Daily Digest - July 17, 2024

NEWS AND FEATURES

Ask The UMC
Reinstating some clergy after General Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 General Conference took action to begin to offer a means of redress for those whose clergy careers in The United Methodist Church were ended because of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or for presiding at a same-sex union or marriage ceremony. During the course of this year’s annual conference season in the United States, at least three clergy have been reinstated as elders in full connection. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards reports in Part 3 of Ask The UMC’s “The UMC Really Is…” series. 
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Global Ministries
Churches step up to help migrants
ATLANTA — United Methodist churches throughout the U.S. are in ministry with migrants struggling to make a new life in America. In Norristown, Pennsylvania, Haws Avenue United Methodist Church used a $2,000 Mustard Seed Migration Grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to set up Comunidad de Paz Haws, its ministry to the Hispanic-Latino population. Christie R. House reports on several such programs.
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Council of Bishops 
Bishops condemn political violence
WASHINGTON — After the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, the United Methodist Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning political violence and calling for United Methodists to work toward reconciliation. “May God grant us grace to be God’s agents as healers, peacemakers, and bridge builders in a troubled and hurting world,” wrote Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone. 
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UM News: Peacemaking urged after assassination attempt

Great Plains Conference
New bishop has Kansas ties
TOPEKA, Kan. — Bishop Kristin Stoneking, elected by the Western Jurisdiction on July 12, is the daughter of the late Rev. John Stoneking, who was pastor of United Methodist churches and a district superintendent in Kansas. David Burke interviewed Stoneking, the denomination’s third openly gay bishop, who will begin leading the Mountain Sky Conference on Sept. 1.
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UM News: Jurisdiction elects Kristin Stoneking as bishop
 
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Doing ‘small things with great love’
PHILADELPHIA — In a beleaguered Philadelphia neighborhood where rampant drug trafficking, violence and despair have long reigned, a ministry supported by Lighthouse Fellowship United Methodist Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania, has been offering hope. A small team of street ministry servants from Shores of Grace Philly shows up every other Sunday afternoon outside Hope Park, giving out food and other items and connecting with a community in need. John W. Coleman reports. 
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Episcopal News Service
Dialogue continues work toward full communion
NEW YORK — The Episcopal Church is beginning work on the necessary next steps in advance of 2027, when the 82nd General Convention can vote on full communion with The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist-Episcopal Dialogue will meet this fall to begin the discussion needed to implement full communion. The United Methodist Church’s General Conference approved full communion on April 30. Melodie Woerman reports.
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UM News: Full communion with Episcopalians gets closer
 

PRESS RELEASES

Church and Society
Grace Over Greed effort returns
WASHINGTON — Spurred by budget decisions coming from Congress, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society is reviving its Grace Over Greed campaign to highlight budget issues and help United Methodists understand, advocate and act on U.S. budget policies in ways that are consistent with the United Methodist faith and Social Principles.
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