“We don’t get these often these days, so thank you for this gift and the gift you get to be as a witness that the church of God is still growing.” — Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area at the chartering service for Ola Toe Fuataina United Methodist Church.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Samoan congregation in Alaska celebrates new charter
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (UM News) — Friends and leaders from across the Alaska Conference and Western Jurisdiction gathered to celebrate the chartering service of Ola Toe Fuataina United Methodist Church, a primarily Samoan congregation. Though it is now one of the newest United Methodist churches, Ola Toe Fuataina has been worshipping together since 2010. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
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GBH News
Boston church supports expelled lawmaker
BOSTON — Fresh out of college, Justin J. Pearson joined Union United Methodist Church, and when he returned to his native Memphis, Tennessee, he continued to attend services online. On Easter, the congregation showed support for Pearson after he and fellow Rep. Justin Jones were ousted from the Tennessee legislature for leading a chant promoting gun reform. Nashville’s Metro Council has since reinstated Jones, and the Shelby County Commission is set to vote on reinstating Pearson on April 12. Phillip Martin reports.
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Pineville United Methodist Church
Neighbors unite to prevent homelessness
PINEVILLE, N.C. — Pineville Neighbors Place helps people who are just one flat tire or missed paycheck away from homelessness to stay in their homes. Jane Shutt, administrative assistant at Pineville United Methodist Church, helped get the program going about seven years ago. Melissa McGill has the story.
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Global Ministries
Yambasu training paying off
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Fifteen United Methodist conferences across Africa are benefitting from recent training sessions through the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, named after late Bishop John K. Yambasu. In Côte d’Ivoire, a tilapia farming project includes the creation of 15 ponds with a capacity of 3,000 fish each. In Nigeria, locally produced animal feed is being stocked in preparation for cattle raising. Phileas Jusu has these stories and more.
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Dakotas Conference
Expanding Hispanic ministries
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — United Methodist support for Hispanic ministries is expanding here, sparked by population growth and the work of a former missionary to Mexico and Guatemala. Pastor Herman Perez moved to Sioux Falls nine years ago and began planting churches. He leads a congregation hosted at Sunnycrest United Methodist Church and has expanded services to Mitchell and Plankinton. Volunteers help him cover the workload. The Rev. Eric Van Meter reports.
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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.
South Carolina United Methodist Advocate
Why the secrecy about South Carolina disaffiliations?
COLUMBIA, S.C. — People need to know what’s happening in the church, even when it’s bad news, writes Jessica Brodie, editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate for 13 years. She writes about why the South Carolina Conference should release the names of churches that have voted to disaffiliate. The South Carolina Advocate is independent but receives funding from the conference and other sources.
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RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Webinar explores ways to make church safer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Koch, the president and CEO of United Methodist Insurance Company, will lead a free webinar April 18, offering tips on making church worship and events safer. The Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship and generosity for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, will host the Zoom webinar at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Central time.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, April 17-Friday, April 28
Online course: Afire With God — Becoming Spirited Stewards
Sunday, April 23
Native American Ministries Sunday
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