“Each time I visit, disabled kids welcome me with genuine smiles and love. This melts my heart with joy.” — The Rev. Maureen Figlan, a district superintendent in the South Africa Conference.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
‘Mother of the disabled’ provides safe place for kids
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (UM News) — The students at Nomaxabiso Centre don’t know that they are living in the most dangerous, gang-infested township in Cape Town, said Nontuthuzelo Nozulwane. She founded the school to offer education and care for children with special needs. The Rev. Maureen Figlan, a United Methodist district superintendent, helps support the center, which holds a special place in her heart. Alvin Tiri Makunike has the story.
Read story
Holston Conference
United Methodists walk where Jesus walked
ALCOA, Tenn. — More than 50 United Methodists joined in a Holy Land trip led by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett earlier this summer. Travelers represented two United Methodist conferences — Holston and North Alabama — and included children as well as adults. Annette Spence reports on their pilgrimage.
Read story
Upper New York Conference
The spiritual practice of prayer through photography
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, the Upper New York Conference’s associate director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, is offering opportunities to engage in spiritual practices with video discussion and instruction. The videos invite others into ways of exploring, engaging and nurturing their relationship with God. In her latest video, Dibelius discusses the spiritual practice of prayer through photography.
Watch video
WGCL-CBS46
Church volunteers pack 100,000 meals
ATLANTA — Volunteers from Johns Creek United Methodist Church recently helped package more than 100,000 nutritious meals with the international nonprofit Rise Against Hunger. With the event, the church reached the milestone of packing more than one million meals over the past 12 years. Miles Montgomery reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
Dollars for Scholars grants awarded
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas is providing $52,000 in Dollars for Scholars grants to students at United Methodist colleges and seminaries. There are 52 students getting $1,000 each from the foundation, and other sources are contributing, meaning each student gets $4,000 total.
Read press release
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
BiblicalLeadership.com
How can churches make digital natives feel welcome?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Digital natives communicate primarily through the internet, but research shows churches don’t prioritize online communication. Author and church health consultant Bob Whitesel offers tips for churches looking to reach the digital generation.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Amplify Media
Discussing Christ’s ‘I Am’ statements
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In “Jesus Revealed: The I Am Statements in the Gospel of John,” the Rev. Matt Rawle considers each of the images Christ uses to describe himself. Rawle and artist Sarah Duet will be in conversation with the Rev. Rachel Billups, exploring the “I Am” statements in a webinar at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Aug. 30.
Learn more and register
EVENTS
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Webinar: Finishing Strong in the 4th Quarter
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Facing the Future 2022 Virtual Conference
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Czech United Methodists help house Ukrainian refugees
BECHYNĚ, Czech Republic (UM News) — The Poušť United Methodist church camp near Bechyně would normally have hosted children at camp this summer, but instead, it is serving as a home away from home for Ukrainian mothers and their children. It is one of five properties of The United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic serving as a shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose and video by Francisco Litardo.
Read story
Watch video
UM News: United Methodist ministry with Ukraine
Bishop urges end to falsehoods, pivot to future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton used his first address as Council of Bishops president to call on backers of a breakaway denomination to stop mischaracterizing The United Methodist Church. He also called on United Methodist leaders to begin pivoting to what they hope their denomination will be. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
Church court clarifies property-transfer rules
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Judicial Council ruled that a much-debated church law can only be used for transferring property and is not an exit path for members to another denomination. In a separate matter, the Judicial Council released a memorandum on the vote by the Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference to move to the Global Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read sidebar on memorandum
Read Council of Bishops press release
Weekend spotlights Native culture
BON AQUA, Tenn. (UM News) — People danced, made art projects and contemplated serious issues during the Native Moccasins Rock conference at Camp Lake Benson. The latter included discussion of the alarming number of missing Native American women and the use of stereotypical characterizations of indigenous people as sports team mascots. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Read sidebar on mascots
Grappling with mixed news on giving, church exits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency discussed the potential impact of rising church disaffiliations even as they celebrated an uptick in giving and the sale of the agency’s building. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story https://www.umnews.org/en/news/grappling-with-mixed-news-on-giving-church-exits
Read press release
Bishop dedicates reconciling church in Kenya
MOHETO, Kenya (UM News) — The dedication and consecration of a new church sanctuary in Kenya brought together United Methodists of varied perspectives on LGBTQ inclusion. East Africa Area Bishop Daniel Wandabula joined hundreds of congregants in celebrating the new sanctuary for First United Methodist Church Moheto. In 2019, the church voted to become the first congregation in Africa to identify as reconciling. Gad Maiga has the story.
Read story
Faith leaders hear of 'lost ground' on HIV
MONTREAL (UM News) — Faith leaders and others at the 24th International AIDS Conference heard that newer global health threats such as COVID-19 and monkeypox are hampering progress toward improving HIV prevention, treatment and care. The Rev. Donald E. Messer, secretary of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, reports.
Read story
Commentary: My almost-100 years as a Methodist
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — When the Rev. Mel West was growing up in rural Missouri, he said that the trinity of family, farm and church were so intertwined that “one could not think of one without considering the other two.” Now 98, West reflects on his life and the church that helped shape it.
Read commentary
United Methodist Communications
Young people needed for church study
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Do you know a 15- to 22-year-old in The United Methodist Church? The United Methodist Communications Research Team is leading a study about youth in the church to explore their spiritual journeys, values, goals, desires and more. The study for youth in the U.S. offers a $150 incentive for participation in a three-day online discussion board. Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to share the registration link and invite young people to join.
