Daily Digest - April 20, 2021

“This moment is a reflection of the heart of Kingwood United Methodist Church.”
— The Rev. Chris Harrison, associate pastor, on the church’s hosting a team from the Mexican Consulate in Houston.
 
NEWS AND FEATURES
 
Church partners with Mexican Consulate
HOUSTON (UM News) — Kingwood United Methodist, a predominantly Anglo megachurch, recently hosted a team from the Mexican Consulate in Houston. For two weeks, the consular officers set up shop at the church to process Mexican passports, ID cards and birth certificates for Mexican citizens living in the area. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story 

Alabama-West Florida Conference
Building homes for hurricane-displaced 
MARIANNA, Fla. — United Methodists and business owners in the area have joined forces to make home ownership a reality for several families displaced by Hurricane Michael. The building effort, which targeted uninsured and under-insured residents, is one small piece of the long-term recovery program made possible by the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s $4.6 million grant. Kari Barlow has the story. 
Read story 

KFDM-Channel 6
Church grieves but carries on vaccine effort
BEAUMONT, Texas — Wesley United Methodist Church recently held a funeral for a member who died in the pandemic. But even while mourning, the church served as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Joy Addison has the story. 
Watch story   

A new Friday Digest
In order to streamline our news delivery and enhance our service to you, United Methodist News is merging the Friday Daily Digest and the Weekly Digest. Beginning on April 23, the single Friday Digest will combine the best of the Daily and Weekly digests, providing new stories, press releases and commentaries, as well as the top stories from the past week. If you already are subscribed to the Daily or Weekly emails, you will automatically receive the new Friday Digest. If at any point you would like to opt out, you can use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. We hope you enjoy the new Friday edition.

PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Observing World Press Freedom Day
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In honor of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, United Methodist Communications is spotlighting the work of United Methodist News and its correspondents around the world. This year’s theme, “Information as a Public Good,” is a call to affirm the importance of providing information for the benefit and well-being of the public and to advance openness and transparency. 
Read press release 

North Georgia Conference
Georgia foundation elects new president
ATLANTA — The Georgia United Methodist Foundation board unanimously elected Mathew Pinson as the foundation’s next president and chief executive officer, effective July 1. Pinson will succeed the Rev. Keith E. Lawder, who is retiring after serving as the foundation’s president since 2016.
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 the UM News staff.

It’s never too late to do the right thing
DELAND, Fla. (UM News) — Anita Campbell witnessed racism in college in the 1960s South but stayed mostly quiet about it. The national anti-racism movement of the past year spurred her to speak out and get involved. She writes about her experience for UM News’ “Personal Encounters with Racism” feature. 
Read commentary 
Read more essays on racism

Creating a Culture of Renewal
What does it mean to green our faith?
CASPER, Wyo. — Going green is all the rage, but what does it really mean? The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter offers a reflection of what Genesis means by human dominion over creation and what that means for humanity’s relationship with God.
Read commentary 

RECENT HEADLINES

Churches across theological spectrum exiting

Film puts Korean Americans center stage


EVENTS 

Tuesday, May 11
Webinar: Adaptive Stewardship in the Post-Pandemic Church


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