Daily Digest - July 10, 2020

"The United Methodist Church has done a great job of raising awareness on this disease on community radios … (and) by (text) messages via the UMConnect system."The Rev. Ezechiel Mathe Paluku, superintendent of the Bukavu District, on the church's role in ending the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in East Congo.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Churches mark end of 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak

BENI, Congo (UM News) — The deadly Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that killed 2,277 people is over, the Congolese health minister and the World Health Organization announced. United Methodist churches played a part in helping to share health and prevention information, and worked to prevent the stigma Ebola survivors often face. Philippe Kituka Lolonga and Chadrack Londe Tambwe have the story. 
Read story

Deseret News
Couple ministers with bees and garden

MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE, Utah — A Utah couple is feeding the hungry and keeping things sweet with a garden and bee-keeping operation at Ogden First United Methodist Church. Kristen and Steve Bell produce vegetables for a homeless shelter and pollen that is sold to make lip balm, honey-sweetened jams and other products. Proceeds from pollen sales help finance the ministry. Trent Toone reports.
Read story

Global Ministries/UMCOR
UMCOR grant supports former prisoners

ATLANTA — Waleisah Wilson is a passionate advocate for people seeking to start life over as their incarceration comes to an end. A grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief helps fund her position at the Southern Center for Human Rights. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

Asian American Language Ministry 
Asian Americans stand in solidarity with Blacks

ATLANTA — The United Methodist Asian American Language Ministry, part of the denomination's Board of Global Ministries, has released a statement condemning the loss of Black lives to racist violence. "This is a pivotal moment for Asian Americans to rise up and acknowledge our indebtedness to the struggle and contributions of African Americans," says the statement.
Read press release and download statement


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.

Faith and Leadership
Scriptural imagination can help confront fear

LAKELAND, Fla. — It is natural to be afraid at a time like this. But the spiritual practice of reading Scripture within a deep tradition can be grounding for us, and it can help us be resilient in the face of fear, writes Florida Conference Bishop Ken Carter Jr.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Archives and History 
Online school to train local church historians

MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History is offering a free online course that will cover a range of skills needed to become a church historian. The 12-week course will begin Sept. 14 and people can take it at their own pace.
Read press release
To register


RECENT HEADLINES

Smaller communities affected by protests


Close ties challenge rural Africa COVID-19 fight


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