Daily Digest - July 27, 2023

NEWS AND FEATURES

Ask The UMC
Our Living World: Air
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The creation accounts in Genesis do not mention the creation of air. We often take it for granted until something about it discomforts us. This invisible gift supports nearly all creatures in our living world. In a six-part series, Ask The UMC explores how United Methodists seek to sustain and renew links to our living world.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Conference partners with prison chaplains
PHILADELPHIA — Carmelo Urena, director of chaplaincy/religious services for Philadelphia Prisons, is a valued partner to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Prison Ministries and Restorative Justice Team. Together they work with chaplains and others to help the conference minister to people living in prisons. The program extends past spiritual needs to help those who lack resources and family support. John W. Coleman has the story. 
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Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Day of lament, action set for July 30
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A year after a United Methodist district superintendent was killed in a carjacking, Black Methodists for Church Renewal in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference has scheduled the Autura Eason-Williams Day of Lament and Action. Gatherings are planned at 4 p.m. U.S. Central time July 30 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Memphis and Clark Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville. 
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UM News: District superintendent remembered 

Dakotas Conference
Building beds and making disciples
BROOKINGS, S.D. — A bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional and mental support that a child needs. That is why Charlie Schnabel, a member at Brookings First United Methodist Church, got involved in building beds for kids. Now the entire church is involved. Doreen Gosmire and Dave Stucke have the story.
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New 2023 annual conference reports posted 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2023 annual conference reports. New this week are the New Mexico, North Carolina and North Texas conferences. 
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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 UM News staff.

United Methodists are better together
LAGRANGE, Ga. (UM News) — After a tough year of debates within his own congregation about disaffiliation, Dr. John Tures writes that he is now hearing from fellow members of First United Methodist Church in LaGrange who feel United Methodists are better together. The professor at United Methodist-related LaGrange College writes that it gives him hope as his church approaches its own vote on disaffiliation. 
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RESOURCES

Discipleship Ministries
Resources on United Methodist identity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An “Identity Marker” collection of resources is being prepared to help members of the denomination better understand the basics of being a United Methodist. Authors include Bishops Ken Carter, Rueben Job and Will Willimon. Motoe Yamada Foor has the story.
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