Daily Digest - August 5, 2019

"This is a tremendous shock to the collective soul of the city."The Rev. Eduardo “Eddie” Rivera, a United Methodist district superintendent in El Paso, on the mass shooting there. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Mass shootings prompt prayer, action

EL PASO, Texas (UM News) — After two U.S. mass shootings that killed at least 31 people, United Methodists are responding with both prayers and plans for action to address gun violence and hate. Heather Hahn and Sam Hodges report.
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Trotter, education champion, dies at 93
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. F. Thomas Trotter was a champion of higher education for all who laid the foundation for the first United Methodist-related university on the continent of Africa. He died July 26 at the age of 93. Kathy L. Gilbert reports. 
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Motorbikes ease travel for rural pastors in Zimbabwe
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Five rural pastors in the Mutasa Nyanga District will no longer have to walk miles to reach parishioners. The clergy were presented with new motorbikes to ease travel and allow more time for ministry. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Holston Conference
Churches to work on opioid crisis 

ALCOA, Tenn. — The Holston Conference raised $143,597 to equip churches to join the battle against opioids. The funds will be distributed through grants to Holston congregations, missional hubs and related ministries. Annette Spence writes about the program, as well as about churches that already have addiction-related ministries. 
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30 ways churches can help fight opioid addiction 
Read UM News series: Church responds to opioid crisis

The Augusta Chronicle
Julius Scott, longtime educator, dies

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Julius Scott, who held seven college presidencies during his career — including at three of the 11 historically black colleges supported by The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund — died Aug. 1. He was twice president of Paine College in Augusta, and also was president of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, and interim president at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tom Corwin has the story.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Workshop planned on race-based stress

PHILADELPHIA — A trauma expert will lead a workshop on racism and post-traumatic stress for people of color. The “Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress & Transformation” workshop is set for Sept. 14. John W. Coleman reports.
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RECENT HEADLINES

Zimbabwe, Western Pennsylvania partnership continues


Scholars gather to champion LGBTQ inclusion


EVENTS

August and September

Marriage enrichment retreats at Lake Junaluska 

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