Daily Digest - August 2, 2018

“We appeal also for calmness in the midst of great anxiety, and we condemn all forms of violence as the country awaits the full results of the election.”Council of Bishops statement on elections in Zimbabwe.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Prayers for Zimbabwe after election violence
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — United Methodist bishops and other church leaders are calling for prayers for peace in Zimbabwe following deadly election-related violence. Meanwhile, Africa University officials report that the campus is safe. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story 
Read Council of Bishops statement 

Sierra Leone visit shows malaria fundraising impact
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Molly McNamara and Logan Martens from the East Ohio Conference have been making lemonade since they were 6 years old to help fight malaria. Now 16, the pair spent a week traveling to different parts of the country where The United Methodist Church has invested resources in the fight against malaria. Phileas Jusu has the story.
Read story 

Pew Research Center
Study: Why Americans go (or don’t go) to church
WASHINGTON — A new Pew Research Center survey finds that the main reason people regularly go to church, synagogue, mosque or another house of worship is an obvious one: to feel closer to God. But the things that keep people away from religious services are more complicated.
Read report 

Rio Texas Conference
Campus minister is knife-maker

SAN ANTONIO — J. Alex Ruiz is a United Methodist campus minister whose skill at making knives has brought him fame, including a History Channel appearance. The Rio Texas Conference shares how he balances church work with an unusual hobby.
Read story 

New 2018 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting annual conference reports. New this week are Northwest Texas, Rio Texas and West Virginia.
Read reports 


PRESS RELEASES

Duke Today
New dean coming to Duke Divinity
DURHAM, N.C. — The Rev. Elaine Heath, who has served as dean of United Methodist Duke Divinity School since 2016, stepped down from that position on Aug. 2, but will remain on faculty as professor. The Rev. L. Gregory Jones will serve again as dean. He previously held that position from 1997-2010.
Read press release 


RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications
New quiz: Where in the world are United Methodists?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Where did United Methodists create a music video to celebrate Methodism’s 100th birthday in their country? The answer to this and other questions can be found in a new geography quiz. 
Take the quiz 


RECENT HEADLINES

Alabama bishop met race challenge

African clergywomen making great strides 


EVENTS

Sunday, Aug. 12
United to Love: Standing together in love and resisting hate 


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