteers. The conference says local United Methodist churches need help as they minister to asylum seekers and refugees who have been approved for entry into the U.S. and dropped off at transit centers across San Diego.
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Archives and History
Boggan affirmed at commission meeting

MADISON, N.J. — The board of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History unanimously voted for Ashley Boggan D. to continue as top executive for another year during its virtual annual meeting Sept. 14-15. In her report to the board, Boggan spoke about her visits to United Methodist churches, leadership conferences and the Council of Bishops spring meeting. She also previewed the planned American Methodist Pilgrimage set to launch in 2025, which will visit historically relevant sites to Methodism in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
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RECENT HEADLINES

Black Clergywomen meet for fellowship, empowerment


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EVENTS

Monday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 7

Online course: Loving People and Planet in the Name of God

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


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