Daily Digest - April 26, 2019

NEWS AND FEATURES 

Court OKs part of Traditional Plan, exit plan

EVANSTON, Ill. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church’s top court has ruled that while some provisions of the newly adopted Traditional Plan remain unconstitutional, the rest of the plan is valid as church law. The Judicial Council also found constitutional 2019 General Conference legislation that provides an exit strategy for local churches wishing to leave the denomination. Linda Bloom reports.
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Citrus farming to help clergy retirements
MUJUKUYA, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Two Zimbabwe pastors are preparing for the sweet life in retirement by growing fruit. They were inspired by other United Methodist leaders who are growing citrus trees as a source of funds for their golden years. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story. 
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Notre Dame fire sparks local church reviews

WASHINGTON — When was the last time your church held a fire drill on Sunday morning? The recent fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has led Baltimore-Washington Conference leaders to encourage churches — many of them also historic by U.S. standards — to review plans for preventing and responding to fire. Erik Alsgaard reports. 
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Global Ministries
Training enhances emergency maternity care

MANILA, Philippines — Medical professionals at United Methodist Mary Johnston Hospital trained eight doctors and five nurses from Africa in handling emergency maternity cases. Doctors and nurses from church missionary hospitals in Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe received training in performing Caesarean sections. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story. 
Read story and watch video

Michigan Conference
Art therapy offered through Grand Rapids church

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — First United Methodist Church has added an art therapy component to its ministry through a partnership with artist Leara Glinzak and her “I Light” studio, located across the street from the church. Kay DeMoss has the story.
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Read more about the partnership


PRESS RELEASES

Higher Education and Ministry
Training offered on helping students with anxiety

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is offering two training sessions for campus ministers, chaplains and spiritual leaders who wish to use its new training guide, “The Awakened Life: An 8-Week Guide to Student Well-Being.” The free training sessions will be offered June 3-5 in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee, and July 19-21 in Denver.
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RECENT HEADLINES

Deadly earthquake damages Filipino churches


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EVENTS

Monday, April 29-Friday, May 24

Online caregiver class: Training for serving in the long run

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