Daily Digest - September 9, 2022

TODAY’S HEADLINES

African bishops condemn advocacy groups
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — African bishops called for unity in The United Methodist Church while condemning traditionalist advocacy groups looking to break up the denomination. The bishops released a statement Sept. 8 denouncing the Africa Initiative and Wesleyan Covenant Association, which they say “are wrongly influencing God’s people in our areas.” The statement was released at the close of the Africa Colleges of Bishops retreat. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Read press release

UMC.org
Vibrant churches create vibrant communities
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The congregations of Shades of Grace United Methodist Church in eastern Tennessee and Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Los Angeles are more than 2,200 miles apart, but they share a common sense of mission. Crystal Caviness has the story of two churches transforming their communities. 
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South Carolina Conference
Ordination project leads to 5 restored homes
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — For many years, Johnston and Harmony United Methodist churches had a vibrant home repair ministry, but enthusiasm waned as the years passed. When the Rev. Amanda Richardson became pastor of the two churches, her ordination project reignited the congregations’ passion. Jessica Brodie has the story. 
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The Methodist Church in Britain 
British Methodists react to Queen’s passing
LONDON — Leaders of The Methodist Church in Britain have issued a statement about the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It reads in part: “The loyalty to, and love expressed, for Queen Elizabeth across the world is a testament to the life that she led, one marked by dedicated service to others.”
Read statement

Florida United Methodist Foundation
Boosting emotional resilience after disasters
PONCE, Puerto Rico — Natural disasters cause more than physical damage. An 18-month program by the Methodist nonprofit Rebuilding Communities with Hope brought group therapy sessions to Puerto Ricans dealing with difficult emotions after Hurricane Maria and recent earthquakes. A grant from the Florida United Methodist Foundation helped fund the program. Connor Murphy has the story.  
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Discipleship Ministries
History of hymns: ‘Down to the River to Pray’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One legacy of the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” is the enduring popularity of the music it featured, especially Alison Krauss singing “Down to the River to Pray.” In a recent History of Hymns column, C. Michael Hawn examines the origins of that spiritual and notes that the film’s version has sparked many choral arrangements. 
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PRESS RELEASES

United Women in Faith
Women call for better climate response
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith has responded to the flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, by calling for focused action to address the climate crisis in communities burdened with systemic inequalities. “These communities must be prioritized not only in the rebuilding process but also in the transition to a green and just new economy and green and just new jobs,” the women’s group said in a Sept. 7 statement.
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Helping Children Worldwide
Making a plan to help orphans 
CHANTILLY, Va. —  During a forum at the Church of the Resurrection Leadership Institute in Leawood, Kansas, a grassroots group within The United Methodist Church will explain its vision to help orphans. There is a fee to attend the leadership institute, but people interested in only the Breaking Bread From House to House meeting to learn more can obtain free admission to the forum by contacting Laura Horvath at [email protected]. The Breaking Bread session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. U.S. Central time Sept. 29.
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.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Sabbath rest as equality
PITTSBURGH — Christian worship is a sacred time where “social standing evaporates when we enter the sanctuary and face the cross together,” writes the Rev. Erik Hoeke. He considers the Fourth Commandment “a radical command to set aside production and labor so that all may worship together.” 
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EVENTS

Sunday, Oct. 2
World Communion Sunday

Monday, Oct. 3-Friday, Oct. 14
Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices


TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Mission trip strengthens partnership, ministries
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — An idea that began with providing chickens for generating income has grown to new collaboration and shared dreams for the Indiana Conference, Wesley Foundation of Purdue University and the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Ask The UMC
More disaffiliation questions answered 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the fourth installment of its “Is The United Methodist Church really…?” series, Ask The UMC answers three more questions related to disaffiliation, including inquiries about the status of appointed clergy and members after their congregation decides to disaffiliate. The series is a response to widespread misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps.
Read Q&A
Read Part 1 on theology and pensions
Read Part 2 on human sexuality
Read Part 3 on Paragraph 2548.2

Central Texas Conference 
Bishop Russell dies at age 96
FORT WORTH, Texas — Bishop John William Russell died Sept. 2 at age 96. He served various local churches and as a district superintendent before his election as bishop in 1980. In 1988, he became the first episcopal leader of the newly formed Central Texas Conference. Russell was a World War II veteran. He and his late wife, Mary Jean, were married for 71 years. J. Vance Morton reports on the bishop’s long, fruitful life and ministry.
Read obituary
Read Council of Bishops press release

Commentary: Responding to substance-use epidemic
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (UM News) — September is Recovery Awareness Month, and the Rev. Matt Johnson encourages churches and faith communities to connect with the recovery work happening in their areas and engage those struggling with substance-use disorder. “Recovery is always a community effort,” he writes. 
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UM News series: The Road to Recovery in West Virginia

World Council of Churches
2 United Methodists elected to central committee
KARLSRUHE, Germany — The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly elected two United Methodists as members of the ecumenical organization’s central committee. Bishop Sally Dyck, the Council of Bishops ecumenical officer, and the Rev. Ann Jacob, a pastor in Edmonds, Washington, will serve on the 150-member committee that acts as the main decision-making body for the World Council of Churches between assemblies. UM News has more coverage planned of the assembly, including photos from UM News’ Mike DuBose. 
See list of members (PDF)
See photos from the WCC Assembly
Read press release

Global Ministries
More relief for Kentucky after floods
ATLANTA — The recovery effort for Kentucky continues after storms in July resulted in 40 deaths and infrastructure damage. Early Response Teams from multiple United Methodist conferences are deploying to help set the stage for additional volunteers who will assist. In addition to two solidarity grants, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is undergirding the Kentucky and Central Appalachian conferences with the human resources necessary to identify and respond to survivor needs. Dan Curran has the story.
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UM News: Kentucky churches care for neighbors hit by floods