Daily Digest - August 21, 2023

NEWS AND FEATURES

United Methodists join prayer vigil for gun reform
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Gun reform supporters, including United Methodist clergy and church members, gathered for an early morning prayer vigil at the Tennessee State Capitol on Aug. 21. The gathering came as lawmakers begin a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health after a mass shooting at the Covenant School here in March. The Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, a United Methodist pastor, helped organize the vigil. Mike DuBose has photos.
See photos 

Florida Conference
Calling for prayers for Pakistan’s Christians 
LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin has called for prayer for the people of Pakistan and for Christians persecuted around the world. His call comes after the burning of 21 churches and the vandalization of homes in Pakistan last week. The threat led many Christians to go into hiding. Since the arsons, more than 100 people have been arrested.
Read call to prayer
BBC: More than 100 arrested after churches burned

Great Plains Conference
Wide-open doors at coffeehouse ministry 
TOPEKA, Kan. — In its first two years, the coffeehouse ministry Café Quetzal has become more and more a haven for the LGBTQ community in Topeka. Café Quetzal received the Nathan Stanton Move the Chains Award during the Great Plains Conference annual gathering in June. David Burke reports.
Read story

United Methodist Communications
‘The Recap’: Around the church in five minutes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest episode of “The Recap” follows a Florida medical mission team to Angola, profiles a bronze-winning United Methodist Special Olympian and celebrates Africa University’s Class of 2023. Produced by United Methodist Communications, “The Recap” is a video series offering a quick glimpse of inspiring stories of United Methodists worldwide and ways the church is helping transform the world. 
Watch video
View series


RESOURCES

Gammon Theological Seminary
Conference planned for pastors and leaders
ATLANTA — Registration is open for Gammon Theological Seminary’s 140th Founders Day, an event expanded to equip pastors and leaders during these unprecedented times. The conference is scheduled for Dec. 4-6. The historically Black theological school is one of The United Methodist Church’s 13 seminaries in the U.S. 
To learn more and register


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