Daily Digest - August 28, 2023

“The displaced people, who have already lost everything, are in need and deserve urgent help.”East Congo Area Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda


NEWS AND FEATURES

Fire ravages two camps for displaced people 

MALICHA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Eastern Congo is appealing for aid as 45,000 people are left homeless by fires at two camps for internally displaced people in South Kivu. Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda expressed his compassion for those affected and said the church and other partners can play a role in easing the suffering of survivors. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
Read story

Career expo helps dreams take flight at rural schools
SEKE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Over 200 rural students had the opportunity to rub shoulders with professionals in the aviation, legal and banking sectors under a program organized by a local United Methodist men’s organization. “Career guidance targeted at our learners is a new dimension introduced by the church. The airline staff were a major attraction,” said Murape School Headmaster Lameck Chahwanda. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
Read story

Florida Conference
Bishop calls for prayer after Jacksonville shooting

LAKELAND, Fla. — Just days before the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, a gunman killed three Black people in Jacksonville, Florida, in what law enforcement identified as a hate crime. “How long, O LORD, will some have to live in fear,” asks Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin in a call to prayer that references Psalm 13.
Read Bishop Berlin’s statement
Read New England Bishop Peggy A. Johnson’s statement 
Read World Council of Churches statement
The Associated Press: What we know about Jacksonville killings
Download March on Washington meme


PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Draw visitors with Find-a-Church updates

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist congregations have an opportunity to share information about their church with those who are searching for the right church home. With the new, expanded search options on UMC.org’s Find-a-Church online directory, visitors can filter results to identify a church that is a good fit. But first, churches need to update their profiles to make that information available.
Read press release
To update church profiles


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. 

Rethink Church
When church feels like the right thing to do

WALNUT, Calif. — We all need a break from time to time. Sometimes, we also need time away from church. The Rev. Lydia Sohn shares how she stepped away from ministry to focus on her role as mom and caregiver and how, after so many weeks away, she felt the itch to head back to church.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Religion and Race
Study helps white Christians understand racism’s impacts

WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering a seven-part curriculum aimed at white Christians in how racism affects society and the church. “You Are Here” defines racism and discusses how it impacts and impedes the integrity and effectiveness of God’s people gathered as the church. 
View resource


RECENT HEADLINES

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