Daily Digest — August 21, 2015

“We hope this will further help the Deaf community to fall in love with what The United Methodist Church offers.” — The Rev. Leo Yates on the American Sign Language video glossary of religious terms.

ASL glossary opens new doors to Deaf community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — An American Sign Language video glossary, with Deaf people signing a lexicon of religious terms with explanations as well as the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed, is now available on The United Methodist Church website and YouTube and other social media. The glossary “is a significant step in opening the doors of The United Methodist Church to the community whose primary language is ASL,” said Michelle Provart Menefee, a certified ASL interpreter and lifelong United Methodist. Barbara Dunlap-Berg has the story.
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Young adults prepare for missionary service

NEW YORK (UMNS) — Thirty-seven young adults are spending most of August in Zimbabwe, preparing for mission service around the world through The United Methodist Church. They are from 16 countries and represent the 2015 class of international Global Mission Fellows, who spend two years in ministries focused on justice and community development. Elliot Wright reports for United Methodist Global Ministries.
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Higher education and ministry board meets

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A report on the Young Clergy Initiative, a discussion about a new leadership initiative and General Conference legislation served as leading topics of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry meeting in August. Nicole Burdakin reports.
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‘Redeemed’ leads mother to triumph

MADISON, Miss. (UMNS) — Shelia Malone — wife, mother and gifted artist — found her voice through broken glass and women of the Bible. “I realized I could communicate what I was feeling by relating to these women and their stories in the Bible and drawing their strength,” she said. Tamica Smith Jeuitt of the Mississippi Conference profiles the United Methodist who created a series of biblical mosaics titled “Redeemed.”
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Does your church say ‘yes’ too much?

CASPER, Wyo. (UMNS) — The power of affirmation is well-known in human relationships. But “yes” isn’t the only one-syllable word that creates health and happiness, writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter. In a column for Ministry Matters, the United Methodist church consultant suggests times when it’s appropriate for churches to rethink saying “yes.”
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Born again: After the storm

NEW ORLEANS (UMNS) — In the 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, hundreds of thousands of United Methodists have put money, hearts and hands into the work of healing the damage. The recovery isn’t finished and United Methodists are still helping. Writers Kathy Gilbert and Linda Bloom, along with photographer Mike DuBose, report in stories and photos.Coming Monday, Aug. 24.

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.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Deadline to apply for the United Methodist Children's Fund for Christian Mission — The United Methodist Children’s Fund for Christian Mission helps children learn about, and make contributions to, a select group of mission projects. Each year, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries identifies four projects — two from outside of the United States and two from within — for their value in helping children understand what it means to “be in mission.” In the past the fund raised $8,000–$15,000 per project. The project must be an existing program for children under 12 years of age. To apply

Friday, Sept. 4

Early-bird registration for the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas — The pre-institute will be Wednesday, Sept. 30 and the institute will be Thursday-Friday, Oct. 1-2. This mainline church training event brings together clergy, church staff and volunteers who share a passion for renewing the church. The gathering includes more than 80 different ministry workshops in a variety of ministry areas. Before or on Sept. 4, registration is $45 per participant for the pre-institute and $149 per participant for the institute. Special rates for participants 28 and younger. Details

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