Daily Digest - April 7, 2015

"We pray that the almighty God gives the bereaved families strength and comfort as they mourn." — East Africa Area Bishop Daniel Wandabula on the deadly attack that killed 148 at Garissa University College in Kenya.

Condolences, condemnation after Kenya school massacre

GARISSA, Kenya (UMNS) — United Methodists condemned the deadly attack on Garissa University College and offered condolences to the families and friends of the 148 who were killed April 2 by the Islamist militant group Al-Shabab. Tafadzwa Mudambanuki has the story.
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Read World Methodist Council statement
Read World Council of Churches statement

New top leader named for communications agency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Daniel Krause, a former corporate communications executive who is a candidate for ordination, will take the helm of United Methodist Communications on June 8. He has served in management at Frontier Airlines and is currently a seminary student at United Methodist Iliff School of Theology in Denver.
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Norway-Zimbabwe partnership founded on chabadza

CHITORA, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Fifteen years ago, Cyclone Eline took out a bridge between part of the Chitora community and a United Methodist health clinic, as well as a local school. In the past year, the community has dug out and hauled 24 truckloads of stone and river sand to rebuild the bridge. The project is one of 15 underway through the Zimbabwe-Norway Partnership. Vicki Brown reports.
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New Jersey church ceiling collapse on Easter causes injuries

RAHWAY, N.J. (NJ.com) — More than a dozen people were sent to hospitals — and later released — after the roof came crashing down during an Easter service Sunday afternoon at Korean Union United Methodist Church. Members of the Manantial de Vida Pentecostal congregation, which rents space in the church, were struck by falling debris, reports NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Greater New Jersey Bishop John Schol requested prayers after the incident.
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Prayer request from Bishop Schol

Celebrating 130 years of Korean Methodism

SEOUL, Korea (UMNS) — Exactly 130 years ago on a rainy Easter Sunday the Rev. Henry Appenzeller, the first Methodist missionary to Korea, set foot in Seoul. This Easter Sunday, Bishop Marcus Matthews and leaders from the Baltimore-Washington Conference walked in those footsteps. Erik Alsgaard of the Baltimore-Washington Conference has the story.
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Agency praises Iran nuclear agreement framework

WASHINGTON (UMNS) —The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the public policy advocacy agency of the denomination, celebrated the announcement of a framework for an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. The United Methodist Social Principles insist that the “first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them.”
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History of Hymns: ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’

DALLAS (UMNS) — “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” is likely one of Charles Wesley’s most well-known hymns, up there with “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” Peyton Strouth, a student at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, shares the evolution of this beloved Easter anthem.
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Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.

Wednesday-Thursday, April 15-16

Deacon Candidacy Formation Workshop — 7-9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, April 15, and 9-11:30 a.m. CDT Thursday, April 16 at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois. This formation event is for people who are in candidacy on the deacon track. The workshop will talk about discernment, the identity and ministries of deacons, and how to prepare for interviews with district committees on ministry and boards of ordained ministry. $10. Details

Thursday through Saturday, April 16-18

2015 Deacon Dialogue — The conference at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois, will focus on ministries of compassion and justice and will feature three keynote speakers: The Rev. Romal Tune, Deaconess E. Louise Williams and the Rev. Darryl Stephens. $150 for individuals. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.