Daily Digest - April 25, 2019

“The devastation brought pain and damage to many, and recovery is not that easy.”The Rev. Leslie Casupanan-Dela Cruz, administrative pastor of Camachile United Methodist Church, about the earthquake in the Philippines. 


NEWS AND FEATURES 

Deadly earthquake damages Filipino churches

PORAC, Philippines (UMNS) — United Methodists in the Philippines are picking up the pieces after a powerful earthquake struck the main island of Luzon on Monday, killing at least 16 people. The Rev. Leslie Casupanan-Dela Cruz, administrative pastor at Camachile United Methodist Church, said some churches and homes have been badly damaged. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports. 
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Holston Conference 
Creation Care chair encourages conference to go greener

WASHBURN, Tenn. — Church dinners are often served on paper plates with plastic cups and utensils that are thrown out during cleanup. The new Creation Care chair for the Holston Conference thinks churches can do better. Sara Orellana said she hopes to use her training to engage more congregations, and especially younger United Methodists, in making creation care a priority. Annette Spence reports.
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Texas Conference
Using mission to keep students in church

SPRING, Texas — Every church sees high schoolers walking off the graduation stage and seemingly away from their faith. 
Faithbridge Church's "The Road" ministry is using developmental mission trips, which help students define themselves in the context of God's bigger plans, to keep them in church. Rob Maynard has the story. 
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Arkansas Conference 
Church supports pastor’s bride during immigration

BENTON, Ark. — The Rev. Taylor Loy met his future wife, Bessie, during an immersion ministry program in El Salvador. But falling in love proved far easier than the complicated immigration process to bring Bessie to the U.S. Through it all, Loy’s church provided love and support. Caleb Hennington reports. 
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RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications 
Bible quiz: Test your knowledge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Does the Bible say who Adam’s children were? Find the answer to that question and test your knowledge with the latest quiz from United Methodist Communications. 
Take the quiz


COMMENTARIES

United Methodist News Service 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 UMNS staff.

North Texas Conference
A missionary once again

DALLAS — The Rev. Wes Magruder was a United Methodist missionary in Cameroon early in his career. Now, after a long stint serving local churches in North Texas, he and his wife are returning to the African mission field. In an essay, he reflects on his decision and on the need for all Christians to be “boundary-crossers” in sharing the good news.
Read essay


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