“It is a blessing for many of the congregations that migrants — amongst them a big number of asylum seekers and refugees — come to the worship services.” — Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of The United Methodist Church in Germany.
Coping with Europe’s migration crisis
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In Messstetten, Germany, where a former military barrack serves as an initial processing center for asylum-seekers, United Methodists are among those who are offering assistance to an influx of some 1,000 refugees. It is part of a new wave of migration washing over Europe.
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Churches should make fighting racism a priority
WASHINGTON (NCC) — Churches across America should make ending racism and race-based violence a priority, an African Methodist Episcopal bishop told a gathering of four historically African-American Methodist denominations in announcing a new initiative to fight racism. Steven Martin has the story.
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Telling the story of General Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A General Conference covered in real time with participation from countries around the world could not have been imagined in 1939 when the building blocks were laid for United Methodist Communications. Through all the changes over 75 years, United Methodist Communications has been telling the story of the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly. From print to livestream, the agency has made sure news and information is readily available to churches and the public from General Conference. Maggie Hillery has the story.
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Tough questions wanted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — What are the most common — and the most challenging — questions people ask you about giving? What would you like to know about modeling generosity in your local church? United Methodist Communications’ Connectional Giving Team is working on a new FAQ resource to address your questions. Help by sharing your questions or questions that others have asked you about giving.
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Churches more prepared for disasters
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Many United Methodist Committee on Relief responders believe churches and individual United Methodists are more prepared for disaster response than they’ve ever been. Susan Kim of UMCOR reports what’s working.
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CNN report yields chance at Bethune-Cookman
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (CNN) — The president of Bethune-Cookman University was moved to help when he saw a CNN report about three young men struggling to escape violence and the drug culture in West Baltimore. President Edison Jackson invited all three to visit the university. Jackson, who said the men had “potential, but not opportunity,” provided the latter. Bethune-Cookman is one of the 11 historically black colleges supported by The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund.
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Ecumenical and interfaith leader slated for special award
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, the first woman minister to head the National Council of Churches and first woman director of religion at Chautauqua Institution, will receive a special Wilbur Award at the April national meeting of Religion Communicators Council.
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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.
Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 8-10
“Healthy Congregations, Healthy Communities,” Houston, Texas. A U.S. health care summit for United Methodists engaged in health ministries to learn about a new congregational health initiative, “Healthy Congregations, Healthy Communities.” —The initiative is being launched in a joint effort by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and Wesley Theological Seminary. The health summit will highlight congregational and annual conference work in health ministry and feature work across general agencies that supports healthy clergy, congregations and communities. Details
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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