Daily Digest - January 9, 2020

“He was a true servant leader. He derived his authority from the importance he gave to others.”The Rev. Rob Fuquay, speaking of Bishop Michael Coyner.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Bishop Coyner, unifier of people, dies at 70

INDIANAPOLIS (UM News) — Throughout his ministry, Bishop Michael J. Coyner worked to bring people together. His sudden passing at the age of 70 brought together United Methodists of varying views who testified to his fairness and faithfulness. Heather Hahn reports. 
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Farm churches spread Gospel in rural communities
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Farm-based communities are often associated with high illiteracy, early marriages, alcohol abuse and increased HIV prevalence. To combat some of those problems, The United Methodist Church has helped to establish and support churches on two farms in the region. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Comparing plans headed to GC2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has updated its chart outlining denomination restructuring plans to be considered at the 2020 General Conference. The plans include the recently announced “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.”
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Diverse leaders’ group offers separation plan
Read more Ask The UMC

Watch livestreamed panel discussion on separation plan
TAMPA, Fla. (UM News) — Members of the team that developed a new proposal for The United Methodist Church's future will be interviewed in a livestreamed panel discussion on Monday, Jan. 13. Conducted by UM News, the 60-minute interview will be streamed on the UM News Facebook page and umnews.org beginning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern U.S. Time. The interview will be recorded and archived on umnews.org for future viewing.
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Watch livestream 

2019: The year in UM News photos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The year 2019 was an eventful one for The United Methodist Church. Photographers from UM News, the denomination's official news service, documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.
View slideshow


RESOURCES

Higher Education and Ministry
Ethnic leadership grants available

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has opened applications for Ethnic-in-Service Training grants. The agency awards grants up to $10,000 to programs designed to bolster the recruitment, training and retention of ethnic leaders at every level of the church and its ministry. The deadline to apply is March 5. 
Learn more


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