To register
TODAY’S HEADLINES
‘Mother of the disabled’ provides safe place for kids
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (UM News) — The students at Nomaxabiso Centre don’t know that they are living in the most dangerous, gang-infested township in Cape Town, said Nontuthuzelo Nozulwane. She founded the school to offer education and care for children with special needs. The Rev. Maureen Figlan, a United Methodist district superintendent, helps support the center, which holds a special place in her heart. Alvin Tiri Makunike has the story.
Read story
Holston Conference
United Methodists walk where Jesus walked
ALCOA, Tenn. — More than 50 United Methodists joined in a Holy Land trip led by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett earlier this summer. Travelers represented two United Methodist conferences — Holston and North Alabama — and included children as well as adults. Annette Spence reports on their pilgrimage.
Read story
Upper New York Conference
The spiritual practice of prayer through photography
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, the Upper New York Conference’s associate director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, is offering opportunities to engage in spiritual practices with video discussion and instruction. The videos invite others into ways of exploring, engaging and nurturing their relationship with God. In her latest video, Dibelius discusses the spiritual practice of prayer through photography.
Watch video
WGCL-CBS46
Church volunteers pack 100,000 meals
ATLANTA — Volunteers from Johns Creek United Methodist Church recently helped package more than 100,000 nutritious meals with the international nonprofit Rise Against Hunger. With the event, the church reached the milestone of packing more than one million meals over the past 12 years. Miles Montgomery reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
Dollars for Scholars grants awarded
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas is providing $52,000 in Dollars for Scholars grants to students at United Methodist colleges and seminaries. There are 52 students getting $1,000 each from the foundation, and other sources are contributing, meaning each student gets $4,000 total.
Read press release
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
BiblicalLeadership.com
How can churches make digital natives feel welcome?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Digital natives communicate primarily through the internet, but research shows churches don’t prioritize online communication. Author and church health consultant Bob Whitesel offers tips for churches looking to reach the digital generation.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Amplify Media
Discussing Christ’s ‘I Am’ statements
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In “Jesus Revealed: The I Am Statements in the Gospel of John,” the Rev. Matt Rawle considers each of the images Christ uses to describe himself. Rawle and artist Sarah Duet will be in conversation with the Rev. Rachel Billups, exploring the “I Am” statements in a webinar at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Aug. 30.
Learn more and register
EVENTS
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Webinar: Finishing Strong in the 4th Quarter
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Facing the Future 2022 Virtual Conference
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Czech United Methodists help house Ukrainian refugees
BECHYNĚ, Czech Republic (UM News) — The Poušť United Methodist church camp near Bechyně would normally have hosted children at camp this summer, but instead, it is serving as a home away from home for Ukrainian mothers and their children. It is one of five properties of The United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic serving as a shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose and video by Francisco Litardo.
Read story
Watch video
UM News: United Methodist ministry with Ukraine
Bishop urges end to falsehoods, pivot to future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton used his first address as Council of Bishops president to call on backers of a breakaway denomination to stop mischaracterizing The United Methodist Church. He also called on United Methodist leaders to begin pivoting to what they hope their denomination will be. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story
Church court clarifies property-transfer rules
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Judicial Council ruled that a much-debated church law can only be used for transferring property and is not an exit path for members to another denomination. In a separate matter, the Judicial Council released a memorandum on the vote by the Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference to move to the Global Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read sidebar on memorandum
Read Council of Bishops press release
Weekend spotlights Native culture
BON AQUA, Tenn. (UM News) — People danced, made art projects and contemplated serious issues during the Native Moccasins Rock conference at Camp Lake Benson. The latter included discussion of the alarming number of missing Native American women and the use of stereotypical characterizations of indigenous people as sports team mascots. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
Read sidebar on mascots
Grappling with mixed news on giving, church exits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency discussed the potential impact of rising church disaffiliations even as they celebrated an uptick in giving and the sale of the agency’s building. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story https://www.umnews.org/en/news/grappling-with-mixed-news-on-giving-church-exits
Read press release
Bishop dedicates reconciling church in Kenya
MOHETO, Kenya (UM News) — The dedication and consecration of a new church sanctuary in Kenya brought together United Methodists of varied perspectives on LGBTQ inclusion. East Africa Area Bishop Daniel Wandabula joined hundreds of congregants in celebrating the new sanctuary for First United Methodist Church Moheto. In 2019, the church voted to become the first congregation in Africa to identify as reconciling. Gad Maiga has the story.
Read story
Faith leaders hear of 'lost ground' on HIV
MONTREAL (UM News) — Faith leaders and others at the 24th International AIDS Conference heard that newer global health threats such as COVID-19 and monkeypox are hampering progress toward improving HIV prevention, treatment and care. The Rev. Donald E. Messer, secretary of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, reports.
Read story
Commentary: My almost-100 years as a Methodist
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — When the Rev. Mel West was growing up in rural Missouri, he said that the trinity of family, farm and church were so intertwined that “one could not think of one without considering the other two.” Now 98, West reflects on his life and the church that helped shape it.
Read commentary
United Methodist Communications
Young people needed for church study
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Do you know a 15- to 22-year-old in The United Methodist Church? The United Methodist Communications Research Team is leading a study about youth in the church to explore their spiritual journeys, values, goals, desires and more. The study for youth in the U.S. offers a $150 incentive for participation in a three-day online discussion board. Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to share the registration link and invite young people to join.
To register
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