"We treat church-state policy just like we treat health policy or education policy. It's all very important." — Melissa Rogers, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Looking at core social values
COLUMBIA, Md. (UMNS) — Members of the newly organized United Methodist Board of Church and Society started to shape some concrete goals during their Sept. 21-24 meeting. Melissa Rogers, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, spoke to the group after it toured the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Northern Iowa faces severe floods
DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) — Northern Iowa is experiencing severe flooding following a series of storms on Sept. 21. Communities are being evacuated and sandbagging has started in some areas. The Rev. Art McClanahan of the Iowa Conference interviews Paul Evans, the North Central district disaster response coordinator, about what he’s encountered.
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Martin Methodist president to retire
PULASKI, Tenn. — After 18 years as president of Martin Methodist College in Tennessee, Ted Brown announced plans to retire Jan. 31. Brown said his energy had "dipped a bit" during the past few years, which have been financially challenging for the college. Adam Tamburin of The Tennessean reports.
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Lydia Patterson students help with Louisiana recovery
BATON ROUGE, La. (UMNS) — The students of the United Methodist Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas, know what it means to overcome challenges. So they traveled to Louisiana to help people overcome the challenge of floods. “Since they helped us, I think it’s our time to pay back everything they’ve done for us,” said one student. Betty Backstrom of the Louisiana Conference has the story.
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Reflections on Charlotte protests and truth
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UMNS) — The Rev. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, talks about the importance of the larger truth of what’s happening in his city. He also talks about clergy working toward racial reconciliation.
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Observe World Communion Sunday on Oct. 2
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — World Communion Sunday on Oct 2 is one of the six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings. Donations provide funds for World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program. United Methodist churches can celebrate on Oct. 2 or any Sunday.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Thursday, Sept. 29
Presentation on “The End of White Christian America and Its Implications for the 2016 Election” — 6 to 8 p.m. EDT at Wesley Downtown, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Wesley Theological Seminary will present Robert P. Jones, the founding chief executive office of Public Religion Research Institute. He will discuss his new book, "The End of White Christian America.” The event is free, but registration is required. Details
Saturday, Oct. 1
Prison Ministry Symposium — 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, Grace United Methodist Church, 125 W. 104th St., New York City. All-day symposium on prison ministry and criminal justice advocacy, sponsored by the New York Conference. Free registration through the conference website. Details
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