“What I can do in my publications is to say, ‘You think you understand the New Testament. You’ve read it a lot. Now if I fill in some historical background, you will be able to see what’s familiar to you but in a richer context. You will be able to get a deeper meaning out of it.’” — Amy-Jill Levine
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists embrace Amy-Jill Levine
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Lots of people are having an Amy-Jill Levine experience these days. Through her books, videos and visits to churches, the renowned Jewish scholar of the New Testament has become one of the most popular Bible teachers for The United Methodist Church and other mainline Protestant denominations. Sam Hodges reports.
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Reuters
Alito ruling pauses BSA bankruptcy agreement
WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily halted the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy agreement, which would settle decades of sex-abuse claims for $2.46 billion. Under the agreement, The United Methodist Church agreed to contribute $30 million to a survivors’ fund. United Methodist churches have for decades been leading sponsors of Boy Scout troops. United Methodist Bishop John Schol had a key role in the denomination’s negotiations with BSA during bankruptcy proceedings, and he issued a short statement about Alito’s order. Schol said: “We will wait to see if the full Supreme Court will review the matter or if the settlement will move forward as negotiated and approved” by a federal bankruptcy court in Delaware. Dietrich Knauth reports.
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UM News: $30 million from United Methodists in BSA bankruptcy
Global Ministries
Help for Gaza Strip population
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is doing all it can to support people in the Gaza Strip who are suffering because of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Palestinians are unable to move across checkpoints, buy or sell food and face the constant threat of harassment. “In the face of so much loss — Muslim, Christian and Jewish lives, the 28,000 men, women and children lost in Gaza, our hearts are breaking,” said Roland Fernandes, the top executive of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “But we believe that God is with those who suffer, and we are a small part of a much larger effort to work for peace in the region.” Christie R. House reports.
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Michigan Conference
Burundi student to be counselor
LANSING, Mich. — Desire Niyonkuru has traveled more than 7,500 miles and seven time zones to study pastoral counseling at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Born to a family of Hutu famers in Burundi, Africa, Niyonkuru’s parents were killed in violence there between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi ruling classes. His tuition and living expenses are covered by scholarships, grants and the seminary’s work-study program. Glenn M. Wagner has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Unsung Heroes of Methodism: Sarah Crosby
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Women have a long history of preaching and taking on spiritual leadership in the Methodist movement. In fact, the first true women preachers emerged in the earliest days of Methodism under the leadership of John Wesley. One of these, Sarah Crosby, is profiled in the “Unsung Heroes of Methodism” series, which highlights figures whose lives and witness still impact The United Methodist Church today, even if their names aren’t familiar to us.
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PRESS RELEASES
Boston University School of Theology
Professor discusses new biography on Frances Willard
BOSTON — Christopher Evans, professor of History of Christianity and Methodist Studies at Boston University School of Theology, was recently featured on the “Seekers and Scholars” podcast, published by the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Evans discussed his biography on temperance movement leader Frances Willard and her ties to Methodism.
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Listen to podcast
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.
United Methodist Communications
Lessons from ‘Frieren’ and faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As a pastor, the Rev. Nathan Webb has often witnessed the misconception that baptism marks the end of a spiritual journey. Yet, it's truly only the beginning. He shares how this concept was vividly illustrated to him while watching the anime series "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End."
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