“The board of directors recognize him as a person of sincere faith and significant leadership ability. His departure is not related to wrongdoing of any kind.” — Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky on the departure of the Rev. Tim Bias from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.
Bias, board agreed he should leave church agency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The reasons for the abrupt departure of the Rev. Timothy Bias as top executive of Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church remain unclear. But he and the agency’s board president clarified on Wednesday, Jan. 6, that no misconduct was involved. Sam Hodges and Vicki Brown report.
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Filipinos, North Georgians team up in evangelism
MANILA, Philippines (UMNS) — A partnership between United Methodists in the Philippines and the North Georgia Conference is resulting in more baptisms and new churches. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
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Church camp helps senior citizens reboot
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (UMNS) — Who says only kids can go to church camp? Older adults in the Pacific Northwest Conference enjoy an annual time to “refresh and reboot” during Lazy Daze at the Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center. The conference’s Jesse N. Love has a video on the United Methodists’ experience.
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Youth ranch adds horse therapy
PINETTA, Fla. (UMNS) — The Madison Youth Ranch, a branch of the Florida United Methodist Church Children’s Home, has added the healing touch of equine-assisted therapy. All of the 11 children, ages 9 to 16, currently living at the ranch will be eligible for the horse therapy services. Susan Green reports for the Florida Conference.
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Search continues for higher education executive
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is continuing the search for an associate general secretary of the Division of Higher Education. Last year, the agency announced that the Rev. Edward Roslof, senior director of the MIT-Skoltech Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Russia, would take the post. However, after a period of prayer and discernment, Roslof and his family decided to remain in Russia, according to Ebony Lincoln, the agency’s director of communications.
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Contest seeks submissions on men’s ministries
NASHVILLE. Tenn. (UMNS) — The Commission on United Methodist Men is inviting submissions to the second annual U.S. contest for the most outstanding local church, district and conference ministries to men. The deadline is Feb. 1.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Friday, Jan. 15
Early-bird deadline for Caring for Creation Conference — The ninth event will be Friday-Saturday, April 8-9 at Decatur (Georgia) First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. This year’s focus is on food and food systems. Keynote speakers include Norman Wirzba of Duke Divinity School, Jennifer Ayres of Emory University's Candler School of Theology, and Alice Rolls of Georgia Organics. Scholarships are available. Another discounted registration deadline is March 15. To register.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Human Relations Day — Special offering on this Sunday benefits ministries aimed at helping people reach their God-given potential. These include ministries that help people recover from addictions, help ex-offenders start anew and help people become disciples even while still in prison. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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