"At this time, we are left with a very good proposal presented at a very difficult time." — Judi Kenaston, member of the Connectional Table, on its plan to create a structure for U.S. decision-making.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Leaders pursue plan for new U.S. structure
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Despite concerns the plan will be engulfed by the homosexuality debate, the Connectional Table is submitting legislation to create a decision-making body on U.S. matters. Heather Hahn reports.
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Religion News Service
New Jersey pastor sues for false arrest
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (RNS) — The pastor of Parsipanny United Methodist Church has sued a bank for negligently associating him as the suspect in a check fraud plot. The Rev. Jeffrey Edwards said he wants the New Jersey State Police and Wells Fargo to be held responsible for the arrest and accompanying humiliation brought on by falsely labeling him a criminal. All charges against him were dismissed. Haley Cohen reports.
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Church takes reins at Hanwa Mission School
HANWA, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Hanwa Mission School, a project of the Community United Methodist Church of Crofton, Maryland, is now officially a United Methodist school. The designation means students will be able to take exams at Hanwa instead of traveling long distances. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story.
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Church food pantry offers both food and second chances
RUPERT, Idaho — For nearly two years, Edwina “Wendy” Kent came to the Open Hearts Food Pantry at Rupert United Methodist Church to keep her own pantry stocked and her stomach full. When she was sentenced to 100 hours of community service for a nonviolent crime, Kent felt the pantry was the best place for her to serve. Kristen Caldwell reports.
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West Ohio Conference
'Light the Way' program planting churches in Ohio
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — A $5 million effort to support the launching of unique churches is paying off in Ohio. Results of the effort so far include a combination café-day care, brewpub worship services and a repurposed United Methodist church used to help people in recovery from addictions. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
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COMMENTARY
United Methodist News Service includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about the plans for the future of the church and other issues in the denomination. The commentaries reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UMNS staff.
General Conference broken, annual conferences work
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. says the current governance structure does not fit the realities of a global United Methodist Church. In a commentary, the senior consultant at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership suggests General Conference should focus on theological and historical identity, mission and values, while annual conferences focus on context-sensitive structure and regulations, including clergy standards.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Relationships key for churches to help addicts
Conference asks ‘What If’ the church confronted the opioid crisis
EVENTS
Monday, April 15-Friday, April 26, 2019
Online Class: Using Technology in the Church for Presentations and Games
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