Daily Digest - January 26, 2024

“Jesus saw people. He spoke out against injustice and was not afraid to take a stand.” — The Rev. Jon Erik Bråthen, a United Methodist military chaplain in Norway.


TODAY’S HEADLINES

Military chaplain protects, promotes Sámi rights
FINNMARK, Norway (UM News) — Encouraging justice and understanding is a big part of the Rev. Jon Erik Bråthen’s job. The major has been a United Methodist military chaplain for almost three years. His “congregants” are Sámi-speaking peoples, whose best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Bråthen has four primary tasks as he serves among the Sámi: faith and practice, worship services in the field and at camp, teaching and, especially, conversations. Emil Skartveit has the story.
Read story
Commentary: Looking back at church’s long history with the Sámi people

North Central Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction approves new episcopal areas
GLENVIEW, Ill. — During a Jan. 23 special-called session of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, delegates voted to form two new episcopal areas. One will include the East Ohio and West Ohio conferences, and the other will include the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin conferences. The two conferences in each new episcopal area will share one bishop beginning Sept. 1. The North Central Jurisdiction will transition from nine to seven episcopal areas. 
Read East Ohio/West Ohio story
Read Northern Illinois/Wisconsin story

United Methodist Communications
Pet ministry offers hope and healing to all
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The majority of households in the U.S. have at least one pet, and many people feel their pets are family members. At Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, pets are a part of the church family as well. What began as a class to train therapy dogs for nursing home visits has become a multifaceted community pet ministry. Laura Buchanan reports. 
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Arkansas Times
Film on church member up for Oscar
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church is the subject of a documentary that has been nominated for a 2024 Academy Award. “The Barber of Little Rock” tells of Arlo Washington, a barber and barber college owner who sought to address the racial wealth gap by starting a nonprofit loan fund. The 35-minute film is in the short documentary category. Daniel Grear reports.
Read story
Read church’s Facebook post


PRESS RELEASES

Commission on the General Conference
Supplemental ADCA available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The supplemental Advance edition of the Daily Christian Advocate is now available online. It contains the agenda, rules, petitions, reports from the general agencies/commissions and study committees, information for delegates and codes of conduct for the General Conference. The website is available in English, French, Portuguese and Kiswahili. Preferred languages can be chosen while creating an account to access the site.
Read press release
View resource


RESOURCES

Deaf-Ministries.org
Ways to observe Disability Awareness Sunday
WASHINGTON — Churches are encouraged to observe Disability Awareness Sunday on the first Sunday of February or another Sunday of their choice. Yvonne Caughman and the Rev. Leo Yates Jr., leaders of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Disability Ministries team, offer several ideas to support churches’ inclusion efforts.
View resource


EVENTS

Monday, Jan. 29-Friday, Feb. 9
Online course: Anxiety, Fear and Faith

Wednesday, Feb. 28-Thursday, Feb. 29
2024 Schooler Institute on Preaching


TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK

New stage, new look for historical collection
DALLAS (UM News) — Out of sight for more than two years, the Methodist historical collection that had been at the World Methodist Museum in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, is back on display and in a new home: Bridwell Library at Dallas' Perkins School of Theology. Sam Hodges reports that while John Wesley remains front and center, women and people of color who had a key role in Methodism’s growth are also highlighted by the exhibit.
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Filipino effort promotes United Methodism globally
KITTRELL, N.C. (UM News) — Against the backdrop of more than 7,600 U.S. congregations leaving The United Methodist Church in recent years, the Global Filipino United Methodist Movement remains committed to bringing Filipinos in the U.S. and around the world into the denominational fold. The National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists launched the movement before the 2019 General Conference to assist Filipino diaspora faith communities in organizing United Methodist ministries, revitalizing existing programs and developing leaders. Caleb Maglaya Galaraga has the story.
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Global Ministries
Moving forward in mission with East Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya — Relations between the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and the East Africa Episcopal Area took another step forward Jan. 16-17 with a mission consultation led by Roland Fernandes, chief executive of Global Ministries. It was the first formal meeting between the agency and episcopal area since the reestablishment of relations was announced in May after more than a decade-long freeze on church and mission funds because of auditing issues. “With God’s help, our actions can bring new hope for mission in the region,” Fernandes said. Susan Clark reports.
Read story

United Methodist Communications
Registration opens for delegate orientation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Registration for the upcoming livestreamed orientation and briefing for General Conference delegates is now available. Co-hosted by United Methodist Communications and the Secretary of the General Conference, and led by UM News, the orientation will prepare attendees for the postponed General Conference scheduled for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The livestream will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 29 and March 1. It will be offered in English, French and Portuguese. 
Read press release
Register