Daily Digest - August 6, 2019


“As long as we remain invested in the fossil fuel industry, our United Methodist dollars perpetuate a root cause of the catastrophic harm of climate change.” — Marie Kuch-Stanovsky, a volunteer for Fossil Free UMC.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Wespath using financial clout for climate change
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Officials with the agency that administers United Methodist pension funds and benefits programs are touting its efforts to be environmentally friendly. But some say the progress is happening too slowly. Jim Patterson reports. 

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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Despite hard truths, there is hope in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — The Rev. Rodney Hudson, pastor of Ames United Methodist Church, said President Donald Trump’s recent statements about Baltimore were offensive, but not completely untrue. He said life for the residents in his poor African-American community hasn’t improved under the past several administrations. That hasn’t kept Hudson from seeing hope in his ministry in the midst of that community. Erik Alsgaard has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
United Methodist college boosts revitalization

CUTHBERT, Ga. — United Methodist-related Andrew College has worked to improve the downtown area of this town of about 3,800 people. Andrew College’s efforts include renovating six buildings and making the downtown area, which is about two blocks from the college, a center for arts in the community. Kara Witherow reports.
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Asbury First United Methodist Church
Church hopes to set hug relay world record

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — On Aug. 8, Asbury First United Methodist Church wants to “spread the love” in a big way. The church is seeking 1,300 volunteers to set the record for the world’s longest hug relay. The current record is 1,250, set in Italy in 2016. Last year, the church held an event to set the record for the most people hopscotching at the same time.
Read story

PRESS RELEASES

Status and Role of Women
Women’s commission approves GC2020 legislation

CHICAGO — In their last face-to-face meeting of the quadrennium, directors of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women finalized and approved legislation for General Conference 2020 and celebrated the commission’s work.
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 the UM News staff.

United Methodists are question-mark people
WILDWOOD, Fla. (UM News) — Church is for question-mark people who know they do not have all the answers, writes the Rev. Michael Beck in a commentary about voting for General Conference delegates. Even Jesus was comfortable with mystery, Beck writes.
Read commentary

RECENT HEADLINES

Mass shootings prompt prayer, action

Trotter, education champion, dies at 93

EVENTS

Monday, Aug. 26-Friday, Oct. 4

Online class: Spiritual disciplines for personal, parish renewal


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